New Centralities - Generating destinations to defragment public life by Nidhi Reddy

NEW CENTRALITIES

Generating destinations to defragment public life

Nidhi Reddy Pamudurthy

New Centralities

NEW CENTRALITIES Generating destinations to defragment public life Master Dissertation Project Author: Nidhi Reddy Pamudurthy Academic Promotor: Maarten Gheysen International Master of Science in Architecture KU Leuven, Faculty of Architecture: Resilient and Sustainable Strategies Campus Sint-Lucas Gent Academic Year 2020-2021 All rights reserved under International Copyright Conventions. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, inluding photo-copying, recording or any information storage retrieval system, without written permission from the publisher or specific copyright owners. Work and publication made during the course of a personal master dissertation project.

Nidhi Reddy Pamudurthy

This has been my best academic semester by far, and for this I express deep gratitude to my promotor Maarten Gheysen, for inspiring, guiding, reassuring and supporting us throughout. A big thank you to the team from Kortrijk - Stijn, Katrien and Peter for their feedback and help. I’m grateful to my family and friends for encouraging me, checking on me and helping me through this process. This has been a difficult time for us all and having a great support system helps us stay afloat. To Brunda, my grandmother, for I never got to say goodbye in her fight against the pandemic.

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Nidhi Reddy Pamudurthy

CONTENTS -acknowledgement 1. Abstract 2. Public space in the mid sized city - theoretical reflection 3. The public realm - case of Kortrijk -field study -nolli maps -interviews -atlas of public space -the public realm 4. Site of intervention 5. Hypothesis 6. Case studies 7. Design Interventions 8. Bibliography

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01 | ABSTRACT

Nidhi Reddy Pamudurthy

VITALITY AND ‘PUBLIC SPACE’ IN A MID-SIZED CITY How does intended public space affect the vitality of the city? This thesis originates from a personal reflection on a ‘mid-sized city’. Coming from a busy metropolis in India, to me the European experience is marked by the relatively more intimate scale of life that I experience. For me, a mid-sized city is one where I am not overwhelmed, one I can feel a sense of familiarity. Trying to understand what ties us to the city leads me to realize that one associates a city with its people and destinations – the Champs Elysee in Paris, the Graslei in Ghent. The factor that is common to such landmarks is that it is public space. The character of the city and its users comes through. Both visitors and residents establish the identity of the city through such spaces - since they are cultural as well as socio-economic drivers. The mid-sized city of Kortrijk on first glance appears relatively quiet. Life seems to move at a slower pace and the city does not feel dynamic for the most part. There are very few memorable spaces or experiences that create a lasting impression of the city. This presents an opportunity to evaluate the availability, quality and character of public space. In turn, this leads to an understanding of what nature of space works well for the people, and how it can be designed to increase the vitality of the city. Point of reflection What is the current nature of public space present in the city of Kortrijk, and how can it be enhanced? Can creating an intended (vs incidental) network of public space bring people together to positively impact the vitality of the city?

