PORTFOLIO
Danlei Zhang
SELECTED WORKS2022-2023
For the Application to The University College London
MArch Urban Design
Application Number:24181803
PROLOGUECONTENTS
"What is a boundary?"
01 Boundaries And Urban Functioning
Urban Design Projects From The Perspective Of Crime Rates And Access Safety
01-04
02 Boundaries And Natural Symbiosis
Brownfield Transformation Project For Abandoned Shipyard
In the realm of landscape, the existence and nature of boundaries profoundly affect the interaction between humans and nature. Landscape boundaries do not just delineate the extent of land, they also carry information about culture, history, and ecosystems. Boundaries can be barriers or connections, defining our perception and understanding of nature. As Jan Gehl's book Interaction and Space suggests about flexible boundaries, we need boundary spaces that are thick, inclusive, harmonious, symbiotic, and blurred. Today, the growing conflict between urban development and the destruction of nature and ecology, resulting in increasing global climate anomalies, is the theme and mission of the public landscape. We need to break down borders, not create barriers
03 Boundaries And Human Intervention
Sustainable Shorelines Tackle Marine Plastic Hazards
04-07
04 Boundaries And Planting Pattern
Human-friendly Planting Patterns In Sustainable Development
08-10
11-13
01 Urban Safety Blueprint
Designing for Reduced Crime and Enhanced Downtown Security
Instructor: Shiyang Zhang
Type ： Individual work
Date ：
November to December,2023
Area ：
5016ha
Location ：
Downtown and surrounding areas, Los Angeles
Key Concern ：
Urban crime rate; Pedestrian safety;optimal solution
1
Los
LA crime situation overview
Crime
DowntownLos AngelesCalifoniaNational
Neighborhood-level reported general crime information
Fashion DistrictDowntown
Skid
Target object MethodVariatesResults
Network in downtown and surrounding areas
schools to LAPD residentials to LAPD Genetic Algorithm
passing through open and well-lit areas
Objective 1
more turns are required walking in areas with a low probability of crime occurrence
Objective 2
Objective 3
a police station is located within close proximity
Objective 4
Optimal solution
Maximizing walking safety
Stimulating SolutionExample Solution
Standard Deviation
parallel cordinate plot
Fitness Values
There are a total of 20 generations, each generation has 50 options for the road, 1000 solutions are randomly divided into 4 groups, each group chooses the best solution, each group is biased towards a goal or overall average.
FO1: Value:6032.516834
Rank:1981/1999
FO2: Value:119161.969004
Rank:1949/1999
FO3: Value:1049
Rank:1951/1999
FO4: Value:-3040 Rank:38/1999
Traffic safety highlow
High pedestrian traffic and dense crowds increase the likelihood of crime
The surroundings are open and well-lit public spaces with broad visibility
Close to LAPD headquarters, the neighborhood has relatively good security management
The neighborhood's significant concentration of homeless individuals may be involved in criminal activities
An area with a relatively low crime rate over an extended period No nearby police station and public spaces
Logic:
Solving Through
Objevtives
Generation
The Process Of Interatively
Four
Angeles: Globalized Metropolis Or City Of Danger? Downtown area road network 1000m 1000m 1000m 1000m 1000m 1000m 1000m 1000m 1000m 1000m 1000m 1000m 1000m 1000m 1000m 1000m 1000m 1000m waterways schools residential areas police stations public spaces N
rates
rising
had ramped up its police presence
The "Emergency Policing Plan for Downtown Los Angeles"has been proposed 2019 2017 During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2019, crime rates in downtown Los Angeles saw an increase 2020 Daily crime in downtown(per 100,1000 people) 0 4 8 12 violentpropertycrime 2.58 8.38 10.95 2.29 7.42 9.71 1.37 6.42 7.79 1.01 5.35 6.37
