INTERNATIONAL URBAN DESIGN WORKSHOP RECIFE 2013
TUTORS: Lawrance Barth Dominic Papa TEAM: ISRAEL Mushit Fidelman (AA) INDIA Alok Kothari (AA) INDIA Priya Jolly Lonappan (AA) TURKEY Neris Parlak (AA) CHINA Chao Wang (AA) CHINA Yanran Zhang (AA) CHINA Mingyu Zhu (AA) BRAZIL Márcio Erlich (UFPE) BRAZIL Michelle Lima (UFPE) BRAZIL Rafael Rangel (UFPE) BRAZIL Roberto Sarmento (UFPE) Work produced within the scope of III. International Urban Design Workshop 26 June – 5 July 2013 Recife, Brazil by Housing & Urbanism Programme Architectural Association School of Architecture, London, UK and Federal University of Pernambuco Depertmant of Architecture and Urbanism, Recife, Brazil (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pprd8EZeDQs)
TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION 07 1.1 The question of Housing: from provision to strategy 1.2 Minha casa Minha Vida (MCMV) programme 1.3 The case of Recife 1.4 Drivers of Change 1.5 The productive region 1.6 Transforming the centre of Recife 1.7 Objectives 1.8 Housing as Strategy 2. HOUSING AS A STRATEGY 25 2.1 Materialising the Strategy 2.2 Spatial Analysis: Housing Typologies 3. IT TAKES ONLY ONE BRIDGE 39 3.1 It takes only one bridge 3.1 Infrastructure of Transformation 3.2 Space Syntax Analysis 4. SEQUENCE OF DEVELOPMENT 47 4.1 Zeca Island 4.2 Housing Strategy in Coque 4.3 The Civic Centre 4.4 The development of Eastern Waterfront 5. MANAGING THE ESTUARY 67 6. CONCLUSION 73
CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION
Introduction
Towards a multi-layered housing policy as an urban strategy
8
1.1 THE QUESTION OF HOUSING: FROM PROVISION TO STRATEGY The question of housing is interwoven with the issues of urbanism; as housing pattern is influenced by social, economic and political conditions of a region. Provision of housing is considered a part of government’s duties, as it is the regulator of housing stock. But for many years, along with the provision, the governments also took over themselves the production of housing. This tendency resulted in the design of large scale housing programmes often meant for the economically weak section of the society. As these projects were primarily meant to provide welfare devoid of profits, their location was pushed to the periphery of cities owing to the high land prices and rates of construction in the city centre. Eventually, these programmes became a tool of addressing merely the quantity of units rather than the quality of housing produced. The Minha Casa Minha Vida (MCMV) programme, initiated by the national government of Brazil, is an apt example of this kind. Most of the projects implemented in its initial phases stand as isolated residential quarters as they lack the urbanity needed for a neighbourhood to flourish. However, pertaining to the social and economic challenges that exist today, housing programmes, such as MCMV should do more. As the dominant factor that defines the urban fabric, housing has an important role to play in shaping everyday life and thus, should go beyond just satisfying the numbers. Hence, the needs of hour is to reconsider the conventional way of implementing MCMV programme and strategically use the tool of housing to create integrated urban development that combines private and public sectors, in order to address the social, political and economical shifts experienced in Brazil. A MCMV project with 800 units on peripheral land - Goiânia, Brazil
1.2 DRIVERS OF CHANGE Nowadays, cities have become more complex, intensive and fast moving due to the constant changes in the flow of capital, knowledge and people on the global scale. Consequently, this has transformed the social, political as well as economical scenarios of cities in almost every country and Brazil is not an exception to it. The factors that have been instrumental in bringing about the transformations – in other words ‘the drivers of change’ - need to be discussed as they have a crucial role to play if housing has to be rethought as an urban strategy under the MCMV programme. Also, positioning these factors within the context of Recife, which is the testing site for this exercise, can help in relating to the local scenario effectively.
