WALKING
Walking as a tool
We used walking as a tool for exploring the city since to quote Francesco Careri: “Walking is useful for architecture as a cognitive and design tool, as a means of recognizing a geography in the chaos of the peripheries, and a means through which to invent new ways to intervene in public metropolitan spaces.” Initial walks were taken through Colombes to gain a bit of understanding about the area and then this knowledge was used to inform our more strategic walks. Texts such as Michael de Certeau’s ‘Walking in the city’ and the book Urban Flotsam influenced our understanding of walking as a tool. De Certeau defines walking as a way to experience the city by being within it and shaping the nature of the spaces walked through. He writes: “The act of walking is to the urban system what the speech act is to language” meaning that walking plays a fundamental part in gaining an understanding of a city. In comparison to this is the ‘birdseye’ view method of research which looks at the city from ‘above’, so to speak, and is a detached view of the city. Both methods were relevant to gain an overall understanding of Colombes but they were appropriate at different times.
Walking
Walk types carried out by the studio in Colombes
De Certeau formed an initial basis for using walking as a tool, however, Urban Flotsam helped us to understand walking as defined in the 7 walk types which can be used to experience spaces. We focused on 4 of the walking types; walk across, walk along, walk out and walk through.
WALK THROUGH + SECTION THROUGH
WALK AROUND
WALK OUT
WALK ALONG
DERIVE
WALK ACROSS
walk types carried out by the studio in Colombes
WALK ABOUT
WALK THROUGH
WALK OUT
WALK INTO
WALK ALONG
WALK ACROSS
taken from Urban Flotsam: stirring the city
WALK TOWARDS
Walking types Walk types...
Walking
Discussions on walking...
Walking
three possible walking routes were marked out: walk around, walk along and walk through or section through
the group discussed what the most appropriate and useful walks would be and how to carry them out
Although the four walk types shown on the previous page were our initial starting points, we reinterpreted some of these walks to suit not only the setting of Colombes but also how they could be best used to our advantage. The walk across became a derive, the walk out became a walk around using the centre of Colombes as a marker and then walking around a predetermined boundary to see how the area changes, and walk through created a complementary walk of ‘section through’ which took a key section through Colombes to study how the area varies walking along that section.
These were the walks carried out across Colombes. Each mapping uses a different style according to what was appropriate for the subject of the walk and this is illustrated through the following drawings. What we learnt from the walks was a way of analysing the area using the ‘wormseye’ view. It helped us to actively participate in experiencing the spaces by becoming users within them allowing us, as de Certeau notes, to manipulate spatial organisations. Prior to our trip to Colombes we only had a ‘birdseye’ view of the area, however, walking around it strategically allowed us to understand it better through the ‘inside out’ approach.
Walking in Colombes...
DERIVE
WALK ALONG
WALK AROUND
WALK THROUGH
SECTION THROUGH
Colombes -
Mapping Thematic Walks
DĂŠrive
Community DERIVE
Colombes -
Mapping Thematic Walks
images from the walk...
This walk around walk was taking the centre of Colombes and then walking west from the main boulevard. The walk was divided into three all with varying experiences. The red area shows landmarks with lots of activity and an eclectic housing mix with many small interesting streets and cul de sacs. Also it showed that people took pride in their housing and green spaces. The orange area is the area surrounding the hospital and in close proximity to the A86. There is little or no identity in this area with large homogeneous buildings showing no relation to Colombes. This space was visited during the end of the school day yet the area still felt sparse and un-loved. The green area shows small and local business, responding to the demographic and cultural diversity in this area. Community facilities, such as passport help and many parks moving back to the centre.
Walking
WALK- areas felt zoned Area 1- eclectic housing mix, pride and identity Area 2 - hospital and sports- large developments, no identity Area 3 - responds to demographic, well used spaces Facility or result in that specific area, due to conditions
COMMUNITY FACILITIES/ ASPECTS Walk across an area north west of the centre of Colombes. Purpose of the walk was to map community facilties and acspects.
7.
7.
9.
Hospital
Community centre high rise housing development
11.
Apartments
School Green space
GN AN L'E
IL E L
NT
HA
RA
NT
MA E
N A R I G A G
XA ND RE GO DO N
R
IE R P
DE
RR
L'E LI
DU
GA
A E B
TE
70s High density housing
2.
