Analysis, planning and management of urban development is a complicated, complex, multi-aspect objective, which could be solved using modern scientific knowledge, technology and experience only. Meeting today challenges, adequate decisions must be taken, appropriate politics undertaken, various programs implemented. For this reason, comprehensive, objective information is required, prognoses must be structured, various decision variants must be analysed and discussed. All interested groups, seeking compromise among business, population and nature interests, must participate in decision-making process, important for the city. The aim of the dissertation is evaluation of urban sustainability and urban development in the future with the help of multi-attribute decision making methods.
Analysis, planning and management of urban development is a complicated, complex, multi-aspect objective, which could be solved using modern scientific knowledge, technology and experience only. Meeting today challenges, adequate decisions must be taken, appropriate politics undertaken, various programs implemented. For this reason, comprehensive, objective information is required, prognoses must be structured, various decision variants must be analysed and discussed. All interested groups, seeking compromise among business, population and nature interests, must participate in decision-making process, important for the city. The aim of the dissertation is evaluation of urban sustainability and urban development in the future with the help of multi-attribute decision making methods.
Crime has always been one of the major concerns of residents of many cities around the world. It is one of the fundamental threats faced at every level of society - individual, organizational, sub-national, national, international/global. The need to assure a high level of security for the city's inhabitants and visitors is one of the most important tasks of local government. It is clear that only a comprehensive strategy with different crime fighting methods can bring positive results. Although theories coming from social sciences dominate this field of research, the authors of the paper emphasize the role of other perspectives, especially those developed by urban planners. The second part of the paper describes the process and results of the empirical research conducted in Vilnius city which was aimed at identifying the most vulnerable to crime open public spaces of the city applying the space syntax theory. The analysis helped to identify several common tendencies and specific proposals for local governments aiming to achieve a higher level of security in their cities and a better quality of life for local population.
Crime has always been one of the major concerns of residents of many cities around the world. It is one of the fundamental threats faced at every level of society - individual, organizational, sub-national, national, international/global. The need to assure a high level of security for the city's inhabitants and visitors is one of the most important tasks of local government. It is clear that only a comprehensive strategy with different crime fighting methods can bring positive results. Although theories coming from social sciences dominate this field of research, the authors of the paper emphasize the role of other perspectives, especially those developed by urban planners. The second part of the paper describes the process and results of the empirical research conducted in Vilnius city which was aimed at identifying the most vulnerable to crime open public spaces of the city applying the space syntax theory. The analysis helped to identify several common tendencies and specific proposals for local governments aiming to achieve a higher level of security in their cities and a better quality of life for local population.
Crime has always been one of the major concerns of residents of many cities around the world. It is one of the fundamental threats faced at every level of society - individual, organizational, sub-national, national, international/global. The need to assure a high level of security for the city's inhabitants and visitors is one of the most important tasks of local government. It is clear that only a comprehensive strategy with different crime fighting methods can bring positive results. Although theories coming from social sciences dominate this field of research, the authors of the paper emphasize the role of other perspectives, especially those developed by urban planners. The second part of the paper describes the process and results of the empirical research conducted in Vilnius city which was aimed at identifying the most vulnerable to crime open public spaces of the city applying the space syntax theory. The analysis helped to identify several common tendencies and specific proposals for local governments aiming to achieve a higher level of security in their cities and a better quality of life for local population.
Crime has always been one of the major concerns of residents of many cities around the world. It is one of the fundamental threats faced at every level of society - individual, organizational, sub-national, national, international/global. The need to assure a high level of security for the city's inhabitants and visitors is one of the most important tasks of local government. It is clear that only a comprehensive strategy with different crime fighting methods can bring positive results. Although theories coming from social sciences dominate this field of research, the authors of the paper emphasize the role of other perspectives, especially those developed by urban planners. The second part of the paper describes the process and results of the empirical research conducted in Vilnius city which was aimed at identifying the most vulnerable to crime open public spaces of the city applying the space syntax theory. The analysis helped to identify several common tendencies and specific proposals for local governments aiming to achieve a higher level of security in their cities and a better quality of life for local population.
