Patternbook for the happy city

PATTERNBOOK

FOR

THE HAPPY CITY

Jesse Dobbelsteen 4385055

CONTENT HEALTH 4

H.1 - Island of playing H.2 - Network of playing H.3 - Change of polluted ground H.4 - Slow driving H.5 - Walking motivators

CONTROL 9

C.1 - Dynamic elements C.2 - Identity network control C.3 - Control of identity C.4 - Public vs private C.5 - Social control

LEGIBILITY 14

L.1 - Archeology L.2 - Cognitive affordances L.3 - Identity forms neighbourhood L.4 - Landmarks L.5 - Node of the crossing

SAFETY 19

S.1 - Activity generators

S.2 - Clustering programme S.3 - Eyes on the street S.4 - Lighting S.5 - Organic city

PATTERN MATRIX 24

SYMBOLS

ENVIRONMENTAL

SOCIAL

PHYSICAL

NETWORKS

NEIGHBOURHOOD

SQUARE (HARD)

SQUARE (SOFT)

STREET (PRIMARY)

STREET (SECONDARY)

STREET (NEIGHBOURHOOD)

BUILDING

SUBSTRATUM

The pattern book consists of four categories of patterns: Health, Control, Legibility and safety.

Each category contains five patterns that are related to that theme. The patterns are formed through literature studies, research by design and GIS research. Because the focus of the design project lies on the children most of the patterns also comply with this target group.

Symbols are developed to clarify the patterns and to make an easy connection between them.

The three main symbols stand for environmental, social or physical patterns. This tells to what main group the pattern belongs. The sub symbols representing the smaller categories of the patterns. For example if it is a network or to define the scale of the pattern. These symbols can be found at the top of each pattern. Each pattern also has a GIS map which substantiates the idea behind the pattern. At the end of this pattern book you can find a pattern matrix which contains all the patterns of this book. Here you can see how (and if) they relate to each other.

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H.1 - ISLAND OF PLAYING WHEN CHILDREN HAVE A SAFE PLACE TO PLAY IN THE STREET, THE STREET BECOMES MORE LIVELY AND SAFE FOR THE CHILDREN. THEREFORE INCREASING THE HAPPYNESS.

KEYWORDS: STREET, CHILDREN, PARKING THEORETICAL BACKGROUND: This pattern formed through research by design and is a result of different scenarios for the re-design of a street.

PRACTICAL IMPLICATION: Parking lots can be clustered together creating more space between them. This space can be used as space to stay or play. In this way small islands are created for the residents in the street.

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CHILDUNFRIENDLY AREAS AND PAVED STREETS 1:20000

VISUAL

Img. 1: Give room to the children for playing.

Img. 2: Section of an island for playing.

H.2 - NETWORK OF PLAYING HYPOTHESIS: BY CREATING A SAFE NETWORK BETWEEN THE PLAYGROUNDS, CHILDREND GET THE OPPORTUNITY TO MOVE THROUGH THE NEIGHBOURHOOD WITHOUT HELP OF THEIR PARENTS

KEYWORDS: CHILDREN, SAFETY, STREET THEORETICAL BACKGROUND: In the document of UNICEF, Child friendly cities they state the basic children rights. One of them is for children to have places to play and having a safe route to them. Lia Karsten also supports this idea in her book “De nieuwe generatie stadskinderen” (2016).

PRACTICAL IMPLICATION: Make a network of child friendly playgrounds connected by streets that have enough place for pedestrians and where the children can walk by themselves.

CHILDUNFRIENDLY AREAS AND PAVED STREETS 1:20000

VISUAL

Img. 3: Create a network of safe routes between playgrounds for children.

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Img. 4: A street lay-out of the safe route should be 2/3 for slow traffic and 1/3 for the car.

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H.3 - CHANGE OF POLLUTED GROUND HYPOTHESIS: CLEAN SOIL CONTRIBUTES TO THE OVERAL HEALTH OF THE PEOPLE. POLLUTED SOIL LIMITS DEVELOPMENTS IN THE PUBLIC SPACE.