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02 | INTRODUCTION

Nidhi Reddy Pamudurthy

“What attracts people most, it would appear, is other people.” - William H Whyte 1 The research stems from a question raised about vitality of the city, observed within the larger context of ‘public space’ in a medium-sized city. DEFINING A MID-SIZED CITY A personal reflection on the mid-sized city is that it is probably best understood by its sense of familiarity. The user forges a relationship to the city. It is perceived as local and communal. There is a sense of scale that is established and one seldom feels ‘lost’. The mid-sized city acts as a balance between the advantages of city and countryside - it is a blend of housing, employment and recreation. It allows for space from the noise of a large city and still is populated enough to provide the density of services that is found in a city. It invokes a specific image or emotion within the users, based on a collective memory. “Spatial and visual ordering and manipulating collective memory – are at the basis of the identity of (Ghent as) a mid-size city in which the problems of the modern city remain under control.” 2 A mid sid sized city is also a porous one. In one of her definitions of porosity, Paola Vigano correlates the porosity of a city to its density of meaningful spaces. 3 These spaces could be architectural, like cathedrals; urban, like plazas or natural, like riverfronts. Meaningful spaces like these open up a city to public usage, and movement patterns often intertwine with the network of the same. The future of the mid-sized city According to the United Nations, the world’s population is expected to increase by 2 billion persons in the next 30 years, from 7.7 billion currently to 9.7 billion in 2050. 4 It is typically expected that this would lead to urban migration, and eventually, more than 70% of the world’s population will live in cities, but it is often overlooked that far more will live in cities of under 1 million, followed by those between 1 and 5 million. These small- to medium-sized cities are currently growing at twice the rate of megacities. This presents an opportunity to study and strategize the development of public space in the mid-city. 5 1 Whyte, W. H. (2001). The Social Life of Small Urban Spaces. Project for Public Spaces. 2 Notteboom, B. (2013). Order and Memory. Imagining Ghent around 1900. Medium. Images of the Mid-Size City, OASE, (89). 3 Vigano, P. (2009). The Metropolis of the Twenty-First Century. The Project of a Porous City. On Territories, OASE, (80). 4 United Nations. (2019). 2019 Revision of World Population Prospects. https://population.un.org/wpp/ 5 ESPAS. (2019). Challenges and choices for Europe. https://www.politico.eu/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/ESPAS_ Report2019_V15.pdf

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PUBLIC SPACE Public space is essentially ‘places of encounter where public life unfolds’. 6 It is a broad term that consists of all those parts of the built environment where the public has free access. It encompasses all streets, squares and other rights of way, open spaces and parks; and the ‘public/private’ spaces where public access is unrestricted. 7 Public space plays an important role in sustaining the public realm. Good public space is required for the social and psychological health of modern communities. New public spaces are emerging around the world and old public space typologies are being retrofitted to contemporary needs. 8 Public realm The public realm can be described as the physical manifestation of community and of human interaction outside the private home. 9 It is the overlap of public space and public life matrices, which exist complementary to each other. Need for good public space The public spaces of the city tie back to the identity of the city. It is in these spaces that human exchanges and relationships and the diversity of use is manifested. Public space also adds cultural value, which is a key driver for the economic value of the city. Both residents and tourists relate to a city by the essence of its public space. “As both site and sight, meeting place and social staging ground, public spaces enable us to conceptualize and represent the city - to make an ideology of its receptivity to strangers, tolerance of difference, and opportunities to enter a fully socialized life, both civic and commercial.” 10

6 Madanipour, A. (2015). Urban Design and Public Space. International Encyclopedia of the Social & Behavioral Sciences. 7 The Bartlett School of Planning. (2014). Living Places - Caring for quality. http://www.futurecommunities.net/files/images/ving_ Places_Caring_for_Quality_Report__ODPM_.pdf 8 Mehta, V. (2013). Evaluating Public Space. Journal of Urban Design, 19(1), 53–88. 9 Public realm. (2018). Designing Buildings Wiki. https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/Public_realm 10 Leite, R. P. (2015). Cities and Gentrification in Contemporary Brazil. Current Urban Studies, 03(03), 175–186.

Nidhi Reddy Pamudurthy

Vitality and public space - the concepts of triangulation and placemaking Vitality from an urban point of view can be explained as the amount of vibrancy, which in turn translates to the visual liveliness experienced. Jane Jacobs 11 defines vitality through the interactions between the individuals on the streets. The vitality experienced in the urban fabric reveals various facets of sociocultural conditions. The concept of vitality is understood differently in a mid-sized city versus a large one. In a large city, vitality could be visible due to sheer density of population. However, this does not necessarily translate to a sense of community. In a mid-sized, activity is perceived in a more communal way, and there is a higher sense of belonging in a public space. To facilitate vitality, Whyte proposes the concept of triangulation. a. Triangulation is the process by which an external stimulus provides some sort of link between people and allows interaction between strangers. In a space, the choice and arrangement of different elements in relation to each other can put the triangulation process in motion, bringing people together. It is expected that such processes occur in and are facilitated by public space. The quality and access of public space determines the use of it. To change an under-performing space into a “meaningful place,” is to make people welcome and comfortable. The goal is to create a place that has a strong sense of community, a comfortable image, as well as a setting with activities and uses. b. Placemaking theory approaches planning, design, and programming of public spaces through a bottom-up approach. It aims to strengthen the connection between people and the places they share. This theory is an evolution of Jacob’s ideas of treating streets as public spaces, and Whyte’s emphasis on creating vibrant social life in public spaces.

