Greening the city

reCity European Joint Master Course in City Regeneration

FU 26: Information and Communication Technology

Greening the City Urban regeneration Case Studies

Tutor: R.F. Alfieri Student: Panagiotidi Athanasia Fisd Consortium Greening the city

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URBAN REGENERATION CASE STUDIES Introduction

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Project A| Promenade Plantée, France

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A.1. Objective

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A.2. Location and Description

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A.3. Project results

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Project B|Cheonggyecheon Urban Waterway, Seoul,S. Korea

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B.1. Objective

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B.2. Location and Description

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B.3. Project results

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Project C| BedZED -Beddington Zero Energy Development, London U.K.

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C.1. Objective

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C.2. Location and Description

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C.3. Project results

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Bibliography

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Introduction

Observing the “nature� of city today, we infer that urban areas decline progressively through the waste of natural, energy and cultural resources and due to the fact that the organization of space and social structures is dysfunctional. Greenery within cities can upgrade the quality of life and space, and can restore the balance between nature and human activity.

The urban regeneration projects presented in the current document show case studies that contribute to the enhancement of environmental conditions within densified urban settlements and to the upgrade of quality of life.

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Project A| Promenade Plantée, France

Region: Paris-Ile-de-France Location: Paris, 12e Arrondissement Designers:Philippe Mathieu,Jacques Vergely Client: City of Paris Design: 1985 | Completion: 1994 Area: 6 ha Cost: 61.000.000 Eur KEYWORDS: reuse, railway, public space, green corridor, Public-private partnership (PPP) Greening the city

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A.1. Objective The Promenade Plantée regeneration project is a part of a continued park policy in the city of Paris for the reuse of abandoned infrastructure and industrial sites. The restoration of the old viaduct aims at the creation of a green corridor within the complex urban area, which functions as a new public space.

sites were cleared as part of the works on the neighboring residential quarter and were integrated into the design (Schumann, 2010).

A.2. Location and Description The green corridor stretches for 4.7 km across the 12th arrondissement of city of Paris (Pic.1), following the old route of Vincennes railway line which connects the city centre to Eastern Paris and was closed down in 1969.

Promenade Plantèe

Pic.1: Project location and Ring Road.Source: Google maps;Own elaboration

consists of an elevated parkway extending from Opèra de la Bastille until the ring motorway, the Boulevard

Pèriphèrique (Pic.2).

The project avoided the need for structural reinforcements to the railway viaduct, which means that only the drains and some sealing layers and topsoil were replaced. Moreover, two former railway Greening the city

Pic.2: The route of Promenade Plantèe. Source: Own elaboration;Google Maps.

Inspiration based on history The design was inspired by the public promenades formed along the sites of the city fortifications during the 17th century (Schumann, 2010), revealing in this way the cultural-historic character that urban design can adopt, despite the restrictions appearing due to the existence of the densified urban fabric.

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design, many access points are offered, such as footbridges, tunnels, lifts, cycle routes and staircases that link the promenade from the area of Bastille to the Gardens of Reuilly (green area), until the main ring road where the park Bois de Vincennes lies (Pic.4).

Pic.3: Overall Plan and Bastille- Reuilly section.

Source:Schumann, 2010.

Landscape and Streetscape design The path extends through symmetrical open spaces of different sizes, and greenery that encourages an integrated visual experience. Walking along the promenade, one can notice the pergolas, the pavilions and the variety of vegetation, ranging from rose gardens to bamboo grove and cherry trees.

Moreover, the route offers unexpected views of the cityscape, as the viaduct crosses over roads or there are open spaces between the planting, allowing the pedestrians to enjoy their activities.

The streetscape is planned in an integrated way, using furniture (benches, lamps, paving etc) that maintains a visual continuity with the other sections of the route (Schumann, 2010; Pedoja, 2000). Even though the design of the green corridor differs according to the adjacent land use and urban

Pic.4: Access points along Promenade Plantèe.Source: Schuman, 2010; Google Images;Own elaboration

A revived cultural spot in the city It is worth referring to an elevated section along the green corridor named Viaduc des Arts, which was restored and renovated by reusing the level beneath the old railway tracks, and transforming it into a cultural-artistic-touristic pole. Viaduc des Arts houses along Avenue Daumesnil shops, restaurants and galleries that highlight the parisian art and craft work (Pic.5) (leviaducdesarts, http://www.leviaducdesarts.com/ decouvrir).

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Pic.5: Le Viaduct des Artes.Source: Schuman, 2010; http://

www.leviaducdesarts.com/decouvrir

A.3. Project results

The revitalization of the abandoned Vincennes railway line, is regarded as a successful regeneration project that has been embraced by both locals and visitors, and has been an inspiration for similar projects around the world, such us ‘The High Line’ in New York.

