SIGNIFICANCE
What is an Urban Block? Urban blocks in a broader sense can work as the essential settlement form of the urban tissue and organization scheme of a city. Along with streets they de ne the urban layout and in uence the way a city works. They can be exible enough to adjust to different built forms as well as to distinct sociocultural environments. Moreover, an urban block can generate a mixed-use economy while it creates social mixture of different users. Urban blocks in a broader sense can work as the essential settlement form of the urban tissue and organization scheme of a city. Along with streets they de ne the urban layout and in uence the way a city works. Additionally, they can be exible enough to adjust to different built forms as well as to distinct socio-cultural environments.
Making up the Sustainable Urban Block
Factors that make up an Urban Block
The streets, blocks, lots, and buildings are the main elements of cities’ texture. Surrounded by streets and surrounding the buildings, urban blocks invariably interact with these components dialectically, in that it can connect the network of streets and buildings, hence its signi cance in urban design. It can be said that urban blocks have the potential to de ne and create the balance between lots and streets, so that buildings and streets are considered simultaneously and in parallel with each other.
Moreover, an urban block can generate a mixed-use economy while it creates social mixture of different users. Urban blocks function as Sustainable sustainable planning tools Urban when planning focuses also in Block “The sustainable city, or more the scale of the urban context. correctly, a city that approximates to a sustainable In other words, the Community form, is a compact and exible Blocks can work e ciently only structure in which the parts Designing for in relation to the other parts of are connected to each other the city. and to the whole, with a SUSTAINABILITY clearly articulated public space” PROTECT & RESTORE DESIGN FOR LIFE DATA-DRIVEN U DESIGN FOR NATURAL RESOURCES CYCLE DECISION MAKING SAFETY
Where the urban block is the tool for urban design, the pattern of streets and squares become the result of positioning of the blocks Also, the size and shape of urban blocks contribute effectively to the formation of the character of the environment
Design Process The formation and scope of urban blocks are also effective in determining tra c patterns and visual growth parameters Additionally, the block faces respond to buildings (the internal load of blocks) and street structure (the external load of blocks). In fact block faces participate in de ning the edges and character of the street network; they act as the interface between architectural form and urban form
What makes an Urban Block?
R B A N S U S T A I N A B I L I T Y
OPTIMIZE FOR PERFORMANCE
PROMOTE HEALTH, EQUITY, & HUMAN HABITAT
DESIGN FOR SAFETY & MOBILITY
DESIGN FOR RESILIENCE
Stormwater Network
MOVE PEOPLE NOT CARS
TECHNOLOGY IS A TOOL Active Transportation Network
DISTRIBUTE THE BENEFITS EQUITABLY
ACT NOW!
I N T E G R A T I O N
HEALTH & EQUITY
ENERGY USE NONTRANSPORT
ECOLOGY & HABITAT
WATER
F O R S U S T A I N A B I L I T Y
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Services
Built Form
Landscape
Ecology & Habitat
ENERGY & GHG
High Surface Permeability, Micro-Habitat Creation, High Vert Compl./Native Veg., Mitigating Habitat Disruption, R o b u s t E c o l o g i ca l A r e a Buffers, Non-Polluting Lighting Design.
The following are the ways the second type can be incorporated:
Sensitivity to environmental issues related to energy, e ciency and sustainability become a vital issue when addressing urbanization. Vegetation Urban Geometry Water Bodies Materials Shading These are certain urban morphological characteristics to take into consideration while designing for a Sustainable Urban Block
Robust Transit Networks, Robust Bicycle Networks, Vehicular Networks, High Land Use Mix (Macro), R o b u s t e c o l o g i c a l a r e a Compact Development (for buffers: Density/Proximity). A buffer zone is an area that insulates important habitat Small and De ned Blocks, or natural features by action High Bldg/Housing Dens, as a transition zone between High Network Conn., Macro the feature and the adjacent Parking Mgmt/Des., High land use. Land Use Mix (Micro)
Water Strategies
Multimodal Street Design, Dense and Street Activating, Building Mitigate Runoff Typologies, Micro Parking Minimize Runoff High Surface Permeability, Mgmt/Design, Platting for Extensive Green Stormwater, Densit Infrastructure (GSI), Extensive Urban Forest Canopy. Engaging Public Realm Des., Dense and Street Activating, Building Typologies, Engaged Bldg/ Urban St Relationship, High Int. Block and Ext. Connect, Micro Framework Parking Mgmt/Design
ENERGY & GHG
Sustainable Urban Block Vin
Roo ng and Gardens
Malmo Components
Land Use & Impervious Surface
Urban Block Framework
The urban block must be identi ed as the most i m p o r t a n t t y p o l o g i ca l element in the co m p o s i t i o n o f u r b a n spaces because as part of the urban continuum, an urban block is that singular element that is spatially and functionally optimized to support different circumstances of everyday life.
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Each of the residential developments is designed as a perimeter block and set around a communal garden that can be used by the residents.