Shift in the growth pattern of industries:
Introduction
Pertaining to the good connectivity, multiple users, strong presence of people with different skills and large amount of post-industrial abandoned land, city centres are the preferred areas for locating service industries. Especially, infrastructural networks offered by the city centres provide good connectivity for the flow of goods as well as people, thereby enhancing the productivity of these industries. The growth new service industries, such as the bio-medical and legal service delivery in the centre of Recife, justify this argument.
10
Hence reflecting upon this shift of industrial growth while reconsidering the issue of housing is essential, as it should be capable of accommodating a diverse community - from the qualified employees working in the bio-medical and legal services to the unskilled labour engaged in activities serving these service industries – preferring to live close to their work.
New mobility:
Introduction
Productive activities can be enhanced based on the manifestation of healthy value chains. Small actors which contribute immensely to the realisation of these productive networks depend on permeability to move and connect. Though, various transport lines such as railways, highways or waterways (canals, estuaries, etc.) which are extremely important for a city to grow, they isolate a few areas within the city from their surroundings. Bridging over or creating underpasses can help in dealing with these thresholds and improve the connectivity to and from these areas. In addition to this, urban morphology needs to be permeable enough to allow small actors to move around effectively. In other words, improving local mobility systems through new bridges, revitalising the urban fabric, creating permeable morphology, etc. is of prime importance if housing has to connect to the productive activities of a city and materialise as an urban strategy.
11
New ways of living:
Introduction
The contemporary patterns of living have changed with the accessibility to knowledge and the use of technology. Civic amenities such as schools, libraries and health care centres amongst others are the primary centres of learning which become instrumental in boosting the social growth of cities. The ability of cities in imparting knowledge to the masses is directly proportional to the skills cities can generate. But, isolated residential developments like the earlier MCMV projects deny people the opportunity to gain knowledge and improve their learning, which is in turn detrimental to the growth of cities. Therefore, future housing projects need to be merged effectively with the civic institutions to create a healthy learning society.
12
Sustainability: Global warming is an issue of great concern. New architectural and urban interventions need to respond to the rising water levels, fluctuating temperatures, etc. in order to create sustainable urban regions. As Recife is located close to the sea, it has a presence of many waterways and estuaries which increase its vulnerability to the threats of climate change. Moreover, mangroves – which are inevitably found in coastal regions – are crucial for protecting the land from water currents of the sea and also for the growth of sea life and thus, need to be preserved and nurtured. Owing to the large scale impact of urban development programmes such as the MCMV, it is necessary to be sensitive to these issues in order to foster growth with minimum damage to the environment.
Introduction
All in all, to accommodate the emerging shifts and challenges, new housing practices must provide for improved living, learning and working environment supported by an effective mobility pattern. This can help them contribute to the knowledge generation capacity of cities; while being inclusive at the same time. In other words, housing strategy under the Minha Casa Minha Vida programme must respond to these drivers of change for the realisation of a cohesive and sustainable urban development.
13
1.3 ENGAGING COMMUNITIES IN TRANSFORMATION
Chapter 1: Introduction
The centre of Recife – where the site of intervention is located – is one of the most preferred areas for redevelopment in the Pernambuco region, owing to the presence of strong productive networks. The site is classified as a ZEIS (Special Interest Zone) – the regulations of which aim to moderate the urban upgrade plans in order to include the local inhabitants and disadvantaged groups of the area. The Coque community (an economically weak group), which has a strong presence in this area is currently struggling for its existence in face of the recent economic developments of housing and offices around the site.
14
The challenge is to transform the city centre using the tool of housing in such a way that it not only responds to the drivers of change but also protects the livelihood and the rights of the underprivileged community, for the larger benefit of the city. In order to response to this challenge, it is important to strike a balance between consolidating the existing Coque community and opening up space for other stakeholders in upgrading this area, so that an optimum realisation of the existing infrastructure and the central location of the site can be materialised.
