Dissertation - URBAN LOST SPACE IDENTIFICATION : A case of Thampanoor ,Kerala

Urban lost space identification: A case of Thampanoor

Submitted by Karthika.S

Guide Dr. Soumini Raja

B.Arch Dissertation May-2017

C.A.T COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE TRIVANDRUM Mulayara P.O, Thiruvananthapuram This dissertation is the property of the institution and the author, it should not be re-produced without prior permission

College of Architecture Trivandrum

C.A.T COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE TRIVANDRUM Mulayara P.O, Thiruvananthapuram _________________________________________________ __ Karthika.S

B.Arch Dissertation Identifying the factors to regenerate urban lost space

Approval

The following study is hereby approved as a creditable work on the subject, carried out and presented in a manner, sufficiently satisfactory to warrant its acceptance as B.Arch Dissertation, a pre-requisite to the B.Arch Degree program for which it has been submitted.

It is to be understood that by this approval the undersigned do not necessarily endorse or approve the statements made, opinions expressed or conclusions drawn therein, but approve the study only for the purpose for which it has been submitted and satisfies as to the requirement laid down in the academic programme.

Guide

Dissertation Coordinator

Dr.Soumini Raja

Ar.Ganga Dileep

Associate professor

Assistant Professor

Date: 15/05/2017

Head of theDepartment

Ar.Bijey Narayan

Date: 15/05/2017

Associate professor

Date: 15/05/2017

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CERTIFICATE ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This is to certify that Ms. Karthika.S has worked under my supervision on ‘Urban lost space identification: A case of Thampanoor’ towards the partial fulfillment of the requirement for the award of the degree of Bachelor of Architecture of the University of Kerala. This is her original work and can be submitted as a B.Arch Dissertation.

Ar.Soumini Raja PhD. Associate Professor

Date: 15/05/2017

College of Architecture Trivandrum

DECLARATION

I hereby declare that the Dissertation titled “Urban lost space identification: A case of Thampanoor � was carried out by me during the year 2017 in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the award of the degree of Bachelor of Architecture of the University of Kerala. This dissertation is my own effort and has not been submitted to any other University.

Thiruvananthapuram May 2017

Karthika.S

College of Architecture Trivandrum

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

It gives me immense pleasure and satisfaction in submitting this research paper report on “Urban lost space identification: A case of Thampanoor�. In the endeavor of preparing this research paper report, many people gave me a helping hand. So it becomes my duty and pleasure to express my deep regards to them.

On the outset of this research paper, I express my sincere regards to Mr. Jayakumar, the principal, who gave me an opportunity to work on this topic and made me present my views on the topic through the paper.

I heartily pay my gratitude to my guide Ms. Soumini Raja Ph.D. as she has been constantly helping me in it. Without her cooperation and support, working on the paper would have been very difficult.

Thanking you May 2017 Thiruvananthapuram

Karthika.S (B.Arch - sem8)

College of Architecture Trivandrum

ABSTRACT

The study attempts to identify the factors resulting in urban lost spaces (Trancik, 1986)in Kerala by taking Thampanoor as a case study, which is one of the focus city core areas of ‘Smartcity Thiruvananthapuram Limited’. The study was conducted through primary surveys which offered vast opportunities in utilizing inmate potential of the site which thereby, help in the active use of the space.

From the earlier studies, lost spaces were understood from the perception of the end-users of its space and its environment. However in this particular study, we are taking into consideration, the factors that affect the perception of the end-users, who then identify a space as a “lost space”. In addition to the perception of the endusers, factors identified help in forming a complete meaning of any urban space.

Thus a thorough study of these factors and by the identification of the place performance could help urban planners and designers in contributing to any urban space and its environment, thereby contributing to good urban designs which will give rise to liveable spaces.

Keywords: lost space, end users, place performance, degree of the lostness of space

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CONTENTS CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................... 1 1. INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................... 2 1.1 Need for research ................................................................................................... 2 1.2 Research question ................................................................................................. 3 1.3 Aim ............................................................................................................................ 3 1.4 Objectives ................................................................................................................ 3 1.5 Theoretical framework ........................................................................................... 4 1.6 Definitions ................................................................................................................ 4 1.7 Smartcity Thiruvananthapuram Limited and its relevance….…....................9 1.8 Proposed methodology……………………………………………………………10 CHAPTER 2: CASE STUDIES...................................................................................... 11 2.1 Case studies .......................................................................................................... 12 2.1.1

Literature study .......................................................................................... 12

2.1.2

Primary case study: Thampanoor........................................................... 15

