Architectural Research Thesis 2020 "Urban Voids : Identifying the Hidden potential"

The Architectural Research Thesis URBAN VOIDS: Identifying the Hidden Potential

By

Smit Sureshbhai Ramani (2016-2021) Thesis Guide

Prof. Vishal Shah

BACHELOR OF ARCHITECTURE (B.Arch.V. SEM IX) December 2020

A.A.E.R.T. & The S.S.B. FACULTY OF ARCHITECTURE Sarvajanik College of Engineering & Technology Dr. R. K. Desai Marg, Opp. Mission Hospital, Athwalines, Athwa, Surat, Gujarat 395001

CERTIFICATE

This is to certify that Smit Sureshbhai Ramani has submitted the Report of Research Thesis on the subject “URBAN VOIDS: Identifying the Hidden Potential” as a mandatory requirement for the completion of B. Arch. V. Sem IX, at AAERT & The SSB, Faculty of Architecture, Sarvajanik College of Engineering and Technology (SCET), Surat, for the academic year 2020 – 2021. His work is found to be satisfactory for the purpose.

Smit Sureshbhai Ramani

Prof. Rikta Desai

Prof. Alpa Pandya

Research Thesis

Research Thesis

Coordinator

Coordinator

Prof. Vishal Shah Research Thesis Guide

Prof. Persi Engineer Principal, Faculty of Architecture, SCET, Surat

Year: 2016-2021 Date: 21/12/2020

I

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I would be thankful to Prof. Vishal Shah for his time, guidance and direction throughout this semester to enrich the research method and finally this following synopsis. He has been greatly supportive and aided the development of this study by offering the valuable expertise in all research methods.

Help and co-operation of Prof. Rikta Desai, Prof. Alpa Pandya and Prof. Niraj Naik for providing guidance and suggestions during the research is duly acknowledged.

I am also thankful to my peers and colleagues who have contributed directly or indirectly in the preparation of this report.

II

ABSTRACT

In the sense of urban densification, open and green spaces have become increasingly disputed grounds. Public spaces have become scarce in these crowded cities, where land is inexpensive.

Another issue is that cities are often built and planned in isolation during the process of creating under used spaces around cities, which in reality represents negligence and poor perceptions of the location. Since there is no use attached to these spaces, people prefer to disregard these places and see them as dead, unattractive, urban spaces. These voids can be seen as spaces that disturb urban tissues that do not function as private or public spaces. Urban voids in cities are dead, underused, unused areas. These urban disparities are the product of inefficient decisionmaking, poor land management, poor communication between decision-makers and designers.

Urban Voids has an immense opportunity to develop the site and create a stronger urban structure for the area. These spaces can be seen as a great opportunity in this costly world and can be exploited as urban public spaces, such as public meeting spaces, pocket parks or plazas, or simply as a place for events to connect and engage people. Efforts are required to identify, research and find ways to improve public space in these dense contemporary cities.

This research will examine various design interventions to give these spaces accessibility and imaging capabilities that could help to explore the potential of public life in these urban voids or missing spaces. Furthermore, this research will look forward to creating a hypothesis of how these voids could be used as a catalyst for the future restoration and regeneration of their environment. This is guided by the hypothesis that Urban Voids can be used as a generator of public life and can add meaning to the surrounding context. Understanding regarding void spaces in terms of its real meaning, why these types of spaces are being generated around us? what are the reasons behind it? effects of void spaces on its surrounding context positively or negatively, and understanding of different typologies of void spaces by different authors have been studied to get the overall idea of Urban Voids. For in-depth study further research has been carried out in two parts, literature study of quantifiable aspects and non-quantifiable aspects in which study regarding various strategies like place making and understanding of literature study of Ar. Jan Gehl's work to understand How a public space should be? has been done under the quantifiable aspects and in non-quantifiable aspects, the study of Genius Loci and the study of multi-sensory architecture has been done to understand the real meaning of space. These aspects helped to derive the parameters for the case study and an in-depth study of various real projects has been done to understand how we can revive this type of unused space.

III

CONTENTS

1

2

Introduction ....................................................................................................................... 1 1.1

What is Urban Void? ................................................................................................. 2

1.2

Research Question ..................................................................................................... 2

1.3

Aim ............................................................................................................................ 2

1.4

Objectives .................................................................................................................. 2

1.5

Scope .......................................................................................................................... 3

1.6

Methodology .............................................................................................................. 3

1.7

Expected Outcome ..................................................................................................... 4

Lost Space Defined by Roger Trancik .............................................................................. 4 2.1

3

2.1.1

The Automobile ................................................................................................. 5

2.1.2

Modern Movement in Design ............................................................................ 5

2.1.3

Zoning and Urban Renewal ............................................................................... 6

2.1.4

Privatization of Public Space ............................................................................. 7

2.1.5

Changing Land Use............................................................................................ 7

Impact of Urban Void in the City Context ........................................................................ 8 3.1

Negative Impact ......................................................................................................... 8

3.1.1

Political .............................................................................................................. 8

3.1.2

Economic ........................................................................................................... 8

3.1.3

Social.................................................................................................................. 8

3.2

4

Causes behind the formation of Urban Voids ............................................................ 5

Positive Impact........................................................................................................... 8

3.2.1

Environmental .................................................................................................... 8

3.2.2

Social.................................................................................................................. 9

3.2.3

Economic ........................................................................................................... 9

3.2.4

Historical and Cultural ..................................................................................... 10

3.2.5

Visual and Aesthetics ....................................................................................... 10

Void Typologies .............................................................................................................. 11 IV

4.1

4.1.1

Planning Void .................................................................................................. 11

4.1.2

Functional Void ............................................................................................... 11

4.1.3

Geographical Void ........................................................................................... 11

4.2

Spaces Between ............................................................................................... 12

4.2.2

Spaces Around ................................................................................................. 12

4.2.3

Rooftops ........................................................................................................... 12

4.2.4

Wedges ............................................................................................................. 12

4.2.5

Redundant Infrastructure.................................................................................. 12

4.2.6

Oversized Infrastructure ................................................................................... 12

4.2.7

Void Spaces ..................................................................................................... 12

4.2.8

Spaces Below ................................................................................................... 13

According to Roger Trancik .................................................................................... 13

4.3.1

Entry Foyer Space ............................................................................................ 13

4.3.2

Inner Block Void.............................................................................................. 13

4.3.3

Streets and Square ............................................................................................ 13

4.3.4

Public Parks and Garden .................................................................................. 13

4.3.5

Linear Open Space ........................................................................................... 13

How a Space should be?.................................................................................................. 13 5.1

Quantifiable Aspects ................................................................................................ 13

5.1.1

Public Life according to Jan Gehl .................................................................... 13

5.1.2

The Human Scale ............................................................................................. 16

5.1.3

Place Making ................................................................................................... 19

5.2

6

According to Erick Villagomez ............................................................................... 11

4.2.1

4.3

5

According to Narayanan .......................................................................................... 11

Non-quantifiable Aspects ......................................................................................... 23

5.2.1

Genius Loci: The Spirit of Place ...................................................................... 23

5.2.2

Architecture and the Multi-Sensory Experience .............................................. 24

Case Studies .................................................................................................................... 26 6.1

High Line, New York .............................................................................................. 26 V

6.1.1

Introduction ...................................................................................................... 26

6.1.2

History.............................................................................................................. 26

6.1.3

Strategy ............................................................................................................ 27

6.1.4

Program ............................................................................................................ 27

6.1.5

Stakeholders ..................................................................................................... 28

6.1.6

Impact .............................................................................................................. 28

6.1.7

Human Experience ........................................................................................... 28

6.1.8

Evaluation ........................................................................................................ 28

6.2

Cheonggyecheon River, Seoul ................................................................................. 29

6.2.1

Introduction ...................................................................................................... 29

6.2.2

History.............................................................................................................. 29

6.2.3

Strategy ............................................................................................................ 30

6.2.4

Program ............................................................................................................ 31

6.2.5

Stakeholders ..................................................................................................... 31

