Vertical Cities Asia : CUHK Team A : Research Report

Resilient CityRESEARCH REPORT

Advisor: HWANG, Cheng Chun Patrick [email protected] Team A Members:AU, Sin Man Sophia [email protected] (+852) 9244 8137ZHOU, Xiao Kitty [email protected] (+852) 6679 7576CHAN, Hok Leung Joe [email protected] (+852) 5647 0560

School of ArchitectureThe Chinese University of Hong Kong

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CONTENT3-8

9-12

13-22

23-24

25-28

29-32

33-36

Economy Transformation of Economy StructureEconomy in MumbaiRecycling IndustriesCurrent Rehabitation Project for Slum DwellersHistoryFlooding in MumbaiHistorical Background of Flooding Causes of FloodingInfrastructure

Rapid Urbanization

Street Studies for a Walkable CityCultureDynamic CityFestivalsEcosystemPollution

Waste and Energy in MumbaiCase Study of Waste to Energy SchemeOpen SpaceDynamic Use of Open SpaceExisting Open Space Arround the Site AreaLimitation of Open Space in MumbaiCase StudySingapore (River Plains, Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park) Ljubljana, Slovenia (ljubljanica river regeneration) Seoul, Korea (Cheonggyecheon - Man made river)Rotterdam (Watersquares)

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARYResilient City

-tinues to encounter many extreme challenges, including water crisis, rapid urbanization, lacking of infrastructure, slum issues, etc. Many of the common practices that attempted to tackle the extreme conditions are not suitable to such a dynamic city like Mumbai. For example, more de-

rehabitation projects for slum dwellers do not consider their way of life style, hindering their job opportunities.

In response to these challenges, we propose the Resilient City as a design strategy to help miti-gate the impacts of the extreme condition in the city, and to address the thematic problem es-tablished by the Vertical Cities Asia competition design brief. We believe that it would be more advantageous to turn Mumbai into a Resilient City, which may react with the changes and turn the existing challenges into opportunities.

First, we introduce a river way system which provides and supports Mumbai’s cultural, economic --

tems, and hence, allowing diverse opportunities to the city.

Second, the river way is designed with the intention to provide and stimulate multi-functional ac-

characterization. Inspired from this, we pursue a dynamic complex on the river way, which may serves an extra meaning to provide more open spaces during dry seasons. Our design will also embrace some micro-businesses like recycling and waste to energy conversion work in order to maintain the lifestyle of slum dwellers who usually work and live in close distance.

-lutants from industrial areas. Ecological zones are further set up in order to unlock more public space and encourage a healthy lifestyle to integrate with the nature. Bicycle and jogging tracks

the city.

By introducing Mumbai as a Resilient City, we believe that it is possible to achieve and address the competition theme “Everyone Connects” by the following areas:1. Responding to the extremes with innovative and comprehensive design2. Shaping local character and allowing diversity3. Promoting healthy lifestyle and sustainability

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Transformation of Economic Structure

ECONOMY1

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From Bombay to Mumbai, it is changing perspectives Within three centuries, seven west-coast islands evolved into the Bombay peninsula, then into a

cosmopolitan, high-rise metropolis of Mumbai.

This enigmatic and intriguing city while discussing opportunities for the future.

Since limited land resources based on the original islands meant constant reclamations, the town could enjoy the luxury of its natural environment only for a short time. Complex political, economic, and social events subsequently resulted in dramatic changes that still continue today.

The economic structure is changing from manufacturing goods to providing services. The usage of land is changing, mills close down, factories shifting, service industries increasing and tourism rising.

Transformation of Economic Structure

ECONOMY1

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ECONOMY1The capital of the State of Maharashtra, Mumbai is a city of 12 million. Known as Greater Mumbai, it cov-ers an area of 438 km2 with an extremely high popu-lation density (27,348 people per km2). Furthermore, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region of 18 million resi-

-cial capital, yet also the city with the largest slums. It contributes 40 per cent of national income tax and 60 per cent of customs duty. In purchasing power parity (PPP), Mumbai is estimated to have a US$143 billion economy. Per capita income is US$12,070.

well as the critical housing issues and slums are key challenges facing Mumbai. Some projections state that Mumbai could overtake Tokyo as the world’s largest city by 2050.