were
LAPD
2015
Row South Park F rating F rating F rating F rating total crime violent violent property total crime violent property total crime violent property total crime violent property 105% 103% 204% 201% 155% 492% 689% 454% 87% 85% 72% 56% property crime violentproperty crime violentproperty crime violentproperty crime 4000 student group is the main victim 25 50 75 age 3000 2000 1000 0 Senior 20% Youngster 44% Mid-age 36% 2
+ ++++
FO1 FO2 FO3 FO4
Gen. 13 | Indv. 1
FO1 FO2 FO3 FO4 FO1 FO2 FO3 FO4
The
safety
Variation 01 shortest commuting path across the station serving areas(m)
Gen.37 | Indv.1
FO4 FO1 FO2
FO3
V1:4568.69 V2:97690.11 V3:815V4:-2273
Gen.36 | Indv.18
FO4 FO1 FO2
FO3
V1:4700.49 V2:100176.6
V3:785V4:-2392
Gen.22 | Indv.31
V1:4818.5 V2:82665.05 V3:872V4:-2434
Gen.16 | Indv.16
FO4 FO1 FO2 FO3
V1:4700.79 V2:100176.6
V3:785V4:-2592
area through the introduction of security facilities and lighting system facilities. Therefore, the principle prioritizes the addition of police stations, homeless shelters and the brightening of the existing road system
Variation 02: close to public space(m)
Gen.32 | Indv.0 FO4
V1:4840.39 V2:80292.59 V3:642V4:-1899
Gen.16 | Indv.25
V1:5096.79 V2:85669.67 V3:946V4:-2551
Gen.8 | Indv.31
V1:5260.64 V2:89820.6 V3:945V4:-2537
Gen.3 | Indv.45
V1:5217.28 V2:75885.64
V3:702V4:-2018
Variation 03: lowest crime rate along the commuting path(%)
Gen.24 | Indv.11
FO4
V1:5602.36 V2:100722.3 V3:700V4:-1899
Gen.34 | Indv.14
FO4
V1:5168.51 V2:83078.46 V3:691V4:-2026
Gen.37 | Indv.45
V1:5419.18 V2:83053.2 V3:670V4:-2253
| Indv.5
V1:4900.18 V2:80869.66 V3:618V4:-1920
Variation 04: Maximum segements along the commuting path(t)
Gen.14 | Indv.2
FO4
V1:5797.99 V2:106971.6 V3:1040V4:-3066
Gen.17 | Indv.15
V1:5339.6 V2:99935.9 V3:980V4:-2809
Gen.24| Indv.44
V1:5273.96 V2:102371.5 V3:894V4:-2724
Gen.38 | Indv.5
V1:4900.18 V2:80869.66 V3:618V4:-1920
Intergral Analysis: Cross-Boundary
Gen.7 | Indv.30
FO4
V1:5152.32 V2:97845.4 V3:874V4:-2564
Gen.9 | Indv.37
V1:5139.16 V2:97381.53 V3:841V4:-2575
Design guidelineSite positioning in the design
population
36.12k(relative high)
relative high medium population density
crime rate police station schools public spaces
1055k(medium)
relative high relative low crime distribution
Risks & Challeges Solutions
poor quality of construction
a.renovation of old houses
Type1 ACTIVE
Type2 PASSIVE Type3 SUPERVISE
lack of spaces
useless parking lot
lack of public spaces
night roads&gansters
traffic congestion
b.additions
c.event venues
d.landscape&park
e.infrastuctures additions
f.government departments
g.road system carding
V1:5037.69 V2:95148.73 V3:908V4:-2579
Gen. 13| Indv.1
FO4
V1:6032.5 V2:119161.97 V3:1049V4:-3060 Gen.6 | Indv.33
Broadway is a renowned street in Los Angeles but is also known for being a highcrime area, especially the S Broadway region, which is far from LAPD, posing a higher risk
[Risk & Opportunity]
1900 S Broadway high low crime rate police station schools public spaces high relative low
Crime rates in Los Angeles Chinatown areinfluenced by a number of factors, includingsocioeconomic status, population density, andlaw enforcement.
[Risk & Opportunity]
[Risk & Opportunity]
North Hill Broadway high relative low crime rate police station schools public spaces relative high relative high relative low
The site has been abandoned and idle,but at the same time,there are still a large number of homeless people on the street who need to be settled
649 Croker St high medium crime rate police station schools public spaces relative low
Design Venues: Why Choose These Locations?