CHAPTER 3: CONCLUSION ....................................................................................... 19 3.1 Inference ................................................................................................................ 20 3.2 Conclusion ............................................................................................................. 20 3.3 Scope ..................................................................................................................... 20 3.4 Limitation ................................................................................................................ 20 References ....................................................................................................................... 21

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LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

Figure 1: World population distribution and built-up area population 2017 ……………………………………………………………………………………………….…….2 Figure 2: Figure-ground map of Thampanoor depicting its urban space………………………………………………………………………………………..…….5 Figure 3: Inner block voids

…………………………………………………………………..6

Figure 4: Plan diagram of streets and squares………………………………….…….…...…7 Figure 5: Public parks and gardens……………………………………………….…….……..7 Figure 6: Linear open space system that creates edges and links outside the framework…………………………………………………………………………………..........7 Figure 7: A8erna …………………………………………………..………………….……….13 Figure 8: New York Highline ………………………….………………………………..…….14 Figure 9: New York Highline …………………….……………….………………….……….14 Figure 10: Reclaimed Mine land, Colorado.............................................................…....15 Figure 11: Classification of the identified voids……………………………………………………….………………..…….…………….16

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LIST OF CHARTS Chart 1: Theories of lost space…………………………………………………………………………....….8 Chart 2: Factors found in A8erna, Netherlands ……………….………………………………………………………………….…13 Chart 3: Factors found in New York Highline……………….………………………………………………………..…14 Chart 4: Factors found in reclaimed mine land,Colorado…………….………………………………………………………15 Chart 5: Data analysis………………………………………………………..…17

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CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

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1. INTRODUCTION 1.1 NEED FOR RESEARCH In 2017, 53 percent of world population started living in urban areas. Asia comprises 57 percent of world’s large urban area population. (Demographia World Urban Areas: 12th Annual Edition , 2016)

Figure 1: world population distribution and built-up area population 2017 (Demographia World Urban Areas: 12th Annual Edition , 2016)

The amount of open and green spaces are threatened day by day due to the increasing urban densification, resulting in the need for public open spaces as a breathing space, for interactions and recreational purposes. People set up commercial investments in urban areas which tend to increase the land value in urban areas, thereby creating a gradual depletion of public open spaces.

The conventional methods of planning and urban design looks at cities in twodimensional space. However, it is not so. The process of urban design is also disconnected from the citizen’s participation and perception about urban spaces.

Therefore, as a result, there is a gap in the perception of urban space by the decision makers as well as the people.

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Hence lost spaces are created as a residue of this gap that exists. However one should understand that there are certain potentials for these spaces which otherwise are unrecognizable for either the common public or the decision makers.

This creates lost spaces, which are ignored by common people.

These voids might have strong potential to improve the urban fabric and could act as public gathering spaces, plazas, parks, or just place for activities, which makes people get engaged and enhance the quality of the space. Placemaking can also help in uncovering the hidden potential of a place by ensuring people’s perception and needs, which helps in transforming these dead space to active public spaces.

1.2 RESEARCH QUESTION

What are the major physical and environmental factors that got neglected in urban design processes which led to the formation of lost spaces in any urban context?

1.3 AIM

To develop a framework of analysis to understand the place performance of urban spaces.

1.4 OBJECTIVES

The main objective of this research is to define the characteristics of lost urban spaces. The specific objectives of this research area:     

To understand urban spaces, urban voids, and urban lost spaces.

To assess the knowledge regarding these spaces, in order to evaluate their relationships and to determine elements affecting a space which makes it lost.

To Identify and study existing deteriorated or unused areas in Thampanoor, to find exactly what factors made it different from other areas.

To analyze the factors behind the creation of lost spaces.

To create a matrix for the identification of lost spaces by utilizing these factors.

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1.5 THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK

Understanding the definition of urban space, urban voids, and its types and lost urban space. Thereby understanding their relationships which help in finding the causes behind the formation of lost spaces. Assessing literature and primary case studies with the data understood from the study. By analyzing the data from the case studies, factors affecting the regeneration of lost space could be identified. On further interpretation, a method to identify lost space in any urban areas would be identified.

