Urban Form & Function PDF

Urban Form & Function Introduction Lost Space: Poor planning practices lead to underutilized urban spaces. Economic Models: Economic factors influence urban growth and layout. Urban Ecological Processes: Natural processes impacting urban form. City Functions: Socio-cultural...

Urban Form & Function Introduction Lost Space: Poor planning practices lead to underutilized urban spaces. Economic Models: Economic factors influence urban growth and layout. Urban Ecological Processes: Natural processes impacting urban form. City Functions: Socio-cultural, economic, and political elements shape urban form. Lost Space Key Causes: 1. The Automobile: Urban land devoted to vehicles (e.g., roads, highways, parking spaces). Supporting infrastructure (gas stations, auto shops). 2. The Modern Movement: Abstract ideals lead to isolated buildings and space disconnect. High-rise towers and malls disrupt urban continuity. arenas and venues 3. Zoning Policies: Separation of integrated functions creates lost spaces between districts. Cluster zoning isolates developments, overwhelming surroundings. 4. Privatization of Public Space: Traditional social spaces replaced by private recreation areas. 5. Changing Land Use: Redefines inner-city spaces, often leading to neglect. Economic Models 1. Concentric Zone Model (E.W. Burgess): ○ Cities grow outward from the Central Business District (CBD). ○ Includes a transition or "grey" zone for future expansion. 2. Sector Model (Homer Hoyt): ○ Growth aligned with transportation lines and higher-income areas. ○ High-income areas attract businesses like banks and offices. ○ grow in the same direction 3. Multiple Nuclei Model (Harris & Pullman): ○ Cities evolve around multiple nodes, influenced by: Activity requirements (e.g., waterfronts for docks).  Cohesion (e.g., retail districts). Incompatibilities (e.g., industry vs. residential). Cost constraints (e.g., low-rent areas). 4. Urban Realms Model (James Vance): ○ Emergence of self-sufficient suburban sectors. Urban Ecology Processes: 1. Invasion: New populations or facilities entering occupied areas. 2. Centralization: Population increases at geographic centers. centralized governmental power, security, amusement, trade and industry, education, transportation, finance and banking, and utilities. 3. Decentralization: Migration to peripheries due to centralization factors. 4. Block Boosting: Displacement due to social/racial changes. 5. Gentrification: Physical improvements raise property values in rundown areas. City Functions 1. Economic: ○ Cities as production and marketplace hubs. ○ Historically near trade routes or harbors. 2. Defense & Protection: ○ Historically built for security, now obsolete. 3. Worship & Governance: ○ Ancient cities centered on religious and administrative structures. Cities were built around temples, shrines, and pyramids in ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome The medieval cathedral was the center of the city, as were renaissance palaces and castles. 4. Transportation: ○ Defines city size and spread but impacts social fabric negatively. 5. Education: ○ Cities as centers of knowledge and diversity. Due to the diversity of people, ideas, jobs, etc., the city as a whole is seen as an educator. 6. Cultural: ○ Ancient theaters and city beautification reflected shared cultural pride. 7. Housing: ○ Influenced by industrialization and transportation, moving to suburbs. City Comforts Core Concept: Urban Village by David Sucher A metaphor emphasizing the "urban village" over large strategic visions. Focus on small, impactful details to create comfort and vibrancy. The Chance Encounter “The possibility of the accidental meeting is what makes the city a fertile place.” 1. Encourage Social Interactions: ○ Provide seating: Explicit invitation to stay. ○ Offer food or drink: Attracts people. ○ Use conversation pieces: Direct attention externally (e.g., sculptures, art). ○ BUILD NEIGHBORHOODS for the SOCIAL STROLL ○ Build close to sidewalks: Promotes proximity-based conversations. 