ENERGY USE
(non-transport) Dense & Energy E ciency. Building Typology Microclimate Mitigation Low Albedo/Urban Forest/ High Street Ht/Width Ratio E cient Street Lighting Design Planning for Density Solar Exposure
Each home on the ground oor of the blocks also has a small private garden that backs onto the larger communal garden.
HAMMARBY, SWEDEN
Each block has been designed by a different architect and features a theme of decoration and street art, either through murals or sculpture, in order to create distinctiveness and a sense of place.
Dedicate, Then Filter
Prioritize in Context
Designing Intersections Separate Combine Signals Minimize Person Problematic & Dedicated Delay, Maximize Movements Lanes Safety
U R B A N L A T N R E A S N S I T
The residential districts adjacent to the main spine follow a grid structure with a semi-open block form, which allows for maximum light and views as well as providing open access to the courtyards of residential blocks. Balconies, terraces and green roofs, which provide overlooking onto the streets, waterfront walkways and open spaces. A network of varied parks, green spaces and walkways runs through the district as well as pedestrian walks, quays and linear parks across the waterfront. The street dimensions, block lengths, building heights, density and usage mix were designed to take advantage of water views, parks and sunlight. Reduce car usage and alternative transportation options Some of the environmental goals for land usage are: 1) open space standard: there shall be at least 15m² of courtyard space and a total of 25–30m² of courtyard space and park area within 300m of every apartment (equiv. 100m² BTA), 2) at least 15 % of the courtyard space shall be sunlit for at least 4–5 hours at the spring and autumn equinoxes, 3) development of undeveloped green public spaces shall be compensated for in the form of biotopes that bene t the biological diversity in the immediate area, 4) natural areas of particular value shall be protected from development.
Prioritize for Reliability
PEDESTRIANISATION Rail Lane, Side-Running
Offset Transit Lane
Times Square
Curb Side Transit Lane Peak Time Only Bus Lanes
Central Transit Lane
Only Bus Bike Lanes
Street Design Guide, Global Street Designing Council
Manhattan Pedestrian Design
B I K E L A N E S
Oxford Street
Copenhagen Before
After
CONNECTIVITY PEDESTRIANISATION ADVANTAGES AS observed in Copenhagen
F r e m o n t , California
10 MIN WALK BARCELONA Bioretention Planter Bio ltration Planter
Bio ltration Swale Increased Mobility Focused Intensity
Stormwater Tree
Hybrid Bioretention Planter
Pedestrian Focused
Pervious Lane
PRINCIPLE 1 CREATE A STREET NETWORK THAT SUPPORTS COMMUNITI ES AND PLACES
Social Vibrancy
PRINCIPLE 6 EMPHASIZE WALKING AS THE FUNDAMENTAL UNIT OF THE STREET NETWORK The street network is a foundation for the design
It provides exible mobility, easy and legible movement between modes.
PRINCIPLE 4 INTEGRATE THE STREET NETWORK WITH NATURAL SYSTEMS AT ALL SCALES
PRINCIPLE 3 MAXIMIZE TRANSPORT ATION CHOICE
PRINCIPLE 2 CREATE A STREET NETWORK THAT ATTRACTS AND SUSTAINS ECONOMIC
PRINCIPLE 5 RESPECT THE EXISTING NATURAL AND BUILT ENVIRONMENT The scale and orientation of streets in the network celebrate the unique local and regional characteristics
PRINCIPLE 7 CREATE HARMONY WITH OTHER TRANSPORTATION NETWORKS Finely woven fabric of streets and blocks that offer direct, varied pedestrian routes made interesting through careful design.
The ve-minute city principle designed for sustainable mobility: • Ensure that public transportation is provided • Allow for direct and high-class bike routes • Plan for indirect car routes Locate all services within ve • minutes of walking distance In Nordhavn, a holistic planning s o l u t i o n fo r 4 0 , 0 0 0 r e s i d e n t s included the so-called “ ve-minute principle”, successfully integrating a prioritised walking and bicycling scheme with the new metro line extension to service the community. Th i s i s o n e exa m p l e o f h o w liveability can be used as a focal point in an urban plan that strives to “create the good life”.
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Sewer Types
& S t o r m W a t e r
Sewage Management Goals Creating an attractive cityscape "Nordhavnen gives the opportunity for 40,000 people in Copenhagen to have nature at their doorstep - right in the centre of the city. Promoting public transport and cycling At Nordhavnen it will be easier to walk, cycle and use the metro than to use your car. The vision is to create a neighbourhood that places public transport and cycling on the world map and which is CO2 neutral.
Sustainable Urban Block Vin
S e w a g e
Well Loved Public Places
Using Storm Water in an Urban Block SUSTAINABLE STREET NETWORK PRINCIPLES They support a robust mix
Services
Water Quality Improvement
Peak Flow Reduction
FIVE-MINUTE CITY, COPENHAGEN, DENMARK
THE FIVE-MINUTE CITY PRINCIPLES
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Sustainable Urban Block Vin
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