Jacobs, J. (1992). The Death and Life of Great American Cities. Vintage.

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03 | THE CASE OF KORTRIJK

Nidhi Reddy Pamudurthy

The city of Kortrijk has raised a question of how to seize the release of open space as an opportunity to increase Kortrijk’s livability and thus turn the so-called construction freeze into something positive. 12 This brings us to the research that this dissertation aims to address - understanding the concept and use of ‘public space’ in a mid-sized city. This can be both open or built-up. The study aims to learn how this network of public space exists within the city, and what its effect is on the users - with respect to access, frequency of use, etc. It is imperative to make an observation of how the vitality of the city is tied to these spaces, and how this network can further be enhanced to increase the dynamism visible in the city. Methodology of research a. Nolli maps can be employed to the context of Buda Island and its immediate surroundings within the ‘internal ring’ (R36). Mapping such figure-ground relationships will illustrate solid-void character and the interplay between public and private space in urban settings. These public spaces can be further divided into the gradation of public space as built or open. Studying these will help in seeing any potential patterns of spatial distribution. b. Interviews with residents of different age groups will allow for an understanding of the activities that occur in public space, and how the users relate to the same. These conversations will help further an insight into the character of space appreciated by the users. c. Creating an atlas of existing public space will help in understanding movement and activity patterns, allowing an observation of the flow of public life.

12 KORTRIJK 2025. The city we can want. (2017). Architecture Workroom. https://www.architectureworkroom.eu/en/ projects/428/kortrijk-2025-the-city-we-can-want

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FIELD STUDY | Nolli Maps

Private space Public space Fig 1 : Nolli

map of the inner ring of Kortrijk. The lighter colour indicates the space on ground level that is freely accessible by public. This includes shops, squares, streets, cafes, etc. The darker colour shows the private realm - residential spaces, offices, etc.

Nidhi Reddy Pamudurthy

Open public space Built public space Fig 2 : The public space is further broken down into

built vs open. It is immediately visible that a large chunk of ‘open space’ is circulation elements like streets. Apart from that, a very typical pattern is noticed - the bulk of active public space is clustered around the ‘city centre’ and it acts as a large interconnected unit with a few outliers like the ‘Buda beach’, Leieboorden, Koningin Astridpark, etc.

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FIELD STUDY | Interviews

Elderly couple Location: Houtmarkt “We live near the island but it can get quite noisy with the children at the skate bowl so we don’t go there much” The couple expressed interest in visiting the island since they enjoyed the experience of walking along the water and the park of the Budabeach but would prefer the noise levels to be controlled.

Runner Location: City Park Plein “I go to the island in the summers.. Sometimes there are too many people and too less space” The woman communicated that her main point of visiting the island was to enjoy a drink at the Buda beach on warm days. She however felt that it tended to get overcrowded.

Fig 3: Line drawings of people interviewed 18

Nidhi Reddy Pamudurthy

Man with children Location: Grotemarkt “We like going to the beach. We need more such places to go with children” The father of young children explained that the Buda beach was a popular destination for their family since it had elements of play installed. He believed the city should invest in more such projects that catered to children.