2. Design for Strolling: ○ Public spaces should encourage "the social stroll" for interaction and observation. ○ Ensure sunlight in public areas. 3. Support Activities: ○ Provide spaces for music and games. ○ Build bus shelters with services. Knowing Where You Are Neighborhood Gateways: Create identity and enhance community spirit. Give People the Time of Day Maps ○ Maps on sidewalks improve navigation and safety. Children in the City Build at Child Scale: Design spaces accommodating children. Place Playgrounds Strategically: ○ Integrate into shopping districts, residential zones, and restaurants.Ensure children can play safely in streets or open areas. Let Children Play in the Streets Feeling Safe - natural surveillance and territoriality 1. Natural Surveillance: "Eyes on the street" concept promotes safety. 2. Open Storefront to the Street ○ Interesting storefronts and open windows encourage activity. ○ Allow street vendors for additional nodes of interaction 3. Have Fully open Windows. 4. Engage Walkers with Interesting Storefronts 5. Allow Vendors, node of activity 6. Visible Safety Measures: ○ Scatter police visibly (e.g., on bikes). ○ Make entrances clear and inviting. Little Necessities Urban Comforts: ○ Accessible drinking water ○ public toilets accessible ○ Sheltered spaces like phone booths ○ house the trash bins. ○ Keep streets shaded or protected from weather. Aesthetic Infrastructure: Celebrate and beautify mundane elements like stations or bins. Smoothing Edges Soften Walls: ○ Use trees, soft walls, and trellises to create friendly transitions between spaces ○ paint on walls add trellises. Reclaim parking lots for human activity or greenery. ○ Shield parking spaces underground or with elevation. ○ Maintain greenery in parking areas. Boundary Design: ○ Shield with elevation ○ Use low fences to encourage visibility and interaction. Add Trees for Premium Value ○ Save even one tree Fitting In  Ensure building designs respect neighborhood context (e.g., rooflines, colors). Allow for accessible corner stores and well-designed parking garages. Waste Not; Want Not 1. Utilizing Underused Spaces: ○ Convert alleys into retail streets or houses. ○ Turn "dead" corners into parks or active zones. ○ Bridge freeways to reconnect neighborhoods. ○ Use sideyards for seating 2. Recycling: Encourage public recycling as second nature. Getting Around Traffic Calming: ○ bulb the corners for more pedestrian space, raise crosswalks ○ Shorten blocks w crossing streets ○ Slow traffic with roundabouts or sharper turns, and curve roads to narrow sight lines Promote Walkability: Create grids and shortcuts for pedestrians in, intersections, not for drivers, widen sidewalks Encourage Biking: Make it a viable transport option. Art in the City Use art to: ○ protect. ○ inspire ○ clarify ○ Decorate blank walls with murals. ○ Make art interactive for communal engagement. Conclusion The ultimate goal is to design a city so comfortable and secure that people feel free to rest or socialize in public spaces without concern. Emerging Theories Suburban Sprawl Causes: ○ Industrial revolution, automobiles, petroleum interests. ○ voracity of developers ○ Mortgage systems, civic shortsightedness, and suburbanization post-WWII. ○ Migration patterns, developer ambitions, and the "American Dream." Effects: ○ Independent suburban realms and low-density, cookie-cutter developments. ○ Landscapes dominated by parking lots, strip malls, ○ automobile dominated land, traffic, environmental degradation, and economic losses ○ Maze-like freeways that connect yet disrupt neighborhoods. ○ Social segregation, environmental degradation, and economic losses. Planned Urban Developments (PUDs) Definition: ○ Multi-use developments integrating commercial, office, and residential areas. ○ Cluster zoning allows flexible and intensive first-time land use. Features: ○ Common property maintained by associations or developers. ○ Focus on comprehensive and coordinated urban design. Transit-Oriented Developments (TODs) Definition: ○ Mixed-use communities centered around transit stops (600–700 meters). ○ Includes residential, retail, office, and open public spaces. Types: ○ Urban TODs: High-density