STAGE 1 | Research

ZONING LAW DEVELOPMENT & URBAN BLOCK PARCELLATION

The original 1916 Manhattan parcellation was intended for houses built in juxtoposition, which caused issues such as dense urban blocks and locked open spaces (small inner ventilation yards). These planning decisions were made due to the zoning rules implemented in NYC.

6 m

30 m single plot

~60 m block extension ~60-155 m

MANHATTAN URBAN BLOCK SCHEME: residential commercial

RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT RES. + LOCAL RETAIL NEEDS COMMERCIAL DISTRICT

The concentration of most of the green space in the city is defined by the bounds of the Central Park, which creates a dichotomous situation with little or no hierarchy of green spaces and intermediate states, in which the urban fabric could be more versitile and ‘green’ in general.

THE RESIDENTIAL EXPERIENCE & LOCKED OPEN SPACES

The urban blocks with juxtoposing buildings compose a situation that defines only one ventilated side (the street side) and, subsequently, demands at least another one (towards a small inner yard). That, in turn, leaves the residents living circumscribed about roads.

~39% of open space area

~61% of open space area

APPROACHABLE OPEN SPACES LOCKED OPEN SPACES

WALKABILITY & URBAN GRID FLEXIBILITY

The orthogonal grid planning could be described as “coherent” - it guarantees a comprehensible space orientation; its repetitive parcellation is easy for the land division and from the planning point of view. However, this urban structure does not allow dynamic pedestrian routes and shortcuts.

SETBACK CONFIGURATIONS

57TH ST.

AVENUES

MAJOR CROSS-STREETS

STANDARD CROSS-STREETS