LA 130 – Sustainable Cities and Landscapes - Research Paper "Landscape for Change"

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LA 130 – Sustainable Cities and Landscapes

Landscape for Change

Aya Fayez

http://www.google.com/imgres?hl=en&sa=X&biw=1517&bih=741&tbm=isch&prmd=imvns&tbnid=Cjx7lVcUlGz0M:&imgrefurl=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tahrir_Square&docid=qHIaL4B0djtFEM&imgurl=http://upload.wikimedia.org/w ikipedia/commons/thumb/7/7e/Tahrir_Square_in_1941.jpg/300pxTahrir_Square_in_1941.jpg&w=300&h=194&ei=kAwRUOmMCeaTiAL554DwDQ&zoom=1&iact=rc&dur=132&sig=1158752714

A Paper on the design of the landscapes and the impact that they can put on the society, setting an example of the Tahrir Square

UC Berkeley Kimberlee S. Stryker, Instructor Johanna Hoffman, GSI Summer 12


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Research Paper Outline 1. Introduction a. Landscape design is an indicative of the values b. Egypt’s new concepts after the 25th of January Revolution c. The importance of the Tahrir Square d. Trees, Hardscape and Softscape relationship and installations need to be studies e. Landscape design can create an environment for change 2. First Section a. Importance of landscaping i. Economically ii. Environmentally iii. Socially 3. Second Section a. The impact of trees on a space i. Solar Radiation ii. Air Movement iii. Air Temperature iv. Humidity b. The upgrades it does to a place i. Air Pollution reduction ii. Sound control 4. Fifth Section a. A design outline criteria i. Trees ii. Location of trees 5. Conclusion


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It is widely believed that the architecture and the landscape of a city are expressive of its culture and the general characteristics of the era. The central park was a notion of community gardens and public spaces, the emerald necklace of Boston was a conception of the integration of the scattered public spaces and Tahrir Square of Egypt ought to be a place that celebrates the new concepts that emerged in the Egyptian society after the revolt that the Egyptians did to change the old regime. Tahrir Square being a place for change that could cause real impact on the government should be expressive in its design, indicative of the people’s thoughts and needs. Landscape design can change or encourage the people’s needs, through accurate selection of the trees and their location, relation of hardscape to softscape and the type of installations that can be placed in a public space. Landscape has a great power in affecting the usage, impact and the experience of a space. There are some landscape techniques that convey messages and strike the users with keywords describing a certain place. Landscaping is an integral part of our culture and plays an essential role in the quality of our environment, affecting our economic well-being and our physical and psychological health. Landscaping is one of the most cost effective tools for improving and sustaining the quality of life, whether in the city, the suburbs, or the country. It generally benefits the society economically, environmentally and socially. Economically, Plants increase tourism revenues, studies has shown that guests would pay on average an extra 30 dollars per night to a room with scenery of vegetated lands or public open spaces, netting $7 million a year in additional


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room revenues.1 The market and the real estate values are also highly affected by the landscape of the area, a 1991 study estimates that an attractive landscape increase the value of a home, such as Cameron Highlands, Fraser Hill, Bukit Tinggi, Genting Highlands, Pahang National Park, Chini Lake and Tioman Island. Also, psychologists have found that plants and green spaces provide a sense of rest that allows workers with access to plants and nature to be more productive and thus offer job opportunities and nature increases worker productivity. 2It was also found that landscaping reduces crime. In a California study, landscaped areas were relatively graffiti-free, while open, non-landscaped areas were graffiti targets. It is believed that views of plants increase job satisfaction. Employees with an outside view of plants experience less job pressure and greater job satisfaction than workers viewing man-made objects or having no outside view. They also report fewer headaches and other ailments than workers without the view, view of plants experience less job pressure Non-landscaped areas were graffiti targets.3 Environmentally, plants protect water quality. Proper landscaping reduces nitrate leaching from the soil into the water supply. Proper landscaping reduces soil erosion. A dense cover of plants and mulch holds soil in place, keeping sediment out of lakes, streams, storm drains, and roads; and reducing flooding, mudslides, and dust storms. Plants also improve the air quality. Landscape plants, including shrubs and turf, remove smoke, dust, and other pollutants from the air. Cultural heritage including historic buildings, sites, cultures and other invaluable assets are 1

"Why Is Landscape Important?" Binti Mahasan Aln, Nurul Huda 3 Binti Mahasan Aln, Nurul Huda 2