1.6 DEFINITIONS 

Urban space

According to Rob Krier, urban spaces are all those space between buildings in towns and all other localities which is geometrically bounded by a variety of elevations. It is only the clear legibility of its geometrical characteristics and aesthetic qualities which allow us consciously perceive external space as urban space. (Krier, 1979) College of Architecture Trivandrum

Identifying the factors to regenerate urban lost space 5

Figure 2: Figure-ground map of Thampanoor depicting its urban space 

Urban voids

Urban voids are spaces that are being carved out of urban solids in order to provide functional continuity and visual linkages so that there will be a close interaction between built environment and nature. (Trancik, 1986) However, the meaning of the term ‘void’ is ‘being without something’. Hence an urban void can be interpreted as an ‘urban area without defined purpose and people’. Urban voids are undesirable urban areas that are in need of redesign, anti-space, making no positive contribution to the surroundings or users. They are ill-defined, without measurable boundaries and fail to connect elements in a coherent way (Trancik, 1986). 

Creation of urban voids

Urban voids are classified by Roger Trancik as explained below.

1) Planning Voids Planning Voids are voids that are created due to the faulty planning process. These are the voids that are most visible in an urban area. (Trancik, 1986)

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6 Identifying the factors to regenerate urban lost space

2) Functional Voids

Functional voids are voids created due to leftover space or a built mass that has become defunct. A functional void has a great legal aspect associated with it, in general, defunct areas/buildings are either under litigation or are government property where reallocation of functions has to go through a mammoth bureaucratic process. (Trancik, 1986)

3) Geographical Voids

Geographical voids are voids that are created due to the existence of a geographical feature. Such voids are resultant of the planning process. (Trancik, 1986)

Five types of urban voids with respect to the degree of openness and enclosure as stated by Trancik are given below. a) Entry foyer space – Forecourt, lobby and front yard. In scale, it is intimate, a place where one can be both public and private. b) Inner block void – courtyard, cloister gardens, semi-private residential space for leisure, utility or a midblock shopping oasis for circulation or rest.

Figure 3: Inner block voids (Trancik, 1986) c) The primary network of streets and squares –It contains the active public life of the city. Through most of the urban history, the network of streets and squares functioned as the principal structure for civic design and spatial organization.

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Figure 4: Plan diagram of streets and squares (Trancik, 1986) d) Public parks and gardens – They are incorporated into the urban grid to simulate rural settings, to provide both reliefs from the hard urban environment and accessible recreations.

Figure 5: Public parks and gardens (Trancik, 1986) e) The linear open space system – It constitutes major water features such as waterfronts, rivers, and wetlands.

Figure 6: Linear open space system that creates edges and links outside the framework. (Trancik, 1986) 

Urban lost space Roger Trancik mentioned lost space as “the leftover unstructured landscape or space away from the flow of pedestrian activity in the city. Lost spaces are the surface parking lots or those spaces that break the connection between the commercial center and residential areas. They are no man’s lands along the edges of freeways that nobody cares about maintaining, much less using.” (Trancik, 1986)

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As Jane Jacob suggests that the diversity of a city sustains its vitality and its future developments. “Cities have the capability of providing something for everybody, only because, and only when, they are created by everybody.” (Jacobs, 1961) We should consider the three-dimensional relationship between the buildings and spaces rather than its two-dimensional land use plans. (Trancik, 1986) Generally speaking, lost spaces are undesirable urban areas that are in need of a redesign.

They are ill-defined, without measurable boundaries and fail to connect elements in a coherent way.” (Trancik, 1986).

Lost urban spaces means those spaces which lack a purpose or any specific use.

However there is a radical change in the social, economic and employment patterns which has led to the formation of lost spaces in the urban areas, there are other few factors which creates a lost space.

Different typologies of lost space as prescribed by famous theorists has been shown below.

THEORISTS

LOST SPACE- DEFINITIONS abandoned waterfronts, train yards, vacated military sites Underdeveloped land, vacant sites residual areas between districts loosely composed commercial strips

Roger Trancik

deteriorated parks and unstructured landscape spaces don’t work with its intended purpose Surface parking lots Spaces without pedestrian flow

Jane Jacobs

Places devoid of humans and note created by humans

Christopher Alexander

Absence of mosaic of subcultures

Chart 1: Theories of lost space 

Relation between lost space and place making College of Architecture Trivandrum

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In light of the previous study about lost space, we have a better understanding of lost space and how it is defined by theorists. The only way to regenerate, in other words, to activate the space is by welcoming people into it. This could happen only by assigning a particular use or purpose to the place. To that end, there is a need for a phenomenon called place making to happen in those places. 