Young adults Location: City Park Plein “We really like the Leieboorden.. But it’s got a lot of concrete and no green park” The group was very pleased with the development of the Leieboorden since it allowed them a spot to meet with each other for a drink. They felt that in summers it got a bit too hot for their comfort due to the trees being spaced far apart.

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FIELD STUDY | Atlas of public space Category 1: Tourism

Fig 4a: Public spaces frequented by tourists 20

Nidhi Reddy Pamudurthy PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

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Places of frequency

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Observing the movement patterns or meaningful places that a tourist would visit, the network mainly moves from the station as a point of entry into the city to the spots promoted by the city as ‘must-sees’ - these include the Grote markt, the spaces around the beguinage, the Hout markt, as well as the newly developed Leieboorden and Buda beach. Since the majority of the restaurants and cafes exist around and inbetween these touristic plazas, the network is fairly well integrated.

Fig 4b: Map of public spaces frequented by tourists 21

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Category 2: Elderly

Fig 5a: Public spaces frequented by the elderly 22

Nidhi Reddy Pamudurthy PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

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Places of frequency

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Older people were mostly observed in ‘green spaces’ like the Beguinagepark, city park plein, etc as well as in the areas with cafes. Their movements are mostly connected with leisure and spaces that offer a place to rest, people-watch, eat something or meet companions seem to be the ones that are frequented .

Fig 5b: Map of public spaces frequented by the elderly 23

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Category 3: Fitness/ dogwalking

Fig 6a: Public spaces frequented by runners and dogwalkers 24

Nidhi Reddy Pamudurthy PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

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Places of frequency

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The category of users who were using public space to walk or run, sometimes with dogs, tend to frequent places that have defined trails. These are primarily found in the existing parks. The streets of Buda island, being very wide and relatively lower on vehicular movement are also used similarly.

Fig 6b: Map of public spaces frequented by runners and dogwalkers 25

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Category 4: Teenagers / adults

young

Fig 7a: Public spaces frequented by young adults 26

Nidhi Reddy Pamudurthy PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

Places of frequency

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Older teenagers and young adults were observed mostly during leisure activities typical of their age group - shopping in the centre, consuming food and drinks in cafes, meeting friends in the parks, etc. Many young adults also frequented spaces designed for interaction - such as in the park plein, the Leieboorden, etc.

Fig 7b: Map of public spaces frequented by young adults 27

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Category 5: Children (supervised)

Fig 8a: Public spaces frequented by parents with young children 28

Nidhi Reddy Pamudurthy PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

Places of frequency

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Parents with young children tend to frequent places with interesting elements of play. These mostly are located in parks, where even the open green serves as additional space for leisure. The Buda beach also is designed for children with small playground installations.

Fig 8b: Map of public spaces frequented by parents with young children 29

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THE PUBLIC REALM | Movement of public life through public space

Fig 9: Movement patterns 30

Nidhi Reddy Pamudurthy

Figure 9 is an attempt to connect the places frequented by various kinds of users across the city. It is observed that most of the paths are well interlinked and the network is not disperse around the city centre. There is a clear flow of movement. However, this cannot be said of the Buda island. There are very specific destinations of public life and they appear rather fragmented. Figure 10 shows the overlap of these various networks. It is evident that there is a good amount of integration and movement of the public realm around the city centre. On the island however, this phenomenon of criss-crossing of the realm occurs far lesser. It is limited to the movement to and around the deliberate ‘destinations’ of Buda beach and the Leieboorden.

Fig 10: Overlap of networks 31

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04 | SITE OF INTERVENTION

Nidhi Reddy Pamudurthy

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Enclosed public space Open public space

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BUDA ISLAND Mapping the spaces of public access on Buda island is also done with the same two categories of enclosed and open. The built spaces primarily lie along the Budastraat and are commercial establishments. The other spaces relate to the cultural-artistic network of Broel museum, Buda Tower, Budafabriek, etc. Open public space is observed to be concentrated on a few spots - the Leieboorden and Buda beach. For this dissertation, the proposed development of the tip (library and outdoor space) is also included. The network of public space is spread predominantly on the western side of the island and the main spine appears to be the Budastraat. To enhance the public realm, it is imperative to spread the network out further by creating a well-connected fabric of spaces that serve the purpose.

