Better Livable Town

FOG

Ngieng Tien Yung 0320221 FNBE AuG 2014

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Content :

1. Introduction 3

2. A town ( investigation on better town ) 4

3.Investigation and Data Collection : Ancient Cities 5-7

4. Investigation and Data Collection : Present Town 8-11

5. Investigation and Data Collection : Future cities 12-15

6. The New ‘ X ’ town 16-20

7. Conclusion 21

8. Reference links 22

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1.Introduction

In this final project of enbe, we are given the task to propose a new town for the future.

This final project divided into part A and B. For part A ( individual compoonent), we have to

pretend as the mayor of the “ X ” city to propose a new layout of the new town due to some

reasons that causes “ X ” city no longer livable. We are given the choices as the following : an

underground city, an underwater city, a floating on water city, a city in the air ( or sky scraper

city ) or on the land next to a river or sea.

We are required to understand, investigate and collect data about ancient and old cities,

present cities future cities. We also have to do research on the component and element of city.

The new town has established in certain conditions and rules. The size of the proposed new city

should be between 20-40 km2. The population in between 150,000 – 300,000 and all the people

arer Malaysian.

This project eventually help us to differentiate and compare the different development of

the build environment. We also get a better understanding on the component and element of a

city.

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2.The Town

Town definition

A town is a human settlement larger than a village but smaller than a city.

City definition

A city is a relatively large and permanent human settlement. Cities generally have complex

system for sanitation, utilities, land usage, housing and transportation.

What make a good town

- Organized zoning of the town

- Fully equipped facilities for the public’s user

- Building and houses are energy efficient

- Using renewable resource as power resources

- Efficient and safe public transport

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3.Investigation & Data Collection : Ancient Cities / Town

Xi ’an , China

3.1 Introduction

Xi’an ( Chinese: 西安) is the capital of Shaanxi ( 陜西) province. It located in the northwest of

China, in the center of the Guanzhong Plain. It is the oldest cities in China, the city was knowns

as “ Chang’an ” before the Ming dynasty. Xi’an having held the position under several of the

most important dynasties in Chinese history, including Zhou, Qin, Han, Sui, and Tang. Xi’an I

the starting point of the Silk Road and home to the Terracotta Army of Emperor Qin Shi Huang.

Silk Road Terracotta Army

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3.2 History

Xi'an served as the imperial capital for ten ancient imperial dynasties and a number of regional

kingdoms. The ten dynasties when Xi’an (Western Peace), then called Chang’an (Perpetual

Peace), was the capital of China are as follows: Qin (221–206 BC at Xianyang just northwest of

Xi’an), Western Han (200–8 BC), Xin (8–23 AD), Eastern Han (191–195), Western Jin (313–

316), Wei (535–557), Zhou (556–581), Tang (618–690), Zhou (690–705) and Tang (705–904).

Xian’s history began in the Stone Age, 3,000 years ago, when the Western Zhou Dynasty

founded its capital at Haojing, today’s Xi'an. The Western Zhou Dynasty was famous for its

bronze, some of which is now displayed in Shaanxi Provincial Museum.

Barbarian invaders caused the collapse of the Western Zhou Dynasty in 771 BC. The Eastern

Zhou Dynasty began and made its capital at Luoyang. In 221 BC, Emperor Qin Shihuang unified

the country and built a strong feudal society, with its capital at Xianyang, north of Xi'an.

The Qin Dynasty was soon sacked and the Han Dynasty took power. The Han rulers based their

government in Xi'an. The Han Dynasty ruled in Xi'an from 206 BC to 220 AD, during which

time the city began to flourish. Xi'an was the starting point of the world's longest overland

ancient trading route, the Silk Road. It was a highly significant trade route linking ancient

China with Central Asia and European countries.

However it wasn't until the Tang Dynasty (618–907) that Chang’an (today’s Xi'an) came into its

own. Chang’an was one of the biggest international cities at that time, a great metropolis of equal

importance with Rome in its heyday. The Tang Dynasty witnessed advances in many fields and

the capital city boomed. It was built with grand, symmetrical layouts and became a model for

city design at that time.

After the fall of the Tang Dynasty, Xi'an went into decline and its tenure as capital of China

came to an end. Although Xi'an still played an important role as a commercial center on the Silk

Road in the later dynasties, it never regained its political or cultural importance.