Success of city development depends not only on its political or economic power, level of infrastructure or favorable geographic location. The key factor of success is people living in the city and their ability to collectively and proactively respond to challenges that 21st century cities are facing. In democratic societies local communities of cities are the most important cells of their structure as they facilitate or impede a sustainable and balanced local development. Although the term of (urban) community vitality is becoming more popular in political agendas and academic research, still there is a lack of consistent and scientifically-based definition of this concept and its research methodology. This article justifies the relevance of the urban community vitality for city development, reviews interpretations of the content of this concept from different sciences perspective and proposes an interdisciplinary definition. This article presents the initial results of a broader research, which aim was to create a methodology for identification and analysis of vitality of urban communities.
Success of city development depends not only on its political or economic power, level of infrastructure or favorable geographic location. The key factor of success is people living in the city and their ability to collectively and proactively respond to challenges that 21st century cities are facing. In democratic societies local communities of cities are the most important cells of their structure as they facilitate or impede a sustainable and balanced local development. Although the term of (urban) community vitality is becoming more popular in political agendas and academic research, still there is a lack of consistent and scientifically-based definition of this concept and its research methodology. This article justifies the relevance of the urban community vitality for city development, reviews interpretations of the content of this concept from different sciences perspective and proposes an interdisciplinary definition. This article presents the initial results of a broader research, which aim was to create a methodology for identification and analysis of vitality of urban communities.
Success of city development depends not only on its political or economic power, level of infrastructure or favorable geographic location. The key factor of success is people living in the city and their ability to collectively and proactively respond to challenges that 21st century cities are facing. In democratic societies local communities of cities are the most important cells of their structure as they facilitate or impede a sustainable and balanced local development. Although the term of (urban) community vitality is becoming more popular in political agendas and academic research, still there is a lack of consistent and scientifically-based definition of this concept and its research methodology. This article justifies the relevance of the urban community vitality for city development, reviews interpretations of the content of this concept from different sciences perspective and proposes an interdisciplinary definition. This article presents the initial results of a broader research, which aim was to create a methodology for identification and analysis of vitality of urban communities.
Success of city development depends not only on its political or economic power, level of infrastructure or favorable geographic location. The key factor of success is people living in the city and their ability to collectively and proactively respond to challenges that 21st century cities are facing. In democratic societies local communities of cities are the most important cells of their structure as they facilitate or impede a sustainable and balanced local development. Although the term of (urban) community vitality is becoming more popular in political agendas and academic research, still there is a lack of consistent and scientifically-based definition of this concept and its research methodology. This article justifies the relevance of the urban community vitality for city development, reviews interpretations of the content of this concept from different sciences perspective and proposes an interdisciplinary definition. This article presents the initial results of a broader research, which aim was to create a methodology for identification and analysis of vitality of urban communities.
