Transformation of Urban spaces!
Source: Architizer
With the trend of urbanization and with the call of developmental plans, urban spaces change spatially creating a room for extended expectations of modernization and progression for the betterment.
Improving the quality of existing urban places and shaping a new spectrum of opportunities by exploring the modernistic approach to planning and designing without failing to analyse the economic, societal and spatial conditions, along with constructing sound and safe disaster-resistant modern buildings or regenerating the existing ones sums up to the whole idea of transformation of urban spaces. The concept also looks into urban problems and the characteristics of the assigned area.
Source: pinterest.com
Public space and challenge of urban planning in cities increase day by day for the emerging economies, and in such a circumstance, public space planning becomes essential.
Urban space planning is a technical and political process that focusses on the development and design of land use and the built environment, including available sources and transportation.
Following points are considered as the three major existing trends in the transformation of urban space:
1. Fragmentation of urban fabric and deterioration of public space.
2. Privatization of public space.
3. Analysing the culture of public space.
Source: wordpress.com
The changing nature of public spaces demands repeated regeneration and transformation of places. Researches have shown that failure of urban space planning has led to economic fall and so we have witnessed effective actions taken by some of the governing bodies towards the same in the past years. And transformation of urban spaces still continue to be an active project.The changing nature of public spaces demands repeated regeneration and transformation, and the failure to do the same results in the fall of the economy. Of late governing bodies have been taking effective actions to curb the same but this is an active project that needs to morph as time passes
Below are the top five examples of recognized urban space transformation:
1. East 4th Street, Cleveland, OH, USA
Source:pps.org
This fully pedestrianized street is a key destination in Downtown Cleveland. With outdoor tables, chairs, other amenities and with a perfect mix of all restaurants, music, cafes, shop and various other activities bridges the street and local businesses facilitating a natural gathering of people.
2. Kibera, Nairobi, Kenya
Source: theconversation.com
It is one of the largest slums in the African continent, the Map Kibera Trust project progressed with the motive of sanitizing and building a safe space for people in the existing streets which also led to the creation of multifunctional public spaces and upgraded infrastructure. With this project, a pedestrian bridge was constructed making it easier for residents to travel outside of Kibera.
3. Northshore, Chattanooga, TN, USA
Source: fletcherbrighthomes.com
This midsize city has proven how a river can become a connection and platform for all activities and events. this progressive attitude of the city led to the upscaling of the economy and development in general.
4. Poblenou Superblock, Barcelona, Spain
Source: vox.com
The modernist city planners helped in making the concept of superblock creating flexible people-centric areas allowing the residents and visitors to enjoy the common areas as destinations in and around. With the growing concern of air and noise pollution, a reduction in speed limit was implemented, thereby reducing the adverse effect.
5. Rua Nova do Carvalho, Lisbon, Portugal
Source: pinterest.com
With the shutting down of many pre-existed establishments and opening of new cafes, restaurants and late-night haunts in 2011 with the most iconic element of makeover Rua Nova do Carvalho received its nickname "Pink Street" Along with this, pedestrian public space with additional lighting and art exhibits were added and accessibility to the place was also taken care. Although the place has transformed almost into a tourist spot, the governing bodies had made sure its availability to all kind of users.
Modernization of cities and transformation of public urban space into a lively and revenue-generating area has become an important part in making the city competitive and strong in the world front. With innovative ideas and intentions accompanied by great and effective planning with appropriate amenities and sources accounts to the successful transformation of urban spaces.