6.2.6

Impact .............................................................................................................. 31

6.2.7

Human experience ........................................................................................... 32

6.2.8

Evaluation ........................................................................................................ 32

6.3

Zhulang Huagai, China ............................................................................................ 32

6.3.1

Introduction ...................................................................................................... 32

6.3.2

History.............................................................................................................. 33

6.3.3

Strategy ............................................................................................................ 34

6.3.4

Program ............................................................................................................ 34

6.3.5

Stakeholders ..................................................................................................... 35

6.3.6

Impact .............................................................................................................. 35

6.3.7

Human experience ........................................................................................... 35

6.3.8

Evaluation ........................................................................................................ 35

6.4

Kankaria Lake, Ahmedabad ..................................................................................... 36

6.4.1

Introduction ...................................................................................................... 36

6.4.2

History.............................................................................................................. 36 VI

7

6.4.3

Strategy ............................................................................................................ 37

6.4.4

Program ............................................................................................................ 38

6.4.5

Stakeholders ..................................................................................................... 38

6.4.6

Impact .............................................................................................................. 38

6.4.7

Human Experience ........................................................................................... 39

6.4.8

Evaluation ........................................................................................................ 39

Conclusion....................................................................................................................... 40 7.1

8

Findings ................................................................................................................... 40

7.1.1

Formulation of Void ........................................................................................ 41

7.1.2

Impact on Surroundings ................................................................................... 41

7.1.3

Typologies........................................................................................................ 41

7.1.4

Human Activities ............................................................................................. 41

7.1.5

Safety and Inclusiveness .................................................................................. 41

7.1.6

Time ................................................................................................................. 41

7.1.7

Value ................................................................................................................ 41

7.1.8

Place making .................................................................................................... 41

7.1.9

Human experience ........................................................................................... 41

7.1.10

Functions and programs ................................................................................... 42

7.1.11

Design strategies .............................................................................................. 42

Bibliography .................................................................................................................... 42

VII

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1 Urban and rural population of the world, 1950-2050 (Source: WUP) ........................ 1 Figure 2 Research Methodology (Image by Author) ................................................................. 4 Figure 3 Void typologies according to Narayanan .................................................................. 11 Figure 4 Void typologies according to Erick Villagomez ....................................................... 12 Figure 5 Public space quality criteria by Jan Gehl ................................................................... 16 Figure 6 Social field of vision Image by Jan Gehl ................................................................... 17 Figure 7 The communication distance (Source: The Human Scale Development) ................. 17 Figure 8 The visual Experience related to Angle (Source: The Human Scale Development) . 17 Figure 9 Visual Angle Image by Jan Gehl ............................................................................... 18 Figure 10 Sense and the Height Image by Jan Gehl ................................................................ 18 Figure 11 What makes a great place (Image by Project for Public Spaces) ............................ 19 Figure 12 Access and Linkage (Image by Project for Public Spaces) ..................................... 20 Figure 13 Sociability (Image by Project for Public Spaces) .................................................... 21 Figure 14 Uses and Activities (Image by Project for Public Spaces) ...................................... 22 Figure 15 Comfort and Image (Image by Project for Public Spaces) ...................................... 23 Figure 16 Multi-Sensory Architecture (Source: Re-Thinking The Future) ............................. 25 Figure 17 New York Highline Site plan (Source : Area Arch) ................................................ 26 Figure 18 Historical evolution of Highline .............................................................................. 26 Figure 19 Image of Programs at Highline by author ............................................................... 27 Figure 20 Image of Stakeholders at Highline by author .......................................................... 28 Figure 21 Human Experience at Highline................................................................................ 28 Figure 22 'Cheonggyecheon Stream’ Site plan (Source: Landscapperformance.org) ............. 29 Figure 23 Historical evolution of Cheonggyecheon Stream .................................................... 29 Figure 24 Image of Programs at Cheonggyecheon Stream by author ..................................... 31 Figure 25 Image of Stakeholders at Cheonggyecheon Stream by author ................................ 31 Figure 26 Human Experience at Cheonggyecheon Stream...................................................... 32 Figure 27 Image of Installation at Zhulang Huagai (Source: Arch daily) ............................... 33 Figure 28 Historical Evolution of Nantou village .................................................................... 33 Figure 29 Image of Programs at Zhulang Huagai by author .................................................... 34 Figure 30 Image of Stakeholders at Zhulang Huagai by author .............................................. 35 Figure 31 Human Experience at Zhulang Huagai .................................................................... 35 Figure 32 Image of Site Plan “Kankaria Lake” ....................................................................... 36 Figure 33 Historical Evolution of Kankaria Lake .................................................................... 36 VIII

Figure 34 Image of programs at Kankaria Lake ...................................................................... 38 Figure 35 Image of Stakeholders at Kankaria lake .................................................................. 38 Figure 36 Human Experience at Kankaria Lake ...................................................................... 39

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1

Introduction

In 2018, 55 percent of the world's population lives in urban areas, according to the World Urbanization Prospect(WUP). This will grow to 68 percent by 2050 (United-Nations, 2018), so for many cities around the world, the rapidly growing population is a constant problem.

Challenges such as affordability, the availability of accommodation, pollution and inadequate infrastructure affect the quality of life in the region. Cities then compete to make the planet more livable. One of the variables that defines the viability of a community is open green spaces for the public.

Cities face different challenges, but the quality of people's lives is the main and common problem faced by all cities. This is the same problem in cities around the world, but human growth is being ignored everywhere. Cities that are rapidly expanding face enormous population growth and extensive traffic growth, and because of this, multiple problems arise in the streets of the area. At the economic level, this growth pushes boundaries but totally neglects the life of the neighborhood.

“Cultures and climates differ all over the world, but people are the same. They’ll gather in public if you give them a good place to do it – Jan Gehl (Gehl, 2010)”

Figure 1 Urban and rural population of the world, 1950-2050 (Source: WUP)

1

1.1

What is Urban Void?

Urban voids are barren or uncultivated land lies in our existing fabric of the city. This places often feel incomplete and lacked vibrancy. These spaces don’t have any sort of identity, neither public nor private and these spaces never blend in with our community. Generally, undesirable areas, areas in need of redesign, anti-space, they are making no positive contribution to the surroundings or users are known as Urban Voids. They are ill-defined, without measurable boundaries and fail to connect elements in a coherent way.

These spaces add very little to their surroundings and become more of the urban fabric 's disruptive space. In general, these spaces are unwanted, underused and ignored by users, causing emptiness within the urban fabric.

In our city fabric, distinctive spaces such as dark alleyways, spaces under the flyovers, empty industrial buildings, parking lots, vacant lots are all the spaces known as urban void. While in the sense of our city, these spaces are of little benefit and undesirable, they have the ability to be far more than just 'leftover space' and can be a catalyst for city public life.

We will find several spaces that are left unused, dead or abandoned around us. In the form of street corners, there are numbers of Urban Voids, areas between two buildings that are commonly viewed as leftover places or for waste disposal or other anti-social acts. As the cost of land is rising and for some activities it is not possible to find appropriate space, this kind of space is one of the increasing problems.

The reasons for the formation of Urban Voids are inefficient decision making, poor land management, poor coordination among decision-makers and designers. Because of the rapid speed of growth, cities face situations such as disinvestment, suburbanization, deindustrialization, and out-migration. In the end, these different spaces become lost and left unused in comparison to the previous primary goal on which it was designed.

1.2

Research Question

“How to revive the urban void to contribute to public realm and improve the quality of life in the city?”

1.3

Aim

To identify various possible ways to give new life/function to unused or leftover spaces and to understand the possible impact of these spaces in the public’s daily life and around the city context by addressing the quantifiable and non-quantifiable aspects of human behavior.

1.4

Objectives 

To understand the meaning of ‘URBAN VOIDS’ and reason behind its creation.

2



To understand the influence of leftover spaces on development of the city and surrounding areas.



To draw parallels in terms of present context and future development.