Mumbai Economy

Economy in Mumbai

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ECONOMY1Economy in Mumbai

of income tax collections

of industrial output

of capital transactions

of foreign trade

of maritime trade

Relative GDP %INDIA

STATE OF MAHARASHTRA

GREATER MUMBAI accounts for

MUMBAI METROPOLITAN REGION

GREATER MUMBAI

9% 33%

25%

70%

70%

40%

13%

39%

26%

GBP as % of global GDP

GBP as % of India’s GDP

GBP as % of the state GDP

GBP as % of the state GDP

More skilled labour population Unskilled and semi-skilled labour population

Key sectors contributing to the city’s economy now are:

gems and jewellery

textilesleather

IT and ITES entertainment industry hawkers

taxi drivers

mechanics

port and shipping industry

recycling industry

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Mumbai is one of the largest recycling industries in the world. Dharavi is the major recycling industries area. There is an increasingly large recycling industry, processing recyclable waste from other parts of the city; the district has an estimated 15,000 single-room factories. 80% of wastes will be recycled.

Recycling Industries

ECONOMY1

Image source: google image

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Slums rely heavily on economic and social networks.Slum people work and live in close distance. Many slum redevelopment projects designed to move populations out, result in a loss of livelihood.

Most slum dwellers rely heavily on economic and social networks. Slum people work and live in close distance. However, many of the current slum rehab-itation projects designed to move populations out instead of maintaining their way of living. It may hin-der their opportunities to earn a living, resulting in a loss of livelihood. Therefore, attention of considering job opportunities should be paid while designing af-fordable housing for workers who live and work at close area.

Current Rehabitation Project for Slum Dwellers

Source: http://www.mcgm.gov.in/

ECONOMY1


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HISTORY2Flooding in Mumbai


building collapse and tree falls — it all came back to trouble Mumbaikars.

the arterial roads in the city. “Both the main roads and the lanes were packed with vehicles. It took us around 90 minutes to reach town from Dadar,” said Meenakshi Nainwal, a commuter. According

there was no major waterlogging in spite of heavy showers.

undertaken between Santa Cruz and Goregaon stations from 10.35am to 15.35am. All trains plied on fast lines between Santacruz and Goregaon stations.

Rain also caused mishaps. A portion of a single storey building collapsed at Princess Street, Kalbadevi. A portion of a three storey collapsed at Takiya ward at Kurla (West). Residents were temporarily shifted to a nearby municipal school. No one was hurt in these incidents.

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HISTORY2Flooding in Mumbai

Source: source:

Flooding is one of the important main reasons

monsoon season, because of rain, there are many

in Mumbai.

The 2005 monsoon proved to be extremely erratic for

of rainfall, particularly in the western Vidarbha and Marathwada, created a drought-like situation with shortage of drinking water and fodder. The situation changed dramatically in the course of a week from July 21, when unusually heavy rains lashed the coastal areas of Konkan and Western Ghats. It caused

with many towns and villages under waters. On July 26, when the highest ever rainfall recorded in the last 100 years in the country battered the sub-urban Mumbai and Thane, Maharashtra experienced one

Image source: http://en.wikipedia.org/

Rainfall in the city of Mumbai

Santacruz (in mm.) Colaba (in mm.) 0830-1130 0.9 0.0 1130-1430 19.3 7.0 1430-1730 400.1 26.5 1730-2030 667.7 33.1 2030-2330 768.8 - 2330-0230 885.0 - 0230-0530 896.0 57.1 0530-0830 944.2 73.4

District-wise number of deaths in Maharashtra (August 12, 2005) Sr.no District Death Injured Missing

1 Mumbai 447 16 -- 2 Mumbai (Railway) 7 4 14 3 Navi Mumbai 66 22 1 4 Thane 180 19 3 5 Thane (Rural) 44 -- 12 6 Raigad 166 4 3 7 Ratnagiri 20 -- -- 8 Sindhudurg 8 5 -- 9 Kolhapur 26 21 12

10 Parbhani 6 3 -

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HISTORY2

Water level

Reclamation area- new land are lower than sea level

Flooding area

Historical Background of Flooding

Seven islands Mumbai is formed by seven islands. These islands were gradually physically united through land recla-mation projects. As the reclaimed land level is lower

monsoon season.