KEYWORDS: SOIL, ENVIRONMENT, MOVING THEORETICAL BACKGROUND: By analysing the GIS date of the subsurface and looking at the soil quality it is clear that the soil is very polluted. A way to deal with this is to remove the top layer and fill it with clean sand.

PRACTICAL IMPLICATION:

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When the bad soil is removed, it can be filled up with clean soil. The bad soil can be moved to an industrial place or a place outside the city where it will be cleaned through time. In the meanwhile clean soil can be placed in the area of development. When the contaminated soil is cleaned it can be used for other developments.

SOIL 0 - 1 METER 1:20000

VISUAL

Img. 5: Illustration how to move the soil to create clean soil.

Img. 6: Illustration how to move the soil to create clean soil.

H.4 - SLOW DRIVING HYPOTHESIS: PEOPLE FEEL SAFER WITH LESS TRAFFIC. CHILDREN FEEL MORE HAPPY WHEN THEY CAN PLAY OUTSIDE IN A SAFE ENVIRONMENT.

KEYWORDS: CAR, STREET, NEIGHBOURHOOD THEORETICAL BACKGROUND: In the book ‘Happy city’ Charles Montegomery tells about how people become happy in the city. The overall happiness of the residents increases when there are car free zones that make the street child friendly. When children play in the public space people become happy which has a positive effect on the mental health.

PRACTICAL IMPLICATION: Implement the ‘woonerf’ concept to the neighbourhoods that are child unfriendly. In this way the car has a submissive role in the space. By implementing natural elements the cars don’t have a straight path anymore and can’t drive fast through the street.

CHILD UNFRIENDLY AREAS AND PAVED STREETS 1:20000

VISUAL

Img. 7: Element to influence the speed of the car.

Img. 8: Woonerf in Delft

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H.5 - WALKING MOTIVATORS HYPOTHESIS: IF A CERTAIN ROUTE FACILITATES WALKING, PEOPLE WILL GET MOTIVATED TO USE THIS ROUTE

KEYWORDS: WALKING, NETWORK THEORETICAL BACKGROUND: Lee and Moudon mention in the book “Neighbourhood design and physical activity” three main facilitators of walking and cycling in neighbourhood. These are trees, benches and good lighting.

PRACTICAL IMPLICATION: By adding trees, benches and good lighting to important walking routes you can motivate people to take that specific route. In this way you can design a public space which accommodate to the needs of the people that are walking.

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AMOUNT OF TIME SPENT 1:20000

VISUAL

Img. 9: Pedestrian mall in Charlottesville, the three elements are clearly present in the public space. (behbg.com)

Img. 10: The three main facilitators for pedestrians: Trees, benches and good lighting.

C.1 - DYNAMIC ELEMENTS HYPOTHESIS: BY PLACING DYNAMIC ELEMENTS IN THE PUBLIC SPACE PEOPLE WILL GET THE FEELING THAT THEY ARE MORE IN CONTROL OF THE SPACE AND SHAPE IT TO THEIR BELONGINGS.

KEYWORDS: CONTROL, DYNAMIC, SMALL SCALE THEORETICAL BACKGROUND:

PRACTICAL IMPLICATION: In the public space and on the playgrounds, dynamic elements can be places which can used in different ways. Moveable objects that can be put together to create different forms.

PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT 1:20000

VISUAL

Img. 12: One block can have multiple forms.

Img. 11: One block can have multiple forms.

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C.2 - NETWORK OF STORIES HYPOTHESIS: BY CREATING A NETWORK OF STORIES CHILDREN WILL USE THEIR IMAGINATION AND USE THESE ROUTES QUICKER. THE NARRATIVES ARE BASED ON THE IDENTITY AND HISTORY OF THAT SPECIFIC PLACE.

KEYWORDS: NETWORK, NARRATIVE, IDENTITY THEORETICAL BACKGROUND:

PRACTICAL IMPLICATION: Connect the playgrounds together with recognizable elements implicating certain narratives. Make these routes child friendly public spaces so that they can safely move from one to another place.