The implementation of the regeneration project attributed a strong sense of identity as well as enriched the natural environment within the old and new quarters of the area (Schumann, 2010). Paris can be characterized as a compact city, where stone structures predominate and greenery apart from the large parks, is difficult to find among buildings or streets.

In their research on innovative urban environments, Drake and Guaralda (2012) refer to Paris as a ‘biophilic city’, that is a city which ‘integrates urban greenery as a means to provide vibrant public spaces’. Their conclusions regarding the results that Promenade Plantèe has had for local economy, society and environment, are as follows: The regeneration project has fulfilled the ‘public space needs’ and has revealed a strong notion of ‘placemaking’.

Public space _ There has been an enhancement of connections between the parkway and the city, as well as communities have been brought together through the various landscape segments (connectivity). _ Commercial spaces have been developed in the arches of the viaduct, while the public realm can also be transferred above/ Open space and activities mutually fuel each other (Land use mix). _ The greenery enhances the experience and stimulation, and creates a pleasant surrounding for pedestrians that eventually perceive more easily the purpose of the greenway (stimulation and human dimension). _ The connection along the promenade was retained to its original purpose, rather than a complete redesign or demolition, underlining thus the importance of local history and the relation between past and present (renovation of use).

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Placemaking _ A ‘web of diversity’ allows life created from commercial and peace created from greenery. _ The relationship generated from the surroundings underlines the historic and artistic character of the area, and offers an ‘escape’ from daily routine. _ The multiple land use encourage the interchange between locals and tourists, and a positive feeling is received due to the success generated which alongside improves communication among individuals (psycological and social dimensions). _ The creation of the greenway is a good representative of the romantic stereotype associated with the Paris environment and culture. _ The cultural sense is more intense through the contrast of past and present use of space.

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Project B|Cheonggyecheon Urban Waterway, Seoul,S. Korea

Region: Seoul National Capital Area Location: Seoul, South Korea Designers: Seoul Development Institute, Seoul Metropolitan Government, public participation, specialists and engineers from various firms.

Design: 2000 | Completion: 2005 Area: 5,8 km Cost: 212 million Eur KEYWORDS: urban stream, restoration, highway, green corridor, multidisciplinary cooperation

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B.1. Objective

The regeneration of Cheonggyecheon urban stream aimed at the revitalization of the downtown area and the recovery of history and culture,and the biological and social ecology of Seoul, a city that suffered degradation of built and natural environment, as well as safety problems.

B.2. Location and Description

S.Korea

over the whole city (the mortality rate of the Seoul population was the highest in the Cheonggyecheon area). The solution provided to the Cheonggyecheon in downtown Seoul was the construction of a 12 lane highway in 1971 that burried the river and created a severe environmental degradation (poor water quality, lack of plant and wildlife) (Pic.2) (Lee, 2003; CABE, 2011) .

PROBLEMS

CheongGyeCheon Stream

1920 Pic.1: Project location.Source: Google maps;Lee, 2006

The CheongGyeCheon stream flows form west to east Korea, converging in the center of Seoul. Its total length is 10.92km, and almost 6 km have been restored in order to resolve the economic, social, cultural and environmental problems within the urban centre of Seoul.

The most important issue the area had to deal with was sanitation. During the rainy season, many houses were flooded and contagious diseases swept Greening the city

CONSTRUCTION

Pic.2: Problems and Highway construction.Source: Lee, 2006

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The decision for the restoration of the urban stream took place on July 2002. The large-scale urban regeneration project was funded by the Government, and multi-disciplinary partnerships were shaped in order to deliver it, including research institutes and citizens. The collective regeneration effort initiated the design of a green corridor that runs through the densified urban centre of Seoul.Meanwhile,the Cheonggyecheon Restoration Citizens' Committee helped to gauge public opinion, communicating the projects goals through information sessions and conveying concerns (CABE, 2011).

Design concept

The green corridor runs from Seoul to an ecological conservation area outside the city, and is split into three zones which mark the transition from an urban landscape to a natural environment (CABE, 2011).

Zone 1: History

Underground waterways were redirected to create a new stream bed with landscaped banks, and the foundations and stones of earlier bridges were included as decorative elements. National and imperial motifs highlight this zone’s emphasis on history. There are also resting points to encourage the public to use the space.

