Urban Planning : Reviving Jabal Al Qalaa

Regeneration of Jabal Al Qala’a

ARC 541: Urban Design Students; Aya Al-Obaidi Haya Narmouq Sarah Naghawi

20152601013 20151601021 20151601006

“Neighborhood still matters for a lot people – especially families with children. Neighborhoods help to frame people’s lives, and provide an environment in which services, networks and relationships can develop. However, policymakers have tended to neglect, or treat as trivial, key aspects of what they offer”

Project Introduction In this project we observed and analyzed the different aspects of the neighbourhood in Jabal Al-Qalaa. We tackled various issues starting from the community structure, the accessibility and the touristic feature as well. Our observations began with the full documentation of the main stairs in the site as we worked under the supervision of “CLUSTER� project and then we tackled the social and touristic issues along the way. Afterwards we were able to propose several solutions and proposals to enhance and develop the Neighbourhood,the community and the experience in the site .

Index

INDEX Introduction -

Brief History Site Connections

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Timeline and Archeological Layer

Site analysis -

Vision Objectives and Issues Interventions map Community Center Parking and Ramps Women’s center Exhibition and Kiosks in abandoned floors Visitor’s Center “Art In The Park” a Communal Open Space Neighborhood Murals as a visual map Stakeholders

Long term vision -

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Timeline of interventions Logic tree Reading and theories Case studies

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Surroundings Views Landmarks Solid and void Land use Abandoned and occupied buildings Topography and sections Pedestrian circulation Vehicle circulation Proposed entrances Zoning and services Statistics Site analysis conclusion map Behavioral patterns SWOT analysis

Interventions -

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Cluster documentation - Staircases documentation

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Introduction | Site description

Jabal Al-Qala’a Picture showing Temple of Hercules from the Archaeological site (Amman Citadel)

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Introduction | Brief history and Site Connections

Introduction Brief History

The connection between Jabal Qalaa and downtown

Jabal Al Qalaa neighborhood is one of Amman’s oldest neighborhoods. It witnessed the first settlement of the circassians in Amman. Its historical significance emerges from the fact that Amman Citadel and the Roman ruins lay on top of the hill. The visual connection between Hercules Temple and and the Roman Amphitheatre (located in downtown) is truly powerful.

There’s a strong connection between the Jabal and downtown since its early beginnings. The Downtown was the cultural and main hub in Amman. People of the Jabal used to live in the neighborhood and work in downtown. People from the Levant opened shops in downtown and owned houses in Jabal Qalaa during the early thirties.

Having such a sensitive site that combines from one side, a big influential touristic area that many civilizations passed on, affected and left its own mark on. From the other side, hosting one of the very early ammani neighborhoods that clearly witnesses a huge deterioration of its importance, a clear negligence of the community and their needs focusing only on the touristic benefits of the site.

1 Colored

images of downtown Amman in the late 1950s that shows the creek and the agricultural land.

1 Al-Rai newspaper publication 01/12-2017

The residents of the neighborhood mentioned the difference of their relation with the site throughout time. They used to feel that the Citadel belongs to them; spending time, meeting and celebrating there. While now they feel that the connection is only physical and they are not benefiting at all from its existence.

With immigrants from neighboring countries, more people invested and owned houses in the neighborhood. Later on, foreign labor became more frequent and took an important part of the community. The density kept on rising but without providing good services and facilities.

The Citadel overlooks the main hills of Amman, creating an important visual connection with Amman. Overlooking: Jabal Alweibdeh, Jabal Amman (two of Amman’s oldest neighborhoods), Jabal Al Jufa and Al Qusor.

The site is accessible by Al Hashemi Street (one of Amman’s main streets) the stairs whether paved and constructed by GAM or by the people of the neighborhood create the strings that connect the neighborhood with downtown.