To understand the possible strategies by which it can make these spaces functional.



To understand the behavioral pattern of people towards spaces by addressing human philosophy and quantifiable aspects.



To make people aware of their city’s urban fabric and to provide them a space where they can engage culturally, physically and environmentally.

1.5

Scope

This research will change the perspective of users. It will create an impact and encourage development, it allows flexible response to change and continue to respond user needs.

Outcome will redefine the use of space, it will provide a new life to the space and it will become an integral part of people’s day to day life rather than just being an unused space of the city.

1.6

Methodology 

To look at different typologies and effect of void in surrounding context.



To learn about the responses regarding the urban void which took place in past.



To study various theories for literature study and the phenomena of place making.



To develop strategies for case study to understand it properly and to get proper finding in the end.



These findings from literature studies and case studies will help to develop design toolkit for upcoming design intervention.

3

Figure 2 Research Methodology (Image by Author)

1.7

Expected Outcome

The research will widen up the thinking process and in the outcome, it will be able to understand various strategies/human philosophy by which it can revive unused spaces for public use.

2

Lost Space Defined by Roger Trancik

Lost space is the leftover unstructured landscape at the base of high-rise towers or the unused sunken plaza away from the flow of pedestrian activity in the city. They are the no man’s lands along the edges of freeways that nobody cares about maintaining, much less using. Lost spaces are also the abandoned waterfronts, train yards, vacated military sites, and industrial complexes that have moved out to the suburbs for easier access and perhaps lower taxes. They are the vacant blight clearance sites remnants of the urban-renewal days that were, for a multitude of reasons, never redeveloped. They are the residual areas between districts and loosely composed commercial strips that emerge without anyone realizing it. Lost spaces are deteriorated parks and marginal public housing projects that have to be rebuilt because they do not serve their intended purpose. Generally speaking, lost spaces are the undesirable urban areas that are in 4

need of redesign anti spaces, making no positive contribution to the surroundings or users. They are ill defined, without measurable boundaries, and fail to connect elements in coherent way.

On the other hand, they offer tremendous opportunities to the designer for urban redevelopment and creative infill and for rediscovering the many hidden resources in our cities (Trancik, 1986).

2.1

Causes behind the formation of Urban Voids

Roger Trancik has mentioned five major factors that have contributed to lost spaces in our cities in his book “Finding Lost Spaces (1986)”.

2.1.1

The Automobile

Reliance on the car is the hardest to handle, since it is so profoundly rooted in the lifestyle of individuals. It has created urban areas where the predominant forms of open space are expressways, lanes, and parking areas.

Open space has increasingly been ruled by mobility and connectivity, which has consequently lost quite a bit of its social significance and human reason. Because of this, institutions are disconnected, encompassed without social purpose by large open lands. The street has become the 'strip' at the edges of the town.

Similarly, the Interstate System involved a complex pattern of connector streets within the area.

The road frameworks of most urban areas have definitely been adjusted to disperse traffic from the major parkways into a smaller system of avenues. The corridor replaced the road and, as a multipurpose area, the road lost its social significance. Neighborhoods and areas are no longer related. The need for order and mobility has ultimately destroyed the diversity and richness of public life in urban areas.

2.1.2

Modern Movement in Design

The modern architectural design movement has also led to the loss of outdoor space. This movement was based on abstract principles for the design of freestanding buildings; the value of street space, urban squares and gardens and other significant outdoor spaces was forgotten or excluded in the process. Stanford Anderson's book On Streets contains a paper by the Institute for Architecture and Urban Studies that includes the following statement: “One of the problems with planning and architecture today is that the spaces between buildings are rarely designed. This is especially true in the case of this century's Modern Movement in architecture.

In contrast, planning in the seventeenth and eighteenth century was concerned with total composition and organization (whether for utilitarian, aesthetic, iconic, defensive, or, as in most cases, a complex of such reasons). In the nineteenth century, as buildings became more utilitarian in their: organization, the notion of function was gradually displaced from the

5

external space to the organization of internal space. A building tended to become, in itself, more of an object, separate from its context. (Trancik, 1986)” The concepts of urbanism and the human dimension of outdoor space developed in the urban design of cities of the past were discarded by designers and builders inspired by the Modern Movement. The mobile town has become an ecosystem with high-rise towers removed from street life with the innovation of the mechanical elevator and modern building technologies.

Street activities have nothing to do with the functions of the above high-rises.

The development of Modern Movement features such as enclosed malls, midblock arcades, and sunken or elevated plazas, and the traditional street's social and commercial function has been undermined. These also increased the street's shopping and entertainment, which no longer acts as a public meeting place. Instead of engaging in a collective existence based around the street, people are forced to build a social life on private, controllable territory. As a result, human behaviors have been reshaped towards the use of urban space.

2.1.3

Zoning and Urban Renewal

The typical characteristics of urban space have also been lost due to zoning laws and urban renewal proposals. Well-intentioned, if ultimately mistaken, reactions to urban transformation were these closely allied approaches to planning. The push was to clear the ground, clean and advance human government assistance by isolating the use of land in distinct areas and replacing the density of the ground level with high-rise buildings. In spatial structure, urban renewal projects rarely corresponded to the developed neighborhood pattern they replaced, nor did they respond to the social relationships that gave significance to the life of neighborhood.

Legislation on zoning had the effect of separating functions that were often integrated. District separation distinguishes living space from working space. Isolated "superblocks" created by urban renewal plans closed off historic streets, affecting the city's scale dramatically. Urban environments that could no longer accommodate physical or social diversity were generated by abstract definitions of compatible uses and, thus, were no longer truly urban. Both zoning and urban renewal replaced spatial order with functional order and failed to understand the relevance of spatial order to social function.

Zoning legislation was drawn up to protect residents under the slogans of "health, protection, and welfare" as viewed by the planners. As a consequence, towns are subdivided into homogeneous districts separated by traffic arteries. In the urban fabric, areas between districts are normally major lost spaces.

6

2.1.4

Privatization of Public Space

The sanctity of private enterprise in our urban centers has also contributed significantly to the loss of space. While a city's economic health improves its downtown, a strong demand for floor space in the center is also generated, moving towards the vertical city. The appropriation of public space for private conversation has been a byproduct.

We have converted the Collective City Spaces into a City of Private Icons. Regulations designed to describe the wider urban language and to regulate individual projects are routinely waived if they do not fit the developer's whims. Street continuities are disrupted by ill-placed buildings, height standards are often ignored, and different materials and facade designs fight for publicity stridently. The city becomes a showplace for the private ego at the expense of the public realm.

The designs for streets, squares, parks, and other spaces in the public realm were integrated with the design of individual buildings in cities of the past. "The patrons and builders of the Renaissance set criteria for the integration of architecture and urban spaces that architects of model society should take as their most significant precedent." But in the modern city, it is the responsibility of a separate public or private entity for every aspect and the unity of the overall ecosystem is lost. In general, various construction and urban renewal programs are put together separately, without an overriding public space strategy. The outcome is a patchwork quilt, typically isolated from a historical context, of private buildings and privately appropriated spaces.

2.1.5

Changing Land Use

The pervasive shift in land use has been the final major cause of lost space. Within the downtown core of many cities, the relocation of manufacturing, unused transport facilities, abandoned military assets, and vacant commercial or residential buildings have created large areas of unused or underused land. As mixed-use areas, these sites offer huge potential for reclamation, especially since the migration from the inner city seems to be reversing. The obsolete shipping or rail yard frequently occupies a desirable waterfront site. The abandoned warehouse, factory, or wholesale outlet may have attractions as centrally located, architecturally interesting, and relatively inexpensive housing. For productive urban gardens, commercial horticulture, or community playgrounds, vacant land can be temporarily used. The benefits of reusing such sites are clear to the developer; however, the impact that wellconceived spatial improvements could bring to the entire city's urban fabric provides social advantages that go far beyond those of economic benefit.

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3

Impact of Urban Void in the City Context

3.1 3.1.1

Negative Impact Political

The 'urban void' in the city fabric generates a sense of urban blight. This creates certain holes devoid of any utility. These blights in some areas result in an unequal pattern of development.