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3.3 What makes it a significant town and what are the details

The cultural and historical significance of Xian, as well as the abundant relics and sites, help

Shaanxi enjoy the laudatory title of ‘Natural History Museum’. The Museum of Terracotta

Warriors and Horses is praised as ‘the eighth major miracle of the world’, Mausoleum of

Emperor Qin Shi Huang is listed on the World Heritage List, and the City Wall of the Ming

Dynasty (1368 - 1644) is the largest and most intact Ming Dynasty castle in the world. The wall

stands 12 meters ( 40 feet ) tall, 12-14 meters ( 40-46 feet ) wide at the top and 15-18 meters

( 50-60 feet ) thick at the bottom. It covers 13.7 kilometers (8.5 miles) in length with a deep moat

surrounding it. Every 120 meters, there is a rampart which extends out from the main wall. Total

98 ramparts were built to defend against the enemy climbing up. Each rampart has a sentry

building, in which the soldiers could protect the entire wall without exposing themselves to the

enemy. Besides, the distance between every two ramparts is just within the range of an arrow

shot from either side, so that they could shoot the enemy, who wanted to attack the city, from the

side.

Xi’an City wall with 98 ramparts Terracotta Warriors and Horses

in Xi’an, China

3.4 Conclusion

Xian is a vibrant, modern city, but surrounded by history, even underfoot.So there can be no

underground railways due to the obligation to preserve the wealth of ancient treasure still

awaiting discovery.

3.5 Information or elements that I can use for my future town

i. I will consider the city wall as my town wall due to my town is floating in the sky.

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4. Investigation & Data Collection : Present Town

Choa Chu Kang , Singapore

Choa Chu Kang Town Centre

Location of Choa Chu Kang within Singapore

4.1 Introduction

Choa Chu Kang recognized as the Choa Chu Kang New Town and historically known as Chua

Chu Kang. It is a major residential town and neighborhood. It is a suburban area in the north-

western part of Singapore. The area has been rapidly developed from kampong village transform

into a modern township under the ambition of the Housing and Development Board ( HDB ).

The town now comprises seven neighbourhoods, including three large ones : Choa Chu Kang,

Yew Tee and Teck Whye.

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4.2 History

Choa Chu Kang’s name is derived from its historical core at the former site of Chua Chu Kang

Village located near the junction of Choa Chu Kang Road and Jalan Sungei Poyan, currently

occupied by the grounds of the National Shooting Centre which comes under the purview of

Singapore Shooting Association. The name began to be applied to the general area around the

village when Choa Chu Kang Road, a main arterial road linking the village to Upper Bukit

Timah Road towards the east was built.

Between the late 18th to early 19th century, Chinese immigrants settled along the river, Sungei

Berih. These settlers were called Kangchu, where chu was an established clan name, thus the

name Choa Chu Kang. It was a small remote rural district with old kampong housing, rubber and

coconut plantations. Residents relied on boats or bullock carts for transportation. The Chinese

district that grew out of that community included Kampong Belimbing and Kampong Choa Chu

Kang. Most of the early inhabitants belong to the Teochew clan who were mainly farmers

growing gambier and pepper. The Hokkiens started pineapple, rubber and coconut plantations as

well as vegetable farms and poultry farms. Choa Chu Kang was infamous for wild tigers with the

last tiger in Singapore shot here in the 1930s.

The plantations, old attap houses, street hawkers and Chinese kampongs have since disappeared

making way for a modern HDB housing estate with ample community, institutional, recreational,

commercial and industrial facilities. The Choa Chu Kang and Yew Tee MRT Train Stations, and

the easy access road expressways make movement convenient to and from the area.

4.3 Transportation

City planners plan for public transport to eventually become the preferred mode of transport in

the future. The government of Singapore ideally desires environmental towns, using public

transport to reduce pollution caused by heavy road traffic. There are 2 types of transportation

which is rail and bus.

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4.3.1 Rail

Choa Chu Kang New Town is linked to the Central Area and to the other lines on the

MRT/LRTsystem ( to the East-West Line at Jurong East Station, to the Circle Line at Bishan

Station, and the North East Line at Dhoby Ghaut Station ) through the North South Line ( NSL )

at Choa Chu Kang Station ( NS4 ) located at Choa Chu Kang Town Centre. There are other

station along NSL in Choa Chu Kang New Town, serves the housing developments in Yew Tee.

Train map

4.3.2 Bus

Bus services are available at the Choa Chu Kang Bus Interchange which is connected to the

Choa Chu Kang MRT/LRT Station and the town’s central shopping mall Lot One Shoppers’

Mall.

Bus map

4.3.3 Road Network

As the town is surrounded by the towns of Bukit Panjang, Bukit Batok, Bukit Gombak and

southern Woodlands, many roads (old and new) have been constructed to link Choa Chu Kang

into other towns which eventually allows residents to other parts of the country by either bus,

train, car or any other reliable means of transportation.