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Introduction | site connections

The connection between Jabal Qalaa and its Neighborhood: The connection between the Citadel and the neighborhood was very strong as the Citadel was the public space that the people used to spend their free time and where all the different ages used to gather as well, a place where you can find all sort of activities, from kids playing to adults enjoying the night view.

Picture of the Roman Theatre taken from the Citadel of Amman.

There used to be many events and festivals that used to happen in the Citadel and many people used to come, but some of the festivals entrance tickets were considered above the budget and not affordable for the residents of the Citadel.

And during the last festival the residents refused for such events to be held, as some of them said, they are doing bad stuff that contradicts with our culture and traditions, while some others said it was mostly because the residents didn’t benefit from such events and they felt left out and not part of the Citadel.

According to the interviews that we did with the residents of Al-Qala’a neighborhood, the residents don’t mind and are mostly used to the tourists and different visitors that pass through their neighborhood. one other point is that the they no longer feel connected to the Citadel and the events that takes place in it. And they would like for the situation to get better as they are willing to help improve the neighborhood.

Collage showing the different activities that occur at the Citadel

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Introduction | Timeline and Archaeological sites

Timeline & Archaeological Sites

Historical Timeline and a collage showing the archaeological sites

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Site Analysis

Site Analysis Jabal Al-Qala’a A sketch of an observation that shows how the kids interact with the view in Al-Qala’a neighborhood.

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Site Analysis | Surroundings and Views Map

Surroundings & Views Map

Site Surroundings: This map shows the relationship between Jabal Al-Qalaa and the other hills of Amman.

Where from the citadel you can see Al-Qusour hill with its open spaces, greenery and big structures with the contrast and segregation that exists between Al-Qusour and Jabal Al-Taj which is the hill on the south side of the Citadel, in which you can see the congestion and the low-class clustered housing units. You can also see Jabal Al-L-Wiebdeh which is located east to the Citadel. Jabal Al-Qalaa and Jabal Amman connects with the downtown area.

Views Views From the Site: 1) The View from the north side of the citadel towards Al-Adleyeh.

2) From The Citadel towards Jabal Al-L-Wiebdeh.

3) From The Citadel towards Jabal Amman.

4) From The Citadel towards Jabal Al-Taj and the Roman Theatre.

5) and 6) from the Al-Qalaa street towards Jabal Al-Qusour

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Site Analysis | Landmarks

Landmarks Map Located in the heart of Amman, Amman Citadel is relatively close to many landmarks of amman ,it includes : the the great Husseini Mosque, Raghadan complex, the Nympheum , the Roman theatre. On top of the citadel , you can easily see the Umayyad palace and the temple of hercules.

Landmarks: 1. Hercules Temple 2. Umayyad Residence 3. Umayyad Palace 4. Roman Nymphaeum 5. Department of Public Libraries 6. Roman Amphitheatre 7. Roman Odeon 8. Grand Husseine Mosque 9. Housing Bank 10. The Hashemite Plaza 11. Tantash Raghadan Mosque 12. Duke of Mukhyber’s Residence

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Site Analysis | Land-use and Solid and Void

Land Use Map Land Use Legend: Red : Other use Purple : residential (D) Yellow : Commercial Green : Parks Mainly the neighborhoods near Downtown tend to be commercial while the neighbourhoods towards the northern side of the citadel tends to be mixed use and residential.the lands near the Hashemite Plaza is considered “Parks�.

Solid & Void Map The neighborhood of Jabal Al-Qalaa is a dense residential area. On the other hand it is surrounded with a huge urban void spot which is the citadel that hosts events on the neighbourhood and amman culture scale.

This contrast in the urban fill of the area has a big potential for making use of the open spaces of the citadel serving the surrounding community acting as a public open space.

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Site Analysis | Abandoned /Occupied Buildings and Topography

Abandoned /Occupied Buildings Map

In the year 2006 , GAM Took action and demolish over 45 abandoned houses in Jabal Qalaa, because of their bad condition and weak foundations.

