Suchergebnisse

The StreetSpace project was devised to encourage architecture students to have a better understanding of the value of mixed streets. The project has evolved into an interdisciplinary and international venture that explores mixed streets and involves academics, students, practitioners and civil servants. The StreetSpace studio acts as a catalyst and testing ground for new approaches to the analysis of mixed streets. Local mixed streets are complex, valuable and dynamic places. They were conceived gradually, and are lived and perceived in a great variety of ways by a broad variety of people. They have a mix of uses, activities, building types and sizes, and a series of shared identities and memories. Even though this complexity has been addressed by scholars in geography, planning and urban design ((Hubbard 2017, Carmona 2015, Vaughan 2015, Griffiths et al. 2008, Gehl 2008, Appleyard 1977) the overlap between anthropology and architecture of mixed streets has been largely neglected. Therefore this project explores ways of understanding these streets through drawing to reveal their mundane and everyday qualities. It may be no surprise to anthropologists that most architects' understanding of a sense of place is rather limited compared to other disciplines who study the built environment. Architects tend to naturally focus on the physical characteristics of a place and there are many methods and techniques that are well tested and used in schools of architecture in something called 'site analysis'. This normally includes scale drawings in plan and section of immediately adjacent areas to an assigned site, and in better cases includes studies of sunlight, climate, materials, wider built environment and historic structures. This limited approach tends to avoid any discussion of the complexity of the types of people that inhabit an existing space or a new one to be designed. Moreover, it avoids any economic, social or political discussion of what defines a place. This limited approach leads to generic design proposals, with briefs that do not fully respond to the needs of a place and its people. These shortcomings in architectural education have been explored by Salama (2007), Till (2009), Teymur (2007), Salingaros (2008) and Glendinning (2010) among others, and they all agree that something needs to be done in architectural education to overcome such approaches. However, despite the limited nature of generic architectural site analysis, architects' ability to represent ideas and spaces into two dimensional surfaces is very developed and rather unique. This opens up the possibility of new interdisciplinary approaches to the analysis of a place by architects and architecture students.

The Gentle Densities report aims to investigate the potential of delivering mixed use and mixed tenure housing in Belfast through mid density interventions. In this report we explore the unsustainable nature of private high rise/high density proposals and public low rise current and future sprawl. We therefore propose an alternative model of mid density that could be more environmentally and socially sustainable by reducing travel distances and concentrating services close to housing areas through mixed use. Firstly, this short report defines the concepts of gentle density, mixed use, mixed tenure and public participation that can inform local housing policy. Secondly, it investigates a series of international models of gentle density housing that includes mixed tenure and mixed use, designed and delivered with some level of participatory processes. We explore precedents in the form of three European urban plot and block models and 14 case studies of current mixed use and mixed tenure housing with gentle density. These examples are models of the potential density that could be reached in Belfast City centre and inner city, while maintaining a socio-economic mix and fostering an inclusive and accessible urban development. Finally, the report proposes a series of public land locations in which these models could be developed in Belfast. This project is funded by the Department for Communities Housing and Regeneration divisions and by the Queen's Engaged Research seed fund. This report was conducted by Dr Agustina Martire, principal investigator and Anna Skoura, research assistant. It was developed with the collaboration of KOTO design and students of the StreetSpace studio in the Masters in Architecture (MArch) at Queen's University Belfast. The StreetSpace studio works in collaboration with Participation and the Practice of Rights (PPR) and other local non government organisations who advocate for inclusive and just urban development. This report is meant to start a conversation about density in Northern Ireland. To properly test these models in Northern Irish cities, significant partnerships and funding must follow up as a pathway for a sustainable future of housing in NI.

Active travel infrastructure in Belfast lags behind most European cities. This problem has been highlighted by academics, administrators and politicians. Despite the recent change in discourse in politics and the media, due to the climate breakdown, pollution and road safety, there has been virtually no change in the infrastructure that supports car dependency in Belfast. Only 25% of people walk to work, while only 2% cycle; 19% of primary school kids walk to school, while only 1% cycle; 17% of kids walk to post primary schools while none of them cycle. These are not just numbers. They reflect a way of life that hinders the health and wellbeing of people across our city. While we believe that the Department for Infrastructure should be championing the transformation of modes of transport to favour active travel, we understand that this needs to be supported by research. We also believe that this needs to be done one road at a time, to build a network that will be effective and safe to foster the change in travel modes in Belfast. Our team spent close to one year in a research and engagement exercise to measure travel modes in Botanic Avenue and to assess the difference between perceptions of cycling, walking and driving among local residents, visitors, businesses and organisations. Echoing similar research carried out around the world, we observed that that while local businesses believe that about 70% of their visitors arrive by private car, only 20% actually do so, while all others arrive by foot, bike and public transport. We also found that there are on average approximately ten times more pedestrians passing through the Botanic Avenue area than cars parked on the street. Moreover, there is an overwhelming majority of respondents surveyed that want a transformation of Botanic Avenue in terms of walking, sitting and dining space. This report presents the results of this research, and points to a recommended way ahead. Other research projects at Queen's are investigating the reasons behind car dependency in Belfast, while the Minister for Infrastructure announces 'car free' Sundays. The next natural step will be for the Department for Infrastructure to implement a trial cycle lane in Botanic Avenue. This will allow us to continue the a collaborative research project by engaging with stakeholders to assess their reactions to the changes in infrastructure. We believe that this joint approach would bring a better, healthier, more liveable, accessible and inclusive Botanic Avenue for the future.

What happens when versions of the past become silenced, suppressed, or privileged due to urban restructuring? In what ways are the interpretations and performances of 'the past' linked to urban gentrification, marginalization, displacement, and social responses? Authors explore a variety of attempts to interrupt and interrogate urban restructuring, and to imagine alternative forms of urban organization, produced by diverse coalitions of resisting groups and individuals. Armed with historical narratives, oral histories, objects, physical built environment, memorials, and intangible aspects of heritage that include traditions, local knowledge and experiences, memories, authors challenge the 'devaluation' of their neighborhoods in official heritage and development narratives