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ARCHEOLOGICAL MAP 1:20000

VISUAL

Img. 14: Give a theme to the route between different nodes.

Img. 13: Transform daily objects to something new and playfull.

C.3 - CONTROL OF IDENTITY HYPOTHESIS: BY LINKING AN IDENTITY TO A PLAYGROUND CHILDREN ARE MORE LIKELY TO PLAY HERE BECAUSE THE PLAYGROUND DOESN’T LOOK LIKE ALL THE OTHERS. THEY CAN CREATE THEIR OWN NARRATIVE.

KEYWORDS: IDENTITY, CHILDREN, SQUARE THEORETICAL BACKGROUND: “People should feel that some part of the environment belongs to them, individually and collectively, some part for which they care and are responsible, whether they own it or not. (...) it should increase people‘s sense of identity and rootedness.” (Towards an urban design manifesto, 1982) PRACTICAL IMPLICATION:

Playgrounds should be focussing on creating an identity connected to the place. For example a playground in a wet area can be transformed to a water square that fills when there is to much rainwater in the area. But also history can be represented in the playgrounds.

MAP OF AREA 1:20000

VISUAL

Img. 16: Focus on a certain identity for the neighbourhood and enhance that.

Img. 15: Example of a neighbourhood with the identity water. Watersquare in Tiel by the Urbanisten.

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C.4 - PUBLIC VS PRIVATE HYPOTHESIS: BY ALLOWING PEOPLE TO PUT OWN ELEMENTS TO THEIR FACADES THEY ARE MORE LIKELY TO USE THAT SPACE. THIS RESULTS IN A MORE SOCIAL CONTROLLED PUBLIC SPACE.

KEYWORDS: CONTROL, FRONT DOOR, PUBLIC SPACE THEORETICAL BACKGROUND: In the book “De Stoep” from Eric van Ulden, Daniel Heussen and Sander van der Ham they talk about the transition zone between the public and private space and how people can control this small area.

PRACTICAL IMPLICATION:

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With small markings you can indicate that the space can be used differently. By changing the colour of the pavement or just with a small line of different bricks you can show that it is a different space. People will make this space their own by adding furniture of plants. This creates places to stay and sit which results in more social control.

MAP OF QUALITY OF PUBLIC SPACE 1:20000

VISUAL

Img. 18: Add elements the the facade which is then controlled by the residents.

Img. 17: Add elements the the facade which is then controlled by the residents resulting in an increase of social control in the public space. (elsevier) >

C.5 - SOCIAL CONTROL HYPOTHESIS: TO GET MORE SOCIAL CONTROL ON A PLACE, FRONT SIDES OF DWELLINGS HAVE TO FACE THE SPACE.

KEYWORDS: SOCIAL CONTROL, SQUARE, PUBLIC SPACE THEORETICAL BACKGROUND: Jane Jacobs says in her book “the death and life of great American cities” that people on the streets have to be visible from the houses surrounding the space.

This creates a safe environment and let people have a feeling of control over the space.

PRACTICAL IMPLICATION: When new playgrounds are built be aware of the context. Pay attention if there are enough front sides towards the playground. Or else the space won’t be used as often.

TIME THAT PEOPLE STAY IN A PLACE 1:20000

VISUAL

Img. 19: Social control on a small street, Simon Stevinstraat in Utrecht. (Google Streetview)

Img. 20: Playgrounds should always face the front of houses to increase the social control of the place.

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L.1 - ARCHEOLOGY HYPOTHESIS: BY SHOWING THE HISTORY OF A CERTAIN PLACE IN THE PUBLIC SPACE PEOPLE WILL LINK THAT PLACE TO A CERTAIN EVENT. THIS RESULTS IN A MORE LEGIBLE SPACE.