Urban voids may also marginalize a whole community and demographics for initiative to grow.

3.1.2

Economic

In the long run, the underused void could become an economic liability as it does not produce any revenues or investments. The urban void produces a ripple effect that decreases property prices in the surrounding environments. Negative value is often applied to the continuous maintenance cost. In neighborhoods, the value of the property decreases and its value decreases.

Rental properties do not provide owners with sufficient revenue to pay taxes or maintain their property and to cover their expenses, contributing to the abandonment of those property owners who are no longer profitable. Furthermore, the negative effects of financial disinvestment and higher tax rates on the urban center, large industries and commercial activities leave the city with inadequate economic activities, contributing to the abandonment of urban land.

3.1.3

Social

A negative picture of the neighborhood produces by urban voids. Broken windows, for instance, are symptoms of social collapse. These voids are also redundant when influenced by modern planning philosophies or past design trends or socio-commercial variables without function.

These areas are mostly empty and devoid of identification, mostly giving place to vandalism and crimes or simply being the garbage dump for the city in most cases.

3.2

Positive Impact

Despite the negative impacts of urban voids on the city, it can be viewed as a vital and potential resource and provide a great value for the community to improve the quality of life.

3.2.1

Environmental

Urban voids have many environmental benefits that have contributed to enhancing the quality of urban life. These unused spaces can be used to support the health of the ecosystem as a green infrastructure and an environmental resource. Urban voids and under-used spaces may also promote biodiversity by enhancing the protection of natural environments for a broad variety of living species, such as plants, birds, insects, mammals, etc.

Furthermore, urban voids can play an important role in regulating storm water. Vegetation and greening of urban vacuums will also enhance air quality and reduce noise, which has a positive effect on public health. These can also build a green network of large or small open spaces that 8

promote adaptation to climate change and play an important role in air cooling by reducing the effects of urban heat islands, thus reducing the use of air and energy consumption conditions.

In addition, urban voids can be used as a place to generate renewable energy (wind power, solar energy, etc.) since land can be leased to major power companies who will place their turbines or solar cells on these lands (Nermeen Ali Omar, 2019).

3.2.2

Social

Urban voids represent a great potential to give the community in the city urban voids a variety of social benefits and values that can provide the opportunity to compensate for the lack of open spaces endured by many cities, especially cities with population density. In order to gain social benefits, spaces play an important role in inspiring people to act and enhance social connections, connecting societies. Urban voids can also include open spaces that accommodate a range of uses and functions and events of social culture, such as open green spaces, pocket gardens, community gardens, and public plazas. These activities will improve the sense of location and social interactions. In addition, these voids may have innovative uses such as social servers, such as entertainment events, open restaurants, cafeterias, rickshaw car stands, urban agriculture, and centers of education. Public spaces do not require high costs of complex design, only comfort safe spaces for people gathering to allow them to enjoy and connect with each other. Small urban voids randomly identified in urban fabrics can also give the ability to form a network of interconnected spaces capable of providing various levels of interactions and different types of uses. In addition, urban spaces provide spaces for temporary uses, such as seasonal festivals, gatherings, buying and selling sites, the market for farmers, as well as offering accommodation in the form of shelter for people who need shelter or addressing certain accommodation problems resulting from lack of housing.

3.2.3

Economic

At many stages, urban voids will provide the city with several economic benefits. They have tremendous potential to boost the city's economic activities, which can provide investment and job creation opportunities. These can also include low-cost workspaces and places for temporary uses that can become urban catalysts for urban growth. The urban voids are reclaimed as community gardens and agricultural land that foster urban farming and local food.

Such shortages may also provide tiny local enterprises that foster economic revitalization.

These gaps also provide good opportunities for local communities through small-scale initiatives to raise their income, such as providing sales opportunities through kiosks, booths and markets under the flyover. It also offers career prospects and advancements in skills. At another point, urban voids have a negative effect on the image of the city, leading to low investment, while local communities and public sectors bear the cost of maintaining these spaces. The reuse or greening and vegetation of these spaces can also increase the value of 9

surrounding areas' properties and promote investment. In addition, the restoration and utilization of urban voids and abandoned buildings will give power to these places and increase their market value through projects that seek to highlight their qualities.

3.2.4

Historical and Cultural

Urban voids provide the city with historic and cultural benefits. These spaces constitute an important part of the city at the level of historical benefits, and reflect its changes throughout history. Urban voids and empty buildings provide a direct link with the history of the city, and the reuse of these spaces enables the historical memory, culture and character of the city to be reinforced by its history.

On the other hand, these spaces are a great opportunity, in terms of cultural benefits, to promote and grow cultural activities in the region. Thus, the reuse of urban voids as cultural spaces will create a creative atmosphere and offer the city character and uniqueness. It may occur by generating a temporary occupation that allows for the use of the arts and adapts existing buildings to new cultural uses. On the other side, the education process can be facilitated by reusing urban voids as green spaces. The advantage of green spaces has been associated with educational achievement in some studies.

3.2.5

Visual and Aesthetics

In the urban system, urban voids are seen as gaps and blind spots that disturb urban tissue, leaving it incomplete. The existence of these underutilized spaces adversely affects the visual impression of the city and the urban fabric's interconnectedness. In addition, the economic prices of existing properties are being diminished. In innovative, appealing ways, the reuse and imagination of urban voids will overcome the perception of these spaces and create attractive, better spaces and also contribute to enhancing the visual relation with other parts of the city.

Moreover, urban voids have the opportunity to weave the city together and create a stronger urban structure in the city (Nermeen Ali Omar, 2019).

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4

Void Typologies

4.1

According to Narayanan

Figure 3 Void typologies according to Narayanan

4.1.1

Planning Void

Planning Voids are voids that are created due to the faulty planning process. These are the voids that are most visible in an urban area.

4.1.2

Functional Void

Functional voids are voids created due to left over space or a built mass that has become defunct.

A functional void has a great legal aspect associated with it, in general defunct areas/buildings are either under litigation or are government property where reallocation of functions has to go through a mammoth bureaucratic process.

4.1.3

Geographical Void

Geographical voids are voids that are created due to existence of a geographical feature. Such voids are resultant of planning process (Narayanan, 2012).

4.2

According to Erick Villagomez

Erick Villagomez classified voids into eight types and called it ‘Residual Space’.

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Figure 4 Void typologies according to Erick Villagomez

4.2.1

Spaces Between

Often results from urban demolition, municipal bylaws, or elimination of obsolete functions.

4.2.2

Spaces Around

Manifested from changes that led to standards that pushed new buildings further from the street, creating an intermediary zone between the public street and the private interior space of the building.

4.2.3

Rooftops

Offer most abundant and least recognized form of residual space.

4.2.4

Wedges

Occur as a result of the intersection of different urban phenomena (e.g. conflicting grid systems) and/or infrastructural elements (e.g. railroad tracks) that leave irregularly shaped urban conditions.

4.2.5

Redundant Infrastructure

Primarily exists in the form of redundant lane-way systems and/or urban infrastructure that has fallen out of use (ex. dead end streets).

4.2.6

Oversized Infrastructure

Happens when projected rates fail to materialize, leaving oversized land ripe for appropriation.

4.2.7

Void Spaces

Large underutilized spaces surrounding buildings.

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4.2.8

Spaces Below

Vary in shape and size and directly related to large infrastructural elements, such as highways overpasses and elevated rail lines (Villagomez, n.d.).

4.3

According to Roger Trancik

Trancik classified the voids into five kinds of space (1986). The first one is what he called 'Entry foyer space', the transition space from private property to the public realm. The second one is 'Inner block void' which means the courtyard spaces in the buildings which are semiprivate or utility space. The next one 'Streets and Squares', which is what the name suggests the network of roads and public squares. The fourth one is 'Parks and Gardens' mostly consist of public parks and boulevards exist in the city fabric. The last one is 'Linear Open Space' which are generally rivers or waterfronts linear in shape.

