MASTERPLANNING FOR CHANGE Lessons and Directions
1. Present the current state of my PhD work 2. Briefly explain the context of my research 3. Try to quickly go through the evolution of the instrument of masterplans and with it the critics and contradictions that have accompanied its use as elective tool of spatial planning. 4. Introduce my conceptual approach that tries to bring together the instrument of masterplan with the recently emerged framework of socioecological resilience.
15th July 2015
Urban Design Studies Unit – University of Strathclyde
AESOP Congress 2015
What is meant for masterplan? As a process‌ It is a spatially-focused problem-solving method aimed at achieving development of an area on strategic long-term goals and short-term objectives, investigating a broad range of interconnected issues and aiming at directing desirable change over time grounded on needs and aspirations by local authorities, landowners, communities, stakeholders and developers. It is deployed as a number of tied actions that generally require, extensive preparatory analysis and negotiation between actors.
As a product‌ It is a document setting rules reflecting a series of normative values, goals or principles into physical space. It commonly consists of maps, diagrams, text regulating, in more or less detail, layout of an area, including geometry and distribution of streets, open spaces, built structures as well as allowed/prohibited activities and uses, technical and public infrastructure etc. It also details mechanisms for its implementation.
15th July 2015
Urban Design Studies Unit – University of Strathclyde
AESOP Congress 2015
Why masterplan? 1. Some of the most loved, successful and sought after places were built centuries ago through the implementation of well-conceived masterplans which achieved character, coherence and flexibility. 2. “One of the principal urban design activities engaged in by urban designers and architects alike” (Tarbatt, 2012: p. 20), both in public and private sectors (Watson, 2009, Bullivant, 2012). 3. Embedded in legislation and urban design guidance in many countries where they enable local authorities to turn policy, aspirations and objectives in three-dimension 4. Developed established range of mechanisms negotiation and delivery (Watson, 2009).
for
commissioning,
“The good news is that the importance of masterplanning is now understood once again. Indeed, it would be almost unthinkable for a significant new development to proceed without a masterplan.” Jon Rouse, Chief Executive of CABE
15th July 2015
Urban Design Studies Unit – University of Strathclyde
AESOP Congress 2015
Evolution of the Masterplan Les Grands Travaux (18th – 19th Century)
Plan of Edinburgh New Town,1767
Plan de Ensanche in Barcelona, 1859
Les grands traxaux
Map of Lower Manhattan,1842
Plan for Paris, 1853-1870
Elaboration from Porta and Romice (2014), and Thwaites et al. (2007)
15th July 2015
Urban Design Studies Unit – University of Strathclyde
AESOP Congress 2015
Evolution of the Masterplan Utopian Models (1850s – 1930s)
The Garden City, 1898
Plan for La Ville Radieuse, 1930
Comprehensive Masterplanning (1930s, 1950s – 1970s)
Les grands traxaux
Models of urban utopias
Comprehensive masterplans
Masterplan for Radburn, 1937
15th July 2015
Plan for North Side Pittsburgh, 1954
Elaboration from Porta and Romice (2014), and Thwaites et al. (2007)
Urban Design Studies Unit – University of Strathclyde
AESOP Congress 2015
Evolution of the Masterplan Critique to Comprehensive Masterplan (1960s, 1980s)
Sustainable Mixed-use city
An original ad for Jacobs' most famous book, 1960
The Renaissance of Masterplans (1990s, 2000s)
Les grands traxaux
“development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs” – Our Common Future,1987
Comprehensive masterplans
Critics to planning orthodoxy
Main street in False Creek Village
15th July 2015
Old Market Square in Nottingham
Models of urban utopias
Elaboration from Porta and Romice (2014), and Thwaites et al. (2007)
Urban Design Studies Unit – University of Strathclyde
AESOP Congress 2015
The Age of Uncertainty 2008 Economic Recession
• Economic instability • Limited financial availability • Reduced government effectiveness
MASTERPLAN =
Tower-blocks demolition in Glasgow, 2012
Unfinished development in California, 2013
inflexible, overly prescriptive and static Tool of spatial planning
(UN-Habitat, 2009)
Unfinished Ciudad Real airport, 2013
Kangabashi “Ghost” District in Ordos, 2014
...what happens when CONDITIONS
CHANGE and PLACES DON’T
15th July 2015
Urban Design Studies Unit – University of Strathclyde
AESOP Congress 2015
The Age of Uncertainty Cities exist in a condition of change Need to deal with the impact of change. Outcomes cannot be determined through universal models.
Sustainable Sustainable Mixed-use city Time, Evolution, Change
Future outcomes are largely beyond our ability to make predictions and to make plans
Les grands traxaux
Sustainability cannot be an ultimate goal but must embed a transitional dimension and be interpreted as an on-going process over time.
Alternative approaches to masterplanning
Comprehensive masterplans
Critics Critics to to planning planning orthodoxy orthodoxy
Focus on the capacity to respond to continual change and be able to respond to multiple challenges of contemporary living.