In this map we can see some of the left abandoned houses. In the Qalaa’ staircase, the first floor of the buildings are abandoned while the upper floors are occupied.

In our proposal, we suggest reusing or demolishing the rest of abandoned houses as they are considered dark spots in the neighbourhood .

Topography Map & Sections

The Citadel (Jabal Al-Qalaa) is one of the seven hills of Amman, and the area is known for its steep slopes. Jabal Al-Qalaa connects with Jabal AlTaj and Jabal Amman with the Downtown area ( a Valley- where the river used to run).

These sections shows the Citadel relationship with downtown Amman and the surroundings hills, and to show the slope ratio from different sides. AA the north of the Citadel with the West street and lands. B-B Citadel with Downtown Amman. C-C Citadel with the Roman Theatre. D-D Raghadan Complex connection with the site.

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Site Analysis | Pedestrian and Vehicle Circulation

Pedestrian Circulation Map

The neighborhood is relatively pedestrian friendly that has sidewalks in good condition except the southern area of the citadel.The area has a lot of Staircases that leads the user from the downtown to the citadel that are used by the residents of al-qalaa neighborhood and the tourists visiting the Citadel. Al-Qala staircase that lays between residential buildings is the only activated access to the citadel that is used regularly and is part of the tourists’ city experience.

One of the problems noticed in the site is the lack of official entrances to the citadel that acts as the central core of the Qala’a neighborhood and its surroundings as a result desired paths are created to access the Citadel.

Vehicle Circulation Map The site is easily accessible by car but lacks the public transportation services as the closest point to get them is the downtown.

Generally the site doesn’t have traffic issues but when special occasions takes place in the area there is no enough space to park, and cars usually park in the southern street of the Citadel.

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Site Analysis | Proposed Accessess

Proposed Accesses Map

Citadel proposed entrances and JICA’s touristic routes to the Citadel.

As shown in the map we can notice many proposed entrances to the Citadel so that people can access it from different sides. The proposed Accesses: East Access: is the direct access from the roman theatre to the citadel, using the main known stairs that gets you to the main entrance of the citadel passing by the neighborhood of Al-Qalaa. This Access is the most active and used access.

Lookout Access: is a proposed access in the place of what was known as the southern gate of the citadel, the stairs leading to this access are in a very condition as JICA’s intervention was to prepare and fix the touristic routes. But the Access itself is not activated.

West Access: is also a proposed access from Amman downtown to the Citadel, in which the stairs are also in good condition as part of JICA’s intervention.

North Access: is also a proposed access from Amman downtown to the Citadel, a continued route from the west access route in which the stairs are also in good condition as part of JICA’s intervention.

Raghadan Access: is the access that connects Raghadan complex to the citadel going through Al-Qalaa neighborhood. It was proposed to connect the locals directly to the complex as they get a direct access to the transportation hub and the different proposed functions in the complex, but as the complex is not active this access only used by some locals to head to the downtown area to sell their own merchandise.

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Site Analysis | Zoning

Zoning Map

In this map we are showing the services that are provided to Al-Qalaa neighborhood. The neighborhood is considered served as it is very close to the downtown area with all of its shops, cafes, and restaurants.

As for the junction on the north side of the Citadel it is also considered as a services nod where it has a bakery and different types of shops.

The neighborhood itself has a couple of supermarkets, printing shop, sewing shop, hair salons, a martial arts club, a mosque, two schools and the Qala’a Sports Center.

The Al-Qalaa neighborhood has certain spots we can call cultural nods : (‫ جمعية تحقيظ القران‬، ‫ مسجد سلمة بن االكوع‬،‫)نادي القلعة الرياضي‬ They serve the community and provide different Activities to the residents of the neighborhood.