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4.4 What makes it a significant town and what are the details

The Choa Chu Kang Stadium is part of the Choa Chu Kang Sports and Recreation complex

located in Choa Chu Kang, Singapore. The international competition standard, multi-sport

facility supports a range of sports and community functions, and opened in the year 2001. The

main grandstand has a capacity of 4,000 people.

The stadium itself is home to Singapore Armed Forces FC/SAFFC during the S-league football

season. The stadium has become familiar for its elegant and soaring curved white steel roof, with

supporting pylons, that covers the main grandstand.

The football pitch itself consists of a self-watering “ cell-system ” turf pitch installation, supplied

from Switzerland and approved by FIFA for international competition.

SAFFC vs Tampines Rovers In Choa Chu Kang Stadium

4.5 Conclusion

Choa Chu Kang is the best town in Singapore. People easy get to anywhere by using the public

transport.

4.6 Information or elements that I can use for my town

i. I will use the concept of ez-link card as the people used in Singapore on the public transport.

The ez-link card was the very first contactless stored value card introduced for public transit use

on the MRT, LRT and buses. Due to its contactless nature, the card completes all its transactions

within 0.2 seconds and in this way, revolutionarily makes travelling on buses and trains that

much faster and smoother. It is much convenient for the people.

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5. Investigation & Data Collection : Future Town

Asian Cairns, Shenzhen ( China )

The tower in the delta context

5.1 Introduction

Belgian architect Vincent Callebaut has developed a concept to introduce natural ecosystems into

cities with designs for “ farmscrapers ”. It made from piles of giant glass pebbles for a site in

Shenzhen, China. As a response to the rapid urbanisation going on in the country, Vincent

Callebaut wanted to completely rethink the current structure of cities and do away with suburbs.

He proposes a new type of urban habitat based on the rules of the natural world, with stacks of

giant pebbles housing entire communities. All energy would be sourced from the sun and wind,

anything produced would be recyclable and local expertise would be capitalised wherever

possible. Residents of each tower would also work there to reduce the need to travel. All food

and commodities would be produced within the building, in suspended orchards and vegetables

gardens, plus all waste would be fed back into the ecosystem.

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5.2 Objective of Asian Cairns

1. The diminution of the ecological footprint of this new vertical eco-quarter enhancing the local

consumption by its food autonomy and by the reduction of means of road, rail and river transport.

2. The reintegration of local employment in the primary and secondary sectors coproducing the

fresh and organic products to the city dwellers who will be able to reappropriate the knowledge

of the farming production modes.

3. The recycling in short and closed loop of the liquid or solid organic waste of the used waters

by anaerobe composting and green algae panels producing biogas by accelerated photosynthesis.

4. The economy of the rural territory reducing the deforestation, the desertification and the

pollution of the phreatic tables.

5. The oxygenation of the polluted city centres whose air quality is saturated in lead particles.

6. The production of a vertical organic agriculture of fruits and vegetables limiting the systematic

recourse to pesticides, insecticides, herbicides and chemical fertilizers.

7. The saving of water resource by the recycling of urban waters, spraying waters and the

evapo-sweated water by the plants.

8. The protection of the biodiversity and the development of eco-systemic cycles in the heart of

the city.

9. The diminution of the sanitary risks by the disappearance of pesticides noxious for the health

and by the fertility and total protection of the phreatic tables.

10. The diminution of the recourse to fossil fuel needed for the conventional agriculture in long

cycle for the refrigeration and the transport of the goods.

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5.3 Structure of the buildings

Entitled Asian Cairns, Callebaut's proposals are for a series of six towers, with some containing

as many as 20 glazed "pebbles". A steel structure would create the curved shapes, while solar

panels and wind turbines would be mounted onto the outer surfaces.

Glazing, wind turbines and The pod’s structure and first deck

ample greenery enclose

the double-decker pebble

Pods with building systems integration Pod envelope

Sections of the towers Section of common areas / swimming pool

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5.4 The green city

The cities are currently responsible for 75% of the worldwide consumption of energy and they

reject 80% of worldwide emissions of CO2. The contemporary urban model is thus ultra-energy

consuming and works on the importation of wealth and natural resources on the one hand, and on

the exportation of the pollution and waste on the other hand. This loop of energetic flows can be

avoided by repatriating the countryside and the farming production modes in the heart of the city

by the creation of green lungs, farmscrapers in vertical storeys and by the implantation of wind

and solar power stations. The production sites of food and energy resources will be thus

reintegrated in the heart of the consumption sites. The buildings with positive energies must

become the norm and reduce the carbon print on the mid term.

The orchards and greenery are rampant “ The garden is no more placed side by side to

the building; it is the building!" says Callebaut. ”

5.5 Conclusion

Asian Cairns is an absolutely amazing city for the future. People won’t be able using any moving

vehicles that release carbon monoxide. The building’s design also conserved the nature. People

who living in the future will get a healthy live.