Models Models of of urban urban utopias utopias
Elaboration from Porta and Romice (2014), and Thwaites et al. (2007)
15th July 2015
Urban Design Studies Unit – University of Strathclyde
AESOP Congress 2015
Introducing Resilience In socio-ecological systems
= the capacity of a system to dynamically adapt to disturbance without changing its basic state and relationships, even when change is sudden and unexpected”
Masterplan For Change Sustainable Mixed-use city
In Urban Systems…
Time, Evolution, Change
=
the ability to persist during periods of turbulence and preserve core identity, character and structure, maintaining the ability to change gradually and incrementally
Les grands traxaux
In Masterplanning… Critics to planning orthodoxy
Models of urban utopias
Comprehensive masterplans
laboration from Porta and Romice (2014), and Thwaites et al. (2007)
15th July 2015 15th July 2015
Urban Design Studies Unit – Urban Design Unit – University of Strathclyde University ofStudies Strathclyde
AESOP Congress 2015 AESOP Congress 2015
Setting Principles for “Masterplan for Change”
PRINCIPLES
SUSTAINABILITY AGENDA Urban Design
RESILIENCE FRAMEWORK System ecology
TOOLS
15th July 2015
Urban Design Studies Unit – University of Strathclyde
AESOP Congress 2015
Setting Principles for “Masterplan for Change” Urban Design Sustainability Principles
15th July 2015
Ecological Resilience Principles
Urban Design Studies Unit – University of Strathclyde
AESOP Congress 2015
Setting Principles for “Masterplan for Change” 9 Urban Design Sustainability Principles
13 Ecological Resilience Principles
Diversity
Efficiency
Diversity
Cohesion
Connectivity
Adaptability
Redundancy
Interdependence
Concentration
Self-sufficiency
Modularity
Flexibility
Distinctiveness
Stewardship
Connectivity-Hierarchy
Responsiveness
Self-organisation
Creativity
Autonomy
Feedback
Human Needs
Efficiency-Balance
15th July 2015
Urban Design Studies Unit – University of Strathclyde
AESOP Congress 2015
Setting Principles for “Masterplan for Change” 9 Urban Design Sustainability Principles
13 Ecological Resilience Principles
Diversity
Efficiency
Diversity
Cohesion
Connectivity
Adaptability
Redundancy
Interdependence
Concentration
Self-sufficiency
Modularity
Flexibility
Distinctiveness
Stewardship
Connectivity-Hierarchy
Responsiveness
Self-organisation
Creativity
Autonomy
Feedback
Human Needs
Efficiency-Balance
15th July 2015
Urban Design Studies Unit – University of Strathclyde
AESOP Congress 2015
Setting Principles for “Masterplan for Change” 9 Urban Design Sustainability Principles
13 Ecological Resilience Principles
Diversity
Efficiency
Diversity
Cohesion
Connectivity
Adaptability
Redundancy
Interdependence
Concentration
Self-sufficiency
Modularity
Flexibility
Distinctiveness
Stewardship
Connectivity-Hierarchy
Responsiveness
Self-organisation
Creativity
Autonomy
Feedback
Human Needs
Efficiency-Balance
15th July 2015
Urban Design Studies Unit – University of Strathclyde
AESOP Congress 2015
Setting Principles for “Masterplan for Change” 12 Principles of Masterplanning for Change
15th July 2015
Urban Design Studies Unit – University of Strathclyde
AESOP Congress 2015
Setting Principles for “Masterplan for Change” 12 Principles of Masterplanning for Change ROBUSTNESS the ability to withstand stress without significant structural or functional change. ADAPTABILITY the ability to adjust to changing external conditions without radically departing from previous conditions.
15th July 2015
Urban Design Studies Unit – University of Strathclyde
AESOP Congress 2015
Setting Principles for “Masterplan for Change” 12 Principles of Masterplanning for Change ROBUSTNESS the ability to withstand stress without significant structural or functional change. ADAPTABILITY the ability to adjust to changing external conditions without radically departing from previous conditions. STRUCTURAL CHARACTERISTICS The very structure of cities. Geometric and physical environment.
15th July 2015
Urban Design Studies Unit – University of Strathclyde
properties
of
the
AESOP Congress 2015
built
Setting Principles for “Masterplan for Change” 12 Principles of Masterplanning for Change ROBUSTNESS the ability to withstand stress without significant structural or functional change. ADAPTABILITY the ability to adjust to changing external conditions without radically departing from previous conditions. STRUCTURAL CHARACTERISTICS The very structure of cities. Geometric and physical environment.
properties
of
the
built
BEHAVIOURS The processes in place. These cannot be designed directly, as they are generated by use and evolve over time. The structure of the system is a fundamental enabler.
15th July 2015
Urban Design Studies Unit – University of Strathclyde
AESOP Congress 2015
What now? • Selection of masterplan case studies and suitable indicators based on principles • Perform quantitative analysis on urban form in relation to main processes and use; • Discuss the relationship between processes and their resulting urban form and their ability to display or enable resilience.
AESOP Congress 2015
Concluding Embedding a resilience framework into urban design and masterplanning can… •
help creating places able to perform culturally, socially and environmentally as well as to adapt to dynamic contextual conditions and evolve over time.
• Encourage a more time conscious approach to urban development • Exploring the duality between robustness and adaptability in the urban environment • Contribute to investigate that timeless quality so deeply cherished in our most successful cities.
AESOP Congress 2015
THANK YOU ANY QUESTIONS ?