residential and commercial zones near major transit networks. ○ Neighborhood TODs: Moderate density, mixed-use areas near feeder bus lines. Principles: ○ Walkable, interconnected streets converging on transit hubs. ○ Spacing of major competing retail centers (minimum 1 mile apart). Transit Systems: ○ Light rail, rapid transit (most efficient), and express bus lanes. Traditional Neighborhood Developments (TNDs) Definition: ○ Towns planned with traditional principles: walkability, mixed-use areas, and integrated amenities. ○ Involves infill or new construction with diverse housing and public spaces. Design Features: ○ Well-connected streets and blocks. ○ Proximity to stores, schools, and places of worship. New Urbanism Overview: ○ Promotes walkable blocks, diverse housing, and accessible public spaces. ○ Focus on sustainability, social equity, and heritage conservation. Principles: ○ Defined, accessible public spaces and community institutions. ○ Celebrate local history, climate, and ecology through architecture. ○ Encourage infill development to conserve resources and reclaim marginal areas. ○ Promote mixed-use neighborhoods and diverse housing options. ○ Centralized neighborhoods with interconnected street networks. ○ Schools, parks, and community amenities within walking distance. Case Studies: ○ Seaside, Florida: 80 acres designed by DPZ architects. ○ Laguna West, California: 1,045 acres by Peter Calthorpe. ○ Kentlands, Maryland: 355 acres by DPZ architects. ○ Jackson Taylor, San Jose, California: Mixed-use and residential-focused blocks through train line Key Design Elements Across Theories Transportation: ○ Encourage alternative transit and pedestrian-friendly environments. ○ Traffic calming strategies: short blocks, raised crosswalks, and narrower roads. Sustainability: ○ Reuse underutilized spaces, integrate natural elements, and prioritize green spaces. Social Equity: ○ Mixed-income housing and accessible amenities strengthen community bonds. Notes for Exam: Three Paradigms of Urbanism 1. New Urbanism (NU) Characteristics: ○ Utopian: Aims for social equity, community integration, and mixed land uses. ○ Precedent-Based: Draws from historical traditions while integrating contemporary practices. ○ Normative: Uses prescriptive codes rather than proscriptive zoning. ○ Comprehensive Planning: Emphasizes planned development with human-scale design. ○ Socially Structured: Connects physical design with social behavior, fostering community and sustainability. ○ Pedestrian-Friendly: Prioritizes walkability over automobile dependency. ○ Inspirational: Promotes civic pride through public architecture and spaces. ○ Sustainable: Focuses on environmental conservation. ○ Aesthetic Appeal: Values beauty and coherence in design. Criticism: ○ Sometimes perceived as artificial or overly idealistic. 2. Post Urbanism (PU) Characteristics: ○ Techno-Centric: Reflects the global, virtual, and technological world. ○ Explorative: Challenges norms and conventions, promoting innovation. ○ Sensational and Abstract: Often provocative and visually striking. ○ Auto-Oriented: Influences suburban design and shopping mall culture. ○ Over-Scaled: Tends to prioritize monumental designs, sometimes at the expense of usability. ○ Fragmented: Acknowledges the impossibility of shared values in a fragmented world. ○ Futuristic: Markets itself with a forward-looking vision. Criticism: ○ Lacks cohesion and can feel manipulative or disconnected from community needs. 3. Everyday Urbanism (EU) Characteristics: ○ Non-Utopian: Focuses on real, ordinary life rather than idealistic visions.  ○ Practical: Builds on existing conditions, emphasizing adaptability and responsiveness. ○ Culture-Driven: Highlights the role of culture over formal design in shaping urban spaces. ○ Spontaneous and Organic: Encourages vibrant, colorful, and dynamic urban interactions. ○ Street-Centric: Residents metaphorically extend their private spaces into public streets. ○ Efficient: Minimizes wasted space and celebrates ingenuity in urban life. ○ Responsive: Rather than seek grand utopian visions, ○ Everyday Urbanism investigates specific urban conditions, and learns from them. Contrasts with Other Paradigms: ○ Opposes the planned perfection of New Urbanism and the extravagance of Post Urbanism. Comparison of Paradigms Aspect New Urbanism Post Everyday Urbanism Urbanism Time Focus Past Future Present Scale Medium Large Small Values Sustainability Individualism Community Movement Pedestrian/Transit Automobile Pedestrian Design Beautiful/Orderly Extravagant Plain/Chaotic Approach Users Middle Class Elite Masses Key Elements of Contemporary Urbanism 1. Mixed Land Uses: Integrating residential, commercial, and public spaces. 2. Encouraging Permeability and Accessibility : Reducing traffic by prioritizing walking and mass transit.. 3. Central Public Spaces: Acting as community anchors. 4. Face-to-Face Architecture: Promoting interaction between people and buildings. 5. Citizen Participation: Engaging locals in urban planning. Urban Revitalization Urban Revitalization Overview Key Concepts: ○ Urban Renewal: Focused on improving degrading urban centers. ○ Redevelopment: Modernization of infrastructure and land use. ○ Urban Regeneration: Enhancing functionality and aesthetics. ○ Gentrification: Transforming neighborhoods, often displacing residents. Historical Examples 1. Rebuilding Rome (1585–1789) ○ Led by Domenico Fontana. ○ Focus: Efficient pedestrian movement between Christian churches. ○ Method: Marking sites with obelisks relocated from Egypt. ○ Examples: Obelisk at St. Peter’s Square, Piazza Navona, Trinità dei Monti. ○ Outcome: Master plan still evident in Rome's cityscape. 2. Rebuilding Paris (1853–1870) ○ Led by Baron Haussmann. ○ Included: Demolition of unhealthy neighborhoods. Construction of wide avenues, parks, and sewers. Annexation of suburbs. ○ Legacy: Iconic Parisian boulevards and improved sanitation. 20th-Century Urban Renewal Objectives: ○ Slum upgrading and relocation. ○ Demolition of old structures for new developments. ○ Reorganizing economic activities using eminent domain. 1. Pittsburgh Renewal ○ Driven by the steel industry. ○ Urban changes: Riverfront development. Lower Hill District redevelopment displacing residents and businesses. ○ Result: Parks, office buildings, and arenas. 2. Boston Renewal ○ 1950s–60s urban renewal projects.  ○ The Big Dig (1990–2007): Massive infrastructure project costing $24 billion. Transformed traffic flow and urban spaces. Modern Revitalization Projects 1. Cheonggyecheon Stream (Seoul, South Korea) ○ Covered in the 1950s–70s; revitalized in 2003–2005. ○ Achievements: Heritage restoration and community development. Reduced vehicular traffic and air pollution (35% decrease). Attracted 64,000 daily visitors and boosted public transit use. 2. Coulée Verte René Dumont (Paris) ○ Converted a 4.7 km railway into an elevated promenade park (1993). ○ Features: Mixed wild vegetation with modern landscaping. Viaduc des Arts with artisan shops. 3. High Line (New York City) ○ Transformed the abandoned West Side Rail Line into a public park (2006). ○ Highlights: Integrated natural wild vegetation. Reimagined urban spaces for community engagement. 4. Machinenfabrik Oerlikon Park (Zurich, Switzerland) ○ Built in 2001 on a former engineering estate. ○ Unique Features: Multi-level design with trellises and platforms. Activities include sports, concerts, and film screenings. 5. Stroget Street (Copenhagen) ○ Closed to automobiles in 1962 to reduce traffic congestion. ○ Outcome: Established one of the world’s longest pedestrian shopping streets. Key Themes in Urban Revitalization 1. Heritage and Community: ○ Restoration of historical sites and public spaces. ○ Enhancing community identity and pride. 2. Environmental Improvements: ○ Reduced pollution and increased greenery. ○ Incorporating sustainable design. 3. Social Dynamics: ○ Managing displacement (e.g., Pittsburgh Renewal).  ○ Balancing modernization with cultural preservation. 4. Economic Impact: ○ Attracting tourism and increasing property values. ○ Supporting local businesses through improved infrastructure. 5. Infrastructure and Mobility: ○ Reorganizing transit systems to support pedestrian and public transit.