5.6 Information or elements that I can use for my town

i. I will use the solar panels and wind turbines for my town

ii. I will consider the building design for my town.

iii. I will plant the trees around my town as more as possible.

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6. The New ‘ X ’ town : Fog

6.1 Chosen town type and reasons

The town that I’ve chosen for my future town is floating in the sky town. The purpose that I

choosing floating in the sky town out of the few choices. Underground town , floating town and

land town , is due to the rising of sea level and natural disaster.

The rising of sea level has caused many lower cities submerged below sea level. Besides, the

natural disaster such as tsunami and earthquake would also destroy the cities.

Therefore, as a mayor of the ‘ X ’ city I come out with an idea that a new X town to be created in

order to solve these problems. It is the best town which floating in the sky because it can prevent

sudden rise of sea level and natural disaster.

6.2 Aim of my town

To create a better and healthy life style for my residents.

6.3 How did the name of the new future town come about ?

The name of future town called Fog which symbolize the town gleamingly in the sky. It inspired

by the clouds.

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6.4 Master plan of Fog

6.5 Transportation plan

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6.6 Zone Plan

Residential zone

It combine with the high , medium and low density residential area.

Water treatment and wind turbine zone

The place which waste water to be treated and recycle so that not much water will be wasted.

Besides, the wind turbine built to convert kinetic energy to electric energy.

Commercial zone

This zone consists lots of retail shop and shopping malls.

Parks zone and Forest zone

It help maintain the balance the ecosystem within the town.

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Service zone

This zone consists of medical centre, police station and fire station.

Religion zone

Church , temple and mosque will be build in this zone

Industrial zone

This zone convert the kinetic energy to electric energy for the town.

Agriculture zone

This zone are for planting plant that will help provide the basic need for the people.

Central Business District zone

It consists of government buildings , commercial buildings and office buildings.

Education zone

It consists of kindergarten , primary school , secondary school , college and university.

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6.7 The sustainable features

( a ).Wind Turbine

Wind turbine works the opposite of a fan. Instead of using electricity to make wind, like a fan,

wind turbines use wind to make electricity. The wind turns the blades, which spin a shaft, which

connects to a generator and makes electricity. Wind is a form of solar energy and is a result of

the uneven heating of the atmosphere by the sun, the irregularities of the earth's surface, and the

rotation of the earth.

( b ) Water Treatment

-Pre-chlorination - for algae control and arresting any biological growth

-Aeration - along with pre-chlorination for removal of dissolved iron and manganese

-Coagulation - for flocculation

-Coagulant aids, also known as polyelectrolytes - to improve coagulation and for thicker floc

formation

-Sedimentation - for solids separation, that is, removal of suspended solids trapped in the

floc

-Filtration - removing particles from water

-Desalination - Process of removing salt from the water

-Disinfection - for killing bacteria.

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7. Conclusion

Along completing this project, I learnt how to plan a town and make it more beautiful and

comfortable. The main propose of this town planning is to put in sustainable features to

ensure the town can sustain and live by itself. Besides, while planning a city it is crucial to

concern about inserting green spaces and green technologies into the layout of a town.

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Reference Links

1. http://weburbanist.com/2014/01/06/walkability-hyperdensity-14-concepts-for-future-cities/3/

2. http://www.dezeen.com/2013/03/21/asian-cairns-by-vincent-callebaut/

3. http://www.designboom.com/architecture/vincent-callebaut-architectures-asian-cairns-

shenzen-china/

4. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xi%27an#History

5. http://www.travelchinaguide.com/attraction/shaanxi/xian/citywall.htm

6. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Choa_Chu_Kang#Choa_Chu_Kang_New_Town

7. http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/infopedia/articles/SIP_182_2005-01-20.html

8. http://www.ezlink.com.sg/ez-link-card/

9. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Choa_Chu_Kang_Stadium

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Reference Links

1. http://weburbanist.com/2014/01/06/walkability-hyperdensity-14-concepts-for-future-cities/3/

2. http://www.dezeen.com/2013/03/21/asian-cairns-by-vincent-callebaut/

3. http://www.designboom.com/architecture/vincent-callebaut-architectures-asian-cairns-

shenzen-china/

4. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xi%27an#History

5. http://www.travelchinaguide.com/attraction/shaanxi/xian/citywall.htm

6. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Choa_Chu_Kang#Choa_Chu_Kang_New_Town

7. http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/infopedia/articles/SIP_182_2005-01-20.html

8. http://www.ezlink.com.sg/ez-link-card/

9. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Choa_Chu_Kang_Stadium

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