24 minute read

Week 3 Socio-economic and cultural issues

This contemporary architecture respects the context’s floor level, height and window detail. Thus blending with the locality.

The Investcorp Building / Zaha Hadid Architects at Oxfordshire (Archdaily, 2015)

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OXFORD, ENGLAND ADAPTIVE REUSE

Contemporary architectural constructions like the above by Zaha Hadid architects, notable for its regional architecture quality speaks a story about its nativity. Its design ‘weaves through the older protected buildings and trees, its stainless steel facade mildy reflects the natural light to portray its surrounding older context’ (Archdaily, 2015), thus connecting the past, present and future. This project speaks about place identity and how it can be applied across different morphological levels Projects like Leszczynski Antoniny Manor Intervention in Poland, Green Mountain,

Hamburg, Germany and Lufa Farms green house roof top, Montreal clealry explain the importance of rootedness, the importance of place and its aspect of speaking a story.

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Leszczynski Antoniny Manor Intervention (archdaily,2015)

Leszczynski Antoniny Manor Intervention (archdaily,2015)

Lufa Farms green house roof top, Montreal (euronews, 2020) Former farm buildings turned residential and healthcare facility

World war 2 War bunker into a community space topped by a towering rooftop garden.

Built on top of distribution centre (15,000 sq.m)

PLACE IDENTITY FRAMEWORK

THE CASE OF TORONTO

W5 Mobility Networks

Technological advancements has unlocked the potential of different modes of travel making the world shorter. Mass distribution and use of the different modes of

travel allow access to new land on a daily basis. It becomes clear that our cities grow in correlation with available mobility systems, patterns of movement and availability of land. Concepts such as legibility, access and movement patterns shape this theme. Cities are now constantly seeking for ways to connect people with the place of work, entertainment, leisure and dwellings in the shortest and comforatable way as possible. Mobility networks play a key role in achieving economic competitiveness, social cohesion and sustainable growth. The network must also mitigate negative effects such as congestion, accidents and pollution. This collaborative project by BIG and Toyota is to ‘push forward the development and progress of mobility’ at the foothills of Mt. Fuji (Harrouk, 2020). Concepts at focus include mobility, connectvity, autonomy and hydrogen powered infrastructure while proposing a newfound balance between vehicles, alternative forms

of movement, people and nature.

Flexible network of streets are dedicated to various

speeds of mobility for safer, pedestrian-friendly connections (the traditional system of a road is broken, dividing the public realm into 3 entities). Segregation of movement lanes, high active edges/ peripheries. The building forms address local architectural styles/ modular blocks (Harrouk, 2020). Example of various modes of transport in Toronto include: Pedestrian, Tram, Train and bicycles. However it is heavily dominated by vehicle movement, parking and other transport infrastructure. There are Wide streets throughout all masterplans and also opportunities for multi-modal networks are open.

The pandemic has impacted mobility in several ways. There is less use of pedestrian routes, more reliance on indepedent (private) vehicles , limited use of public transit (only when necessary), green space were already limited in the city, so people have limited visiting parks and other open spaces. Designing safe and convinient mobility types for people espeically during such times is crucial to keep services running effectively.

IMPORTANCE CASE STUDY

Toyota wowen city, Japan (BIG, 2020)

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TOYOTA WOVEN CITY

The world’s first urban incubator

MOBILITY AT LIBERTY VILLAGE

Road network: city scale

3.09 3.09 3.09 3.09 MOBILITY MOBILITY MOBILITY MOBILITY

natural green space natural green space man-made green space natural green space man-made green space natural green space city border man-made green spacecity border man-made green space site border city bordersite border city border arterial roads site border arterial roads site border railway tracks arterial roads railway tracks arterial roads main highway railway tracks main highway railway tracks main highway main highway

natural green space natural green space man-made green space natural green space man-made green space natural green space site border man-made green spacesite border man-made green space railway tracks site border railway tracks site border main highway railway tracks main highway railway tracks arterial roads main highway arterial roads main highway local roads arterial roads local roads arterial roads local roadslocal roads

natural green space natural green space man-made green space natural green space man-made green space natural green space site border man-made green spacesite border man-made green space railway tracks site border railway tracks site border main highway railway tracks main highway railway tracks arterial roads main highway arterial roads main highway local roads arterial roads local roads arterial roads local roadslocal roads