There are two schools in the neighborhood: ‫مدرسة اسعاف النشاشيبي‬ A school for boys that is from first grade until the sixth grade and has 400 students. ‫مدرسة بلقيس الثانوية‬ Girls School Almost 360 Students divided into two shifts From first until Ninth grade

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Site Analysis | Conclusion

Conclusion Map

Map showing the Conclusion of the site analysis

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Site Analysis | Statistics

The Age Structure of the neighborhood is 75% from 00-39 which is considered a young community with a good percentage of kids and youth.

And when it comes to the gender percentages the ratio is almost the same.

Taking into consideration that the men have a sport community center where the women don’t have anything.

Keeping in mind that the young adult and adult age groups are approximately 40% almost 90% of the residents are employed and have a job.

As for the building structures that are in the neighborhood almost 50% is residential, 23% mixed use, 22% work only and 5% is vacant.

The number of tourists visiting the Citadel have increased almost in half, while the number of Jordanian visitors is decreasing.

Diagrams to show the different studies of Jabal Al-Qala’a Neighborhood.

CSBE Report 2009

50% of the people who lived there are tenants 87% of the people there believe that the most important thing its archaeological nature 80 % of the people face waste problem and noise pollution 46% of the people are ready to reorganize the area 80% of the people use the stairs when they go to work 57% of the people use the stairs when they go shopping 62% of the people use their cars when they go home 46% of the people use their cars for other purposes 98% of the people believe that the best use of the project in tourism

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Site Analysis | Behavioral Patterns

Behavioral Patterns 1. The density of people in Al Balad.

2.Desired paths through the site.On the way to the citadel you can notice the trachor path that visitors and residents use sometimes.

3. On the lower street of the Citadel , cars park on both sides of thee road and pedestrians tend to walk on the street instead of the sidewalks 4. Kids playing on a slope in front of the school as there aren’t playgrounds or public spaces in the neighbourhood for kids to play .

5. Residents of Al Qalaa’ neighbourhood work in al balad and take their goods down the stairs to Al Balad.

6.There’s an informal outlook where many tourists and visitors take a break and enjoy the view of Amman and the Roman Amphitheatre.

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Site Analysis | SWOT

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One of Amman oldest settlement areas Historical significance Interaction touristic views between the Roman amphitheater and the citadel Easily accessible and connected to a main street

Strengths

Weaknesses

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Abandoned houses gives bad impressions of the site Lack of signs to direct tourists Lack of safe urban open spaces for kids to play One entrance to access the Citadel Lack of parking spaces Negligence of the community and focus on the Citadel

Opportunities -

Community benefits from tourists Community improvement Integrating the community with the citadel

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Threats

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Noise from the main street.

No lights especially in the upper staircase leading to Al-Qalaa.

Vision and Objectives

Vision & Objectives Drawing showing the future vision of the southern elevation of the Citadel

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Vision and objectives | Vision

Vision Our vision is to enhance the community spirit and the quality of the neighborhood by creating centers that target women and the youth. Also, focusing on the Visitors experience through improving the links leading to the Citadel and by providing services along the way.

Enhancing accessibility and using the existing pattern to develop concepts and ways to connect the neighborhood and downtown with the Citadel.

Observations from site

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Vision and objectives |Objectives and issues

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Raise the Main focus of the citadel with negligence of improving the neighbourhood services living standards by improving environmental quality through: cleaning polluted areas, rehabilitation and reusing abandoned spots.

Promote the cultural identity and social cohesion of the community by improving public space and creating structures for meeting, dialogue and socializing.

Reduce the risk of isolation of the community by improving accessibility and urban mobility and strengthening the link between neighborhoods and surrounding areas.

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Create conditions for social inclusion for all citizens by improving access to basic social services and infrastructure.

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Abandoned structures in the neighbourhood which leads to security issues and bad impressions.

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Main focus of the citadel with negligence of impovering the neighbourhood services

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Lack of open public spaces to serve different activities of the community.

