Enhancing the Sense of Belonging in New Developments through Public Spaces A study of Neighbourhood 1 in Hulhumale’, Maldives
Hussain Ziyath September, 2017 Extract of Design disserationation submitted in partial fulfilment of the Degree of MA in Urban Design and Planning, University of Sheffield
Research Aims & Objectives Aim: The research aims to explore and develop socio-spatial strategies to enhance the Sense of Belonging in new urban developments through public spaces, by focusing on a neighborhood one in Hulhumale’, Maldives. These strategies will manifest itself in the form of a masterplan for the selected research site.
Objectives: • Review existing literature to identity ideas and concepts surrounding Sense of Belonging in public spaces • Study existing practices around the world to identify spaces and strategies promoting Sense of Belonging • Analyse roles and outcome of planning and municipal governance policies in the chosen context • Carry out contextual and site study to develop a SWOT analysis • Develop socio-spatial strategies to enhance the Sense of Belonging through design by research and design testing • Transferring the developed strategies in the form of an urban design masterplan for the selected site
Sense of Belonging
Literature Review
Sense of Place
Sense of Belonging
Sense of Place
Sense of Belonging
Place Identity
Sense of Place
Sense of Belonging
Human Perception
Individual Participation
Place Marketing Place Attachment & Dependance
Place Invention
Loss of attachment to territory Globalisation & Mass Culture
Sense of Place
Sense of Belonging
Sense of Place
Sense of Belonging
Human Perception
Stability & Familarity
The Self The Environment
Placelessness
Place Identity
Character: Local Vernaculer
Place Identity
Activities
Sense of Place
Sense of Belonging
Human Perception
SocioCultural Experiences
Design Components
Physical Settings
Social Interaction Territorality & Personalisation
Symbolism & Meaning
Public Participation
Responsive & Robust
Time
Relationships & Experiences
Repetitive Rituals Worship Celebrations
Continuity
Individual Participation
Place Marketing Place Attachment & Dependance
Place Invention
Loss of attachment to territory Globalisation & Mass Culture
Character: Local Vernaculer Stability & Familarity
The Self The Environment
Placelessness
Place Identity
Activities
Sense of Place
Sense of Belonging
Human Perception
SocioCultural Experiences
Design Components
Physical Settings
Social Interaction Territorality & Personalisation
Symbolism & Meaning
Public Participation
Responsive & Robust
Time
Relationships & Experiences
Repetitive Rituals Worship Celebrations
Continuity
Case Studies
UK
UAE Thailand Maldives
Public Squares, London
UK
Europe
Masdar City UAE
UAE
Middle East
Pedestrian Streets Thailand
Thailand
South East Asia
Site Analysis
Site Context Site Structure Site Quality Site Interviews Urban Policy Context Review Participant Observation
Site Context Macro Context
Hulhumale’ Phase 1
Velana International Airport
Hulhumale’ Phase 2
Maldives
Rest of the country
Hulhumale’
Velana International Airport Gulhifalhu
Thilafushi Villingili
Male’
Legend: Land link
Greater Male’ Region
Ferry Link Future land links
Site Context Micro Context
Site Structure
2002
Urban grain
Loose spaces
Loose spaces
Urban Form Development
Building footprint over land use 2004
Loose spaces Urban Blocks
2006
Loose spaces
Land use of Neighborhood 1 2008
Urban Voids
Urban Voids
2010 Legend: Residential Institutional Government/Civic Commercial Mosques Services/Utilities Green
2015 Hulhumale’ Landuse Plan
Leftover spaces Green Areas
Site Quality
Connectivity & Permeability
100m
Legend:
Major Road Minor Road Local Access Road Pedestrianised Road
Traffic Intensity Low
High
Major Transportaion modes: Motorbikes Cars Buses (Public Transport)
Fig 5.10: Transport and Connectivity Map showing how traffic spills into the neighbourhood (own illustration)
(5 min
Walk)
Legibility & Urban Character Pitched roofs Art deco architectural style Minimal reference to vernacular architecture
Collage of colours & Materials
Character Areas
+ User perspective
+ Limited variety of Material use
Active and Inactive Frontages
Active Public Spaces: Remaining spaces are dead, derelict or undeveloped
Street lighting system: Scattered Public space lighting & dead spaces due to insufficent lighting
HDC Park
Central Park 2nd Phase
N1 Park
+ Urban Voids
+ Active Frontages & Source of indirect lighting
Purely commercial and mix residential plots: Keeps the streets vibrant
Active frontages: Creates an open ended network which becomes delinked in the center
5.4 Site Interviews
5.4.1 Cognitive Mapping
Fig 5.19: Diagram cognitive map overlayed with local voices (own illustration)
Tuning into different voices
Do you own a household? Note: It is important to note that people sense of belonging is indirectly connected to their ownership of housing. 50% of the people who have said that they don’t feel like Hulhumale’ is their home do not own the places they currently live.