KEYWORDS: PUBLIC SPACE, HISTORY, LEGIBILITY THEORETICAL BACKGROUND:

PRACTICAL IMPLICATION: History can be shown in a broad variety in the public space. By researching that area trough history, certain narratives can evolve that are linked to that specific place. When these narratives are made visible for the user the space becomes more legible.

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ARCHEOLOGY MAP 1:20000

VISUAL

Img. 22: Archeological elements from the subsurface can be used in the public space to create identity.

Img. 21: Part of a church in Leiden, the old wall is used to seperate the square in two parts.

L.2 - COGNITIVE AFFORDANCES HYPOTHESIS: WHEN CHILDREN GROW UP IN A GREEN AREA THEY ARE MORE LIKELY TO RESPECT NATURE IN A LATER STADIUM OF THEIR LIVES.

KEYWORDS: SOCIAL CONTROL, SQUARE, PUBLIC SPACE THEORETICAL BACKGROUND: In the “Journal of Urban Design” Giusti, Barthel, and Marcus write about cognitive affordances. Children with poor nature routines because of the spatial configuration of their preschool’s surroundings have developed significantly lower emotional and cognitive appreciation of the bond between humankind and nature. (Marcus, 2016) PRACTICAL IMPLICATION: By adding more green in the area where children live you can influence the bond between humankind and nature.

PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT 1:20000

VISUAL

Img. 23: Two different layouts of neighbourhoods. One is green and the other has little green. The children in the green neighbourhood think more about nature than the children in the neighbourhood with little green.

Img. 24: Unstructured time spent outdoors has multiple benefits for children.

(Warren McLaren)

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L.3 - IDENTITY FORMS NEIGHBOURHOOD HYPOTHESIS: BY SHOWING THE HISTORY OF A CERTAIN PLACE IN THE PUBLIC SPACE PEOPLE WILL LINK THAT PLACE TO A CERTAIN EVENT. THIS RESULTS IN A MORE LEGIBLE SPACE.

KEYWORDS: PUBLIC SPACE, HISTORY, LEGIBILITY THEORETICAL BACKGROUND: In “Image of the City” Kevin Lynch says that to remember a certain place it has to have an identity. “A workable image requires first the identification of an object, which implies its distinction from other things, its recognition as a separable entity.” (Lynch, 1959) PRACTICAL IMPLICATION: Identity can be defined by historical research or by asking the residents how they feel about the neighbourhood. Then this idea can be strengthened to create a clear identity.

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MAP OF NEIGHBOURHOODS 1:20000

VISUAL

Img. 25: Neighbourhoods can be recognized and devided by their identity

L.4 - LANDMARKS HYPOTHESIS: TO GET MORE SOCIAL CONTROL ON A PLACE, FRONT SIDES OF DWELLINGS HAVE TO FACE THE SPACE.

KEYWORDS: RECOGNITION, IMAGE OF THE CITY THEORETICAL BACKGROUND: Kevin Lynch writes about landmarks in the built environment. In “Image of the City” he says that in the process of way-finding, the strategic link is the environmental image. A certain object can strengthen the way a person recognizes the area.

PRACTICAL IMPLICATION: By adding certain landmarks/ key points in the area people can understand the space better and won’t get lost in the neighbourhood. But the amount of landmarks should be limited or else the desired effect won’t be accomplished. Schools and playgrounds can be designed to create a landmark.

PLAYGROUNDS AND SCHOOLS 1:20000

VISUAL

Img. 26: A famous landmark in Rotterdam, The Erasmusbrug, is also a point of recognition of where you are in the area. (Metro nieuws)

Img. 27: A landmark causes recognition in a certain area. In this way the image of the city can be remembered.

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L.5 - NODE OF THE CROSSING HYPOTHESIS: IF TWO IMPORTANT ROUTES CROSS, THE INTERSECTION OF THESE ROUTES CAN FORM A LEGIBLE SPACE.

KEYWORDS: CROSSING, NODE, ROUTE THEORETICAL BACKGROUND: Kevin Lynch says that the junction, or a place of a break in transportation, has compelling importance for the city observer. Because decisions must be made at junctions. People heighten their attention at such places and perceive nearby elements with more than normal clarity.