Recife Brasilia Rio de Janeiro
Brazil - Location of Recife
Site
The Site
Introduction
Recife - Location of the site
15
1.3.1 The productive region The reason why the centre of Recife is facing these challenges is because of the enormous economic growth that has happened at its periphery, thereby redefining the relationship between the city centre and the fringes. Recife is strategically positioned as compared to other cities in the South America, as it provides an efficient connectivity to African and European cities on an International level and is thus emerging as a favoured location for industrial growth. As the old port inside the city failed to address the spatial requirements of growing industries, a new port - SUAPE – has been developed on southern periphery of Recife to cater to this demand. This relocation has resulted in a dual impact, wherein land is being opened up for new activities at the centre and development of peripheral areas due to the upcoming industrial growth.
Introduction
New housing strategy needs to be well-tailored to address the particular characteristics of intensification of both – the central city and peripheral developments – so that they complement each other in their future growth. In reference to this, the aim is to start with a more focussed approach on the changing centre of Recife - using the framework of MCMV - which will also responds to the larger productive region.
16
Residential and productive activities have grown along the corridors of transport infrastructure
Relation between the metro and the neighborhoods
Introduction
Network of Industries
17
1.3.2 Transforming the centre of Recife Though, new residential areas and heavy industries are moving out of the city centre – owing to the relocation of the port and also to avoid the congestion in the downtown – this area still holds a significant potential as a place that offers diversity and connectivity.
Introduction
Using the interest of the private sector in investing in this area, the dynamics of the surrounding urban fabric and the existing public transportation, a platform for transforming the city centre can be provided. But as established before, this process must be inclusive of the local Coque community and help reposition it within the larger productive region without extermination.
18
Site Location
Urban actors around the site
Shifts in the economic activities, growth of residential areas, upgradation of transportation infrastructure and the river are the influential actors defining the urban fabric of this area and its surroundings.
Introduction
The Urban District
19
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread. php?p=102109607 http://blogs.diariodepernambuco.com.br/ esportes/?p=81827 Introduction 20
Uppermost image Proposed private sector development in Zeca Island Upper image Currently the existing transport infrastructure on site does not redeem its investment Image next page Watertaxis in combination with bridges are important urban elements in mobility structure of Chicago, carrying hundrends commuters daily
1.4 OBJECTIVES Setting up a few objectives based on the understandings from the drivers of change and the site surroundings can help in catering to the challenge in an effective manner.
1. Gain value from urban transformation: With rise of new service industries like ICT, biomedical and legal services in the city centre, the site is going to be transformed inevitably. The new strategy should include this phenomenon while regenerating the Coque community. The failure to do this will lead to the formation of isolated ghettos - one of the service industry and the other of the existing underprivileged class – functioning next to each other without benefitting from each other. In order to avoid this, all these actors have to be layered effectively to make them a part of a single urban process.
2. Redeem investment in existing infrastructure: The current scenario is such that, infrastructure such as the road, railway station, etc. have a strong presence around the site but hardly deliver anything to the underprivileged class present there. If the optimum realisation of investing in infrastructure has to occur, then it needs to interact with the surrounding fabric and reach a larger productive territory. For instance, while rethinking the railway station development, the interests of the railway department, private investors and the Coque community need to be taken on board. This will help in equally distributing the benefits bought in by the railway line to a larger territory around it without being partial to a single party. In other words, infrastructure holds the potential to create a network of knowledge by the means of integration and layering and thus needs to be explored fully.
3. Increase investment in water and mobility: A huge amount of population resides in the low lying areas of the site, along the edge of the rivulets which is easily prone to flooding. These people can be relocated within the site under the new housing strategy and the waterfront can cater to the ecological aspects such as ‘Mangue’ (mangrove) preservation, etc. wherever required. Recife is heavily dependent on private vehicles for its transportation needs. Improving the water transport can provide an effective solution to cater to this issue. Also, the site is surrounded by estuaries which disconnect it from the neighbouring territories. As learnt from the drivers of change, the need is to develop new mobility in order to form a larger value chain. In this regard, improving and enhancing the permeability of the site by bridging over these water bodies becomes an essential criterion.