“Most of the development that you see today has

Dilip Da Cunha, an architect who teaches at the University of Pennsylvania, who helped to create an exhibition about the city’s environs (which is currently showing in Mumbai).

“Even the city’s main railway line and national highway have been built upon what was originally a series of wetlands that served as catchment and drainage areas for the annual monsoon rains,” he added.

Source: http://green.blogs.nytimes.com/

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HISTORY2

Drainage system

Blockage by waste

Rainfall

Source: Mumbai City Development Plan

Causes of Flooding


-cal wet and dry climate under the Köppen climate

of rains in July. The cooler season from December to February is followed by the summer season from March to June. The period from June to about the end of September constitutes the south-west mon-soon season, and October and November form the post-monsoon season.

Between June and September, the south west mon-soon rains lash the city. Pre-monsoon showers are received in May. Occasionally, north-east monsoon showers occur in October and November.

In Mumbai, the existing drainage system which was designed more than 150 years ago and the block-

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INFRASTRUCTURE3


growing economies in the world and the heart of

the glitz and glamor there is another story playing out on the streets of India’s most populous city.

Shanama Nagappa is 12 years old and her life in

“I wake up at 6am and walk to a village that is one and a half hours away to get two buckets of drinking water,” says Shanama. “I do not go to school because I have to work at home. My mum and dad work as laborers and they have to go out, so I have to stay back and work at home from morning to evening.”

Source: The Bombay Community Public Trust

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Had the then Mumbai’s British administrators not taken seriously an agitation by the island’s natives over the drinking water problem in 1845 and subsequent search for water sources even 100km deep into the mainland, Mumbai’s citizens, perhaps, would have been as harassed for water as Chennai’s people are now. Like Chennai, Mumbai also depended on wells and ponds/lakes for its water supply. Overdrawing of water by ever-increasing population caused depletion of ground water sources and also ingress of seawater in Chennai. The same could have happened to Mumbai, as both these are coastal cities. But, water supply in Mumbai kept rising with newer schemes to meet the increase in demand for the growing population and the city is, comparatively, better off. However, the reasons for water shortages are distribution losses, pilferage, wasteful use etc., causing about 40%-60% loss of water.

Besides, the lack of access to basic infrastructure

indeterminacy are basic to the city.

INFRASTRUCTURE3

Image source: http://www.eurekaforbes.com/

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INFRASTRUCTURE3Rapid Urbanization


Mumbai faces daunting issues of regional planning and governance. As with many mega-urban regions, the proportion of the population living in areas

increaasing.

Mumbai city is spread over a geographical area of 603sq km harbouring a population of 12.47 million as per the 2011 Census. The density of population is very high i.e. 20,692 persions per sq km for the city as whole. The population in island city has changed little overthe last several decades, with density in the suburbs has risen from 11,119 persons per sq km in 1981 to 20,924 persons in 2011.

Source: http://www.ari.nus.edu.sg/

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Extreme density in mumbai There is a striking paradox in this city. Luxury highrise and slums juxtaposed in close proximity in Mumbai.

we were shocked and saddened by the extreme

Fragmentation of service and production locations result in a bazaar-like urbanism.

or poor infrastructural planning to accommodate

make it imperative that city governments determine how to effectively combat congestion.

In face of the extreme conditions of challenges of sanitation and other infrastructural needs.

How can we spatially and physically convert these extremes formed by the informal city into a just, equitable and humane environment?

They can work and live together in a very tiny space!but we are so inspired by the resilience of the citizens!

imagine, but the adjacency is very important where everything is very close to each other.

Density & Slums Distribution

Mumbai PopulationIndia Population Population Composition

Density

Peak Density 121,312 pp/km2

Average Density 125,316 pp/km2

Population 13,662,885

Density & Transport


Image source: http://lsecities.net/

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Case studies of density in other cities

Source: “The most densely populated places on Earth - Imgur” http://imgur.com/a/C5nVP


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Kowloon walled city, Hong Kong

Case studies of density in other cities


Image source: http://en.wikipedia.org/

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INFRASTRUCTURE3


Image source: CUHK VCA Team

Urban freight transport demand has increased as a consequence of increasing urban population, consumption patterns mainly as a consequence of increased economic activity and the mushrooming of malls for shopping.