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Closed position and lack of openness of the citadel on the urban map, as there is only one entrance to it that makes mobility of people in surrounding neighbourhoods a bit difficult.

Objectives Problems and issues

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Objectives

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Problems and issues

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Interventions

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Interventions

Main part | sub part

Interventions Approaches

Touristic

Accessibility

*Map showing the area of intervention

Community

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Interventions | Community Center

Community Center Communal Approach Site Plan | Community Center and relation to Raghadan Complex

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Interventions | Community Center

Description: This proposal takes into consideration the youth in which it provides a place where they can learn different skills that would help them in building their future, from learning languages, business, marketing and programming. In addition to different NGO funded workshops And they can use the skills that they have learned to work in the citadel or in the touristic sector.

This community center will also provide some public spaces where women, men, kids (Playground) and adults can come and spend some free time where they can strengthen the community spirit.

Functions Programme: Reception Lecture/meeting rooms Soft area Public spaces Services - WC Computer Lab Built Area: 230 sqm - 3 Floors Land use: Other

3D Diagram | Community Center and open Public Terraces For the Community

Financing: Demolish+Digging: 12,000 JD Build: 400JD/1sqm = 300,000 JD Security: 300 JD Cleaning: 250 JD Manager: 1,000 JD Reception: 300 JD Teachers/Lecturers: 400-500 JD Running Costs: 1 JD/ 1sqm

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Interventions | Parking and Ramps

Parking & Ramps Accessibility Approach Site Plan | New Parking and Ramps Leading To The Citadel

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Interventions | Parking and Ramps

Description: It will connect Al balad with Jabal Al Qalaa’ as well as offering parking spot for visitors of Al-Balad and the citadel. As we have noticed people park their cars on the sideways of the street across this empty land that we are proposing to build a parking building in.

Parking is a big issue in the neighborhood especially when events take place in the citadel.

The building will consist of four floors of built up area of 1200 sqm per floor so in total the area would be around 4800 .

With the capacity of 200 cars.

Land Use : residential D Funding: Private Investor, GAM Proposed Functions: Services : (Pantry , toilets, storage) Control room Parking Elevator Financing: The construction of this 4 floors building will approximately cost 300 per meter square, which equals 1,440,000 JD Security: 300 JD Cleaning: 250 JD Manager: 1000 JD Designer: 400 jds Running Costs: 1 JD/ 1sqm= 600 JD 3D Diagram | Parking and Ramps

Section through the parking and the ramps leading to the Citadel

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Interventions | Women’s Center

Women’s Center Communal Approach Site Plan | Communal Strip within the Qala’a neighbourhood

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Interventions | Women’s Center

Description: What noticed while walking in the neighborhood of jabal al qalaa that the communal services focus was only limited to men (‫ )نادي القلعة الرياضي‬and it lacks a communal space for women to spend time there.

The reason of choosing this abandoned house in specific to be the women’s center was driven by the existing communal urban strip in the neighborhood where public schools and the men’s cultural center are located. This new intervention will act as a continuation for the strip including women in the communal activity happening in the area. Funding: NGOs - Jordan river foundation ( Public-Private ) Partnership

Site area: 341 sqm Built area: 160 sqm Land Price: 55000 JDs Ownership: Private ( Abu-Halaweh Family ) Land use : residential D Proposed Functions: Meeting room Kindergarten Offices Common area Demolishing the old existing building.

Built area: 200 sqm NO. Floors: 3

3D Diagram | Women’s Center within the neighbourhood showing the courtyard facing an alley

Elevation showing the Communal Strip within the Qala’a neighbourhood

Financing: Demolish+Digging: 12000 JD Build: 400JD/1sqm= 240000 JD Security: 300 JD Cleaning: 250 JD Manager: 1000 JD Teachers/Lecturers: 400-500 JD Running Costs: 1 JD/ 1sqm= 600 JD

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Interventions | Exhibition and Kiosks in abandoned floors

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Exhibition and Kiosks Communal Approach Site Plan | Stairs Leading to the Citadel within the neighbourhood

Interventions | Exhibition and Kiosks in abandoned floors

Description: The abandoned first floors on the staircase that heads to the Citadel are considered dark spots, that people at night would rather take the longer way than using the stairs because it is not safe.