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the distinguished elements that encapsulate a nation’s soul and spirit. Landscape for nation identity Plants improve air quality. Landscaping conserves natural resources. By using trees to modify temperatures and protect against wind, the amount of fossil fuels used for cooling and heating is reduced. Noise and Glare are also reduced. 4Studies have shown that turf grass surfaces absorb harsh sounds significantly better than hard surfaces such as pavement, gravel, or bare ground. These benefits are maximized by an integrated landscape of turf grasses, trees, and shrubs. Noise and Glare Reduction Landscaping conserves natural resources. Socially, it is well-known that gardening is an excellent physical exercise. Routine gardening tasks such as shoveling, rototilling, and even mowing grass with a push-type, reel lawn mower can measure up to the exertion rates of jogging, bicycling, or aerobics. Gardens produce healthy food. Fresh food from the garden can have up to three times as many vitamins and minerals as canned or frozen food. Gardens produce healthy food likes edible garden Gardening is excellent physical exercise. Horticultural therapy is a treatment for a variety of diagnoses. Working with and around plants improves quality of life through psychological and physical changes. Landscapes heal. Restorative gardens offer an environment for people who are sick, injured, and under stress to recover and regain confidence in them. Such landscapes are also currently used by hospitals in treatment of Alzheimer patients.5 Gardens offer an environment for people who are sick, and under stress to recover and regain confidence in them, providing privacy and tranquility. Well-placed plantings offer privacy and tranquility by screening out busy street

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"Why Is Landscape Important?" "Why Is Landscape Important?"


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noises and reducing glare from headlights. Better atmosphere for learning. To test attentiveness, a university class rotated between two classrooms. One contained plants and foliage, and one did not. Results at the end of the academic year showed inattentiveness was reduced by 70 percent in the room containing plants, plus indications of better exam performance, it provides privacy and tranquility Better atmosphere for learning.6 Trees, vegetation in general, is thought of having two different approaches in their uses; architecturally occupying space or defining space. Plants, singly or in a group, form walls, canopies or floors of varying heights and densities. They are important in creating a comfortable landscape by providing privacy, and by screening undesirable scenes. Vegetation can mask ugliness, direct vision, break up large spaces and create diverse experience through having different forms, colors, textures sizes, densities and growth rates. The aesthetic uses of the tree are similar, except that each plant is an object processing its own aesthetic quality.7 Trees also provide a possible habitat for birds and other forms of wildlife, giving an extra dimension to the public space.8 Vegetation has also its environmental and climatic effects. Human comfort is related to four main factors: solar radiation, air movement air temperature and humidity. Regarding the solar radiation, the vegetation should be designed to intercept solar radiation when it causes excessive heating and not to interfere when the opposite effect is desired9; Plants as

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""The Importance of Designing the Landscape and Architecture Together." Miller, Urban Forestry, Page 44 8 Miller, Urban Forestry, Page 45 9 Miller, Urban Forestry, Page 49 7


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interceptors of solar energy can either block the radiation from the striking surfaces or convert solar energy into chemical compounds through photosynthesis.10 In hot climatic regions, such as Egypt, the deciduous trees would provide shade during the months when the solar radiation is critical, and allow for some energy through hen it is desirable. As Robinette mentioned, the impact of the trees on the human comfort of shade lies in the fact that it blocks the solar radiation, not in lowering the air temperature; a person feel cooler in the shade even if it is of the same temperature as away in the sun. 11 It is thought that the most important function of the tree affecting the human comfort is controlling the infrared radiation and that the columnar trees varieties with dense foliage are the most effective at intercepting these wave lengths.12 Considering the air movement, moving air will cool the skin’s surface in the summer by evaporating perspiration or chill in inter by rapidly replacing the air warmed by the body with cold air. Plants may be used to manipulate air movement by obstruction, guidance, deflection and filtration.13 Tolerant trees can be placed as a barrier to prevent the wind to reach a designated area b being placed at 90 degrees to obstruct its path. However, deflecting the wind is by placing vegetation in the same orientation, as those for blocking the wind, but with different heights and tolerance to transfer the air to the desired place and block it from an undesired place without entirely blocking the wind. It can also be used to divert the wind from one place to using vegetation, with the same concept of the wind tunnel, contricting the air flow thus creating a vortex effect. The filtration of the wind would be needed in areas where 10

Robinette, 1972 Robinette, 1972 12 Hiesler and Herrington, 1976 13 Miller, Urban Forestry, Page 49 11


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the air flow needs to be decreased and that happens by placing shade-intolerant species, with foliage that is not dense and will slow but not block the air movement.14 As mentioned in a study for Hiesler and Herrington showed that the existence of vegetation increases the air temperature when the density of the tress is relatively high, and thus forests have higher temperatures than public spaces. Their study also showed that generally the trees in the cities don’t affect the temperature. In terms of perception and humidity, if the moisture reached a considerable level, the foliage of a coniferous stand will intercept about 40 % of the annual precipitation and allow it to re-evaporate back into the atmosphere. The trees also have great impact on the quality of space inside regardless of the surroundings. Selecting the proper tree species for pollution resistance involves giving nature a chance to perform the natural processes in the atmosphere and biosphere to reduce and remove the contaminants through dilution, precipitation, filtration and chemical reactions. For example for particulate removal, species with high ratios of leaf circumference to area and surface to volume and leaf surfaces roughness should be favored.15 For gaseous pollutants removal, tree species with high tolerance for urban environment should be favored. These species have the highest probability of maximum metabolic rates, and therefore, stomata opening. It is particularly critical to improve the air quality and choose species that have a high