4.3.1

Entry Foyer Space

The entry foyer space that establishes the important transition, or passage, from personal domain to common territory.

4.3.2

Inner Block Void

The inner block void, the enclosed 'Hole in a doughnut' a semiprivate residential space for leisure or utility or a midblock shopping oasis for circulation or rest.

4.3.3

Streets and Square

The primary network of streets and squares, a category that corresponds to the predominant field of blocks and that contains the active public life of the city. Streets and squares were places to be to spend time in as well as corridors through which to move.

4.3.4

Public Parks and Garden

Public parks and gardens are larger voids that contrast with architectural urban forms. Acting as nodes for preservation of nature in the city, they are incorporated into urban grid, to provide relief from hard urban environment.

4.3.5

Linear Open Space

The linear open space system, commonly related to major water features such as rivers, waterfronts and wetland zones (Trancik, 1986).

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How a Space should be?

5.1 5.1.1

Quantifiable Aspects Public Life according to Jan Gehl

An ordinary day on an ordinary street. Pedestrians pass on the sidewalks, children play near front doors, people sit on benches and steps, the postman makes his rounds with the mail, two 13

passersby greet on the sidewalk, two mechanics repair a car, groups engage in conversation.

This mix of outdoor activities is influenced by a number of conditions. Physical environment is one of the factors: a factor that influences the activities to a varying degree and in many different ways. Outdoor activities, and a number of the physical conditions that influence them.

Greatly simplified, outdoor activities in public spaces can be divided into three categories, each of which places very different demands on the physical environment: necessary activities, optional activities, and social activities (Gehl, 1971).

5.1.1.1

Necessary Activities

Necessary activities include those that are more or less mandatory-going to school or work, shopping, waiting for a bus or an individual, running errands, delivering mail-in other words, all activities in which those involved are necessary to engage to a greater or lesser degree.

Everyday activities and pastimes usually belong to this category. This category comprises the vast majority of those related to walking, among other activities.

Since the activities in this category are necessary, their effect is only slightly affected by the physical framework. These events can take place, under almost all circumstances, during the year and are more or less independent of the external climate.

5.1.1.2

Optional Activities

Optional activities are quite another matter, i.e. certain pursuits that are involved if there is a desire to do so and if time and place make it possible.

This category covers activities such as taking a stroll to get a breath of fresh air, or sitting and sunbathing, standing around enjoying life.

These activities take place only when conditions outside are favorable, when they are invited by the weather and place. In relation with physical planning, this relationship is especially important since most of the leisure activities that are particularly fun to undertake outdoors are found specifically in this group of activities. Such activities are highly dependent on physical conditions outside.

5.1.1.3

Social Activities

All activities which rely on the participation of others in public spaces are social activities.

Social interactions include children at play, greetings and conversations, different kinds of group activities, and finally passive encounters as the most common social interaction, i.e. actually seeing and hearing other people.

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In several ways, various types of social activities take place: in dwellings; in private outdoor spaces, gardens and balconies; in public buildings; in workplaces; and so on; but in this context, only those activities which take place in publicly available spaces are examined.

These activities may also be called "resultant" activities, since they emerge from activities related to the other two types of activity in almost all instances. In comparison with other events, they evolve because individuals are in the same room, meet, move by each other, or are merely in sight.

As a direct result of people moving together and being in the same spaces, social activities arise spontaneously. This means that, if possible, social activities are promoted indirectly and optional activities are given better conditions in public spaces.

Depending on the context in which they occur, the character of social interactions varies. Social events in public spaces can be very extensive in residential streets, near schools, near offices, where there is a small number of people with similar interests or backgrounds: greetings, talks, debates, and plays resulting from similar interests and because people 'know' each other, if they also see each other for no other reason than that (Gehl, 1971).

5.1.1.4

Quality of Space

what qualities required for a good city and its public places?

A good public space must have two purposes fulfilled; programs important to people and communities of peoples acknowledged. Public space must have functions, but it should also have some intangible relation to the place's background.

Significance of the combination of programs and events to create a city that is welcoming to residents. The variety of uses guarantees the protection and wealth of public space. Achieving a variety means individuals enjoying different kinds of activities, such as old people sitting, kids playing, adults jogging, shopping, dining, etc. This variety of roles draws people from various interests and groups, making the place lively and happening during the day (Gehl, 2010).

Jan Gehl developed chart showing important quality criteria in his book “Cities for People (2010)”.

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Figure 5 Public space quality criteria by Jan Gehl

5.1.2

The Human Scale

In terms of the human body and in relation to meaning, there are several theories that describe the human scale. The distance between the human body and objects, the angle between the human body and objects, the movement of the human body and the comparison between adjacent objects are directly influenced by size (Teng, n.d.).

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Figure 6 Social field of vision Image by Jan Gehl

Jan Gehl stated when the distance reach about 100 meters, we can see people’s movement and body language in board outline, at the distance of about 22-25 meters, we can accurately read people’s facial expression and main emotion, but the experience only becomes interesting and exciting at the distance of less than 10 meters, at this level of distance we can use all our senses.

Except the distance between the human body and objects at the same eye level the vertical sense of human body is another factor to affect the human scale. Our downward and upward sights has developed differently. We can see up to 70-80 degrees below the horizon while the angle upwards is 50-55 degrees (Gehl, 2010).

Figure 7 The communication distance (Source: The Human Scale Development)

Figure 8 The visual Experience related to Angle (Source: The Human Scale Development)

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Jan Gehl argued that “The horizontal field of visions means that when we are walking along the building façade, only the ground floor can offer us interest and intensity. Contact between building and street is possible from the lowest five floors. (Gehl, 2010)”

Figure 9 Visual Angle Image by Jan Gehl

Figure 10 Sense and the Height Image by Jan Gehl

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5.1.3

Place Making

Place making is a collaborative process with the community to redefine public spaces. It enforces the connection between people and place. To make a place better urban design is not a priority rather providing a wide range of activities and incorporating physical, cultural and social identities that define a place is primary objectives. Place making is a continuous process and evolves over time (PPS, n.d.).

5.1.3.1

What makes a successful space?

Great public spaces are those places where celebrations are held, social and economic exchanges occur, friends run into each other, and cultures mix. They are the “front porches” of our public institutions – libraries, field houses, schools – where we interact with each other and government. When theses spaces work well, they serve as the stage for our public lives (PPS, n.d.).

Figure 11 What makes a great place (Image by Project for Public Spaces)

To be a great place there has to have four qualities which can be the dimensions for place making (P.P.S, 2018). These are, 19

A. Access and Linkage B. Sociability C. Uses and Activities D. Comfort and Image A. Access and Linkage A great public space must be accessible by the public which can be ensured by physical or visual connection. The edges of the space play an important role, for example, it's safer and more enjoyable to walk beside a row of shops and restaurant rather than an empty or blank wall.

Public spaces should be permeable and inclusive design has to be incorporated.

Figure 12 Access and Linkage (Image by Project for Public Spaces)

B. Sociability Sociability is the most significant quality a place has to achieve and also the most difficult one as its more intangible in nature. Sociability occurs when one meets his friend in public, reach neighbors or feel safe to talk with strangers.

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Figure 13 Sociability (Image by Project for Public Spaces)

C. Uses and Activities Activities are great factors drawing the public into public places and bringing vitality with them.

A strong public place should have a range of activities and program for all stakeholders like a basketball court for young people, exercise places for an elderly, playground for kids, etc. so that it can function well as a place and become active at the different timeframe of the day.

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Figure 14 Uses and Activities (Image by Project for Public Spaces)

E. Comfort and Image A place has to be comfortable and inviting to the public to be successful. For example, no seating or shading in public places is a big let-down and people will not spend time if there is no place to relax. People are generally attracted to places where they can relax from the busy workplaces and hustling bustling of the city.

