Urban street life

From observations it has been understood that the context, a space “in-between“ city centres, appears formulated from spaces in transition. Where urban and social life is lacking, particularly in the main streets from the connection centres, the space is empty and free of interactions, from people to nature. Detached and car oriented the result are plots with big scale where industrial functions exist here, like in somewhere other context. Even though, we see value in some industrial spaces that bring identity to some areas. Mölndalsvägen/Göteborgsvägen is clearly an example of this emptiness in social interactions.

“Cities are constituted by many processes social, economic, ecological and technological.” From our 1st lecture within the course SEU

In this context we see that many of these processes are lacking, especially if we start to understand the urban form: public spaces where social interactions are possible are almost invisible or even inexistent. And when we understand that everything is connected then we see how this space is fragmented.

“The concept of ‘spatial configuration’ — meaning relations which take account of other relations in a complex.” Hillier, B. (1996), Space is the machine - A configurational theory of architecture, Cambridge.

The main problems identified are the wide streets intended mainly to accommodate traffic, parking lots that occupy the empty areas around the large industrial lots and the few small and isolated green areas. Furthermore, Mondalsån, which despite being a value for the area, is almost inaccessible and invisible.

The proposal aims to transform the monofunctional plots into areas with a greater variety of uses, with the aim of serving the inhabitants, inviting pedestrians to use the street, promoting encounters between the community, and improving connections to natural environments and Mondalsån.

Dominance of parking areas Large Industry plots Small and isolated green areas

Street profile section BB - Existing

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Large Industry plots Dominance of parking areas Small and isolated green areas

Sections of the street profile showing the existing intersection between Mölndalsvägen and Krokslätts parkgata, where is visible the monofunctional street character.

Street profile section AA - Existing

Small and isolated green areas River almost innaccessible Dominance of parking areas Large Industry plots

Street plan - Existing

URBAN STREET LIFE

We envision our proposal as places where people use the space in more close relation with all functions such as housing, mixed use, green areas, and the river. Giving more areas for pedestrians and creating greenery along Mondalsån bringing values to the existing industrial heritage.

“Places are not local things. They are moments in large-scale things, the large-scale things we call cities. Places do not make cities. It is cities that make places. The distinction is vital.” Hillier, B. (1996), Space is the machine - A configurational theory of architecture, Cambridge.

The proposal aims to give more space for pedestrians and bicycles along the Mölndalsvägen, creating green areas where people can sit and stay and access green spaces. New bridges and connections along the river give more access to pedestrians to use Möndalsån river as a recreational space and a social green corridor. The street is designed to incorporate new functions, with the aim of diversifying activities along the main streets, creating a clearer path, and having more pedestrian spaces and paths on both sides.

Parking is created along greenery and among trees. Pedestrians have priority in the use of the road, and it is possible to cycle adjacent to the green areas. The street is a living space and more than a traffic area, it is also used for social gatherings.

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More space for green areas and cycle Mixed use - Housing and Business Wider areas for pedestrians

Street profile section BB - Proposal

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Street detail 1

Wider areas for pedestrians River accessible and more green Active frontage

Street detail 1 Section of the street profile and Detail showing our proposal, where different functions make the street multifunctional.

Street plan - Existing