team #4 The CITY Group
WHO WE ARE AND WHAT WE DO
The CITY group is an interdisciplinary team that consists of specialists from different research fields of urban studies such as sociologists, historians, urban geographers, spatial planners, cultural and financial researchers. Based on this interdisciplinary expertise the team brings crucial input to the task of developing a future scenario for Kontraktova square and delivers a strong framework for sucessful urban development.
The main GOAL of the CITY group is to interact with the architects and give advice in form of expert knowledge. By using a multi-level analysis the team generates innovative approaches, which challenges the ideas of the architects working process. The CITY group also acts as several voices of the city, which are usually underepresented in planning processes and focuses on aspects that are relevant from their point of view. These voices, combined with the results of the analysis were put in concrete requests. During the workshop the CITY group developed an operational tool for a transparent decisionmaking process: a matrix that evaluates the incidence of incorporationof the voices of the city in the design proposal.
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HOW WE DO IT
The CITY Group worked by integrating multiple methods: Initially the group brainstormed on the characteristics of a good public space in order to build a common language and mutual understanding on what can be an ideal public space The group also did field research that included: - defining users - voices of the city - and actors - participatory observation (research interventions to the actual urban site) - interviews with users of Kontraktova, experts, municipal representatives - historical analysis - analysis of legal regulation - mapping institutional actors according to their potential of development - microanalysis of local economy (small, medium and large business) - providing data for architects‘ requests - transforming field results into output requests for architects following the methods of SWOT analysis
The SWOT analysis was used to reverse internal weaknesses and external threats into strengths and opportunities based on the potential of the area. The City Group formulate output request as a means of interaction with architect professionals. Finally the city group formulate a matrix of evaluation for architects’ projects. The matrix is based on incidence if integration of the output request in the final scenario for future development of Kontraktova designed by the three teams of architect.
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THE MAGIC OF THE MATRIX
The Matrix works like a magic machine, where you put in the design proposal at one end and you have a solid and proper evalution of it coming out at the other end. The process that happens in the machine is the following: According to the output requests that have been phrased out of the research results, the proposal is thouroughly analysed. By discussing the various aspects of it, the CITY team assigns a certain level of intensity to each of the aspects. How much has it been taken into consideration and how intensive an effect will the proposed solutions have? The result is as complex but precise scheme that shows the strenghts and the weaknesses, the risks and the qualitites of the proposal. It can than be adjusted or developed further accordingly.
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Evaluation matrix
FIELD OF ACTION
mobility, transport, social integration, physical development, economic development ... OUTPUT REQUEST
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2
3
4
VOICES of the CITY
1 2 3 4
INCIDENCE OF INCORPORATION OF CITY OUTPUT REQUESTS
Incorporated
Incorporate and developped
key issue in the proposed scenario
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6
Based on the research, the CITY team defined 6 fields of actions in which the demands of diverse voices of the city, the actors involved in the process around the Kontraktova square, are located:
Fields of Action
Voices from the city
1. MOBILITY
car driver Kyiv cyclist – association pedestrian commuter
2. HERITAGE
UNESCO archaeologist touristic promoter Save old Kyiv! - association heritage expert
3. PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT
urban development department real estate developer
4. SOCIAL INTEGRATION
students local protest group artists underrepresented citizens
5. CULTURAL POTENTIAL
university cultural institution tourist local resident tourism promoter
6. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
mobile seller kiosk owner gastronomy big international companies
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MOBILITY 1
WHAT? There is a need for an under-
standable and clear regulation of the traffic on the square.
WHO? car driver WHY? During rush hour there is a high traffic density around the square, especially amongst cars. The different traffic participants and a lack of street signs and road markings cause an unclear and insecure situation. As a consequence car drivers, especially if they are not familiar with the square, don ﾌ》 know about the rules and which way to go. This seems to be the most important reason for congestion.
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WHAT? Integrate cyclists in the traffic system in a safe way.
WHO? Kyiv cyclist association WHY? Cyclists are not integrated in
the traffic system. Local authorities thought about establishing bike lanes but there is a lack of knowledge how to implement it.
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MOBILITY 3
WHAT? Good and barrier‐free connecting pathways have to be provided.
WHO? pedestrian WHY? A lot of pedestrians with diffe-
rent levels of mobility (disabled people, women with buggies, elderly...) cross the square. They take different directions and have different destinations.
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WHAT? Clearer regulation for the public transport system.
WHO? commuter WHY? Kontraktova Square is an important traffic hub. 9 mini‐bus lines, 2 busses, 4 trams and a metro‐line from different companies are passing the square. Many stations are located all over the square.
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HERITAGE 5
WHAT? Respect the viewing axis to the Church of St Andrew.
WHO? UNESCO WHY? St. Andrew is on
the tentative world heritage list.
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WHAT? Build an underground archeological museum.