The improvement of infrastructure networks around the site together with the availability of empty land due to the relocation of heavy industries and the port creates a good condition for the alliance of public and private collaboration. Public investments in infrastructure can initiate private market development that could redeem the preliminary public financial investment. Policies and regulations could provide strategic guidance for the development of service industries and private entrepreneurship can help in generating knowledge that can be of a great value in the years to come.
Introduction
4. Involve private sector in urban transformation:
21
Involving private participation can enhance the development process and create a different model for the typical real estate development for the city. It will help materialise the collaboration of different actors thereby creating a new platform for the evolution of several key service industries.
5. Involve community in improvements:
Introduction
The provision of basic health and public facilities is a lacking factor in the area where Coque community resides. Using the tool of housing strategically, optimum amount of space can be opened up in phases for the provision of these civic institutions.
22
empty plot utilized by Coque youngsters
1.5 HOUSING AS STRATEGY Though Minha Casa Minha Vida and PAC (Aceleracﾌｧaﾌバ do Crescimento - growth acceleration) programmes provide a framework to address the deficit of housing, the way in which they are implemented currently fail to reach the scale of the city. The objectives can help in addressing this issue if the tool of housing is used strategically by the national and the local governments. In other words, to confront the challenges arising from the drivers of change, the city has to use housing as strategy to achieve these objectives.
Introduction
Housing as strategy reconsiders the common solution to slum upgrading - of forcing the disadvantaged to move to new housing. It is an attempt to test new solutions based not only on quantity but also on quality of housing, in order to enable the underprivileged to upgrade to healthy living conditions. The idea is to set a new spatial organization defined by housing in the city centre of Recife by incorporating public and private investment, to develop infrastructure and new industries, to define the use of the waterways and to improve public realm together with social infrastructure.
23
24
CHAPTER 2 HOUSING AS STRATEGY
2.1. MATERIALISING THE STRATEGY Housing as strategy provides a way of combining the densification of central city area with the introduction of different uses and activities. The strategy proposed can be applied in different conditions to define new and existing urban fabric.
1. To redefine waterways: Along with integrating the site with the rest of the city with the help of new bridges (as the estuaries strongly fragment the fabric), the strategy of redefining waterways tries to address a few other issues like improving the quality of mangroves, respond to the future risk of rising water levels and flooding, unlock the potential of waterways as an effective transport medium and enhance accessibility to the waterfront amongst others. While enhancing the waterfront accessibility, the idea is to use building types to define pathways and views which are compatible with retaining mangroves.
Housing as strategy
2. To deliver social infrastructure:
26
Currently, the social infrastructure on site is extremely weak to support any kind of knowledge generation from within the existing community. While schools imparting primary education are present, there is an absence of other institutions such as colleges for higher education, training centres, etc. in order to improve the professional skills of the people. Moreover, sports and recreational facilities are also marginally represented, making the scenario worse. Hence, it is crucial to strategically insert/propose these amenities within the site, as it will not only boost the social growth of the community but also help in creating a productive link with the medical and legal service industry surrounding it.
Dos and Don’ts Upper Image How water edge can be redefined addressing a set of issues Bottom Image Existing conditions on western water edge
3. To define areas for private sector participation: By systematically planning new programmes to improve the integration and quality of the existing housing settlement, the image of this area can be improved drastically. This will help in increasing the participation of local people in boosting the productive activities inside the city centre. In addition to this, a demonstrable commitment from the government to invest in the improvement of public transport is a clear indication of responding to the unbearable congestion caused due to the excessive use of private cars in the downtown. As a result, the private sector can be encouraged to invest in this site. In other words, by opening up land inside the site, real opportunities can be created for the private sector to claim a stake in securing the future of this area. By consolidating social housing in Zeca island for the local community, we propose to free up land for private sector investment in the area of the proposed bridge.
Dos and Don’ts Upper Image Private unsurpassable boundaries Bottom Image How to bridge over while improving the public realm
The existing housing does not permit movement through the site. Hence, the strategy is to extend the circulation and eventually improve the collective realm regenerating the morphology of a few areas. In addition to the improvement of internal circulation, this intervention can also improvise the larger scale permeability when analysed in relation to proposal of constructing new bridges across the estuaries.