Due to the availability of a large diversity of consumer products and shopping malls all across the city, Mumbai experiences a massive increase in urban freight transport movements generally similar to cities in developing economies. From 1991 to 2005, the total number of motorized vehicles (goods and passenger) more than doubled from 0.6 to 1.3 million. While the vehicles multiplied 37 times over the last 50 years, Mumbai’s road network only doubled. The number of registered vehicles (goods and passenger together) is growing at 4-5% per annum. Trailers have

containerized goods movement through Mumbai’s ports.

of the city is so high that the average speeds climb down to as low as 6 – km/h especially in the areas of Sion, Bandra and Dadar.

Source: http://www.transport-research.info/

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Existing fragmented roads Disconnect to waterfront

INFRASTRUCTURE3


as follows:

1. Inadequate capacity of existing arterial roads linking CBD areas to the rest of Mumbai’s

issues causing road congestion. There is a lack of East-West and North-South connectivity linking the commercial business centre for the movement of people and urban freight along these corridors. The existing arterial roads ( Eastern and Western Express Highways) and suburban rail infrastructure (Western, Central and Harbour Lines) are proving inadequate

unplanned and frequent digging of roads by utility agencies/companies for laying utility lines throughout the year which after roads restoration leave the road in a bad condition. This causes road width to decrease on localized areas causing severe bottlenecks and problems of congestion;

speeds;

Source: http://www.transport-research.info/

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Street Studies for a Walkable City

INFRASTRUCTURE3

observed that road safety issue is very critical in Mumbai. Since street activities are important for Mumbai people, it is essential to promote a city for pedestrians and cyclists.

Takeshita Dori, Harajuka, Japan

Shangxiajiu, Guangzhou

Distillery District, Toronto

Calle Florida, Buenos Aires

Average Building Height and Street Width Ratio

8.5m : 4m = 2.1

19.5m : 15m = 1.3

13.5m : 12m = 1.1

17.5m : 20m = 0.9

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In order to understand the relationship of building height and street width, we study various examples in different cities, ranging from narrow street with busy market activities to grand promenade with gathering space and planting area. From this set of studies, we can have a better understanding of what a walkable city could be.

INFRASTRUCTURE3Street Studies for a Walkable City

The 16th Street Mall, Denver

Haeng Bok No, Uijeongbu

Las Ramblas, Barcelona

3rd Street Promenade, Santa Monica

Average Building Height and Street Width Ratio

20.5m : 25m = 0.8

14.5m : 20m = 0.7

23m : 38m = 0.6

9.5m : 22m = 0.4

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CULTURE4Dabbawalas are an example of this relationship between the formal and informal that blur in the

service, which relies on the train system for

from a house anywhere in the city; he then delivers

work by lunchtime and returns it to the house later in the day.

the linear city, enables the complex informal system to work. The dabbawalas have innovatively set up a network that facilitates an informal system to take advantage of a formal infrastructure. These networks create a synergy that depends on mutual integration without the obsession of formalized structures

In fact the urbanism of Mumbai represents a fascinating intersection where the informal city – physically incoherent, and yet a symbol of optimism – challenges the formal city – encoded in architecture – to re-position and remake the city as a whole.

Dynamic City



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CULTURE4Festivals

Banganga (Jan) Elephanta festival (18-19 Feb) Govinda festival

Govinda festival

Gudhi Padava (Mar-Apr) Nariyal Poornima (Aug)

Parsi New Year (Aug-Sep) Ganesh Chaturthi (Aug-Sep)

Bandra Feast (Sep) Diwali(Oct-Nov)


In Mumbai, there are many cultural and festival events every month. Many of these festivals and events are highly related to public space and water.

Govinda festivalA variety of festivals held on the streets have formed the spectacles and the visual culture of the Kinetic City. In Govinda festival, people celebrate the birth of lord Krishna. They form a human pyramid in order to reach a pot with milk and suspend money over the street. This fully demonstrates how the celebration of festivals transforms the street scale of the city.