Fig 11: Nolli Map of Buda Island 33

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5 2 7

Potential sites

6 05

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POINTS OF INTERVENTION To identify potential sites of intervention, the point of departure was the second main street on the island – the Damstraat. Creating a trajectory of spaces that contribute to the public realm along this street would lead to a second spine and a well-dispersed arrangement of vivacity on the island. Immediate observations include the large number of parking islands placed in the street despite the large Broeltoren Parking Lot. Taking precedent from the Leieboorden, which were originally also a parking zone, two sites (1, 2 in Figure ABC) are determined. Additionally, underutilized space (3,4) around the Buda tower can be redeveloped. The parking areas in the lot (5) and Reepkaai (6) can also eventually be repurposed partially or completely, and these will work within the network to ensure dispersal as well as connectors of the major public space. The junction of the Dam and Budastraat is a significant one and the corner site (7) has good potential to add to the network. Scope: This dissertation will address the sites 1,2,3 and 4 as mentioned above for detailed study and development. Fig 12a: Potential sites of intervention 34

Nidhi Reddy Pamudurthy

Fig 12b: Current state of island with identified points of development 35

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05 | HYPOTHESIS

Nidhi Reddy Pamudurthy

DEFRAGMENTING PUBLIC SPACE The fragmented nature of the public realm on the Buda Island exhibits potential to be rethought and redesigned. The dissertation adopts a hypothesis that the island has the opportunity to become a ‘second heart’ of public life for the city of Kortrijk. Despite it having the unique character of being surrounded by the main waters of the city, being well-connected with a network of bridges and its proximity to the centre, most of the island does not feel familiar to the locals. This generates a moment to evaluate how it can appear alienated in this mid-sized city, and how this phenomenon can be corrected. Destinations of public life : Exceptional spaces It is apparent from on-site observations and interviews in chapter 3 that certain kinds of spaces are highly frequented and appreciated. Common to these is the fact that they are deliberately created destinations. It is attempted to understand what kind of spaces serve the purpose of furthering the public realm the most. What shone through was that places that have an element of uniqueness attracted people. The Leieboorden, for instance, is a succesful urban intervention since it is the only space in the city that allows for an interaction with the water. Thus, to create a communal space that enables people to gather, it is imperative to generate spaces with an exceptional character. These spaces will mainly act as a second layer in the network, on a more intimate scale. The intention is to carry through the theme of familiarity and allow the residents of Kortrijk to establish a relationship with the island.

Fig 13: Creating a network of communal spaces 37

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06 | CASE STUDIES

Nidhi Reddy Pamudurthy

ILE DU NANTES, FRANCE -Inspiration for island transformation

The Ile du Nantes was a 5-year transofrmation project of 7 brownfield sites on the island. The intention was to create a second pole, a complement to the existing historic heart of the city which has grown to become congested.

Fig 14a: Ile du Nante (pre transformation) Fig 14b: Ile du Nante (post transformation) 39

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THE PASSENGER, MONS, BELGIUM -Pavilion as an urban placemaker

The Passenger was a wooden sculpture made by Arne Quinze. It was an outcome of a study of the cultureand heritage of Mons, and it translated to a large pavilion located in one of the city’s significant streets. It symbolised the flow of the people in the street and its evolution with time. The 80m long structure went on to become symbolic in the city and it created a point of conversation.

Fig 15a: Plan of The Passenger Fig 15b: Site photo - The Passenger 40

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OUTSIDE-IN PAVILION USA

-Communal playfulness in public destinations

This pavilion was designed to provide a platform for interaction with nature in various activities. Instead of blending into the surrounding, it stands out as a unique element generating a point of interest. Play of light and shadow through wooden slats and differing heights of the pavilion add to the dynamic character of the space.