Housing as strategy
4. To extend the circulation and to improve the collective realm:
27
2.2 SPATIAL ANALYSIS: HOUSING TYPOLOGIES The way MCMV is being implemented at the moment, does not support the implementation of this strategy. It is engaged in the creation of mono-functional residential quarters, which ignore the provision of public realm and social infrastructure, fail to improve the local circulation and do not respond to the new/existing mobility infrastructure. Along with the policies, the housing typologies used under this programme is also responsible for these failures. Hence, the need is to rethink the design and quality of housing produced in order to realise the larger strategy. However in spite of all the drawbacks, the positive side of the current MCMV approach is the use of simple floor plans. This is justified, as it makes the construction of units easier and affordable. Addressing the affordability of construction is crucial, as the programme has to reach the economically weakest section of the society. With reference to this, the idea is to demonstrate the compatibility of these minimal floor plans with other typologies which have potential to achieve something that is much richer in terms of wider (and longer) urban benefit.
Housing as strategy
Significance of slabs (linear blocks):
28
Until now, the tendency of MCMV’s approach has been to create monotonous rows of single family dwellings in the country side. But, when intervening in a central city district, this type of morphology would prove to be inappropriate. Moreover, the aim is to generate forms which have the ability to create an urban fabric i.e. define streets, courtyards, public spaces, etc. Additionally, the rules of
A slab can provide a clear distinction between the front and the back, thereby helping in the separation of public streets from private and communal areas
MCMV prevent the use of lifts in the buildings (to make them cost-effective), which restricts the building height to 3-4 storeys. One of the forms that can help address both - the orientation bias as well as high density in low/mid-rise areas – is slab (linear blocks). Along with incorporating the things provided by the MCMV floor plans, a linear block can also help in creating courtyards which can become effective in distributing circulation – a strategy that can offer certain amount of privacy and at the same time enliven interior spaces. Nonetheless, it can still keep up with the basic MCMV approach of creating inexpensive multi-residential housing and is multi-scalar as well as multi-sectoral at the same time. This section tries to investigate the potential of types, especially linear blocks, in order to spatialize ‘housing as strategy’. Abstracts of various architectural elements constituting the urban morphology – slab, tower and block are capable of addressing urban problems/conditions owing to their distinctive fundamental characteristics. In the case of La playa apartments in Medellin Colombi, two parallel slabs nurtured quite family environments regardless their surroundings by means of slab’s ability to create orientation front and back.
La Playa, Medellín, Colombia designed by Ana Elvira Velez + Juan Bernardo Eche
2.2.1 Floor Plan Despite of its “serialized� connotation, a slab can accommodate various spatial organizations, which may address different urban conditions. Variety of unit types can be created within a linear block in relation to its circulation system. Slab facades have an urban value/effect different than other urban forms. Its facades may define the characteristics of outdoor environment that they overlook. For instance, communal access to a slab facade in engagement with private outdoor spaces contributes to the quality and security of the space that it overlooks. Same size units with different room configurations
Secondary and tertiary streets might be addressed with wider residential facades, whereas on high streets, noise could be minimized with use of narrower facades in a slab.
Housing as strategy
Single- and Double-loaded slabs
30
Even a slab with limited depth can accommodate various unit types from two bedrooms to live/work studio flats.
Differentiation in floor plan may address high streets constituting more permeable morphology
Housing as strategy
Slab facades have an urban value determining character of its surroundings
31
2.2.2 Circulation Circulation system within the slab has pivotal role in organizing spaces. Strategic use of circulation can create various spatial qualities. For instance, pulled away communal gallery access can: - differentiate the side of slab it belongs - gives room for a personalized secure outdoor space - helps to create even more complex urban forms when connected to others
Housing as strategy
Pulled away communal access can proliferate secure outdoor spaces and create more complex urban forms
32
2.2.3 Ground Floor Elements used on ground level directly affect slab’s front-back orientation and also the characteristics of areas at the front and back.