2:20pm
3.
use
Ec
ce pa ns ee Gr
ns rde ga in ir de P
2:30pm
u
f ho
ix o
cm lecti
Foo
Fac ilitie s no t in
age
ar d G
sing
rk -pa ate Sk
2:40pm 2: :4 p
2:50pm
ty
nti Ide
Ch urc h
Gr ee ns pa ce
1.
Drawn through underpass
Mixed dwellings & cul de sacs
New villa development
Offices and bakery
Green space- not used
D U
S AE N
A D R A U
P A U L
A V
C E S AR
F R A N C K
3:50 0p 0 pm p m 3:50pm
LE
L'
Construction on site s
4.
DE
AV
I O U R
3:35pm 3:35 3 3:3 35 5pm 5 pm m
5.
DE
DE
3:10pm 3:10 3: 3 : 0 0pm 0p pm pm
UY
3:00pm 3:0 3 :00 00 m
activity bustops Empty sites te tes es New developments pm me men Ma Main a n acti ac y at at b bus usto us sstop st to op ops p
A V
R
3:40pm 3:4 3 ::40 40 0p 0pm 0 pm
L
Disconnected business ected Little or no busi usin us sin ssine in nes
3:45pm 3:45p 3 pm pm AV
AL
An edge
3:15pm 3 3: :15 5pm pm pm
Sparce
ER
t en pm elo ev cd -ho Ad
Route out of Colombes
AB
Culture specific C ssp pec e fic eci ic facilities fac fa a tie ess e
Vandalism li lism
Sports
Activities Support pport services serv ervi ervic rvi viiccce ces e ess
Enterprise e erprise
Lack of identity
Active during school hours
6.
10.
Moving back towards the centre
Public Spaces DERIVE
Colombes -
Mapping Thematic Walks
images from the walk...
This derive was based around the Petit Colombes area. The intension was to explore the different types of social space in this part of Colombes. Each social space was considered based on its level of privacy/public access and on the activities that were taking place within these spaces. It was clear that new developments with communal space were often more private and in some places gated, limiting social interaction in these places.
Walking gated areas
parent & child
working
conversing i
dog d walking lki
semi-private commuting
route through
associated with private buildings
begging i
youth h gathering
public space cyclist
consuming
static i conversation
visiting
MAPPING PUBLIC SPACES
R
S
A
R
T
R
O
U
Walk across Petit Colombes - the purpose of the walk was to map public spaces and activities.
C H A R L E S D E G A U L L E
R D E S C O TE S D 'A U TY A NI BO
E
UT S
E AI
R DE N MA TE S
R
PI R
DE
L'
AR
R
IV
EE
R DE T ME Z
A ARC DEB
E DER O U
DU
R G
gated areas
parent & child
working
conversing
dog walking
semi-private commuting
route through
associated with private buildi
begging
youth gathering
public space cyclist
consuming
static conversation
visiting
Walk Along
Uninhabitated Spaces
WALK ALONG
Colombes -
Mapping Thematic Walks
images from the walk...
This was a walk along the river from Gare du Stade to Colombes via Jardin Familia allotments. The purpose of the walk was to walk along the river Seine from the train station of Gare du Stade to identify uninhabited spaces. These spaces can be categorised into a number including undeveloped open space, empty shells, derelict buildings and developed unused open spaces. As the walk was taken through the main industrial area between Colombes and Gennevilliers, the findings are more recurrent than so within the central area of the town where the land would be more scarce.
Walking
TEMPORARY SHELTER PEDESTRIANISED PATHS
MAPPING UNINHABITED SPACE Walk along the river - from Gare du Stade to Colombes via Jardin Familia Allotments. Purpose of the walk was to walk along the River Seine from the train station of Gare du Stade to identify uninhabited spaces. These spaces can be categorised into a number including undeveloped open space, empty shells, derelict buildings and developed unused open spaces. As the walk was taken through the main industrial area between Colombes and Gennevilliers, the findings are more recurrent than so within the central area of the town where land would be more scarce.