Placemaking

Placemaking is a people-centered approach to the planning, design, and management of public spaces. It involves looking at, listening to, and asking questions to the people who live, work and play in that particular space, in order to discover their needs and aspirations. It creates a common vision for that place. The vision can evolve quickly into an implementation strategy, beginning with smaller scale, double improvements that can immediately bring benefits to the public space and people who use them. (What is place making, 2010) 

Place performance Therefore it is important to understand the quality of a place which can be measured through observation of its surroundings. And this is what the study contributes, terming it as place performance. The evaluation of the degree of lostness of a space could help in determining the performance of that particular space. The method of evaluation of place performance is demonstrated through a primary case study, which is given below.

1.7 SMARTCITY THIRUVANANTHAPURAM LIMITED AND ITS RELEVANCE 

AIM

The project aim at providing better public utilities, smart bus stops, efficient and diverse use of land, and projects to revive the cultural heritage of the capital city are part of the Smart City proposal for Thiruvananthapuram. (Smartcity Thiruvananthapuram Limited, n.d.).

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

METHODOLOGY

The project focus on an Area Based Development program, which will focus on the core city area, comprising the East Fort- Chala- Thampanoor-Chenkalchoola stretch. (Smartcity Thiruvananthapuram Limited, n.d.).

1.8 PROPOSED METHODOLOGY

This qualitative research helps in identifying the characteristics of lost spaces within any urban areas. Individual observation is used to collect data for this study.

Thampanoor, Thiruvananthapuram city’s core, is selected as the site for this study purpose. Data are analyzed using a new method with the help of figure-ground theory, to identify the characteristics of lost urban spaces, which could be utilized for any urban development purposes.

For example, the resulting scale : Degree of lostness of space, could be utilized to determine the potential development areas in the Smartcity Thiruvananthapuram Limited project .Because rather than utilizing any government property of their choice, the authority could determine a potential land for one of its focal area of RE-DENSIFYING THE CITY WITH CREATIVE LAND-USE, which aims at maximizing and optimizing government land in the city centre through densification and housing varied activities and programs. The goals of underlined focal area are given below. 

GOAL 1: Encourage a diverse land-use mix. (Smartcity Thiruvananthapuram Limited, n.d.).



GOAL 2: Plan, build & upgrade infrastructure to support growth & urban intensification. (Smartcity Thiruvananthapuram Limited, n.d.).

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CHAPTER 2: CASE STUDIES

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Casestudies 2.1 CASE STUDIES To give an illustration of what I mean, let’s look at few case studies of regenerated lost spaces.

Literature: A8erna, Netherlands New York Highline, New York Reclaimed mine land, Western U.S. Primary : Thampanoor, Trivandrum

2.1.1 LITERATURE STUDY

2.1.1.1

A8erna

A new flyover which created a brutal cut in the urban fabric which cut through a small village in Amsterdam in early 1970’s. For over thirty years, beneath the slab of the monumental infrastructure there remained a strip about forty meters wide and four hundred meters long at the mercy of badly parked cars and partially occupied by a small shooting range, whose potential was hidden. (publicspace, n.d.)

Architect: NL Architects Location: Koog aan de Zaan Completed: 2005 Program: Mixed use public program (supermarket, Skate Park, mini marina, flower shop, deck towards the river, soccer field, basketball court etc.)

Reasoning: It was a public restoration project. Here the architect has designed the dead space beneath the flyover in Koog aan de zaan, Amsterdam, by a highly participatory process considering the demands of the communities, which created a space of excitement or a space of interaction that now actually links people from both sides of the highway, thereby activating it. (publicspace, n.d.)

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Inference: This project shows how place making or public participation can change the quality of a public space. They have improved the (chart1) factors for activating the space below the flyover.

SOCIAL&ECONOMIC

CLIMATIC RESPONSIVE

ACTIVITY

DESIGN

BETTER CONNECTIVITY

Chart 2: Factors found in A8erna

Before intervention

After intervention

Figure 7: A8erna (archdaily, n.d.)

2.1.1.2

New York Highline

It was the former industrial railway. It is a 1.45 mile-long elevated, steel structure built in the 1930s for freight trains, the last train ran on it in 1980 and was abandoned. In 2003, an open competition was held to convert the existing infrastructure into a public park. (archdaily, n.d.)

Architect: Diller Scofidio + Renfro and James Corner Field Operations & Piet Oudolf Location: New York Completed: 2009

Program: Entrances, sun deck, water feature, squares, seating steps, lawns, vegetation& viewing gallery with a flyover. (dsrny, n.d.)