Housing as strategy
Serialized maisonettes on ground floor define the characteristics of the outdoor environment and give room for prospective knowledge clusters in case they are used as live-work units.
34
Housing as strategy
Elements that reinforce orientation
35
2.2.4 Applying test in different conditions
Housing as strategy
36
Water edge:
FLEXIBILITY, PERMEABILITY AND DIFFERENTIATION Orientation requires differentiation in the typology of the slab
Formation of streets and communal spaces
Housing as strategy
Street Edge:
37
2.2.5 Integration of car parking
Housing as strategy
It is impossible to think of an urban morphology without the provision of car-parking in Brazil, where driving culture is quite widespread. Formation of communal areas and front-back treatment can incorporate car-parking in several ways.
38
CHAPTER 3 IT TAKES ONLY ONE BRIDGE
3. IT TAKES ONLY ONE BRIDGE While implementing these tests on site, the ambition is not to be disruptive to the community. Phasing the project in order to efficiently relocate the affected people becomes extremely crucial in this regard. Zeca Island stands out to be the most preferred location to initiate the development of new housing in phase one. Once it is realised and people from the dilapidated areas are moved to Zeca Island, land can be opened up within the Coque community for further interventions. Hence, to support the strategy of housing, building new infrastructure in the form of bridges holds the key. Improving existing transportation infrastructure and enhancing the connectivity of local mobility system for pedestrian, bicycles and vehicular movement in the city’s centre by new bridges can improve connectivity in a larger scale, between different parts of the city.
It takes only one bridge
In relation to this, the proposal promotes the formation of a sequence of bridges at four locations. This sequence would not only be instrumental in phasing of the project but also provide connectivity to and from the site which currently stands disconnected due to the presence of estuaries. But, for the reasons explained earlier, this sequence needs to start with the bridge to Zeca Island followed by the others.
40
New areas of development
Improving and extending mobility systems
Disconnection of the site and its surroundings
It takes only one bridge
Bio-Medical Cluster
41
3.1 INFRASTRUCTURE OF TRANSFORMATION
It takes only one bridge
The proposal includes four bridges of different scales. Two bridges connecting Zeca Island; a vehicular and a pedestrian bridge. The vehicular bridge will allow better connectivity to and from the area. The pedestrian bridge will offer a connection between the Coque community and future development of housings in the centre of Zeca Island while introducing educational centre for sustainability and the protection of the natural ecology in the south part of the island. Two other bridges – one for cyclists and another small scale vehicular bridge would allow better connectivity to the centre of the city and the bio-medical cluster. These connections might enable the extension of the bio-medical cluster to the south area and introduce new options for employment for the community.
42
BIOMEDICAL CLUSTER Vehicular bridge
ZECA ISLAND
Vehicular bridge
Pedestrian bridge
Pedestrian bridge
NEW CONNECTIVITY
It takes only one bridge
Pedestrian bridge
43
3.2 SPACE SYNTAX ANALYSIS By using advanced spatial analysis software from Space Syntax, we could test our proposal by looking at the accessibility from Cabo Eutropio Street, which is the central spine of Coque community. With the connections of four bridges, the community along Estrada Dos Remedios to the west of Coque is much closer according to step-depth value. In the future, these two communities along with the bio-medical cluster in the central region of Bio Vista could develop complimentary industries and finally form a comprehensive economic environment in the estuary delta.
SPACE SYNTAX : From Cabo Eutropio Street
It takes only one bridge
1. Existing condition in ZEIS 2. Proposal in ZEIS
44
Setting the base point at Ilha do Zeca, our vision is to serve both Coque Community and Afogados Community in the local scale. With indirect connections, the proposal spatial network provides a possibility to create a slow-speed and pedestrian-friendly mobility, rather than creating highly chosen primary road in the city scale.
SPACE SYNTAX : From Zeca Island
It takes only one bridge
1. Existing condition in ZEIS 2. Proposal in ZEIS
45
46
CHAPTER 4 SEQUENCE OF DEVELOPMENT
1.