To make the staircase more safe we suggest utilizing the abandoned first floors to be used as an exhibition or an area where the locals interact with the tourists, by presenting or selling the products that the women have made in the suggested women center, and where the youth can be tour guides and help the tourists if needed, and with programs and events that would help build this trust and relationship.

Renovations will be done in the GF of 3 buildings.

Functions Programme: Cafe Local products shop Community introductory exhibition INFO - Murals Services - WC Sective Showing the Staircase Leading to the Citadel with the new use of the abandoned floors

Area: 100 for each building Land use: Residential D Financing: Renovations: 200 JD/sqm Reception:300 JD Workers: (4-6) 300 JD Cleaning: 250 JD Running Cost: 1 JD/sqm Funding: NGOs / Local investors

Section showing the stairs leading to the Citadel

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Interventions | Visitor’s Center

Visitor’s Center Touristic Approach Site Plan | Visitor Center and staircase leading to the Citadel

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Interventions | Visitor’s Center

Description: The idea of activating a new entrance and adding a visitor center that acts as a welcoming space to the citadel was driven by the desired paths noticed in the site made by locals and tourists who wanted to enter it from the southern side.

This new entrance will make the accessibility and the urban mobility to the citadel easier serving pedestrians coming from the surrounding neighbourhoods especially the ones who are coming from al-balad who used to walk all around the citadel to enter it legally.

Site area : 380 sqm Built area : 120 sqm Land Use : residential D Funding: ministry of tourism, GAM, DOA

3D Diagram | New Activated Entrance to the Citadel and a Visitor Center

Proposed Functions: Reception Exhibition Meeting room Touristic office Offices Souvenirs shop Secretary Services : (Pantry , toilets, storage) Adaptive reuse of the existing building.

Renovation Cost: 200-250JD/m2 Financing: Security: 300 JD Cleaning: 250 JD Manager: 1000 JD Designer: 400 jds Running Costs: 1 JD/ 1sqm= 600 JD

Section through the visitor center and the new Staircase Leading to the citadel

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Interventions | “Art In The Park” A Communal Open Space

“Art In The Park” Communal Approach Site Plan | “art in the park “ a communal open space

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Interventions | “Art In The Park” A Communal Open Space

Description: “Art in the park” will be a multifunctional reversible structure, which will be located where the old residential houses were demolished and next to our proposed visitors’ center and new entrance to the Citadel.

It will provide a public area where different types of users can interact, and where events will be held either local events such as a gathering or a celebration, or exhibitions were different artists will present their work with designed workshops for the neighborhood kids to express themselves and learn new stuff.

Functions Programme: Multifunctional Public Area Exhibition Seating Area Green Area Rest Area New Entrance to the Citadel Area: 1500-2000 Land use: Residential D Financing: Reversible Steel Structure: Security: 300 JD Cleaning: 250 JD Designer: 400 jds Funding: DoA, GAM, NGOs, might as well private investors as a way of publicity, and marketing.

3D Shots expressing the idea of the temporary structure

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Interventions | “Art In The Park” A Communal Open Space

Murals The murals reflect on local contexts of people, neighbourhoods and the city’s history. Murals are created in cooperation with citizens, local businesses and schools, as well as community organisations through a process of co-creation. By doing so, the local identity is increased, leading to an improved sense of well-being.

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Long term vision

Long term vision Scenario II Map showing the site masses in the long term. It will later be explained in this report.

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Long term Vision | Future Vision

Future vision Intervention Built area /Existing Built area/in 25 years

Map showing the already existing built area and the built area in 25 years.In addition to the intervention areas, all color coded according to the legend on the right side.