WATER TRANSPORT HIGHWAY INTERCHANGE
LICT
CRECHE FACILITY ON-STREET PARKING PRIVATE GARDENS SQUATS
JARDIN FAMILIA ALLOTMENTS
RIVERSIDE YOUTH CULTURE
DEREL
ICT
HIGH DENSITY HOUSING PRIVATE HOUSING
TRAIN NOISE VIBRATIONS
OLD STORAGE UNITS GARAGES
UNDERPASS RAILWAY STATION
SATELITE AGRICULTURE ‘GREEN’ INITIATIVE
L DERE
ENTERPRISE ZONE HEAVY INDUSTRIES
EMPTY HOUSES EMPTY SHEDS VANDALISM PRIVATE THRESHOLD
DERE
ICT
BUS STOP SIGNAGE
HOTEL RESTAURANT
GARE DU STADE TRAIN STATION
FLYOVER POLUTION
O GROVER WN !!
ABA NDO NED COLOMBES TRAIN STATION
NEG
LEC
TED
!
TE
MP
OR
AR Y
OBSOLETE!
D NE DO N A AB TEMPORARY
OBSOLE
TE
Infrastructure & its Influence
WALK ALONG
Colombes -
Mapping Thematic Walks
images from the walk...
Walking
D
'A
R
G
E
N
T
E
U
IL
A V D E S T A L IN G R A
T
CU
DE
R IE
PA RI
S
D
PO R
S T CAMU R A LB ER
AL
Q AC N J
UE
O S R
US
A SE
U
NO I
R
EA R J
U L LANGEVIN
AV
JO S
AV J EA N J A URE S
EP H A NT O
INE
L I RE
NE
ET FR
ED E
RT
R DE L'A S SO C IAT I ON
Walk along - along the current railway like in Colombes. Purpose of the walk was to follow the railway and witness its surroundings.
RIC
E
JO
DU
L IO T
MAPPING INFRASTRUCTURE & ITS INFLUENCES
AV
R
AU
GU
ST
E
RE
VOIE SOUT ERRAI NE NO 1
L SO FE RI NO
VO
IE
SO UT
ER R
AIN E
No
2
business cut off from neighbourhood
PL DE LA FINL AN DE
AV
ME N
EL O
TT
E
AU DRAPE AV DU
Y ENNED ENT K R ES ID R DU P
VR IMP SA
higher density beyond
housing turns back on railway. infrastructure infilled with car parking.
R SE L LIE
E
remnants of original street
ENT GA RR
AV C OUR TEL
INE
R V INC
H ET
EA U
R S AIN T HIL A IR E
TAIN E
railway expansion disects existing houses.
R
R DE S TI LL
E
ENIS
R J ULI
EN GA L
E L' D E PE N D AV
AV A UGU STE CHA
E
RLE
C
S
AN
M AI 194 5
IN
fluctuating scale
NO TE
T V INC
EN T
E
AV
TRO
USS EL
R B ER T H
LE
greenway formed from original railway
AV C ENTR A
R S AIN
AL
This walk was a walk along along the railway in Colombes which has an interesting impact on its urban fabric. The intension was to explore the effects of the railway on the town. It demonstrated the strong dividing force of this infrastructure upon the urban fabric. The mapping exercise revealed that the railway is a dominant feature of the town and acts as a physical barrier to pedestrian movement. Affected streets were either split by the tracks or turned to face away from the railway to form a distinct area with little direct relationship to it.
Walk Around
Civic Buildings
WALK AROUND
Colombes -
Mapping Thematic Walks
images from the walk...
This was a walk around the central area of Colombes where we mapped the civic buildings encountered along the peripheral circle we had drawn on the map (and chose to follow as closely as possible). What we found from this walk was that there were a high number of government facilities withing walking distance of the centre of Colombes making it a compact area.
Walking
ECOLE MATERNELLE (LOCAL SCHOOL)
BORSE DU TRAVAIL (CIVIC BUILDING)
MAPPING CIVIC BUILDINGS Walk out - central Colombes. Purpose of the walk to map the civic buildings in the area.
MAGISTRATES COURT GYMNASE AMBROISE RARE
10 min walk
5 min walk
COLLEGE LAKANAL
LOCAL CEMETERY
SERVICE MUNICIPAL ARIENNE
LOCAL CHURCH
PARTI COMMUNISTE FRANCAIS
Urban Grain
WALK AROUND
Colombes -
Mapping Thematic Walks
images from the walk...
