Public Provisions and Density

Public provisions within the city are vital to encourage interaction, activity and movement. Inhabitants of a residential area in a city have a variety of needs, including; need to purchase groceries and other items; need for education and childcare; need for work; and a need for leisure activities. A few specific needs or personal choice may require a resident to travel further using public transport or a private vehicle. However, most of these needs should be served within walking distance of the inhabitants dwelling.

The brief for the A101 Urban Block competition stipulates two densities at which a block can be designed; a lower density of 14,000m² of housing per block or a higher density of 28,000m² of housing per block. Lower density blocks may be a sensible location for public provisions as without altering the residential floor space of the block the volume can be increased, allowing the volume of these lower density blocks to be closer to that of the higher density blocks.

In order to develop a design, the grid in which the block design will be located must first be considered. The following diagrams were used to explore the various public provisions and densities possible within the given grid. The diagrams include 4 different options where the starting point of designating a primary public zone within the grid leads to various block densities and location of public provisions.

Option A

This option considers a horizontal public zone stretching through the grid. The three blocks to the top of the grid remain at a higher density in response to the adjacent highway whilst blocks immediately adjacent to the horizontal public zone are reduced to the lower density. Public space and uses feed off the horizontal public zone, creating a dominant primary street within the grid.

Speculation:

The dominant horizontal public zone re-enforces the horizontal emphasis of the blocks themselves. Similar to the Piraeus block example where the internal courtyards of the block go against the grain of the island this horizontal nature of the grid and public zone may provide the opportunity to create public spaces which will provide intrigue and surprise for the user.

Option B

This option considers a vertical public zone stretching through the grid. The three blocks to the top of the grid remain at a higher density in response to the adjacent highway, as do the blocks down the right of the grid furthest away from the primary public zone. The density of the four lower blocks, which lay either side of the vertical public zone, is reduced. Public spaces and uses then feed off the vertical public zone but only across the lower density blocks.

Speculation:

By deploying the public zone in this manner the public space and uses which can directly relate to the zone are reduced. This may mean than the public provisions may be insufficient to meet the needs of the resident. This reduction is due to two factors; firstly the length of the zone is reduced due the narrow nature of the grid and secondly due the higher density blocks at the top of the grid which offer less potential for public provision.

Option C

This option considers a dual axis public zone stretching both vertically and horizontally through the grid. The three blocks to the top of the grid remain at a higher density in response to the adjacent highway, as do the blocks down the right of the grid. The block to the bottom left hand corner furthest away from the public zone also remains at the higher density. The density of the three blocks immediately below and left of the public zone is reduced. Public spaces and uses then feed off the public zone into these three lower blocks.

Speculation:

This dual axis method is born from the Egyptian city patterns where one route would run from the place of worship and the other running from the royal palace meeting at a central public space. However, without these same values and important buildings it is questionable as to whether this approach would hold much appeal for a contemporary city.

Option D

This option considers a primary public zone, which takes over the central block in the grid. All of the blocks around the perimeter of the grid remain at the higher density whilst only the density of the central public zone block is reduced. Public space and uses are all accommodated with this central block creating an area hub.

Speculation:

Although this order suggests it may create a strong community centered on one communal public zone a solution of this nature may lead to an inward looking community, detaching the area from the rest of the city.