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Figure 15 Comfort and Image (Image by Project for Public Spaces)

5.2

Non-quantifiable Aspects

5.2.1

Genius Loci: The Spirit of Place

Some places have a special, illusive quality which attracts people. This attribute is called genius loci or spirit of place. There are many definitions for this term, but there are three main components which provide a basis from which to start: A. Natural environment - landforms or topography vegetation, climate and presence of water.

B. Cultural expressions - bridges, forts, hilltop churches which are a relation to the landscape, social history, physical location or human activity, and the place as a cultural artifact.

C. Sensory experience - this is primarily visual and results from the interaction of the landscape and the culture of the area.

In other words, it is the collective reaction of a group of people to their environment over time, which in some way creates that special sense of place.

Genius loci deals with the combination of two very different elements, nature and people. First it deals with nature, the natural processes or setting which has been created. This spot is individual and unique into itself, Next are people, that they have put on the site and how they

23

are interacting with one another and that site. It is the emotion created by the combination and integration of these two disparate elements which creates a sense of spirit in a place.

This is not to say that only a very few places have this special quality. In fact, every town will most likely have some special quality about it. There are a variety of ideas regarding this intangible commodity. Some say that to understand a place, one must begin with one's feelings.

While another defines the craft of architecture as the ways in which space, form, color, texture, and line can be combined to evoke emotion. So, while it seems that there are three base components which contribute to the spirit of a place, it is actually the emotions or feelings about a place which are the key to understanding (Morreale, n.d.).

5.2.1.1

Elements that creates Genius Loci

Once the sense of place has been felt, there are a number of ways to identify exactly what has created it. The natural and cultural attributes which affect our sense of a place identity are: A. Identity through landscape or physical features and appearance.

B. Observable activities and functions.

C. Meanings and symbols.

Beyond these three wide categories, specific characteristics can be investigated/logged and organized so that one will have a better sense of what creates this individuality. Some characteristics which should be observed include: architectural style, climate (light, rainfall, temperature variations), unique natural setting, memory and metaphor (what the place means to people who have experienced it) use of local materials, craftsmanship, sensitivity in the siting of important buildings and bridges, cultural diversity and history, peoples' values, high quality public environments which are visible and accessible, and lastly, town-wide activities both daily and seasonal (Morreale, n.d.).

5.2.2

Architecture and the Multi-Sensory Experience

Juhani Pallasmaa talks about multi-sensory experience in his book “The Eyes of the Skin Architecture and the Senses (1996)”.

For the body and the other senses, the eye collaborates. By this continuous interaction, one's sense of truth is reinforced and expressed. In essence, architecture is an extension of nature into the man-made realm, providing the basis for vision and the horizon of the world being viewed and understood. It is not an isolated and self-sufficient artefact; it guides broader horizons to our attention and existential experience. Architecture also gives a conceptual and material structure to societal institutions, as well as to the conditions of daily life. It concretizes the cycle of the year, the course of the sun and the passing of the hours of the day.

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Every touching experience in architecture is multi-sensory; the eye, ear, nose, skin, tongue, skeleton and muscle calculate the characteristics of space, matter and scale equally. The existential experience, one's sense of being in the world, is enhanced by architecture and this is basically a reinforced experience of oneself. Architecture includes many types of sensory experience that connect and merge into each other, instead of only vision, or the five classical senses.

The eyes want the other senses to collaborate with them. It is possible to recognize all the senses, including vision, as extensions of the sense of touch as skin specializations. Between the opaque interiority of the body and the exteriority of the earth, they describe the interface between the skin and the environment (Pallasmaa, 1996).

Vision reveals what the touch knows already. The sense of touch could be thought of as the unconsciousness of sight. The distant textures, contours and edges are stroked by our eyes and the unconscious tactile feeling defines the pleasantness or unpleasantness of the experience.

With the same force, the distant and the near are perceived, and they combine into one cohesive experience.

Figure 16 Multi-Sensory Architecture (Source: Re-Thinking The Future)

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6

Case Studies

6.1

High Line, New York

6.1.1

Introduction

'New York Highline' is formal industrial railway. the 1.45-mile-long elevated steel structures has been built for freight trains. The last train ran on it was in the 1980's since then it remained abandoned making a void in the fabric. in 2003 a competition was arranged to transform the potential of the site. After the transformation it has attracted a large no of visitors and local people on a daily basis and become an important catalyst for public life in the city.

Figure 17 New York Highline Site plan (Source : Area Arch)

6.1.2

History

Figure 18 Historical evolution of Highline



Freight trains on street-level tracks, run by New York Central Railroad, delivered food to lower Manhattan. but created dangerous conditions for pedestrians; 10th Ave. became known as "Death Avenue." By 1910. more than 540 people had been killed by trains.



The first train ran on the High line-which was then called the "West Side Elevated Line." The line was fully operational by 1934. transporting millions of tons of meat,

26

dairy, and product. The lines cut directly through some buildings, creating easy access for factories like the National Biscuit Company (aka Nabisco). which is now the home of Chelsea Market. 

In the decades of disuse, many people were calling the High Line an ugly eyesore (Mayor Giuliani signed a demolition order, one of his lost acts in office). But few of these critics saw what had secretly taken over the structure: a thriving garden of wild plants. Inspired by the beauty of this hidden landscape. Joshua David and Robert Hammond founded Friends of the High line, a non-profit conservancy. to advocate for its preservation and reuse as a public space.



The High Line is now one, continuous, 1.45-mile-long greenway featuring 500+ species of plants and trees. The park is maintained. operated, and programmed by friends of the High Line in partnership with the NYC Deportment of Parks & Recreation. On top of public space and gardens, the High Line is home to a diverse suite of public programs, community and teen engagement and world-class artwork and performances.

6.1.3

Strategy

Throughout the park's length, the design blends agriculture and architecture in a codified system called "Agri-tecture" - combing together hardscape and soft scape areas in changing proportions lo create a pathless landscape where the public can meet in unscripted ways. The flexibility of the varied spaces, which provides for small or large programming, and single or group activities, has encouraged spontaneous events. The park has accommodated both planned and unplanned dance, music and theater performances.

6.1.4

Program

Figure 19 Image of Programs at Highline by author

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6.1.5

Stakeholders

Figure 20 Image of Stakeholders at Highline by author

6.1.6

Impact

The recycling of the railway into on urban park has increased real estate development in the neighborhoods that lies along the line. Mayor Bloomberg noted that the High Line project has helped user in something of a renaissance in the neighborhood: by 2009, more than 30 projects were planned or under construction nearby.

6.1.7

Human Experience

Figure 21 Human Experience at Highline

6.1.8

Evaluation

By turning on abandoned railway line into a vibrant public park with many activities this project has redefined the new work experience opening new vistas for the city. Interaction with the surroundings lift the imageability of the neighborhood. People like to walk and enjoy the activity and nature in one of the dense urban fabric of the city. The nearby land prices increased by 30% after the construction of this project. The success impact of the High Line in New York City at this moment has inspired other cities to investigate the feasibility of replicating it in their

28

cities, "including Chicago, Philadelphia, and St. Louis ... " It has encouraged other large cities leaders, such as Mayor Rahm Emanuel of Chicago, who see it as "a symbol and catalyst' for gentrifying neighborhoods.

6.2

Cheonggyecheon River, Seoul

6.2.1

Introduction

The Seoul Metropolitan Government decided to dismantle the 10-lane roadway and the 4-lane elevated highway that came over 1,70,000 vehicles daily 'Cheonggyecheon Stream'. The transformed street encourages transit use over private car use, and more environmentally sustainable, pedestrian oriented public space. The project contributed to a 15.1% increase in bus ridership and a 3.3% increase in subway ridership between 2003 and 2008. The revitalized street now attracts 64,000 visitors daily.

Figure 22 'Cheonggyecheon Stream’ Site plan (Source: Landscapperformance.org)

6.2.2

History

Figure 23 Historical evolution of Cheonggyecheon Stream



Seoul grew around the Cheonggyecheon, which divided the northern from the southern half of the city. Between 1406 and 1412 King Taejong deepened and widened the river and built dykes to control the flooding. This was when the stream got its early name, the Gaecheon, which means "digging out." With population increase King Sejong opened the Cheonggyecheon for use as a sewer. For the 500 years of the Joseon Dynasty, the tributaries supplied the city with clean water and the Cheonggyecheon washed away its wastes.