The object of this thesis is bottom-up strategy for culture-led urban development process and policy. The goal of this thesis is to examine the notion and practice of creative placemaking as a method bottom-up strategy for culture-led urban development and to discuss the possibility of incorporation of creative placemaking principles into urban development policy implementation. The methodology of the research includes review of interdisciplinary literature, development of a conceptual framework that defines the practice and concept of placemaking. This framework is applied into an empirical research: a content analysis of official statements, articles and documents of biggest placemaking organizations; a case study of selected placemaking initiatives, and suggestions for incorporation of placemaking principles into implementation of urban development policy. The research concludes on complexity of concepts and notions of culture and development in regard to urban policy as unvisitable condition in the context of volatile and fluid relationships that characterize the field. In this regard, the main principles that creative placemaking follows, make it a valuable method for bottom-up culture-led urban development. These principles include participation, communication, activation of local community, reinvention of tools and mechanism. The controversy of the notion of placemaking is presented as a characteristic of intersectoral field that is function within. Theoretical and empirical discussions, done in this thesis, open a possibility to talk about creative placemaking, as a process and movement with its own political agenda, presenting new modes of production, communication and cooperation
The object of this thesis is bottom-up strategy for culture-led urban development process and policy. The goal of this thesis is to examine the notion and practice of creative placemaking as a method bottom-up strategy for culture-led urban development and to discuss the possibility of incorporation of creative placemaking principles into urban development policy implementation. The methodology of the research includes review of interdisciplinary literature, development of a conceptual framework that defines the practice and concept of placemaking. This framework is applied into an empirical research: a content analysis of official statements, articles and documents of biggest placemaking organizations; a case study of selected placemaking initiatives, and suggestions for incorporation of placemaking principles into implementation of urban development policy. The research concludes on complexity of concepts and notions of culture and development in regard to urban policy as unvisitable condition in the context of volatile and fluid relationships that characterize the field. In this regard, the main principles that creative placemaking follows, make it a valuable method for bottom-up culture-led urban development. These principles include participation, communication, activation of local community, reinvention of tools and mechanism. The controversy of the notion of placemaking is presented as a characteristic of intersectoral field that is function within. Theoretical and empirical discussions, done in this thesis, open a possibility to talk about creative placemaking, as a process and movement with its own political agenda, presenting new modes of production, communication and cooperation
The dissertation deals with main problems of the justification of urban transport systems infrastructure development solving methodological issues of preparation, selection and implementation of projects. These issues are relevant for the implementation of sustainable urban development strategy of Lithuania as a member state of the European Union. The main aim of the Research is to develop a theoretical model for the justification of urban transport systems infrastructure development by adapting the model for the identification of priorities and practical execution of construction or reconstruction projects. The following tasks have been set for implementation of the objective of the Research: to analyse the objects of the current urban transport infrastructure and their role in sustainable urban development, to define the trends for their development; to analyse the principles for justification of transport infrastructure development projects; to carry out the analysis of the assessment methods applied during the processes of justification; to develop a theoretical project justification model by defining social – economic and other characteristic assessment criteria and aspects; to test theoretical performance of the developed model through the assessment of the selected and implemented urban transport infrastructure development projects in Lithuania. The dissertation consists of Introduction, 4 chapters, Conclusions, References and 6 Annexes. The Introduction reveals the investigated problem and topicality of the problem, object of the Research is introduced, aim and tasks of the Research are formulated. Methodology of the Research, scientific novelty, practical value and defended statements are introduced. The First chapter deals with the analysis of scientific literature: the identification of concept of transport systems infrastructure of urbanized and non-urbanized territories; their modern development tendencies. The Second chapter presents the methodology of the Research: accomplished analysis of justification process of urban transport infra-structure development. The Third chapter deals with the theoretical investigation: the definition of justification process, assumptions and prepa-ration of the model. The Fourth chapter deals with principles and practical guidelines for the justification of Lithuanian urban transport systems infrastructure development and with test results of theoretical performance of the model. 15 papers focusing on the subject of the discussed disertation are published: 3 papers in the register of international data bases (1 of them – in Thomson ISI Web of Science, 2 of them – VINITI; Scopus; Elsevier), 11 papers in material reviewed during international conferences (1 of them – in Thomson ISI Proceedings), 1 paper – during national conference. 10 presentations on the subject have been given in national and international conferences.
