VOICE OF THE INDUSTRY
DESIGNING POLLUTION OUT OF OUR CITIES Some 5% of all deaths in the UK’s largest towns and cities are linked to toxic air exposure1. Now, with air pollution thought to exacerbate the symptoms of COVID-19, there is an even greater need to review infrastructure, improve sustainability and meet our carbon-zero goals. Richard Hyams, Founder of astudio, investigates. ASTUDIO
RICHARD HYAMS PRIOR TO FOUNDING ASTUDIO, RICHARD SPENT 12 YEARS AT FOSTER + PARTNERS, WHERE HE WAS A PROJECT DIRECTOR ACROSS MULTIPLE PROJECTS SPANNING THE CULTURAL AS WELL AS OFFICE AND RESIDENTIAL PROJECTS. IN 2007, HE OPENED UP HIS OWN PRACTICE TO BE INNOVATORS IN THE ARCHITECTURE SPACE. RICHARD IS CHAMPIONING THE DEBATE ABOUT AND PIONEERING THE DESIGN FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF EFFICIENT BUILDING, COST-EFFECTIVE HOUSING AS A WAY TO TACKLE THE UK ’S HOUSING CRISIS.
FC&A – SEPTEMBER – 2020
T
he pandemic has shown us that we can drastically improve the quality of our air – according to data collected by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, levels of dangerous pollutants fell by as much as 40% across the UK’s towns and cities during the lockdown period2. We must now consider how best to redesign our urban spaces, and use modern design and innovation to make them improvements permanent.
Increased city living According to the World Health Organization (WHO), many of the world’s biggest cities expose citizens to pollutants that exceed acceptable levels by more than 500%3. Dense cities, in particular, are prone to poor air quality. Yet, the issue cannot be solved simply by dispersing urban populations. It may seem counterproductive, and yet increasing densification in cities could help to reduce emissions and improve sustainability. As research conducted by the New Climate Economy has shown, there is often a negative relationship between population density and CO2 emissions. Sprawling cities, constantly expanding outwards with little regard for effective urban planning, force residents to turn to vehicles – one of the biggest sources in pollution in the UK – to get around. 22
In Barcelona, trials are underway to form hundreds of new ‘superblocks’, miniature neighbourhoods that will house thousands of residents and provide necessities in the vicinity, while limiting traffic in the surrounding area. This change is expected to prevent more than 650 premature deaths in the city annually 4.
Effective transport planning Similar plans are being considered in Paris, with hopes of creating ‘15-minute cities’ by placing shops, parks, eateries, healthcare and wellness cities, schools and workplaces nearby. With everything within walking distance or a short cycle away, these self-sufficient communities would have little need for high polluting vehicles. As cities begin to recognise the role of effective transport planning in reducing emissions, similar changes are being planned, implemented and tested in cities such as Milan and Seattle. A little closer to home, York is pushing to become the UK’s first car-free city centre, while even London is set to pedestrianise busy parts of the city. There will, of course, be times when residents must travel outside of their communities. With train travel having a lower carbon footprint than road travel, planners can utilise data such as Greater London’s Public Transport Accessibility Levels (PTAL) scores and advancing technologies such as artificial intelligence to organise and maintain viable modes of transportation in and around the city.