Fig 16a: Exterior photo - Outside In Pavilion Fig 16b: Interior photo - Outside In Pavilion 41

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PARKORMAN FOREST PARK, ISTANBUL - Human connection to nature through pedagogy

This project is designed as a park with varied interventions that encourage communality. The design includes several smaller elements that serve as collective points, but these are placed to ensure minimal disturbance to nature. The experiences are varied and the user is free to interpret the space as he wishes. Appreciation of the ecology around is enabled through different strategies.

Fig 17: Visual through Parkorman park 42

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07 | DESIGN INTERVENTIONS

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SITE 1 – PARKING ISLAND Location – Dam x Broelkaai Area – 900 sqm

Fig 18a: Existing situation of site 1 Fig 18b: Imagery of site 1 44

Nidhi Reddy Pamudurthy

Site 1 : Existing conditions The first site of intervention is a parking island near the Broeltoren. It is located in the middle of an overdimensioned road and has trees planted along the perimeter. The ground is paved with cobblestones, yet these are in a state of disrepair. Design concept An overlap of zigzag lines is made to generate different conditions at different points - open vs covered, paved vs grassy, etc. One of these lines is a bench in wood. it transforms across the space with verying widths and heights to act in some parts as a table, others a path and some places it is low enough to be a bench.

TABLE

PATH

BENCH Fig 19: Concept of design Fig 20: Diagram of wooden ribbon element 45

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The design attempts to create a space for convergence and character. The intention is to create an alternate meeting point for people. In Belgium, the rains are as sudden as they are frequent. Inspired by the flax flower, a slatted triangular element in steel is designed. This is arranged with an interplay of positions and heights to generate a canopy structure that is open yet sheltered.

Fig 21: Plan of redesigned situation - site 1 46

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Ground plane On the ground the interplay of grass and pavement generate different spatial experiences to the users.

Fig 22: Ground level plan of redesigned situation - site 1 47

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plexiglass insert on frame steel square pipes powdercoated red - welded onto beams steel square beams bolted to plates 100mm dia steel pipes with plates above wooden element

ground plane

Fig 23: Exploded axonometric of elements 48

Nidhi Reddy Pamudurthy

This is a place created for convergence. Various experiences are generated in this space and there is a play of light and shadow through the canopies of the structure and the trees. On the ground the wooden element zigzags through grass and paving to create different circumstances at different points. This space will serve as Kortrijk’s largest picnic spot. The bright red that emulates the city colour will also help users tie it back to the identity of the city.

Fig 24: Impression of redeveloped site 49

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SITE 2 – PARKING ISLAND Location – Dam x Korte Kapucijnenstraat Area – 850 sqm

Fig 25a: Existing situation of site 2 Fig 25b: Imagery of site 2 50

Nidhi Reddy Pamudurthy

Site 2 : Existing conditions The second site of intervention is a parking island near the Budafabriek. It is similar in to site 1 in condition and layout.

Design concept Six cabins are placed within the tree line. These are then rotated and connected with steps and walkways. Taking into account privacy of the surroundings, the extreme cabins face outwards and the inner ones are more introverted. Open decks are placed accordingly and two of the cabins are created as open platforms with no walls.

The closed cabins serve as an extended cafe. The furniture is designed to be folded away, so the space can host small events. This adds an element of flexibility and adaptability to the space.

Fig 26: Concept of design Fig 27: Diagram showing flexible nature of treehouse 51

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Fig 28: Plan of redesigned situation - site 2 Fig 29: Plan of redesigned situation -treehouses 52

Nidhi Reddy Pamudurthy

The treehouses are designed with an open layout. Each of them open differently and create different experiences walking through. A slide is added at the end to allow for a loop in movement. On the ground, the zigzagging concept continues. A steel line with a wooden bench serve as seperators of space. The theme of playfulness continues on this place. The slide ends in a zone of woodchips and this space also contains small blocks for children to jump on, as well as elements like ropes to climb and swings, etc. Towards the eastern part, the ground plane is manipulated using wood to create tactile experience for children via an uneven surface.