ROAD NETWORK: ROAD NETWORK:

CITY SCALE CITY SCALE ROAD NETWORK: CITY SCALE

PROXIMITY TO DOWNTOWN TORONTO

Being able to see the chosen site in the context of the city in which it is located helps to determine the the LIBERTY VILLAGE

ROAD NETWORK: CITY SCALE Being able to see the chosen site in the context of the ROAD NETWORK: CITY SCALE ROAD NETWORK: CITY SCALE Being able to see the chosen site in the context of the ROAD NETWORK: CITY SCALEPROXIMITY TO DOWNTOWN TORONTO Being able to see the chosen site in the context of the city in which it is located helps to determine the the Being able to see the chosen site in the context of the city in which it is located helps to determine the the city in which it is located helps to determine the the Being able to see the chosen site in the context of the city in which it is located helps to determine the the city in which it is located helps to determine the the LIBERTY VILLAGE

ROAD NETWORK: PROXIMITY TO

DOWNTOWN TORONTOCITY SCALE Being able to see the chosen site in the context of the city in which it is located helps to determine the the major roads that run through it. In dark red, we can see that there is a major highway that cuts through the site, through the city, and connects to the suburbs. Similarly there are two major railway tracks that merge later on and connect to the city’s surroundings.

LIBERTY VILLAGE LIBERTY VILLAGE LIBERTY VILLAGE LIBERTY VILLAGE

site is surrounded by different types of vehicular roads and

One major highway and two major railways cut PROXIMITY TO DOWNTOWN TORONTO PROXIMITY TO DOWNTOWN TORONTO PROXIMITY TO DOWNTOWN TORONTO PROXIMITY TO DOWNTOWN TORONTO site is surrounded by different types of vehicular roads and through the site

One major highway and two major railways cut through the site

site is surrounded by different types of vehicular roads and One major highway and two major railways cut through the site

DRIVING - 10-24 mins Fastest method

TRANSIT - 28 - 40 mins there are two major railway tracks that merge later on All routes include stops (switching buses)

DRIVING - 10-24 mins there are two major railway tracks that merge later on Fastest method DRIVING - 10-24 mins there are two major railway tracks that merge later on Fastest method

DRIVING - 10-24 mins there are two major railway tracks that merge later on there are two major railway tracks that merge later on DRIVING - 10-24 mins Fastest method Fastest method DRIVING - 10-24 mins Fastest method

Being able to see the chosen site in the context of the TRANSIT - 28 - 40 mins there are two major railway tracks that merge later on city in which it is located helps to determine the the LIBERTY VILLAGE All routes include stops (switching buses)

ROAD NETWORK: PROXIMITY TO CITY SCALE DOWNTOWN TORONTO

Being able to see the chosen site in the context of the there are two major railway tracks that merge later on city in which it is located helps to determine the the DRIVING - 10-24 mins Fastest methodLIBERTY VILLAGE TRANSIT - 28 - 40 mins All routes include stops (switching buses)

site is surrounded by different types of vehicular roads and TRANSIT - 28 - 40 mins All routes include stops (switching buses) TRANSIT - 28 - 40 mins TRANSIT - 28 - 40 mins All routes include stops (switching buses) TRANSIT - 28 - 40 mins One major highway and two major railways cut All routes include stops (switching buses) All routes include stops (switching buses) through the site

there are two major railway tracks that merge later on

ROAD NETWORK: ROAD NETWORK:

DISTRICT SCALE DISTRICT SCALE

and local roads. The road network is clearly designed for and local roads. The road network is clearly designed for ROAD NETWORK: DISTRICT SCALE ROAD NETWORK: CITY SCALE transit. transit. and local roads. The road network is clearly designed for ROAD NETWORK: DISTRICT SCALE Being able to see the chosen site in the context of the city in which it is located helps to determine the the ROAD NETWORK: DISTRICT SCALE DRIVING - 10-24 mins Fastest method TRANSIT - 28 - 40 mins All routes include stops (switching buses)

ROAD NETWORK: DISTRICT SCALE ROAD NETWORK: DISTRICT SCALE ROAD NETWORK: DISTRICT SCALE ROAD NETWORK: DISTRICT SCALEPROXIMITY TO DOWNTOWN TORONTO

and local roads. The road network is clearly designed for and local roads. The road network is clearly designed for and local roads. The road network is clearly designed for and local roads. The road network is clearly designed for

LIBERTY VILLAGE

transit. transit. WALKING - 53-54 mins transit. transit.

WALKING - 53-54 mins When we zoom in a little closer, we begin to see arterial and local roads. The road network is clearly transit. and local roads. The road network is clearly designed for there are two major railway tracks that merge later on DRIVING - 10-24 mins Fastest method designed for vehicular trafffic. Being enclosed between railway tracks, a highway, and an arterial road, it WALKING - 53-54 mins

transit. is challenging for residents to get anywhere without their vehicles, or public transit. ROAD NETWORK: SITE SCALE ROAD NETWORK: SITE SCALE WALKING - 53-54 mins

CYCLING - 16 - 18 mins CYCLING - 16 - 18 mins It is faster to bike than to take public It is faster to bike than to take public TRANSIT - 28 - 40 mins

All routes include stops (switching buses)

natural green spacenatural green space man-made green man-made green spacespace site bordersite border railway tracksrailway tracks natural green space main highwaymain highway man-made green arterial roadsarterial roads space site border

WALKING - 53-54 mins WALKING - 53-54 mins WALKING - 53-54 mins WALKING - 53-54 mins CYCLING - 16 - 18 mins It is faster to bike than to take public

railway tracks natural green space main highway man-made green arterial roads space site border

CYCLING - 16 - 18 mins It is faster to bike than to take public

Zooming in further on the site we begin to see the disconnect between local roads. There are no pedestrian bridges or paths connected the two sides of the railways (north and south railways). There are also several dead coarse grain of the blocks makes for large parking spaces

Zooming in further on the site we begin to see the disconnect between local roads. There are no pedestrian bridges or paths connected the two sides of the railways (north and south railways). There are also several dead coarse grain of the blocks makes for large parking spaces ROAD NETWORK: SITE SCALE Zooming in further on the site we begin to see the disconnect between local roads. There are no pedestrian bridges or paths connected the two sides of the railways (north and south railways). There are also several dead ROAD NETWORK: SITE SCALE Zooming in further on the site we begin to see the ROAD NETWORK: SITE SCALE Zooming in further on the site we begin to see the disconnect between local roads. There are no pedestrian bridges or paths connected the two sides of the railways ROAD NETWORK: SITE SCALE Zooming in further on the site we begin to see the disconnect between local roads. There are no pedestrian ROAD NETWORK: SITE SCALE Zooming in further on the site we begin to see the disconnect between local roads. There are no pedestrian bridges or paths connected the two sides of the railways ROAD NETWORK: SITE SCALE Zooming in further on the site we begin to see the disconnect between local roads. There are no pedestrian coarse grain of the blocks makes for large parking spaces disconnect between local roads. There are no pedestrian (north and south railways). There are also several dead bridges or paths connected the two sides of the railways (north and south railways). There are also several dead bridges or paths connected the two sides of the railways bridges or paths connected the two sides of the railways (north and south railways). There are also several dead (north and south railways). There are also several dead (north and south railways). There are also several dead coarse grain of the blocks makes for large parking spaces coarse grain of the blocks makes for large parking spaces coarse grain of the blocks makes for large parking spaces coarse grain of the blocks makes for large parking spaces coarse grain of the blocks makes for large parking spaces