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

During the Japanese occupation, the Cheonggyecheon got its current name. Beginning in 1925, the Japanese covered many of the Cheonggyecheon's tributaries, converting these rivers into covered sewers as part of a project to create an underground sewage system for Seoul. After the end of World War II Refugees from the Korean War flocked into Seoul, and many settled on the Cheonggyecheon.



In the mid-1950s. the Cheonggyecheon was considered a symbol of the and filth that were the legacy poverty of a half-century of colonialism and war. The open sewer in the center of the city was also a major obstacle to the redevelopment of Seoul. At a time of extreme economic hardship. the only way of dealing with this problem was to put the stream underground. An elevated freeway was built above most of the underground stream between 1967 and 1971. This freeway was four lanes wide and over three miles long and it ran above a conventional roadway.



But four decades after it was covered, the area had become a shabby industrial area. filled with flea markets and tool, lighting, shoe, apparel, and used book stores. People no longer think of Cheonggyecheon as the pride of Seoul. Rather. it has become thought of as the most crowded and noisy part of Seoul. At the turn of the millennium however, then mayor and future president of Korea Lee Myung-Bak successfully campaigned on a promise to remove the freeway and restore the Cheonggyecheon.

6.2.3

Strategy

Improve air quality, water quality, and quality of life and reconnect the two parts of the city that were previously divided by road infrastructure. The landscape design concept took into account the creation of three different sectors, each with its own cultural theme: The upstream section represented history and tradition, the midstream represented culture and modernity and the downstream section represented nature and future. Curves and irregularities in the river provide a better habitat for fish, and swamp areas offer a habitat for wildlife. An ecological park and continuous green bell encourages contact with nature. The project design promotes walking and cycling, while traffic flow to the city centre was improved through one-way roads and designated bus-only lanes.

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6.2.4

Program

Figure 24 Image of Programs at Cheonggyecheon Stream by author

6.2.5

Stakeholders

Figure 25 Image of Stakeholders at Cheonggyecheon Stream by author

6.2.6

Impact

The stream passes close to Deoksugung Palace, Seoul Plaza, the Sejong Center, lnsa-dong Street, Changdeokgung Palace, and Changgyeonggung Palace, allowing visitors lo easily visit major tourist sites after a leisure stroll along the stream. After the restoration these places become major tourist hubs along with stream. Increased the price of land by 30-50% for properties within 50 meters of the restoration project. This is double the rate of property increases in other areas of Seoul.

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6.2.7

Human experience

Figure 26 Human Experience at Cheonggyecheon Stream

6.2.8 

Evaluation Innovative governance and coordination were critical to the process. Public engagement, with residents, local merchants, and entrepreneurs, was important to streamlining the process.



Reducing travel-lane capacity resulted in a decrease in vehicle traffic.



Attracts an average of 64,000 visitors daily. Of those, 1,408 are foreign tourists who contribute up to 2.1 billion won ($1.9 million USD) in visitor spending to the Seoul economy.



The success of the Cheonggyecheon river restoration project and the enjoyment it has inspired amongst Seoul's citizens and set an example for similar projects around the world. Cities in Japan, Singapore and the United States are recovering streams from storm drains, acknowledging the contribution of an urban green belt to social, ecological and economic sustainability.

6.3 6.3.1

Zhulang Huagai, China Introduction

The Urban Villages of Shenzhen comprise of a series of historic cores whose presence today is precarious of best. Surrounded by the rapid expansion of the contemporary city. the dense urban fabric of these communities serves as a reminder of a past that is not so distant as it is fundamentally out of scale with the emerging forces of real estate. Despite this, or maybe precisely because of it, it’s an installation on the main plaza that, however vulnerable, is 32

designed to become part of the urban fabric, to serve as a civic structure, and to become conversant with the community it serves for a longer time to come.

Figure 27 Image of Installation at Zhulang Huagai (Source: Arch daily)

6.3.2

History

Figure 28 Historical Evolution of Nantou village



Before Shenzhen, before Hong Kong, there was Dongguan Prefecture, which covered the entire Pearl River Della from the trading hub of Canton all the way to the edge of the South-China Sea. Nantou was the capital of this southern frontier. It was settled around the year 331 by the first wave of Chinese migrants to head south. Located strategically on the western shore of the Pearl River estuary, the village made its early fortune in the salt trade before the Tong Dynasty government built a naval base nearby in 736.

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

Nantou's good fortune ended in the 19th century. Hong Kong was ceded to the British after the First Opium War, which eventually led to the construction of the KowloonCanton Railway, whose first mainland slop was in the market town of Shenzhen, 20 kilometers to the east of Nantou, Nantou soon lost its administrative role to Shenzhen and fell into decades of obscurity. Photos from the early 20th century show a dusty, deserted village lined by weatherworn houses. Eventually, the shoreline around the village - the very reason for its existence - was reclaimed. leaving Nantou, a landlocked anachronism, a piece of unwanted history in a city that thought if had none.



When the SEZ was established, indigenous villages were considered rural enclaves and governed separately from the surrounding city. Most villager’s tore down their old houses and replaced them with tenements to accommodate the migrants coming from all across China to work in Shenzhen. The resulting urban fabric is completely abandoned: meandering tones lined by jam-packed buildings that are 10, 11, 12 stories tall. The same thing happened to Nantou, despite its prestigious history, till, village life goes on. Children still play in the center of town. The furniture shops are still there.

And while the oyster hawkers and fruit peddlers have gone, people still line up outside the village's restaurants for fresh dumplings and fun. Nantou has survived 11 dynasties; it will probably make its way through this one, too.

6.3.3

Strategy

The challenge of the structure is to develop a resilient strategy that has the raw finish of infrastructure, the constraints of economy and the flexibility to imagine many activities, programs and events. The site of the plaza produces an urban edge along the village wall that is ripe for programmatic activation. As a structure that adapts the wall as datum, a linear organization was proposed, broadly informed by typologies whose figural demeanor have the power to activate on edge condition at some length: a stoa, arcade, colonnade, loggia.

6.3.4

Program

Figure 29 Image of Programs at Zhulang Huagai by author

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6.3.5

Stakeholders

Figure 30 Image of Stakeholders at Zhulang Huagai by author

6.3.6

Impact

Since its inception as a part of ‘Shenzhen Biennale’ the project has a positive impact on the surroundings of the area. The space in between the buildings has been a void for many decades until it finds a new identity through this project. The locals adored the idea and has been using it for different kind of purpose like market in weekdays, exhibition space, plaza to relax and communicate with each other.

6.3.7

Human experience

Figure 31 Human Experience at Zhulang Huagai

6.3.8

Evaluation

Many of Shenzhen's urban villages are being demolished and replaced by shopping malls and office towers, but this project saw an alternative future for Nantou, one that embraces the potential of its narrow lanes and village life. Much of Shenzhen is a city of vast boulevards and gated housing estates, but the villages are human-scaled, accessible and open to everyone.

Starting of an exhibition this project may start on experimentation on how to embrace local culture and use the existing fabric to build something new.

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6.4 6.4.1

Kankaria Lake, Ahmedabad Introduction

Kankaria Lake is one of the biggest lakes in Ahmedabad, with an approximate circumference of 1.4 miles (2.3 km), it represents the regale history of Ahmedabad. It is a 34-sided polygon having steps which leading down to water level. It is located in the southern part of the city, in Maninagar area. It was built by Sultan Kutubuddin in 15th century. It was used for bathing by the kings. The central garden and the walkway had been revamped and utilities are enhanced.