Fig 30: Ground level plan of redesigned situation - site 2 53

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plexiglass insert on steel roof structure powdercoated red

ribbon windows prefabricated wooden walls with insulation inside wooden deck floor

steel square pipes as frame and bracing

Fig 31: Exploded axonometric of treehouse structure 54

Nidhi Reddy Pamudurthy

This is a place of playfulness. It is a unique experience of a cafe in the sky - a place to meet people like no other. Different elements add vibrancy and the design plays with heights and angles to create varied conditions throughout.

Fig 32: Impression of redeveloped site 55

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SITE 3 – LEFTOVER SPACE Location – Buda Tower Area – 2330 sqm

Fig 33a: Existing situation of site 3 Fig 33b: Imagery of site 3 56

Nidhi Reddy Pamudurthy

Site 3 : Existing conditions Around the Buda tower is a large muddy field that is underutilitized leftover space. Here is also an old bee garden project that was not entirely successful. Design concept Using the main two circulation lines as starting points, diagonal lines are made to connect to the Buda tower. This will serve as the primary point of circulation. Smaller cabins are placed amongst the plants and stepping stones will connect these to the main path. The cabins are designed to be similar spatially yet different functionally based on where they are located.

Quiet reflection

Entrance Element

Birdwatching box

Bringing nature to children

Fig 34: Concept of design Fig 35: Diagram showing types of cabins 57

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There is no dense urban green space on the island. This space is an oppurtunity to create a mini-forest, a quiet spot that is a destination of interaction between man and nature. The green takes over the space and extends to plots around. The cabins are placed to provide spaces of solitude, smaller scale destinations of a different character. The concept of pedagogy further links the users to the ecology around.

Fig 36: Plan of redesigned situation - site 3 58

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Roads and concrete elements are replaced with natural ones and the ecological value of the space is further increased.

Fig 37: Ground level plan of redesigned situation - site 3 59

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plexiglass cover above frame steel square pipes as beams

wooden walkway raised off ground steel square pipes for structure powdercoated red

Steel square pipes powdercoated red with plexiglass inserts Wooden pipe with plexiglass panel for stickering Steel square pipes for poles - powdercoated red wooden floor Fig 38a: Exploded axonometric of walkway Fig 38b: Exploded axonometric of cabins 60

Nidhi Reddy Pamudurthy

This is a region of quiet reflection and a site of solitude. This is a destination that makes us appreciative and aware of the ecology around us. The open design allows the user to feel immersed in the surroundings and it serves as an alternate experience that is not easily available - a forest within the city.

Fig 39: Impression of redeveloped site 61

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Fig 40: Redeveloped island with microinterventions 62

Nidhi Reddy Pamudurthy

Vitality in the city lies in the visual - people and places. Microinterventions that create memorable experiences help associate with the city better and users feel more comfortable and connected with their environment. Small spaces like these create a layer of intimate movement that serves to defragment the network of public realm.