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Long term vision | Timeline

Community Center

Women’s Center

Reviving al Qalaa Stairs

Community approach

The first interventions will focus on enhancing the communal facilities by extending the communal urban strip of the neighbourhood involving all parts. Causing benefits in different aspects such as educational, entertainment and economical. ● ● ●

The community Center will be mainly funded by the NGO’s and GAM The Women’s Center will also be funded by the NGO’s - The Jordan River Foundation Al-Qalaa stairs will be the linking point between the locals and the visitors of the Citadel.

By starting with the community development we emphasize the role of it in the development of the neighborhood as well as promoting and protecting the site.

New Visitors Center

Touristic approach

After the community we aim to activate a new entrance to the Citadel and adding a visitor center, which will : Cause an interaction between locals and tourists.

Providing a more convenient access points and urban mobility to the citadel. ● Serving pedestrians coming from the surrounding neighbourhoods. ● Services for the visitors of the Citadel..

Funded by DoA, GAM, Ministry of Tourism ● ●

After 25 years

After 20 years

After 15 years

After 5 years

After 10 years

Interventions in site over the years

Garage Building

Ramps

Accessibility approach

As we aim to activate different entrances to the site, providing a parking place will be our next step as the demand for parking spots is very high considering the location and the events that occur in the site.

Later on we plan on enhancing the accessibility from the parking side to the site.

And developing a diverse space (Park) where different types of users can participate in the events being held there.

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In the long term, these lands would probably witness new housing/commercial projects with higher rent range than the average rent in the area.Also, the new parking garage would offer accessibility to downtown which is a strength to this side of the neighbourhood.

The lack of housing on this side as well as the empty lands with houses of bad structure would offer great opportunity for housing/Commercial projects in the future

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This side of the neighbourhoods would witness housing projects as well as new business projects that would offer services to the inhabitants and visitors.

The new centers on this side and the connection with Raghadan would create an opportunity for new commercial projects to provide services to the users.

These centers would develop from including users from the neighbourhood to including users from downtown as well.

Services

Housing

Long term Vision | Main Zones

Long term Vision | Logic tree

Logic Tree

increasing attraction to an area by people with higher incomes spilling over from neighboring neighborhoods.

A brief timeline that reviews how enhancing and developing a neighbourhood could after all lead to gentrification as an end result.

Accessibility Community Enhancement

Social Disintegration

Community spirit Enhancement

Vibrant Community

Gentrification

Gentrification

Cultural Tourism

Segregation

population migration and displacement

Impact of the interventions on site

increased investments in a community and the related infrastructure by real estate development businesses, local government, or community activists and resulting economic development

Our interventions

The diagram above represents the possible results to our interventions on site in the long run.

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Long term Vision | Logic tree

The diagram shows a detailed series of results to the interventions, taking in consideration the positive and negative reactions to the results.

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Long term vision| Case studies

illustrated 3D

5 image

illustrated Section

4 plan of the site

Amann Canovas/Roman site

3 image

2

Grotao Community Center-Urban Think Tank

1

Case Studies

Grotao Community Center-Urban Think Tank Is a community center in São Paulo. Located is effectively cut off from the rest of the city and in recent years has experienced increased erosion and dangerous mudslides. The new multi-purpose community center will help alleviate some of the erosion problems while providing an important space for cultural activities for the surrounding neighbourhoods.The goal of the community center will be to help provide services, education, recreation and to also help shore up the surrounding hillside.

The building is essentially a cover protecting the remains of a Roman assembly (thermal baths, forum and domus) in the archaeological site of Molinete Park in Cartagena, Spain.

The primary goal of the project is to respect the existing remains, using a long-span structure, which requires the least amount of support for lifting the cover. The intervention unifies all the remains in a single space, allowing a continuous perception of the whole site.

The cover also generates a new urban facade in the partition wall.