Ganesh festivalDuring the Ganesh festival period in Mumbai, the entire city, especially the neighborhoods, hold the celebration with lights and decoration. On the last day of the festival, a huge population of the city then carries the idol of Ganesh which will be immersed in the sea.

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ECOSYSTEM5Existing site condition

Pollution


Mumbai is one of the few cities in the world where over 70 sq km of creeks and mangroves coexist with the city’s land mass. A proven natural barrier against high tides, cyclonic winds and coastal erosion, their environs also represent unused potential for the development of ecologically-sensitive public open spaces.

Our site is a large post-industrial area. After the transformation of economic structure, a large portion of area along the sea is being abandoned. Being located on the western side of a long tidal channel partially lined with mangroves, it is a pity that this area is not easily accessible to the public. This coastal area is linked to various creeks and coastal drainages. The mangrove swamps provide a rich habitat for wildlife. Thousands of migrating birds

explosion caused by water pollution.

At the moment, the existing site is polluted by industrial activities. However, there is a high potential of turning the coastal area with mangrove into a ecological zone for leisure use, providing a enjoyable environment to the public.

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Mangroves trees are very important part of estuary

and stabilize silt that enters into estuaries from rivers and coastal runoff. They provide habit and nursery grounds for many species of vertebrates and invertebrates. The trees absorb wave energy and prevent erosion. Their leaves are a food source for many organisms. They also build new land from the accumulation of fallen decomposed leaves.

Mangroves provide a habitat for many different species of animals, including bats, lobsters, manatees, and birds. The roots and branches of mangroves provide an ideal site for animals to feed, mate, and give birth. A symbiotic relationship exists between many animals and the mangrove; for example, crabs feeds on the mangrove leaves, as well as other nutrients and then recycle minerals into the mangrove forest.

ECOSYSTEM5Case study

Source: google Image

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India has drawn the world’s attention in recent years with its booming economic growth, large demographic of young, English-speaking workers, and its shift from an agricultural to a more service-oriented economy. The consequence of this economic success has been a massive increase in waste.

A growing number of Indians are enjoying a new found ability to consume a vast number of goods and services that were previously either unavailable or unaffordable. From small electronic items, such as cell phones, to large consumer goods like refrigerators and cars, Indian consumption has been steadily increasing and shows no signs of abating anytime soon. Inevitably this has led to a rapid growth in the quantity and variety of MSW.In most cities and towns in India, MSW is disposed of

lying, open dumps on the outskirts of cities. Most

gas collection or monitoring, nor do they use inert materials to cover the waste. This results in ground and surface water contamination from runoff and

gases, and odour, and public health problems due to mosquitoes and scavenging animals.

Waste and Energy in Mumbai

Source of pollution

Sewage discharging points

Daily Waste Daily Waste Total Solid Waste Generation Total Solid Waste SettlementMixed waste (bio-degradable and recyclable) Residential Commercial Recycle and others Industrial Industrial

Commercial Debris Open burnTransport Domestic

Others Debris and slit

Dumping grounds

ECOSYSTEM5

Source: http://www.waste-management-world.com/articles/print/volume-11/issue-5/features/the-potential-for-waste-to-energy-in-india.html

Source: Solid waste management in Mumbai,The Bombay Community Public Trust

Source: Metabolis of Mumbai - Expectations, impasses and the need for a new beginning, January 2013Indira Gandhi Institute of Development Research



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Waste-to-energy or energy-from-waste is the process of creating energy in the form of electricity or heat from the incineration or processing of organic waste material. Most waste-to-energy processes produce energy directly through combustion, or produce a combustible fuel commodity, such as methane, methanol, ethanol or synthetic fuels.

New Energy supports sustainable waste management

The energy in the waste is extracted and returned to the community, maximising the value of the waste and minimising its environmental impact.

Case Study of Waste to Energy Scheme

Recycling of waste, energy generation (case study)

ECOSYSTEM5

Image source: http://www.socialaction.dk/news/engaging-44000-people-to-turn-waste-into-energy/

Image source: http://www.newenergycorp.com.au/what-we-do/waste-to-energy-process/

Source: http://www.newenergycorp.com.au/what-we-do/waste-to-energy-process/

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Dynamic Use of Open Space

As Mumbai has limited space, most of the open space have multi-functions, making Mumbai a dynamic city.