ROAD NETWORK:

DISTRICT SCALE

and local roads. The road network is clearly designed for transit. WALKING - 53-54 mins CYCLING - 16 - 18 mins It is faster to bike than to take public

PROXIMITY TO DOWNTOWN TORONTO

LIBERTY VILLAGE

DRIVING - 10-24 mins Fastest method

ROAD NETWORK: ROAD NETWORK: SITE SCALE

CITY SCALE

Being able to see the chosen site in the context of the Zooming in further on the site we begin to see the disconnect between local roads. There are no pedescity in which it is located helps to determine the the trian bridges or paths connected the two sides of the railways (north and south railways). There are also there are two major railway tracks that merge later on several dead ends that cut off near the railways. On the south side, the coarse grain of the blocks makes TRANSIT - 28 - 40 mins All routes include stops (switching buses) for large parking spaces and limited road network making it difficult for pedestrians

site is surrounded by different types of vehicular roads and

One major highway and two major railways cut through the site all local roads are all local roads are

the original site contains the original site contains many dead end roads many dead end roads and limited connections and limited connections to the southern portion. to the southern portion.

does not include does not include any designated any designated the original site contains many dead end roads pedestrian / cycling paths or mid-block pedestrian / cycling paths or mid-block and limited connections to the southern portion. CYCLING - 16 - 18 mins It is faster to bike than to take public CYCLING - 16 - 18 mins CYCLING - 16 - 18 mins It is faster to bike than to take public CYCLING - 16 - 18 mins It is faster to bike than to take public It is faster to bike than to take public

DESIGN REFLECTION DESIGN REFLECTION The current network situation of Liberty village is poorly configured, to say the least. It is disconnected from its surroundings mainly due to the railway and highway infrastructure that divides the site but there also appears to be minimal effort to merge this divide. There are many dead ends and an abundant amount of vehicular roads with no pedestrianfriendly paths. Not to mention the lack of greenery and leisure space for visitors and residents. The proposed plan offers a number of different types of roads including those that are traffic-free and geared towards the safety and comfort of pedestrians and cyclists. It also offers linear parks and ecological routes that connect the two sides as well as several The current network situation of Liberty village is poorly configured, to say the least. It is disconnected from its surroundings mainly due to the railway and highway infrastructure that divides the site but there also appears to be minimal effort to merge this divide. There are many dead ends and an abundant amount of vehicular roads with no pedestrianfriendly paths. Not to mention the lack of greenery and leisure space for visitors and residents. The proposed plan offers a number of different types of roads including those that are traffic-free and geared towards the safety and comfort of pedestrians and cyclists. It also offers linear parks and ecological routes that connect the two sides as well as several DESIGN REFLECTION The current network situation of Liberty village is poorly configured, to say the least. It is disconnected from its surroundings mainly due to the railway and highway infrastructure that divides the site but there also appears to be minimal effort to merge this divide. There are many dead ends and an abundant amount of vehicular roads with no pedestrianfriendly paths. Not to mention the lack of greenery and leisure space for visitors and residents. The proposed plan offers a number of different types of roads including those that are traffic-free and geared towards the safety and comfort of pedestrians and cyclists. It also offers linear parks and ecological routes that connect the two sides as well as several

all local roads are does not include any designated pedestrian / cycling the original site contains paths or mid-block many dead end roads and limited connections to the southern portion.