4. 2. 3.
4.
SEQUENCE OF DEVELOPMENT
1.
ZECA ISLAND
2.
HOUSING STRATEGY IN COQUE
3.
THE CIVIC CENTRE
4.
THE DEVELOPMENT OF EASTERN WATER
Sequence of development
FRONT
49
4.1 ZECA ISLAND The upgrading of the ZEIS area should commence with a housings solution that provides an alternative location to those in precarious living conditions. As established before, Zeca Island provides for an ideal location to develop mixed-use housing environment and relocate the affected people. • The development of Zeca Island includes the creation of a mixeduse, medium density housing for ‘level (paixa) 1-2’, but giving a priority to the Coque community.
Sequence of development
• The environmental education facility in the southern part of the island will be used for mangrove preservation, establishing a training institution for fisheries and employ locals for its maintenance and allied activities.
50
Zeca Island environmental map shows that the edges of this area are in a risk of flooding; whereas its core is solid and fit for construction
Sequence of development
The layout, organization and size of the blocks can define the patterns of movement and permeability through the neighbourhood. The tests show the relation between the bridges, peripheral vehicular circulation and organization of parks within the neighbourhoods. Also, the layout of the blocks tested in the Zeca Island present a dense housing fabric.
51
52
Sequence of development
Sequence of development
The proposal limits the vehicular movement at the border of the residential area, in order to create a quiet pedestrian environment. Pedestrian link connects the Coque area to the Zeca Island and the residential neighbourhood to the North West. A spine of public open spaces, articulated with communal facilities for recreation and sport activities passes from the north to the south.
53
Sequence of development 54
54
Sequence of development
The educational facility of an environmental school, a technical school and a research centre presents a sustainable design; buildings are situated on the edge of the residential neighbourhood, surrounded by mangrove and fisheries’ pools. Moreover, introducing simple and conventional ways of lighting and ventilation will add to the sustainability of these structures.
55
4.2 HOUSING STRATEGY IN COQUE
Sequence of development
Differentiating outdoor spaces
56
A sequence of neighbourhood housing units has been proposed in order to define the waterfront. As for the blocks at the waterfront, they are lifted up to allow access to the public; whereas a platform acts as a courtyard to these blocks, which has several steps extending on to the water using the original mangroves as its particular landscape.
Sequence of development
The other two housing blocks with four to five floors have shops and facilities on the ground floor, defined by a courtyard with gardens, which can act as a community space for the neighbourhood.
57
4.3. THE CIVIC CENTRE Together with the requalification of the water edge, the proposal introduces a new civic landscape that stretches from the metro station to the heart of the ZEIS. The route will provide communal and civic facilities to the neighbourhood and also act as a link to the upcoming residential area in Zeca Island. The civic landscape consolidates institutions and open spaces that require cooperation between PAC, the municipality and “Minha Casa Minha Vida�. Two approaches for the development could be taken; institutions and housing dispersed within open spaces, or institutions and housing along a public open space.
Sequence of development
The test presents an approach of dispersed civic institutions that engage with the infrastructural work as well as the improvement of existing canal. A sequence of closed and open spaces which differentiate quiet and public activities along the route has been tested, as seen in the school of Sao Paulo.
58
59
Sequence of development
Sequence of development
Chain of outdoor spaces : Series of quiet and active zones
60
61
Sequence of development
4.4 THE DEVELOPMENT OF EASTERN WATER FRONT The approach offers to develop the eastern waterfront by introducing a new connection across the waterfront for a wider urban consideration. This connection will be the first step for integrating the ZEIS in the activities in the city centre, thereby creating opportunities for new sources of employment.
Sequence of development
Forum
62
ILHA DO ZECA EASTERN WATERFRONT COQUE CIVIC LANDSCAPE
Forum
Forum
The presence of a metro station, arterial road & river bus make the eastern waterfront one of the most well-connected parts of Recife. This makes this area an attractive location for the Forum & associated legal services.