PRACTICAL IMPLICATION: Look where the important routes lie and design the intersection of those routes. Also in a new design these crossings must be taken into account.

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MAP OF SOUND AND MOST BUSY STREETS 1:20000

VISUAL

Img. 28: The crossing of two important routes should be designed that it is a place where something can happen.

Img. 29: Drawing of parc de la Villette, on the crossing of different routes a folly is placed indicating that it is a crossing of two important routes.

S.1 - ACTIVITY GENERATORS HYPOTHESIS: ACTIVITY GENERATORS CAUSES MORE LIFE ON THE STREETS AND THEREFORE INCREASE THE SOCIAL CONTROL IN AN AREA RESULTING IN A SAFER SPACE.

KEYWORDS: SOCIAL CONTROL, SAFETY THEORETICAL BACKGROUND: “Activity generators are uses or facilities that attract people, create activities and add life to the street or space and thus help reduce the opportunities for crime” (CPTED Guidebook) PRACTICAL IMPLICATION: Activity generators should be encouraged at route intersections to create higher visibility. This results in an active public space.

TIME THAT PEOPLE STAY IN A PLACE 1:20000

VISUAL

Img. 30: Open space within the central business district can be used for various activities. (CPTED guidebook)

Img. 31: An activity generator an a corner of a section can improve the safety of the environment.

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S.2 - CLUSTERING PROGRAMME HYPOTHESIS: BY CLUSTERING PROGRAMME MORE ACTIVITY WILL OCCUR AND THUS NATURAL SURVEILLANCE WILL INCREASE.

KEYWORDS: CLUSTERING, SAFETY, ACTIVITY THEORETICAL BACKGROUND: “To increase use and natural surveillance, activity areas may be clustered or programmed for a range of activities.” (CPTED Guidebook)

PRACTICAL IMPLICATION: Small scale clustering can provide helpful for the overall activity and safety of the area. By clustering programme people are coming to that area and creating eyes on the streets.

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SAFETY MAP 1:20000

VISUAL

Img. 32: Community garden provides a clustering of functions and activity

Img. 33: Cluster programme to create safe areas.

S.3 - EYES ON THE STREET HYPOTHESIS: WHEN THERE ARE MORE EYES ON THE STREET, PEOPLE ARE LESS LIKELY TO PERFORM ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES.

KEYWORDS: SOCIAL CONTROL, SAFETY, SELF-POLICING THEORETICAL BACKGROUND: When you show that people are observing the streets, criminals are less likely to do illegal activities. (Jane Jacobs)

PRACTICAL IMPLICATION: Try to design the facade of buildings in a way that there are eyes on the street, or at least that people have a feeling of being watched. In that way criminal activities stay at a minimum.

SAFETY MAP 1:20000

VISUAL

Img. 34: Social control on a small street, Simon Stevinstraat in Utrecht. (Google Streetview)

Img. 35: When you create eyes on the street a space becomes safer.

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S.4 - LIGHTING HYPOTHESIS: IF AN AREA IS WELL LIT PEOPLE ARE LESS LIKELY TO ENGAGE IN CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES IN THE FEAR TO BE CAUGHT.

KEYWORDS: SAFETY, LIGHTING, EYES ON THE STREET THEORETICAL BACKGROUND: Where regular street lighting is not illuminating the walkways, lighting at pedestrian scale should be provided for the well-travelled walkways. (CPTED Guidebook) PRACTICAL IMPLICATION: A clear demarcation in terms of lighting levels should be introduced to differentiate areas that are not likely to be used at night from areas where there is likely to have activities.

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SAFETY MAP 1:20000

VISUAL

Img. 36: Lighting functions as an important element for people to feel safe.

Img. 37: A way of good lighting of the pedestrian route.

S.5 - ORGANIC CITY HYPOTHESIS: BY CREATING AN ORGANIC CITY DESIGN PEOPLE ARE MORE LIKELY TO PERFORM A SELF-POLICING ROLE IN THE NEIGHBOURHOOD.