Besides to the steel structure, the project proposes an elevated walkway parallel to the street. It is a very light structure hanging from the steel beams. Conceived as a glass box, with a faceted, partially visible geometry, it builds the street façade and allows a view of the ruins from three meters height. It is also accessible for disabled visitors. This high path permits an overall vision of the roman remains.

Figure 1 / Figure 2 : images taken from “inhabitat” website under the article named “Urban-Think Tank Awarded Silver Holcim Award For Colorful Community Center in São Paulo” Figure 3/4/5 : images and data taken from Archdaily

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Long term vision| Readings

Abandoned buildings impact Broken Window theory “Social psychologists and police officers tend to agree that if a window in a building is broken and is left unrepaired, all the rest of the windows will soon be broken. This is as true in nice neighborhoods as in rundown ones. Window-breaking does not necessarily occur on a large scale because some areas are inhabited by determined window-breakers whereas others are populated by window-lovers; rather, one unrepaired broken window is a signal that no one cares, and so breaking more windows costs nothing.” 2

How do abandoned buildings affect the community and commerce?

Vacant properties give out the aura of an area deteriorating. This can lower local moral and also discourage people from visiting the area. On top of this the aesthetic of a lot of boarded up windows in a building can discourage new businesses from buying in the area, something that can be essential to the growth of a neighbourhood.

The vacancy of commercial properties is also often associated with a reduction in people working or trading in the area. This can lead to fewer people coming through the area with trade in mind which in turn, can be detrimental to businesses.

1 Image of an abandoned building

2 images of abandoned houses in Jabal Qalaa

Readings

The broken windows theory is a criminological theory that states that visible signs of crime, anti-social behavior, and civil disorder create an urban environment that encourages further crime and disorder, including serious crimes.

The theory was introduced in a 1982 article by social scientists James Q. Wilson and George L. Kelling.[1] It was further popularized in the 1990s by New York City police commissioner William Bratton and Mayor Rudy Giuliani, whose policing policies were influenced by the theory. The decade saw a significant decline of crime in the city.

1 Oaksure property protection, article “ The impact of abandoned buildings” 2 quotation,James Q. Wilson and George L. Kelling first introduced the broken windows theory in an article titled "Broken Windows", in the March 1982 The Atlantic Monthly.

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Long term vision| Readings

Community Development (community facilities & investment in community organisations)

Education (Workshops and learning spaces)

Place-based interventions

Housing (demolition abandoned structures and new build, improving existing Buildings) Environmental (Open space/community space, public realm, street and environmental cleanliness)

Regeneration Activity Type

People-based interventions

Readings

Crime (Providing security and surveillance for residents and tourists)

1 Data table

Stairs as a public space

The visually ascending nature of stairs often creates two initial reactions, amazement or hesitation. In a recent piece by the

Washington Post writer Maura Judkis unpacks the "stairs to nowhere" design concept. Initially coined by architect Morris Lapidus after his signature staircase for the famed Miami Fontainebleau hotel, the design has transformed into an interior detail that's taken over offices, public areas, and universities.

Iconic stairs can be found all over the globe, representing structures of symbolism as well as functionality. However, the humble stair has also become a casual gathering hub for people to talk, work, and give presentations.

1 Reference : Regeneration and poverty: evidence and policy review

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Cluster Documentation

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Cluster Documentatio n

Cluster Documentation |stairs Drawings

The diagram shows a detailed series of results to the interventions, taking in consideration the positive and negative reactions to the results.

Al hashmi staircase Drawings that shows the main stairs details in Jabal Qalaa

Farwa Al-Juthami staircase

Salama Bin Al-Aqwa’a staircase

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Cluster Documentation |stairs Documentation

Al hashmi staircase

Farwa Al-Juthami staircase

Salama Bin Al-Aqwa’a staircase

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Aya Al-Obaidi Haya Narmouq Sarah Naghawi