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07 | BIBLIOGRAPHY

Nidhi Reddy Pamudurthy

REFERENCES 1. Whyte, W. H. (2001). The Social Life of Small Urban Spaces. Project for Public Spaces. 2. Notteboom, B. (2013). Order and Memory. Imagining Ghent around 1900. Medium. Images of the Mid-Size City, OASE, (89). 3. Vigano, P. (2009). The Metropolis of the Twenty-First Century. The Project of a Porous City. On Territories, OASE, (80). 4. United Nations. (2019). 2019 Revision of World Population Prospects. https://population.un.org/ wpp/ 5. ESPAS. (2019). Challenges and choices for Europe. https://www.politico.eu/wp-content/ uploads/2019/04/ESPAS_Report2019_V15.pdf 6. Madanipour, A. (2015). Urban Design and Public Space. International Encyclopedia of the Social & Behavioral Sciences. 7. The Bartlett School of Planning. (2014). Living Places - Caring for quality. http://www. futurecommunities.net/files/images/ving_Places_Caring_for_Quality_Report__ODPM_.pdf 8. Mehta, V. (2013). Evaluating Public Space. Journal of Urban Design, 19(1), 53–88. 9. Public realm. (2018). Designing Buildings Wiki. https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/ Public_realm 10. Leite, R. P. (2015). Cities and Gentrification in Contemporary Brazil. Current Urban Studies, 03(03), 175–186. 11. Jacobs, J. (1992). The Death and Life of Great American Cities. Vintage 12. KORTRIJK 2025. The city we can want. (2017). Architecture Workroom. https://www. architectureworkroom.eu/en/projects/428/kortrijk-2025-the-city-we-can-want

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LIST OF FIGURES All images by author unless otherwise mentioned Fig 1: Nolli Map of private and public space in the inner ring of Kortrijk Fig 2: Built and open public space in the inner ring of Kortrijk Fig 3: Line drawing representation of people interviewed (https://www.vector-vault.org/) Fig 4a: Public spaces frequented by tourists Fig 4b: Map of public spaces frequented by tourists Fig 5a: Public spaces frequented by the elderly Fig 5b: Map of public spaces frequented by the elderly Fig 6a: Public spaces frequented by runners and dogwalkers Fig 6b: Map of public spaces frequented by runners and dogwalkers Fig 7a: Public spaces frequented by young adults Fig 7b: Map of public spaces frequented by young adults Fig 8a: Public spaces frequented by parents with young children Fig 8b: Map of public spaces frequented by parents with young children Fig 9: Movement patterns Fig 10: Overlap of networks Fig 11: Nolli Map of Buda Island Fig 12a: Potential sites of intervention Fig 12b: Current state of island with identified points of development Fig 13: Creating a network of communal spaces Fig 14a: Ile du Nante (pre transformation) Photo by Vjoncheray Fig 14b: Ile du Nante (post transformation) Photo by Vjoncheray Fig 15a: Plan of The Passenger (https://www.arnequinze.com/) Fig 15b: Site photo - The Passenger (https://www.arnequinze.com/) Fig 16a: Exterior photo - Outside In Pavilion (https://www.archdaily.com/) Fig 16b: Interior photo - Outside In Pavilion (https://www.archdaily.com/) Fig 17: Visual through Parkorman park - Photo from DROR Fig 18a: Existing situation of site 1 Fig 18b: Imagery of site 1 Fig 19: Concept of design Fig 20: Diagram of wooden ribbon element Fig 21: Plan of redesigned situation - site 1 Fig 22: Ground level plan of redesigned situation - site 1 Fig 23: Exploded axonometric of elements Fig 24: Impression of redeveloped site Fig 25a: Existing situation of site 2 Fig 25b: Imagery of site 2 Fig 26: Concept of design 66

Nidhi Reddy Pamudurthy

Fig 27: Diagram showing flexible nature of treehouse Fig 28: Plan of redesigned situation - site 2 Fig 29: Plan of redesigned situation -treehouses Fig 30: Ground level plan of redesigned situation - site 2 Fig 31: Exploded axonometric of treehouse structure Fig 32: Impression of redeveloped site Fig 33a: Existing situation of site 3 Fig 33b: Imagery of site 3 Fig 34: Concept of design Fig 35: Diagram showing types of cabins Fig 36: Plan of redesigned situation - site 3 Fig 37: Ground level plan of redesigned situation - site 3 Fig 38a: Exploded axonometric of walkway Fig 38b: Exploded axonometric of cabins Fig 39: Impression of redeveloped site Fig 40: Redeveloped island with microinterventions

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NIDHI REDDY PAMUDURTHY Academic Promotor: Dr Maarten Gheysen Faculty of Architecture Campus Sint-Lucas Gent 2020-2021