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Miller, Urban Forestry, Page 50 Miller, Urban Forestry, Page 55


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resistance to drought.16 As for the noise reduction, trees like any surface act as a sound buffer, thus with proper design of tree line, sound can be highly reduced.17 Considering such an important public space such as Tahrir, it is important to identify the geographic, demographic, and social characteristics of this public space. Geographically Tahrir Square is located in the heart of Egypt’s Capital Cairo, right next to the Nile River, located between two major districts in the greater governorate of Cairo; Cairo and Giza. Having a location besides a water front and in such a flat surface makes it crucial to connect the water front to the city’s heart. Demographically, in general downtown Cairo is a very dense area, with a variety of facilities and governmental institution that people from all over the capital to satisfy their needs. That’s besides the people that live there, work there or have a private practice. Socially, people normally spend some time there whether for shopping, governmental needs. They need a space to rest, enjoy the scenery, and wait for their needs to be done, spend time with their families and have a picnic in the most important square next to one of the most beautiful scenery in Egypt.

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Miller, Urban Forestry, Page 58 Miller, Urban Forestry, Page 63


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The importance of the Tahrir Square in the Egyptians life, the impact of the square being highly destined by the people to go and express their opinions makes it of a very high value in the Egyptians’ Life. The Square is the sole form in the country that expresses freedom of expression, end of oppression, a chance for a new beginning and a source of the revival of the nationalism. It holds values of individuality, a hope for personalization,

confidence to express and faith in the possible change. Such a square, with the major problem of density and being overcrowded needed a radical solution in terms of the transportation and the traffic in general. The figure below illustrates the new circulation system in the area.

Figure 1: Proposed Circulation in the square


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The design of the square as it is currently doesn’t allow for any interaction. There are some scattered pieces of lands within the area of the square; in front of the governmental collector building, in front of the national museum, besides the ministry of foreign affairs and the square itself. The proposed solution is to integrate the open spaces together to create a lager open space that can be designed to be used for various activities. The design of the nodes as indicated in the figures was done to encourage social interaction and allow for the flexibility needed in a public space design.18

Figure 2: A schematic model for the square and the possible redesign

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Sustainable Urban Landscapes = Urban Landscapes Sostenibilidad


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Tree line proposed to buffer the sound and air pollution that is caused by the crowd in the downtown area from getting into the public space

Hardscape main areas in the Tahrir Saure, with the possible uses for it on the right strip

Figure 3: The total area of the Tahrir Square before the landscape design There are some trees that are suitable for the climate of Egypt, being dry and sunny in summer, misty and chilly in winter, and will contribute to the local environment, such as the “Salicaceae tree”, which is characterized by being present next to a water feature with a possible height up to 15 meters. There is also a type a palm trees called “Palmae” which can be 20 meters high and has a marble like


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palm, a type of trees called “Moraceae” characterized by the spreading branches and its great shading power from the 30 meters height that it can reach and a tall, beautiful tree that is often said that it is suitable for parks named “Araucariaceae”. Another tree which is the “” can be used, since it is characterized by its beautiful and colorful schemes that can brighten up a park. 19

Figure 4: Picture of the Araucariaceae tree

Figure 5: A picture of the Salicaceae tree

The landscape design can cause change. The simple techniques of the choice of the species of the tress and locating them correctly on the site can cause a major change in the experience of a public space whether environmentally in terms of the quality of air or socially in terms of the design s of the hardscape.

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El Hadidi, Nabil, The Street Trees of Egypt, Pages 6, 68, 82 and 101


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References: Benson, John F., and Maggie H. Roe. Landscape and Sustainability. London: Spon, 2000. Print. Binti Mahasan Aln, Nurul Huda. "Importance Of Landscape." Importance Of Landscape. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 July 2012. <http://www.slideshare.net/senggora/importance-of-landscape-presentation>. "Egypt Climate and Weather." Egypt Weather and Climate. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 July 2012. <http://www.touregypt.net/climate.htm>. Hadidi, M. Nabil, Loutfy Boulos, and M. Nabil Hadidi. The Street Trees of Egypt. Cairo, Egypt: American University in Cairo, 1988. Print. Kissman, Ellen. A City among the Trees: An Urban Forestry Resource Guide. Seattle, WA: Coalition, 1998. Print. "The Importance of Designing the Landscape and Architecture Together." The Importance of Designing the Landscape and Architecture Together. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 July 2012. <http://www.fromdesign2build.com/public/124.cfm>. Miller, Robert W. Urban Forestry: Planning and Managing Urban Greenspaces. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall, 1988. Print. Minguet, José María. Sustainable Urban Landscapes = Urban Landscapes Sostenibilidad. Sant Adrià De Besos: Instituto Monsa, 2008. Print. Seymour, Whitney North. Small Urban Spaces; the Philosophy, Design, Sociology, and Politics of Vestpocket Parks and Other Small Urban Open Spaces. New York: New York UP, 1969. Print.


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"Why Is Landscape Important?" Natural England -. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 July 2012. <http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/landscape/importance/default.aspx>.


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