The dissertation deals with main problems of the justification of urban transport systems infrastructure development solving methodological issues of preparation, selection and implementation of projects. These issues are relevant for the implementation of sustainable urban development strategy of Lithuania as a member state of the European Union. The main aim of the Research is to develop a theoretical model for the justification of urban transport systems infrastructure development by adapting the model for the identification of priorities and practical execution of construction or reconstruction projects. The following tasks have been set for implementation of the objective of the Research: to analyse the objects of the current urban transport infrastructure and their role in sustainable urban development, to define the trends for their development; to analyse the principles for justification of transport infrastructure development projects; to carry out the analysis of the assessment methods applied during the processes of justification; to develop a theoretical project justification model by defining social – economic and other characteristic assessment criteria and aspects; to test theoretical performance of the developed model through the assessment of the selected and implemented urban transport infrastructure development projects in Lithuania. The dissertation consists of Introduction, 4 chapters, Conclusions, References and 6 Annexes. The Introduction reveals the investigated problem and topicality of the problem, object of the Research is introduced, aim and tasks of the Research are formulated. Methodology of the Research, scientific novelty, practical value and defended statements are introduced. The First chapter deals with the analysis of scientific literature: the identification of concept of transport systems infrastructure of urbanized and non-urbanized territories; their modern development tendencies. The Second chapter presents the methodology of the Research: accomplished analysis of justification process of urban transport infra-structure development. The Third chapter deals with the theoretical investigation: the definition of justification process, assumptions and prepa-ration of the model. The Fourth chapter deals with principles and practical guidelines for the justification of Lithuanian urban transport systems infrastructure development and with test results of theoretical performance of the model. 15 papers focusing on the subject of the discussed disertation are published: 3 papers in the register of international data bases (1 of them – in Thomson ISI Web of Science, 2 of them – VINITI; Scopus; Elsevier), 11 papers in material reviewed during international conferences (1 of them – in Thomson ISI Proceedings), 1 paper – during national conference. 10 presentations on the subject have been given in national and international conferences.
30 years after the Independence and 96 % of Lithuanian people in the five major cities are living in apartment-buildings, while more than 60 % of all Lithuanian population overall are residing in houses built during Modernist planning period. "Airy visions of towers rising out of vast expanses of grass and greenery" borrowed from Le Corbusier theory, proved to be flawed due to a lack of humanity (over-scaled, unidentifiable urban elements, ignorance to natural human life-cycle, psychology and social needs) and fragmented urban structure (segregation of different functions and physical separation of urban elements, such as neighbourhoods and districts), by everyday usage of Modernist urban neighbourhoods. Fast, but low-quality constructions of Soviet period, accompanied with a lack of sophistication and consciousness in later urban planning, and overall national politics of a young independent country after the fall of Soviet Union, stopped Modernist urban neighbourhoods from further development. Urban developers and citizens preferred downtowns or even suburbs, while neglecting these vast middle zones. This master thesis analyses possibilities of urban developments in these neighbourhoods that would ensure attractiveness of these urban element to nowadays citizens and that would impact them with long-term self-evolution. New Urbanism evolved as a direct contraposition to Modernist urban planning, appreciating traditional urban living style and suggesting essential principles of urban development oriented to a human. Urban networks, on the other hand, recognize city as a multi-layered system of social, cultural and economic facets, intertwined together in a physical space. These two concepts together are able to convey a fundamental ideological perception, systematisation and complexity for spatial urban solutions, thus, are chosen as leading theories for problem solving. This thesis consists of three main parts: the theoretical and the empirical researches, and the experimental design project. The theoretical part analyses problems of Modernist planning, tries to deconstruct the city to its primal elements and looks for urban design tools in literature and relevant cases, finishing the research with the hypothetical model of a liveable urban neighbourhood. The empirical part takes advantage from Sociotope mapping and various Space syntax methods, while looking for the answers, what are the values and flaws of the particular urban places, and why some of these places are liked, while other are forgotten by the residing people. The empirical research is concluded with the conceptual model of the revitalisation of Modernist urban neighbourhoods. The experimental project suggests the design strategy and tools for reaching the objective of the thesis, and presents their practical application in the urban fabric. Finally, the project is validated by application of the patterns by Ch. Alexander et al. that were selected in the theoretical research as the practical tools, ensuring the vitality of an urban neighbourhood, and by repeatedly modelled Space syntax analyses for pedestrian movement in the re-developed urban area. Both of these approaches of the evaluation confirm that that the project is successful, as the re-developed area of the Modernist urban neighbourhood gains the complexity of overlaid urban networks and becomes a well-reachable place of pedestrian attraction.