Leisure space is very important to people. But in

is under inequality usage. Some gardens are not open to everyone.

Open space are limited. But they are ground for people to interact. Due to the limitation of open space, people cannot enjoy the environment. Space for leisure activity, markets, holding events and festivals are necessary. These are the common ground for all people in the city.

OPEN SPACE6


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Existing Open Space Arround the Site Area

OPEN SPACE6Mumbai has just 1.58 square meters of open space per person while the UN Food and Agriculture stand-ard is 9 sq m. Most of the existing open spaces are located at the eastern side of our site and some of them are not open to all.

Therefore, there is necessary to introduce more open spaces to Mumbai. Also, we should ensure that these open spaces are accessible to the gen-eral public. Various types of open spaces should be considered, including but not limited to large gath-ering space, recreation grounds, playgrounds, gar-dens and parks.

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Limitation of Open Space in Mumbai

Privacy and community spaces

Privacy and gender

14%

22%

8%6%1%

8%

21%

8%2%

9%

1%

What are the community spaces available in your area?

community park

religious places

communiry hall

corridor

29%

25%

5%

14%

7%

17%

3%

What are the community spaces used for?

festival

religious activities

study

family event

for guests

recreation

21%

9%

12%21%

13%

20%

4%

what are the threats to community spaces

redevelopment

lack of money

lack of redident groups

lack of cleanliness

local governing bodies

local mafia

87%

13%

Are some public spaces inaccessible to women?

Yes

No

32.40%

13.90%11.20%

5.60% 4.10%

night club cinema hall andplay house

tea stall park sea shore

Which are the least used public spaces by women?

64.29%50.34%

41.16%31.29%

37.76% 43.54%

7.48% 12.24%

What are the reasons for not accessing public spaces by women?

OPEN SPACE6

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Privacy and personal space

Privacy and public space

59%20%

9%

9%

3%

Where do you share your private thoughts?

home

friend's hom

park

work

other

33%28%

23% 24%

11% 10% 8%3%

What is the criteria for choosing public space?

Limitation of Open Space in Mumbai

OPEN SPACE6

Source: Pukar

22%

16%

4%11%

35%

4%5%

2% 1%

What is Privacy?

comfort

safety

no noise

anonymity

solitude

less crowd

freedom from judgement

freedom of expression

other

33%

11%6%8%

11%4%4%2%

8%6%

3%4%

What are the reasons for not accessing public spaces?

not interested

not close to home

family restrictions

societal disapproval

don't have time

lack of cleanliness

not safe

too noisy

Ideal Public Space

“The real public space for me would be where it gives you a complete sense of openness, you can see the horizon.”“ I think the ideal public space should be close to home, so it’s accessible, clean and neat, noise-free, environmentally rich and aesthetically done.”

Diminishing Community Spaces

“we don’t have that community space, neither can we access the parks that are part of the new build-ings coming up in Dharavi. If you have to just sit there, you can’t. So for me mosque is the place where I can sit relax, think after my prayers, and it gives me that kind of privacy and space to be with myself.”

Accesss to all?

“Today we are still more open in front of the society but initially when I cross dressed and left the house, I would face a lot of problem. People would tease me, make fun of me, we couldn’t freely express what we wanted” -- A transgender person

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CASE STUDY7Singapore (River Plains, Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park)

Location: SingaporeDesign: 2007 - 2010Construction: 2009-2012Area: central catchment 140 km²Awards: WAF Landscape of the YearAward 2012, Ex-cellence on the Waterfront Honor Award 2012

Bishan Park is one of Singapore’s most popular parks in the heartlands of Singapore. As part of a much-needed park upgrade and plans to improvethe capacity of the Kallang channel along the edge of the park, works were carried out simultaneously to transform the utilitarian concrete channel into a naturalised river, creating new spaces for the com-munity to enjoy.

This project is part of the Active, Beautiful, Clean Wa-ters (ABC Waters) Programme, a long-term initiative to transform the country’s water bodies beyond their functions of drainage and water supply, into vibrant, new spaces for community bonding and recreation.