DESIGN REFLECTION The current network situation of Liberty village is poorly configured, to say the least. It is disconnected from its surroundings mainly due to the railway and highway infrastructure that divides the site but there also appears to be minimal effort to merge this divide. There are many dead ends and an abundant amount of vehicular roads with no pedestrianfriendly paths. Not to mention the lack of greenery and leisure space for visitors and residents. The proposed plan offers a number of different types of roads including those that are traffic-free and geared towards the safety and comfort of pedestrians and cyclists. It also offers linear parks and ecological routes that connect the two sides as well as several

all local roads are does not include any designated railway tracks pedestrian / cycling main highway paths or mid-block arterial roads the original site contains many dead end roads and limited connections to the southern portion.

natural green space all local roads are man-made green space does not include site border any designated railway tracks pedestrian / cycling main highway paths or mid-block arterial roads site is surrounded by different types of vehicular roads and One major highway and two major railways cut through the site

ROAD NETWORK: SITE SCALE

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DESIGN REFLECTION

The current network situation of Liberty village is poorly configured, to say the least. It is disconnected from its surroundings mainly due to the railway and highway infrastructure that divides the site but there also appears to be minimal effort to merge this divide. There are many dead ends and an abundant amount of vehicular roads with no pedestrianfriendly paths. Not to mention the lack of greenery and leisure space for visitors and residents. The proposed plan offers a number of different types of roads including those that are traffic-free and geared towards

site is surrounded site is surrounded by different types of site is surrounded by different types of site is surrounded vehicular roads and by different types of vehicular roads and by different types of vehicular roads and vehicular roads and One major highway and One major highway and two major railways cut One major highway and two major railways cut One major highway and through the site two major railways cut through the site two major railways cut through the site through the site

natural green space natural green space man-made green natural green space man-made green natural green space space man-made green space man-made green site border spacesite border space railway tracks site border railway tracks site border main highway railway tracks main highway railway tracks arterial roads main highway arterial roads main highway arterial roads arterial roads the original site contains the original site contains many dead end roads the original site contains many dead end roads the original site contains and limited connections many dead end roads and limited connections many dead end roads to the southern portion. and limited connections to the southern portion. and limited connections to the southern portion. to the southern portion. all local roads are all local roads are all local roads are all local roads are

does not include does not include any designated does not include any designated does not include pedestrian / cycling any designated pedestrian / cycling any designated paths or mid-block pedestrian / cycling paths or mid-block pedestrian / cycling paths or mid-block paths or mid-block

DESIGN REFLECTION DESIGN REFLECTION DESIGN REFLECTION DESIGN REFLECTION The current network situation of Liberty village is poorly configured, to say the least. It is disconnected from its surroundings mainly due to the railway and highway infrastructure that

The current network situation of Liberty village is poorly configured, to The current network situation of Liberty village is poorly configured, to

say the least. It is disconnected from its surroundings mainly due to the railway and highway infrastructure that divides the site but there also The current network situation of Liberty village is poorly configured, to say the least. It is disconnected from its surroundings mainly due to the say the least. It is disconnected from its surroundings mainly due to the railway and highway infrastructure that divides the site but there also The current network situation of Liberty village is poorly configured, to say the least. It is disconnected from its surroundings mainly due to the divides the site but there also appears to be minimal effort to merge this divide. There are appears to be minimal effort to merge this divide. There are many dead ends and an abundant amount of vehicular roads with no pedestrianrailway and highway infrastructure that divides the site but there also appears to be minimal effort to merge this divide. There are many dead appears to be minimal effort to merge this divide. There are many dead ends and an abundant amount of vehicular roads with no pedestrianrailway and highway infrastructure that divides the site but there also appears to be minimal effort to merge this divide. There are many dead many dead ends and an abundant amount of vehicular roads with no pedestrian-friendly friendly paths. Not to mention the lack of greenery and leisure space for visitors and residents. The proposed plan offers a number of different ends and an abundant amount of vehicular roads with no pedestrianfriendly paths. Not to mention the lack of greenery and leisure space friendly paths. Not to mention the lack of greenery and leisure space for visitors and residents. The proposed plan offers a number of different ends and an abundant amount of vehicular roads with no pedestrianfriendly paths. Not to mention the lack of greenery and leisure space paths. Not to mention the lack of greenery and leisure space for visitors and residents. The types of roads including those that are traffic-free and geared towards the safety and comfort of pedestrians and cyclists. It also offers linear for visitors and residents. The proposed plan offers a number of different types of roads including those that are traffic-free and geared towards types of roads including those that are traffic-free and geared towards the safety and comfort of pedestrians and cyclists. It also offers linear for visitors and residents. The proposed plan offers a number of different types of roads including those that are traffic-free and geared towards proposed plan offers a number of different types of roads including those that are traffic-free parks and ecological routes that connect the two sides as well as several the safety and comfort of pedestrians and cyclists. It also offers linear parks and ecological routes that connect the two sides as well as several parks and ecological routes that connect the two sides as well as several the safety and comfort of pedestrians and cyclists. It also offers linear parks and ecological routes that connect the two sides as well as several and geared towards the safety and comfort of pedestrians and cyclists. It also offers linear parks and ecological routes that connect the two sides as well as other parts