Walking
Typologies
UBA LR20 TB20 IF/PF SR/S VS VM VL
– – –– – – – –
Urban Block Apartments Low Rise C20th Block C20th Tower Blocks C20th Infill / Prefill Shops with Residences / Shops Villa small Villa Medium Villa Large
1 2 3
– – –
1850 - 1899 1900 - 1949 1950 - present
MAPPING URBAN GRAIN Walk out in Colombes - looking back in. The purpose of the map was to map the different building typologies.
Ecole Gra nde
Santilare Alain Lady Builders Merch ant
Conse General ul des haut de seine
1/2 wit
+
closed down Café bar
School/ 1950-60s (E School/ extensio coles Felles) n 1990s
School
+
Carpark Temporary
h 3 ext ension
Islamic praye r centre
+
+
walk around
Looking back in - images with grey backing Typologies
UBA LR20 TB20 IF/PF SR/S VS VM VL
– – –– – – – –
Urban Block Apartments Low Rise C20th Block C20th Tower Blocks C20th Infill / Prefill Shops with Residences / Shops Villa small Villa Medium Villa Large
The train station was used as an epicentre for this walk and we took a radial circle out from this and adjusted this circle as we walked. Where we came to 1 the walk – 1850 - 1899 junctions we looked in, so informed us of the districts of Colombes 2 – 1900 - 1949 – 1950 - present and their relationship to3 what we perceived as the suburb’s focus. While we walked we also looked in and mapped the typologies of buildings we passed.
Walk Through
Social Space & Encounters
WALK THROUGH
Colombes -
Mapping Thematic Walks
images from the walk...
The aim of this walk was to identify the social demographic and interactions within a selected area of Colombes - Petit Colombes. The walk identifies various typologies of people and the locations within which they generally appropriate themselves. In addition an age and racial demographic became evident, as did zones of social conditions, mostly instigated or enacted by the physical conditions/barriers within those locations. The walk was carried out a typical working day; however it must be noted that the weekend condition may vary in proportion, although not necessarily in location.
Walking
Section Through
Mapping Human Traces
SECTION THROUGH
Colombes -
Mapping Thematic Walks
images from the walk...
The purpose of this walk was to take a key section through Colombes, in this case from the high rise development at Fosses Jean in the north east to the emerging commercially dominated Petit Colomes in the south west. The walk mapped the traces of human activity analysing the use of public spaces along this section through the town leading us to question the way public space is used.
Walking territory rubbish
rubbish
unwanted goods disuse
rubbish
unwanted goods
territory
appropriation
spaces and buildings which are no longer used and are in a state of disrepair
literally garbage which is disposed off and not recycled
household goods and personal items which have been thrown out on the street
spaces which have been marked in order to signify a person or group’s territorial zone
objects which show a change of use from their original signifying some sort of appropriation
GRAFFITI rubbish
appropriation
territory
GRAFFITI
MAPPING HUMAN TRACES
territory
Walk through Colombes - from Fosse St. Jean to Petit Colombes. Purpose of the walk to map traces left behind by human activity in order to assess the use of public space.
unwanted goods
GRAFFITI
unwanted goods
GRAFFITI
appropriation
rubbish
disuse disuse
disuse
rubbish territory
territory
unwanted goods
series of traces found and their relation to the typology of the urban form in the area where they were found
appropriation rubbish territory
GRAFFITI
GRAFFITI unwanted goods
rubbish
territory The findings...
GRAFFITI
appropriation
rubbish
This walk was carried out over the course of two days. One half (from Fosse St. Jean to the centre of Colombes) was carried out between 10.30am and 12.30pm and the second part of the walk (from the centre of Colombes to Petit Colombes) was carried out between 14.30 and 16.30.
GRAFFITI
The purpose of the walk was to study the traces that people have left behind in order to understand how public spaces are being used. We also hoped to understand a little about the types of people who used these spaces. We noticed that starting at Fosse St Jean in the north east, the areas surrounded by high rise blocks generally had traces which were rubbish and territorial markings such as graffiti. Moving past the boundary between this high rise and the single villas, the traces became more unwanted goods that had been thrown out onto the streets. As we moved closer to the centre, there were less instances of rubbish and discarded goods and more instances of appropriation and a ‘cleaner’ environment.