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By turning an abandoned, elevated freight train track into a public park, this project has redefined the New York experience, with unseen views of the city’s surrounding natural landscape as well as an expansive and intimate look into one of the world’s most dynamic urban environments. (Fehrenbacher, 2014)

Inference: The imageability of the city, interaction with the surroundings and the security that the people enjoy while walking through the highline due to its elevated structure, its vast length and the presence of elements like proper lighting, maps, seats, water features etc are the features that made the space more active and got widely accepted by the people. They have improved the below said factors for activating the abandoned rail lines.

UNVERSAL

SOCIAL ACTIVITY

BETTER CONNECTIVITY

ACCESSIBILITY

Chart 3: Factors found in New York Highline

Figure 8: New York Highline: Before intervention (Fehrenbacher, 2014)

Figure 9: New York Highline: After intervention (Fehrenbacher, 2014) 2.1.1.3

Reclaimed mine land, Colorado, Western U.S.

The project has reclaimed and transformed the abandoned mine lands into a sustainable new neighborhood by utilizing existing heritage structures or elements as an opportunity for public recreation.

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Architect: The tiffany and co. foundation Location: Breckenridge, Colorado Completed: 2005 Program: Reinventing abandoned mine lands to public recreational area (Berger, Brown, & Kettalapper, 2012)

Inference: Finding potential of the area through evaluating through place performance and its analysis could make a lost space occupied with people and activities. They have improved the below said factors for activating the abandoned mine lands.

SITE RESPONSIVE DESIGN

SOCIAL ACTIVITY

ECONOMIC ACTIVITY

Chart 4: Factors found in reclaimed mine land, Colorado

Figure 10: Reclaimed mine land in Colorado (Berger, Brown, & Kettalapper, 2012) 2.1.2 PRIMARY CASE STUDY: THAMPANOOR

2.1.2.1

Site selection

Taking a part of Thampanoor as a case, since it is the core of Thiruvananthapuram city, which helped in finding the characteristics of lost spaces in the urban areas.

2.1.2.2 Research design

i)

Identified all voids by comparing figure ground map (Figure 2), ownership map, and physical observation.

ii)

Classified all the voids into the functional void, planning void and geographical void and numbered each space as represented in (Figure 11).

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iii)

Classified all the voids into different categories according to its place performance, which helps us determine 1) The functioning of the void in the public realm 2) The problems in the space 3) The good and bad quality of the space

iv)

Identified major factors that would activate a space in the urban area and tabulated the presence of its elements in all the identified voids as shown in (Chart 5).

v)

The chart is then evaluated to get the degree of the lostness of the spaces by comparing each type of voids with the factors. Hence finding the place performance of the space.

Figure 11: Classification of the identified voids in Thampanoor

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Chart 5: Data analysis The activity chart’s elements has been identified from past studies. (Lin, 2012)

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CHAPTER 3: CONCLUSION

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3.1 INFERENCE

The optimum presence of economic activities, social activities and climatic conditions in any urban space along with easy connectivity and accessibility to the space can make it active with the presence of humans.

3.2 CONCLUSION

The method of finding the degree of the lostness of a space could help us determine the factors for regenerating urban lost spaces, in other words, it helps in finding the place performance of any urban space.

3.3 SCOPE

The study can be used to determine lost spaces in any urban areas around the globe.

3.4 LIMITATION The paper is limited to an individual’s perception of a space and the analysis has been done only in a micro scale perspective.

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REFERENCES Krier, R. (1979). Urban Space. Great Britain: ACADEMY EDITIONS. Lynch, K. (1960). The image of the city. THE TECHNOLOGY PRESS & HARVARD UNIVERSITY PRESS. Trancik, R. (1986). Finding Lost space- Theories of Urban Design. NewYork: VAN NOSTRAND REINHOLD COMPANY. Alexander, C. (1977). A pattern language.towns buildings construction. New York: Oxford University Press.

Berger, A., Brown, C., & Kettalapper, V. (2012). Waste to place. US: The Tiffany & cofoundation.

Jacobs, J. (1961). The death and life of great American cities.

Anderson, S. (n.d.). On Streets.

What is place making. (2010).

Fehrenbacher, J. (2014). Inhabitat. Retrieved from http://inhabitat.com/interviewarchitect-james-corner-on-the-design-of-high-line/. designboom. (n.d.). Retrieved from www.designboom.com dsrny. (n.d.). Retrieved from www.dsrny.com archdaily. (n.d.). Retrieved from www.archdaily.com publicspace. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.publicspace.org/en/works/d046-a8erna.

(2017). Demographia World Urban Areas: 12th Annual Edition.

Lin, Y. (2012). Identifying perceptions of the creative class regarding lost space in Downtown Dallas.

Smartcity Thiruvananthapuram Limited. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.tvmcity.in/.

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