At Bishan Park, a 2.7 km long straight concrete drain-age channel has been restored into a sinuous, natu-ral river 3.2 km long, that meanders through the park. Sixty-two hectares of park space has been tastefully redesigned to accommodate the dynamic process

-ers.

Three playgrounds, restaurants, a new look out point constructed using the recycled walls of the old con-crete channel, and plenty of open green spaces complement the natural wonder of an ecologically restored river in the heartlands of the city. This is a place to take your shoes off, and get closer to water and nature!

Source: http://blogs.gsd.harvard.edu/

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CASE STUDY7Ljubljana, Slovenia (ljubljanica river regeneration)

Location: Ljubljana, SloveniaYear: 2011Area: 65,000 sqmCost: 20,100,000 €Prize: European Prize for Urban Public Space 2012

Ljubljanica River Regeneration is the great example shows how river could be used as pleasant and relax-ing space in the city centre of Ljubljana. Due to the very dense mediaeval city structure, the Ljubljanica river corridor was the most important open space in

20th century, it was also a place for bathing in the -

er high vertical concrete walls into human accept-able space for different uses of riverside. Though by

its initial recreational function, the streets, river sur-roundings were occupied by cars and public spac-es were used for parking.

However, after refurbishment of the banks through the regeneration project which was developed

earlier, lost role and function. Streets and bridges are given back to pedestrians. The renovation of pub-lic spaces around the river banks raises the city’s at-tractiveness as a touristic destination and enhances the living quality.

Source: http://ec.europa.eu/

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CASE STUDY7Seoul, Korea (Cheonggyecheon - Man made river)

Location: Cheonggyecheon stream, Seoul, South KoreaLength: 5.8 kmCost: US $280millionYear: 2000-2005

Seoul is one of the world’s largest cities and has a population of over 10 million people - 24.5 million in the larger metropolitan area. It is also one of the densest, with over 17,000 people per square kilometre. The Cheonggyecheon Restoration Project opens up a congested, overpopulated and polluted neighbourhood north of the Hangang River.

The project required the dismantling and demolition of an elevated highway, and the uncovering of the historic 5.8 km waterway that ran underneath. This was transformed into an ecologically sensitive green pedestrian corridor.

The restoration of the Cheonggyecheon stream became a vehicle for revitalisation, urban renewal

in Korean planning priorities. Whereas the decades after the Korean War (1950-1953) championed accelerated industrialisation and modernisation, there is now a different emphasis from both city authorities and residents on health, sustainability and social responsibility.

The Cheonggyecheon project followed these themes throughout. Despite its origins at a city scale within Seoul, it has become a template for planning intention and action across South Korea.

Source: http://www.lafoundation.org/http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/

Before and After

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Source: http://www.urbanisten.nl/wp/?portfolio=waterpleinen

CASE STUDY7Rotterdam (Watersquares)

Year: 2006-2010Location: Rotterdam, NL

The water square combines water storage with the improvement of the quality of urban public space. The watersquare can be understood as a twofold strategy. It makes money invested in water storage facilities visible and enjoyable. It also generates opportunities to create environmental quality and identity to central spaces in neighborhoods.

Most of the time the water square will be dry and in use as a recreational space. The exemplary design for the watersquare is divided into two main parts: a sports area and a hilly playground. The space is captured by a green frame of grass and trees. When heavy rains occur, rainwater that is collected from

of the square. When the rain continues, more and

into the square.

The rainwater will be held in the square until the water system in the city has enough capacity again. Then the water can run off to the nearest open water. The water square is therefore also a measure to improve the quality of the open water in urban environments. After it has been in use as buffering space, the water square is cleaned.

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Advisor: HWANG, Cheng Chun Patrick [email protected]

Team A Members:AU, Sin Man Sophia [email protected] (+852) 9244 8137ZHOU, Xiao Kitty [email protected] (+852) 6679 7576CHAN, Hok Leung Joe [email protected] (+852) 5647 0560

School of Architecture, The Chinese University of Hong Kong

Resilient City - Research Report

Documents

Vertical Cities Asia : CUHK Team A : Research Report