Spotlight On
+ + + SITE1 SITE2 SITE3 Chinatown Mission
Sacred
LAPD
LA Mark Parking Lot Santee High School City of Los Angeles Fire
Viaduct LAPD
San
Park Visconti
and
Positioning Design Nodes
Junction
Heart Catholic Church
Headquarters
Protection Inc
Central Community Police Station
Julian
Fountain
Mini Park
enhancing
FO4 FO1 FO2 FO3
design principles focus on
the
of the downtown
Gen.38
FO3
FO1 FO2
FO1 FO2 FO3
FO4 FO1 FO2 FO3 FO4 FO1 FO2 FO3
FO1 FO2 FO3
FO3
FO4 FO1 FO2
FO4 FO1 FO2 FO3
FO1 FO2 FO3
FO4 FO1 FO2 FO3
FO1 FO2 FO3
FO1 FO2 FO3
FO4
FO4 FO1 FO2 FO3
FO4 FO1 FO2 FO3
FO4 FO1 FO2 FO3
FO2 FO3
FO1
FO2
FO4 FO1
FO3
3
Cafe Add social and leisure elements, attracting a broader audience and enhancing the vibrancy of the site
total site area:10431m
maximum fIoors:1
green ratio:51.1%
parking space:/
02
Industrial Relic Regeneration
Browntield Transtormation and Ecological Integration Design
facilities:resting seats
Skatepark
project detail located in the souther part of downtown, close to residential areas and schools. This design caters to the youth demographic, providing a place for physical activity while also serving as a leisure and entertainment spot for nearby office workers and residents
Event lawn
It offers a secure space for the targeted audience to pursue their interests and hobbies
As a green public space, it provides a venue for a diverse range of activities for the nearby community
Shelter
The beds are arranged in the way of train sleepers to accommodate the homeless to the greaest extent
total site area:3880m
maximum fIoors:2
green ratio:34.3%
project detail Site located in the center of downtown, and there should be enough shelter to accommmodate a surplus of homess people,and the designon considers 3 types of people, only bedding, RV people and tent people.
parking space:12
facilities:/
RV parking area
Provide a certain place for the poor people who live in a RV to live and stay
Parking Lot
The origional parking lot is preserved and seperated from the living area of the homless
Secure Post
The police station serves as a hub for law enforcement activities and public safety coordination
total site area:499500m
maximum fIoors:4
green ratio:30%
residents:100k
project detail Los Angeles Chinatown is located in the heart of Los Angeles, California, USA, and has the 6th highest crime rate in San Francisco, 12% higher than the San Francisco average, with 752 violent crimes per 100,000 people
facilities:post/streetlight
Streetlights
Streetlights provide illumination for roadways, enhancing visibility and promoting safety at night
Police Car Herd Police cars serve as a visible deterrent to crime and provide rapid response capabilities
Instructor ： Nan Hu
Type ： Individual work
Date ：
June to July,2023
Area ：
43ha
Location ：
Wuxi,Jiangsu
Key Concern ：
Soil remediation;Continuation of industrial memory;Ecological restoration;Resilient landscape
SITE1: Urban Vitality Corner SITE2: Skid Row Shelter SITE3: Light Up Chinatown
4
Background: Abandoned Wuxi Shipyard Cut Off From The Surrounding Areas And Threatened By Flooding
CHINA
The
Analysis of the surrounding environment of Wuxi Shipyard
Site current condition sectional view
Current Problems: Soil Pollution & Flood Threat & Obsolete Relics current
Issue1:Flood threat
The site has a fIat topography and is susceptible to extreme weather conditions, posing a risk of
Issue2:Obosolete relics
The industrial facilities within the site have been abandoned for a long time, leading to disorder in the site's organization
Mitigation Strategies: Building A Vibrant And Resilient Site
Step1:Soil remediation
Step2:Set the rainwater collection points
Issue3:Soil pollution
The current soil has experienced various degrees of oil pollution, resulting in a degraded ecological environment
Step3:Partitioning functional zones
+ + + +
circulation remnant railway tracks current site entrances
residential area residential area Worker's quarters Water port Primary goods loading area Water port Warehouse zone Water port Raw material processing area
flooding
Focus areas for soil remediation New embankment line Rainwater collection area Main water fIow routes Transitional activity zone Industrial exploration zone Ecological restoration zone Remediating the contaminated soil to restore a healthy soil foundation for the site Enhancing rainwater collection and utilization through terrain shaping Organic blend of recreation, industrial memory and natural ecology factory space 0 200 400 800m