STRATEGIC NETWORK

Regional connectors, train line (blue) Much like in the contrast in urban grain from the surrounding areas the larger plots that exist on liberty village play expected host to commercial

and artists as the area has grown as an alternative to the city culture. Ironically because of this several glazed residential and commercial towers below main street network at ground level, recognised and those building has been protected as seen below.

expressway (red) suspended, train station

within the centre of the site

MAIN STREET NETWORK

Regular grid network connecting into the

strategic routes, Bridged over rail network

and spatial connectivity at the expense of

biophillic value

LOCAL NETWORK

Local street network within main streets,

EXISTING BUILDING DYNAMICS constrained by the strategic networks which

can form barriers for pedestrian movement

particularly within the site large blocks within

the site due to different land uses

3.08 MOVEMENT

A LOOK AT THE EXISTING TRANSPORT NETWORK..

As is typical of the of the continents city strategy the grid layout is ironically north American with the major routes clearly visible below. This rigidity

‘idea’ creates strong boundaries as seen in the economic differentiation between adjacent neighbourhoods surrounding Liberty Village. Designing interventions that cross these boundaries will aid in urban equity.

Existing space syntax map (Authors own, 2021)

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4.05 A LOOK AT THE MOVEMENTPROPOSED TRANSPORT NETWORK.. with key connections to the interborough links. The through movement has an east west strategy and north- south routes serve as the local paths. These local routes links to our major pedestrian transit paths through our green linear parks which we aim to become our main interdistrict trails with these ‘free’ movement connections aiding in the equity distribution.

4.06 PROPOSED USAGE & DENSITY

3.10 STREET SECTIONS

EXISTING SECTION A

3.10 STREET SECTIONS

A

A EXISTING SECTION B

3.11 ECOLOGY

3.10 STREET SECTIONS

EXISTING SECTION A

B Gardiner Expressway A LakeShore Boulevard

EXISTING SECTION A EXISTING SECTION B

B

B

city and focused their attention on civilization and urbanization. This gradual urbanization over the next several hundred years resulted in detrimental biodiversity

A

A

B

B

and enhance their journey allowing them to better serve the ecosystem.

The proposed design buries the bridge A and traffic underneath and creates open space for pedestrain connections and exchanges

Proposed space syntax map (Authors own, 2021)

W6 Morphology Methodology

Morphology is all about decoding the social process of formation and transformation, understanding the heirarchy of types and different layers of the urban environment. Route structure, green/blue infrastructure, land use, urban tissue, townscape, access/ frontage, street type and block/plot/building type are related significant Understanding the culture of the place,the way (morphology) it is formed, structure, identity and activities are important to produce successful designs. It is also about how the people use places and the way it affects people. Studying my surrounding spaces and the way they were formed gives me a better understanding of the urban layers and its activities I experience everyday. Each layer has its own functions and the designing spaces with respect to their connection with adjacent spaces is key for a successful design.

IMPORTANCE

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Pr Private/ Sp Semi private/ P public

MORPHOLOGY

Study of Clivebooth student village, Oxford

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