Zone 2: Urban + culture

The middle zone has recreation areas, waterfront decks, and stepping stones that bridge the two banks. Its design is focused on using environmentally friendly materials. The stream’s flow is intermittent, so water levels are supplemented by the Hangang River and treated wastewater. Other features include fountains and waterfalls

Maps are embedded into the embankment walls at regular intervals, and prominent signage links nearby streets with the stream. The north and south sides are connected at street level by 22 bridges, each reflecting the theme of its respective zone.

Zone 3: Nature

Pic.3: The 3 zones of CheongGyeCheon stream .Source: Lee, 2006Lee, 2006

The stream widens as it enters the final zone, which was designed to look overgrown and untamed.

Sections of the pier and overpass were left as industrial mementoes. Cheonggyecheon eventually runs into Jungraechon stream, which leads out into the

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Hangang River. The wetlands at their meeting point are designated as an ecological conservation area.

Pic.5: Section and sewer system, Cheonggyecheon Stream.Source: Lee, 2006

Pic.4: The regenerated green corridor .Source: Lee, 2006; CABE, 2011

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B.3. Project results

Cheonggyecheon is an urban intervention with far-reaching significance for the city as a whole, as the project scope is far more extensive than the linear park. Environmentally, the restored waterway and plantings have changed the ecology along its banks and have also affected the climatic conditions within the city center (Busquets and Klein, 2010).Â

Economically, the Cheonggyecheon has stimulated business activity in the surrounding area and, for the first time in Seoul’s modern history, effectively linked the north and south of Seoul while reducing traffic pressure on the central business district by increasing the transportation capacity of buses and subways.

Public Survey _Nov 2005

100% 75% 50% 25% 0% Air

V Improved

Water

Noise

Improved

Odour

Daylight Wind

Unchanged

Pic.6: Environmental improvement, 2005.Source: Lee, 2006; Own elaboration

Pic.7: Thermal conditions, 2005.Source: Lee, 2006

The project stands as clear evidence that coordinated urban design can catalyze economic development, reinforce connection with the natural environment, and improve the quality of the urban condition for residents and visitors alike.

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Moreover, the project is paradigmatic of sustainable attitudes toward city design and development, integrating systemic public transportation improvements with meticulous ecological restoration to facilitate novel, authentic, and innovative urban experiences (Busquets and Klein, 2010).

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Project C| BedZED -Beddington Zero Energy Development, London U.K.

Region: London, United Kingdom Location: Hackbridge, Sutton borough Designers: BioRegional Development Group, Peabody Trust Design: 1999 | Completion: 2001 Area: 0,3 ha Cost: 18,9 million Eur KEYWORDS: eco-neighbourhood, carbon neutral, sustainability, ecological footprint, private partnership

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C.1. Objective The urban eco-neighbourhood BedZED constitutes an innovative solution targeted at satisfying the environmental, economic and social needs of the residents. It was constructed in order to highlight ways to minimize environmental impact when building and operating areas of life in a socially and economically efficient manner. The main objective is zero energy consumption and the development of a carbon neutral society (Avrusin, 2007).

C.2. Location and Description

BedZED is located at the southern suburbs of London, named Hackbridge, and was constructed on a former brownfield which was owned by the municipality of Sutton (Pic.1).

The name Beddington Zero (fossil) Energy Development indicates the vision behind this particular study, that is the development of an energy facility where there is no use of fossil fuels such as oil, coal and gas, and zero emission of gases that hasten the greenhouse phenomenon (One Planet Communities, 2010).

The designers adopted simple methods in order to reduce energy needs, water consumption and car use (One Planet Communities, 2010): a) Energy needs were initially covered by a station of combined heat and power which burned wood chips and produced biofuels with zero carbon e Greening the city

Pic.1: BedZED geographical location.Source: http:// www.grida.no/graphicslib/detail/bedzed-beddington-zero-energydevelopment-location_8968#

missions. Its small size and low economic efficiency led to the station’s replacement with a specific boiler. b) Electricity is generated by solar energy via photovoltaic panels, through which 19% of the total enerdy needs have been covered.

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Pic.2: Solar water collectors through photovoltaic panels.Source: Zedfactory, 2001.

c) Water saving devices have been installed on the buildings rooftops, while there are also tanks under the structures that collect rainwater and recycled water which is reused after it is filtered through plants and bacteria. d) The residents recycle and compost, contributing in this way to the protection of the environment.

Pic.3: BedZED functions and energy system.Source: Hodge and Haltrecht,2009.

Pic.4: Recycling bins and Composting Day.Source: Hodge and Haltrecht,2009.