The proposed pedestrian bridge
Sequence of development
Also, the presence of bio-medical cluster in such a close proximity may foster the further growth of medical services and medical research communities. But, they cannot be segregated enclaves like the Forum.
63
64
Sequence of development
Forum
64
Hence, the aim is to gain value from this infrastructure and define the waterfront & urban fabric for these mixed use service ecologies to flourish.
By creating a hierarchy of the edge conditions that coordinates with the industrial sector and the transport node, the community and the productive zones can enjoy a more harmonious relationship and the learning procedure of the community can become a part of the industrial logic.
Sequence of development
65
65
66
CHAPTER 5 MANAGING THE ESTUARY
5. MANAGING THE ESTUARY
Managing the estuary
Estuaries have played a significant role in the growth of many cities (eg: London) as they offer a source of sustenance, trade and recreation. Previously, the river in Recife played an important role in mobilizing products from the port to inner parts of Brazil. Today, the river is used mostly for fishing, and provides a source of productivity for the communities along its bank. In addition to this, the mangroves on the water edge are a part of a delicate ecosystem which is environmentally important.
68
The relations between the land and water are manifested in the landscape of the city. The water and land create fragments and links of various dimensions, creating different characteristics to places in the city.
The estuary is affected by the relationship between the water and the land. The strong flow of water during the events of flood, make the water edge extremely vulnerable. In order to provide a strong resistance to this act of nature, the strategy is to define buffer areas in the form of soft (mangroves) or hard edges at strategic locations depending upon the relation between the land and water.
Water Quality Evaluation
Land Quality Evaluation
ESTUARY CONDITIONS
Managing the estuary
w
69
Managing the estuary
DIFFERENT WATERFRONT TREAMENTS
70
With the building mainly lifted above the ground, the building’s footprint could be overlapped with the water edge. Either by a gentle slope or a lifted pavement, different kinds of soft interfaces can be created.
1 2 4
STRATEGY 1. This area is vulnerable and is under a great impact of urban floods. A ‘hard edge’ is proposed in order to guarantee better conditions for the development of civic edifices and landscape in this area. 2. A low-lifted pedestrian bridge is recommended in this area to connect to the bio-medical cluster in the north. The path leading to this bridge is defined by some water-friendly strategies – for instance, a free-changing waterside terrace. 3. Mangrove forest is supposed to be protected here, along with constructions of new light walking path through the forest, giving different directions along the waterfront and connecting the inner roads. 4. With proper morphology of housing projects, a soft edge changes the built environment on the ground floor from time to time.
Managing the estuary
3
71
72
CHAPTER 6 CONCLUSION
74
Conclusion
Central city real estate redevelopment: The need for a new model Over the years, the real estate market has driven the way the cities are developed but has always been instrumental in speculation, leading to expulsion of weaker section of the society. There is a need to rethink the over – valorising method of this real estate development process if at all the socially backward communities are to be given an opportunity to upgrade themselves.
To change this scenario, the Federal government should exert its authority on the municipalities to be more accountable in addressing the multi-scalarity of these projects. In case of the Coque – which is a Federal government land, the state can be more emphatic in asking the local government in formulating a strategic plan that caters to the issues discussed here.
Though this does not imply that the private sector should be excluded from the regeneration process, as this may put an immense pressure on the state funds creating further complexities; but should make the private players accountable for the inclusion of the weaker communities in the creation of a healthy urbanity. Though the sequence of spaces suggested here respond to the specific site conditions, the primary aim of setting out the drivers of change and the objectives has been to formulate a general strategy which can be useful in executing similar projects in other cities too. In other words, it can help the city in providing a larger framework to the private developers in implementing programmes under Minha Casa and Minha Vida.
At present the Federal government of Brazil allocates funds to the local government to mobilise the Minha Casa & Minha Vida and PAG programmes after which it is predominantly the responsibility of the municipality to execute them as per their own rules. But till now these programmes haven’t been able to address other issues of the society other than ‘housing’.
Conclusion
Refining the federal housing strategy:
75