WHO? archaeologist WHY? To emphasize the historical
value of the site, to create a new tourist attraction, implicate heritage into citizens everyday life, and to show the results of professional research and excavations.
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HERITAGE 7
WHAT? Create a connection between
Kontraktova square and The World Heritage Site St. Sophia.
WHO? tourism promoter WHY? The connection will contribute
to a unified image of Kiev and its urban heritage. Tourism is an engine of economy that should be taken into account.
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WHAT? No new aggressive development.
WHO? activist from Save old Kyiv WHY? New development is usually
purely profit�orientated, has a ruthless attitude towards the inhabitants, ignores the existing social structures, and decreases spaces for cultural and social activities. They have no interest in the community and are a threat to it.
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HERITAGE 9
WHAT?
Create a clear identity, strengthen the ensemble, see the square in historical city context as an historical centre.
WHO? heritage expert WHY? There is no historical ensemble of the square which could lead to more fake historic buildings. The square is odd and irregular, it is lacking clear boundaries. It is not well executed for reasons that can be found in the historical development. It is surrounded by a strong urban pattern – this is a potential. Right now it is an in�between, an indefinite situation and should either be more integrated or disintegrated.
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PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT 10
WHAT? Incorporate new development in pre窶親xisting urban fabric.
WHO? urban development department
WHY? There is a lot of potential for development in this area and on the square. As it is very highly frequented the city would benefit from it. For a project to be sustainable?, it is better to respect the pre窶親xisting fabric. It has to be integrated in or combined with an existing historic structure.
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WHAT? Change or rehabilitate the
functions of abandoned buildings and structures that are in municipal or national property. Rehabilitate old structures.
WHO? real estate developer, property owner, urban development departement
WHY? To attract investments, to
change the social landscape of the site, to improve the economic potential of the area.
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PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT 12
WHAT? Define spaces for new development and work out possible requests for design and function of new buildings.
WHO? real estate developers WHY? New development brings tax
revenue to the city that need money for other purposes, they also enhance labor and economy.
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SOCIAL INTEGRATION 13
WHAT? There must be space for
communication, which allows interaction without disturbing others.
WHO? students WHY? Students need informal spaces to thrive.
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WHAT? We want a green, communicative, and open space which is accessible for everyone.
WHO? local protest group WHY? People need a space where to express ones opinion which is essential for democracy.
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SOCIAL INTEGRATION 15
WHAT? Affordable rooms for studios, space for public performance i.e. transform the guest house.
WHO? artists WHY? There must be enough space for creativity. Creativity is an engine for economic growth.
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WHAT? Adopt a social approach to urban design.
WHO? underrepresented citizens WHY? The city should be accessible
to everyone. Otherwise there is a danger of excluding i.e. disabled and elderly people from everyday life. Fragile groups of society will be those who pay the price of insensitive planning decisions.
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CULTURAL POTENTIAL 17
WHAT? Improve the connection between the university, cultural institutions and the square.
WHO? university, cultural institutions
WHY? The university is a key play-
er in the development process of the square. It hosts a museum, a library, an art gallery, and a theatre. But it‘s gates prevent interactions between parts.
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WHAT? Improve the framework conditions for cultural events.
WHO? cultural institutions, artists WHY? Over 40 public events occur on
Kontraktova square per year which are lacking basic infrastructure (i.e. toilets, garbage disposals).
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CULTURAL POTENTIAL 19
WHAT? Create orientation facilities. WHO? tourism promoter, tourist, local resident, cultural institutions
WHY? Tourists and citizens have problems finding the many existing cultural institutions on and around Kontraktova square.
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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 20 WHAT? Provide infrastructure and
a well organized garbage removal system.
WHO? mobile sellers WHY? Have an area where to sell products to commuters and lower income groups that spend their lunch break on Kontraktova square.
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WHAT? More events and festivals. WHO? kiosk owner WHY? Events will bring clients.
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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 22 WHAT? Give outside space to cafĂŠs for chairs, tables, and umbrellas.
WHO? gastronomy WHY? CafĂŠs in public space contribute in enhancing both a lively atmosphere and profit.
23 WHAT? More tourists, business people, and big events.
WHO? gastronomy WHY? Wealthy consumers can provide benefit to the whole entertainment area already developed in Sagaydachnogo Street.
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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 24 WHAT? Employees need place for resting during lunchtime and demand parking.
WHO? big company, employee WHY? Employees look for good working environment.
25 WHAT? Consider the feasibility of
your scenario. Involve the potential stakeholders in the implementation of your design.
WHO? Urban development department, real estate developers
WHY? Strategic intervention requires investment. The public administration can contribute to boost the project but it can’t cover the whole cost while investor from different sectors (bank, finance insurance institute) can be involved in the plan.
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THE COMPLETE MATRIX Example for a complete matrix according to the proposal of team # 1
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Example for a complete matrix according to the proposal of team # 2
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Example for a complete matrix according to the proposal of team # 3
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