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Pic.6: Dwellings and working space, BedZED.Source: Twinn, 2003

Pic.5: Land Use and buildings’ physics.Source: Zedfactory, 2001

e) BedZED is a mixed use settlement consisting of 50% housing for sale, 25% social housing for rent, and the rest is attributed to open space.

The buildings are heated by a combination of passive solar and internal gains, with temperatures moderated by a thermally massive structure.

Pic.7: Internal open space, BedZED.Source: http:// www.bdonline.co.uk/news/730-home-peabody-projectsubmitted/3079981.article

f) BedZED adopted the ‘Green Transport Plan’ in order to reduce mobility needs, promote public transportation and offer alternative transport modes that discourage car use (walking through pedestrian zones, cycling, car pooling)

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g) The residents contribute to the reduction of their ecological footprint by reporting their consumption in natural resources, providing thus an image of their behaviour towards their living environment, and being offered the chance to change attitude in the fields needed.

C.3. Project results

The eco-neighbourhood of BedZed successfully managed to form a coherent and environmentally conscious community, and proved that social, economical and environmental change within urban centers is possible to occur. Moreover, the design of such a neighbourhood contributed to the enhancement of social capital and to the development of a place where people and nature can co-exist.

In numbers, there has been 45% reduction in electricity use and 58% less consumption of warm water compared with municipal level. Photovoltaic panels (even though not so cost-effective) produce 19% of the total demand for electricity. Car use has been eliminated to 65%, and 60% of waste is being recycled or composted, a percentage double compared with the recycling rate at a typical british facility.

The construction of BedZED moreover, functioned as a tool for the promotion of the sustainability notion towards the wider area, through the

implementation of innovative local municipality of Sutton established sets new residences carbon neutral has adopted the principles of ‘One until 2025.

initiatives. The a policy that until 2016 and Planet Borough’

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Bibliography PROJECT A 1. Anna Furlani Pedoja (2000) La Promenade PlantÊe. Una ferrovia parigina trasformata in giardino, in "Architettura del Paesaggio", n. 4, Marzo 2000, Alinea, Firenze, pp. 25 - 29 2.Drake, Melissa & Guaralda, Mirko (2013) Rejuvenating lost and disused space within Fortitude Valley : a study into the effectiveness of urban greenery in subtropical public space. In_Bo: ricerche e progetti per il terri- torio, la citta e l’architettura, 4(1), pp. 137-157.

3.Schumann, Ulrich Maximilian. "A Short Psychogram of Urban Green." Urban Green: European Landscape Design for the 21st Century. Germany: German National Library, 2010. 44-49. Google Books. Web. 3 July 2013.

PROJECT B 1. Busquets J, Klein I (2010). Deconstruction/Construction: Cheonggyecheon River Project. Thesis Project, Harvard University, Graduate School of Design 2. CABE- Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment. Cheonggyecheon Restoration Project [Online] (Updated 1 January 2011) Available at: http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20110118095356/http://www.cabe.org.uk/ [ Accessed 31 July 2013] 3. Lee Allison SooHyun (2003). CheongGyeCheon Stream, Thesis Project, McGill Univeristy, School of Architecture 4. Lee In- Keun (2006). Cheong Gye Cheon Restoration Project - a revolution in Seoul.Seoul Metropolitan Government. In: ICLEI World Congress 2006, 27 February- 3 March 2006, Cape Town, South Africa.

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PROJECT C 1. Avrusin L. (2007), ‘Ecological Village in London- From A to... BedZED’, Vita, 1 January, Available at: http://www.vita.gr/html/ent/449/ent.2449.asp [accessed 1 August 2013] 2. Οne Planet Communities (2010), The Prototype: BedZED, Available at: http://www.oneplanetcommunities.org/ communities/bedzed/ [accessed 1 august 2013] 3. Hodge J., Haltrecht J. (2009), BedZED seven years on. The impact of the UK’s best known eco-village and its residents, BioRegional Development Group, Wallington, Available at: http://www.bioregional.com/files/ publications/BedZED-seven-years-exec-summary.pdf [accessed 1 August 2013] 4. Twinn C. (2003), “BedZED”, THE ARUP JOURNAL, vol. 1, pp.10-16, Available at:http://www.scribd.com/doc/ 31209263/Bedzed-Chris-Twinn-The-Arup-Journal-1-2003 5. Zedfactory (2001), The BedZED Exhibition-opening March 2001, Zedfactory, Available at: http:// www.surreycc.gov.uk/sccwebsite/sccwspublications.nsf/145e70b9745e847c802572b2004f30fe/ 46a91bbfd618b885802570dd005168bd/$FILE/The%20BedZED%20Exhibition-Part%202.pdf [accessed 1 August 2013]