Tuning into different voices
Legend: Main themes Primary Concept Secondary Concept Directly connected Indirectly connected
Tuning into different voices
Recurring themes highlighted as barriers to Sense of Belonging Rec u
rrin
Over Governance & Regulation
Unresponsive Design
Discomfort & Inconveniences
Lack of Visual Culture
g in
one
targ
et g
roup
No Public Participation in Developments
Economic/ Market Challenges
Urban Policy Context Review - Urban
Masterplan developed without stakeholder discus-
sion - Planning and Development Guidelines changes are brought without the consent of the public - Extreme Municipal Controls - Ownership issues: lack of affordable housing Reflections - lack of public participation and over governance are deemed to be threats to Sense of Belonging.
Participant Observation - Implementation of long term neighborhood plans - Importance of public participation - Community grant projects - Community land development projects (CLT’s)
SWOT Analysis
Fig 5.28: SWOT Analysis diagram
Design Proposition Vision and Strategy Development Design Options Discussion Masterplan Development Final Land Use Plan Final Masterplan Site Sections Key Designs
Vision & Strategy Development
Fig 6.1: Shows vision and strategy development diagram (own illustration)
Option 1: Improving Cultural Identity - Design Mapping
Design Development
Concept Visualisation
Option 1: Improving Cultural Identity - Design Testing Legend of possible impacts:
Loose spaces allocated for cultural events
Dedicating presently void spaces for such festivities will allow more people to participate.
Interventions to align with the road grid
The chosen blanks end walls of row houses and flats face one of the busiest major roads. The cultural pathway will allow to enhance the currently derelict parks
Sign posts
Customised sign post
Legend of possible impacts:
Currently existing active areas, routes, nodes
Left out space
Highlights overlap of Design Interventions
Fig 6.5: Shows design action testing for design option 1 (own illustration)
Enhanced Pedestrian Connectivity
Option 2: Achieving Social Cohesion - Design Mapping
Design Development
Option 2: Achieving Social Cohesion - Design Testing
Concept Visualisation
Legend of possible impacts:
Normal Bus route Airport bus route
Busy intersection. Vibrant Space.
Community gardens
Market stalls in loose spaces
Spaces to promote social interaction
Legend of possible impacts:
Community land development
Focuses more on the center
Leaving the beachfront and waterfront area is left out
Option 3: Creating Activity centers - Design Mapping
Design Development
Concept Visualisation
Option 3: Creating Activity Centers - Design Testing Legend of possible impacts: Current pedestrian circulation routes supported by active nodes and edges. New circulation route with the proposal of new activities. Links to the new circulation route with the proposal of pedestrianised streets
Cultural walk proposed in strategy 1
Nodes
Legend of possible impacts:
Public bus route
Major roads left open to vehicles
Optional vehicular route
Area of enhanced circulation and permeability
Areas of possible traffic disruptions due to overflow of the pedestrian activities on to the road
Fig 6.13: Shows design action testing for design option 3 (own illustration)
Discussion
Use of Loose & Inactive Spaces Power Struggle &
Use of Loose & Inactive Spaces
Enhancing Permeability and Connectivity
Promoting Social Interaction
& Disruptions
Loss of Parking Spaces
Introducing Public Participation
Free & Comfortable spaces
Option 1: Improving Cultural Identity
Power Struggle &
Use of Loose & Inactive Spaces
Enhancing Permeability and Connectivity
Promoting Social Interaction
& Disruptions
Loss of Parking Spaces
Introducing Public Participation
Free & Comfortable spaces
Option 2: Achieving Social Cohesion
Power Struggle &
Enhancing Permeability and Connectivity
Promoting Social Interaction
& Disruptions
Loss of Parking Spaces
Introducing Public Participation
Free & Comfortable spaces
Option 3: Creating Activity Centers
Discussion Use of Loose & Inactive Spaces Power Struggle &
Enhancing Permeability and Connectivity
Promoting Social Interaction
& Disruptions
Loss of Parking Spaces
Introducing Public Participation
Free & Comfortable spaces
Masterplan Development Cultural Artworks and Murals
Pedestrianised Streets for festivals
Traditional huts Community Gardens
Street performers Community Markets
Customised Sign Posts
Outdoor Cinema Sign Posts for Areas of Interest
Culture Walk
Public Participation/ Cultural Park Social Spaces
Community Markets Street Markets
Legend: Option 1 Option 2 Option 3
Flexible spaces: Festivals & Cultural activities
Social Spaces
Community Gardens Outdoor Cinema Street Markets Community Land Development