KEYWORDS: SELF-POLICING, ORGANIC CITY, EYES ON THE STREET THEORETICAL BACKGROUND: Jane Jacobs says in “The death and life of great American cities” that more organic city designs would help develop a social framework needed for effective self-policing.

PRACTICAL IMPLICATION: The bottom-up is a good tool to create and develop the organic growth of a city/ neighbourhood. By working together with the people the city forms as the “crowd” wants it to form.

MAP OF THE PROJECT AREA 1:20000

VISUAL

Img. 38: Co-creation with people of different age and origin. (Spacevalue)

Img. 39: A city can grow organicly and motivate people towards self-policing

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City

PATTERN MATRIX

Neighbourhood

L.1 - Archeology

H.5 - Walking motivators

H.3 - Change of pollute

S

S.4 - Lighting H.4 - Slow driving

Street

24

SCALE

L.4 -

H.1 - Island of playing

Concrete

C.4 - Public vs priva

The pattern matrix show the relation between the patterns. The colours representing one of the categories such as health, control, legibility or safety. These relations can be used during the design process to make the design stronger. If for example the pattern

about landmarks is used, it can be linked with archeology or an activity generator. In this way you can expand or strengthen your design.

H.2 - Network of playing C.2 - Network of stories

- Landmarks

S.5 - Organic city

L.5 - Node of the crossing

ed ground

L.2 - Cognitive affordances C.5 - Social control

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C.3 - Control of identity L.3 - Identity forms neighbourhood

S.2 - Clustering programme

ate

S.3 - Eyes on the street C.1 - Dynamic elements S.1 - Activity generators

Abstract

SOURCES

Literature Appleyard, D., & Jacobs, Allan B. (1982). Toward an urban design manifesto. Berkeley: Institute of Urban & Regional Development, University of California.

Jacobs, J. (1992). The death and life of great American cities. New York: Vintage Books.

Karsten, L., Felder, N., & Brinkman, E. (2016). De nieuwe generatie stadskinderen: Ruimte maken voor opgroeien. Rotterdam: nai010 uitgevers.

Lee, C., & Moudon, A. V. (January 01, 2008). Neighbourhood design and physical activity. Building Research &; Information, 36, 5, 395-411.

Lynch, K. (1960). The image of the city. Cambridge, Mass: MIT Press.

Marcus, L., Giusti, M., & Barthel, S. (April 06, 2016). Cognitive affordances in sustainable urbanism: contributions of space syntax and spatial cognition. Journal of Urban Design, 21, 4, 439-452.

Montgomery, C. (2013). Happy city: Transforming our lives through urban design.

Ulden, E. ., Heussen, D., Ham, S. ., & Brinkman, E. (2015). De stoep: Ontmoetingen tussen huis 26 en straat. Rotterdam: nai010 uitgevers.

Images Img. 1. Woonerf: http://people.umass.edu/latour/Netherlands/hand/ Img. 9. Pedestrian mall in Charlottesville: http://behbg.com/idea/pedestrian-street/ Img. 15. Watersquare Tiel: http://www.urbanisten.nl/wp/?portfolio=water-square-tiel Img. 17. Stoep: http://www.elsevier.nl/nederland/achtergrond/2016/08/stadsbewoners-veranderen-de-stoep-in-een-paradijsje-2859698W/ Img. 24. Child in mud: http://www.abc.net.au/environment/articles/2012/11/12/3629731.htm Img. 26. Erasmusbrug: http://www.metronieuws.nl/nieuws/rotterdam/2016/09/erasmusbrug-20jaar-20-feitjes Img. 30. Activity generator: http://www.ncpc.org.sg/cpted.html Img. 32. Community garden: http://www.westviewatlanta.com/2014/04/community-garden-spring-planting-photos/ Img. 38. Co-creatie: http://www.spacevalue.nl/projecten/herinrichting-oranje-nassauplein/

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