Upon completion of the renovation the lake was officially inaugurated in a week-long event known as "Kankaria Carnival". The inauguration ceremony for renovated Kankaria lakefront was held on December 25, 2008 A lakefront was developed around it which has many public attractions like zoo, toy train, kid’s city, tethered balloon ride, water rides and water park, food stalls and entertainment facilities. Kankaria Carnival is a week-long festival being held here in last week of December. Many cultural, art and social activities are organized during carnival.

Figure 32 Image of Site Plan “Kankaria Lake”

6.4.2

History

Figure 33 Historical Evolution of Kankaria Lake

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

The construction of the lake started by Sultan Muizz-ud-Din Muhammad Shah II in the 15th century. The inscription at the lake mentions that it was completed during the reign of Sultan Qutb-ud-Din Ahmad Shah II in 1451. According to this inscription, its name is placed as "Hauj-e-Qutb" (Pond of Qutb) after him.



Throughout the period of the Gujarat Sultanate and of Mughal rule, the Kankaria lake with its Nagina Bagh were the favorite leisure place of rulers and the people and it were among the tourist sights of Ahmedabad ever since.



British artist James Forbes visited Ahmadabad in 1781 after the fall of Mughal Empire when Ahmedabad was under Maratha rule. He found the gardens at lake neglected, the summer-palace in ruins and the bridge with 48 stone arches connecting Nagina Baug island to the bank in dilapidated condition. Ahmedabad was under the British rule, the Kankaria lake was restored by the Collector of the district, Borradalle in 1872. In 1879, it was proposed to connect the lake with Khari river by 11 miles long canal and supply water to Chandola lake but it never materialized.



In 1928, Kankaria was declared protected under the Ancient Monuments Preservation Act.



A lakefront is developed around it, which has many public attractions such as a zoo, toy train, kid’s city, tethered balloon ride, water rides, water park, food stalls, and entertainment facilities. The lakefront was revamped in 2007―2008. Kankaria Carnival is a week-long festival held here in the last week of December. Many cultural, art, and social activities are organized during the carnival.

6.4.3 

Strategy In the first stage of conceptualization, the main aim was focused on to develop the lake edge. This included providing parking facilities, congregating existing amenities and de-congesting the peripheral road.



The second stage of conceptualization moved a step ahead and envision a complete pedestrian zone which would house & formalize the informal sector as well as provide a traffic free zone for various other activities. The portion of the road left open for vehicular movement was to be provided with better parking provisions. This further developed in development of the ring road and provision of parking facilities along the road.



The conceptualization of the ring road and incorporation & promotion of BRTS saw the development of the third stage. This vision of promoting public transport provoked the designers not to provide parking spaces along the vehicular movement area, also pedestrianizing the entire lakefront. The design though, still incorporated tarred road in

37

the area previously envisioned for vehicular movement. The addition of Entrance gates

by AMC, marked the end of this stage.

6.4.4

Program

Figure 34 Image of programs at Kankaria Lake

6.4.5

Stakeholders

Figure 35 Image of Stakeholders at Kankaria lake

6.4.6

Impact

Cleaning of lake improved the quality of water inviting various bird species. Lakefront development is conceived as a memorable recreational urban space and has enriching experience. It has become a good tourist place and attracts visitors both local and tourist. Project cost can be recovered from the services provided over a period of time. The culture of littering, encroachment, building and heritage abuse in past is replaced by the culture of walkability (public friendliness), public art, festival, sports and recreation. Entry fee is relatively low thus affordable for students, low and middle income people.

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6.4.7

Human Experience

Figure 36 Human Experience at Kankaria Lake

6.4.8 

Evaluation Walkability is not a new concept in Indian context. Still, a complete pedestrian friendly space is difficult to achieve and implement in the current urbanized context of Indian cities. This project made a successful attempt towards a complete pedestrian friendly public space, which allows one to connect to the spaces and its elements at human level.

More importantly, this experiment has worked quite well for a recreational public space like Kankaria and can be seen as a model for such projects.



From wall paintings to stone murals, art has become an inherent culture of this place.

Various events that promote this culture also are the living examples of the same.



Defining few entry points and restricting the vehicles outside by creating a no vehicular zone has definitely changed the way one commuted with Kankaria. Ticketing fees has further changed the way this space was perceived. Many such Impositions at the Lake front Project has given it a new Image.



Various games for kids like bungee jumping, water riders train ride etc. has brought in the culture of involving kids in outdoor activities, also allowing kids to interact with various murals showing Gujarat’s development in a public place like this.

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7

Conclusion

Cities are growing fast and it is resulting more and more spaces into Urbanization. Urban voids are created by the rapid Urbanization. These spaces play important role in our city fabric. It can contribute in positive way if we use these spaces for public life, as meaningful public spaces are getting difficult to afford day by day. People belongs to different culture and traditions but they will gather at one place if we designers will design a strategic place for them by using our knowledge and design tools. Public spaces are not only spaces but they create social relationship and a sense of belongingness between people. Urban voids are usually positioned in center of city fabric or they might have some kind of rich historical background associated with them.

As voids means empty and it provides limitless possibilities for designers. In this research, focus is to understand the real meaning of Urban voids and to know what factors are affecting these void spaces and to study various typologies of these spaces. As Urban void is part of our city context it has some positive and negative impact on the surroundings, a study regarding its impact on city context. Then to study different design strategies suggested and studied by the well-known designers and to understand the idea of Place-making to know ‘How a public space should be?’ Existing case study of the transformation of the void spaces reveal that these spaces provide a vital prospect not only for public space but also transforming its surrounding context.

Case studies help to generate design toolkit and it helps to understand that these spaces are influenced according to the context, culture, economy and social structure of the surrounding.

It not only creates a relationship with the built environment but also to the architecture of the existing site. It is essential to monitor the progress and relation of public with the space. It shows the process of activating void space is a dynamic process. Examining the void space will help to notice its impact on our city context by understanding the relationship between people and the built environment. So, as a designer we should look for these void spaces in our city fabric, activate them with different design tools and strategies. These activated void spaces will not only provide public life or a built environment but it will transform the context, surroundings and it will create opportunities for regeneration and redevelopment.

7.1

Findings

From the literature review findings, I learned about the void formation, the reason and negative effect. There are several typology of voids that will help me in identification of the voids in city fabric in my design thesis. There are a number of strategies and responses for transforming these voids into vibrant public spaces and from case studies I learned different design strategies and design toolkit to activate void spaces into a successful public space.

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7.1.1

Formulation of Void

Often most of the design decision about planning process are produced on a piece of paper without understanding the user's perspective and behavior pattern. Trancik (1986) mentioned five factors contributing to the formation of the voids: The automobile, Modernist movement, Zoning and urban renewal, Privatization of the public space, Changing land use.

7.1.2

Impact on Surroundings

Void spaces have both positive and negative impacts on their surroundings, still, it can be much more if space has been treated in the right manner with the right approach and can become a successful public space and can increase the value of the neighborhood.

7.1.3

Typologies

Different authors have given different typologies of void spaces according to its use and nature of the space which can be helpful to identify the void spaces around us.

7.1.4

Human Activities

Any active space achieves two things; provides programs essential for people and acknowledged people's culture. Three types of activities that can be found in public spaces; necessary activities, optional activities, and social activities 7.1.5

Safety and Inclusiveness

The importance of mixing uses and activities in people friendly town, places that have varied functions are likely to be safe and rich and it encourages people to come there and use that space.

7.1.6

Time

The public space should not just measure by the number of people in it but also how long they spend time in it.

7.1.7

Value

In term of values, three important factors guided the development of public space. Public space should be responsive, democratic and meaningful.

7.1.8

Place making

To be a successful public space a place has to have accessibility, comfort, activities, and sociability.

7.1.9

Human experience

Public space should be designed as a multi-sensory space, where any age group of people can feel the atmosphere of space.

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7.1.10 Functions and programs Everything from simple artistic Installation to top-down urban planning approaches has been used to transform these void spaces into vibrant public spaces. Different varieties of the public activities have been incorporated to make the space active.

7.1.11 Design strategies Combination of different strategies like intervention of public art, permanent planned approach and strategies for temporary Urbanism has been incorporated.

8

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