Free and comfortable spaces
Final Land Use Plan Legend:
Community park
Socio-cultural Space (Place branding)
Social Space
Cultural Walkway
Outdoor Activity
Community Garden
Flexible Space for Community Activity
Flexible Space for Cultural Activity
CLD - Farming and Agriculture
CLD - Affordable Housing
Street Market
Final Masterplan
Site Sections
Free spaces
Street Market
Spaces for designed for Social Interaction
Major Road
Fig 6.21: Section showing Street Market in Central Park Pedestrain Street
Beach side Buildings
Fig 6.23: Section showing pedestrianised beach road
Beach front buildings with commercial outlets
Road to be Pedestrianised linking the commercial activity to the beach
Beach side seating
Beach
Proposed space for rainwater collection
Mosque Fig 6.22: Section showing Cultural walkway and Symbolic Umbrella
Cultural Walkway
Symbolic Umbrella
Cultural Walkway linking HDC building to the Mosque
HDC Building
Sea
Key Designs Improving Cultural Identity: Cultural Walkway
Retaining the existing trees and incorporating the design to the park
Umbrella as a monument to show Islamic Culture and Tradition Canopy shade
Shade creates opportunity for activities: Outdoor Quran classes during daytime
Walkway to be tiled or paved with design referring to the patterns of islamic architecture
Fig 6.24: Perspective image showing the Cultural Walkway (own illustration)
Improving Cultural Identity: Free and Robust Spaces
Cultural murals on blank end walls creating distinctive spaces
Temporary stalls setup for food and drinks
Opportunity to create a platform for local talents
Multupurpose space for communal activities hosted by the community Fig 6.25: Perspective image showing the Free and Robust spaces (own illustration)
Achieving Social Cohesion: Communtiy Gardens Retaining the existing trees to be incorporated into communal gardens
Garden Crates for Community Gardening
Allows more eyes on public spaces making it safer Loose spaces between social housing flats
Fig 6.26: Perspective image showing Communal Gardens (own illustration)
Exisiting Pedestrian Walkway
Achieving Social Cohesion: Spaces for Social Interactions
Communal seating: sharing spaces provide opportunity for social interaction
The public should feel free in these spaces: run, walk, sit, have a picnic
Fig 6.27: Perspective image showing spaces for Social Interaction (own illustration)
Creating Activity Centers: Street Markets
Exisitng Pedestrian Street
Market stalls selling local products preferably by the community
Fig 6.28: Perspective image showing Street Markets (own illustration)
To be fully experienced on foot
Creating Activity Centers: Pedestrianised Beach Road
Fig 6.29: Perspective image showing Pedestrianised Beach Road (own illustration)
Maldivian traditional huts to create a meaningful connection with the island lifestyle
Pedestrianising the road to increase pedestrian permeability and link the commercial acitivities to the beach.
Conclusion & Reflection
Conclusion - Design strategies to enhance Sense of Belonging are: - Improving cultural identity - Achieving social cohesion - Creating Activity Centers - Masterplan is an embodiment of the learning outcomes from all the stages of the research - Design strategies work in association to each other and has the potential to be developed further - Masterplan represents a further step closer to enhancing Sense of Belonging
Implications of Practice - Sense of belonging is a complex topic intertwined in different dimensions of urban design and planning - Masterplan will not be an answer to all pre-existing social problems; housing ownership, education, attitude and awareness etc - Masterplan subjected to rigorous critique through stakeholder engagement sessions for robustness and sustainbility - Needs to stand the test of time; ensure its continuity for shared experiences
Conclusion - Design strategies to enhance Sense of Belonging are: - Improving cultural identity - Achieving social cohesion - Creating Activity Centers - Masterplan is an embodiment of the learning outcomes from all the stages of the research - Design strategies work in association to each other and has the potential to be developed further - Masterplan represents a further step closer to enhancing Sense of Belonging
Implications of Practice - Sense of belonging is a complex topic intertwined in different dimensions of urban design and planning - Masterplan will not be an answer to all pre-existing social problems; housing ownership, education, attitude and awareness etc - Masterplan subjected to rigorous critique through stakeholder engagement sessions for robustness and sustainbility - Needs to stand the test of time; ensure its continuity for shared experiences
Hulhumale’ - The Island City
Hulhumale’ - The
Island City
- Thank you -