History: Wuxi's Illustrious Shipbuilding Industry Location of site In ancient times, Wuxi had a thriving canal system, and people often traveled by boat, with boats and barges constantly plying the canal throughout the year 1908 1956 Chunlei Shipbuilding, the earliest social enterprise in China, was born in Dongting, Wuxi The development of the shipbuilding industry was accompanied by severe environmental pollution 1987 2012 With the development of urbanization, shipyards were gradually abandoned, leaving behind old industrial sites Study area:Wuxi 0(mm) 100 200 300 2010 201220142016201820202022 2015201620172018201920202021 0 2 4 6 water level/(m) 5.18 5.28 5.32 4.19 3.73 5.05 4.81 Forbidden water level [+] Rain Days Average rainfall amount and rainy days in Wuxi
annul
Wuxi Grand Canal Station Yangtze River N
highest stage hrdrogrphy of
SITE Residential area Factory space Park area ++++ Liangtang River ecological wetland Wangzhaung Park Friendship Forest Park Residential area 5
Specific Measures: Enhancing Site Sustainability While Preserving Industrial Memory
Soil remediation strategyRainwater adaptability landscapeMeasures for repurposing obsolete relics
Severe solid pollutantsMildpollutantsLinear rigid barge
WetlandUndulating topographyCurved soft barge
Master Plan
Container caféContainer trellis
Infiltration basinRainwater garden Water walkwaySunken green spacePermeable pavement Interactive water featureRailway gardenGantry crane display
Site's new landscape cross-sectional view:Vibrant and resilient landscapes
viewing platform railway garden
Plan Generation
Existing conditionDetermine areas of topographic elevationShape the terrainCreate new road streamlinesPlacement of industrial facilities
1. Container Café
2. Railway Garden
3. Rain Garden
4. Sunken Public Green Space
5. Skateboard Area
6. Viewing Platform
7. Retained Gantry Cranes
8. Infiltration Basin
9. Plank Road
10. Wetlands
Terrain & Flooding Situation
Site inundation under varying degrees of fIooding 1st level2nd level3rd level
9 10 D D C C 3 4 5 6 1 2 8 7 B B A A N 0 50 100 200m
wetland convex area concave area Curved soft barge 6
Construction Drawing Section
Pervious concrete pavement
A-A Section
20mm thick M5 cement mortar 150mm thick C15 concrete compacted native soil 3000mm
350H X 100W X 600L red granite kerbstone
30mm thick 6mm particle size C25 plain pervious concrete
90mm thick 10mm particle size C25 pervious concrete
30mm thick sand filtration layer
200mm thick graded sand and gravel (compacted) compacted native soil
Natural gently sloping inlet barge
B-B Section
C-C Section
Ecological restoration zone
+0.50
2000mm 3000mm planting soil ±0.00(standing water level)
aquatic plant a chunk of natural stone (Specification buried depth ≤200mm,out of the ground height 250~450mm)
The old soil at the bottom is tamped in layers with the right amount of clayey soil
-0.40
D-D Section
Industrial exploration zone
Multifunctional Places Topography Model
Perspective: Transforming Urban Brownfields Into Vibrant
7
03 Beyond Plastic
Innovating Restoration for a Sustainable Seashore
Instructor: Wei Kuang
Type ： Individual work
Date ： September to October,2023
Area ： 12ha
Location ： Henderson Island North Beach
Key Concern ：
Marine plastic pollution;Habitat for wildlife;Human intervention
Henderson
Island Is Suffering From Heavy Marine Plastic Pollution
Livingcoral cover around Henderson Island
The proportion of plastic of different sizes on Henderson Island beaches
Sizes of plastic debris in our oceans
Location of Henderson Island
Currents carry trash onto Henderson Island Negative
Herderson Island
SOUTH
PACIFIC GYRE
Threats
The most polluted place in the world
Scattered across Henderson Island's beaches are 38 million pieces of plastic with a total weight of more than 18,000 kilograms
Macro&Mesoplastic 0 20 40 60 80 Large microplastic Small microplastic 5-25% 20-30% 10-40% 10-80% 5-60% N beach NW point NE point E beach S point Products Particles break down macroplastic >200mm mesoplastic 4.76-200mm large
1.01-4.75mm small
0.33-1.00mm
microplastic
microplastic
impacts of marine plastic pollution Increase risk of coral diease Reduce sediment quality
to the life of marine life
Destruction of habitat
8 36% 51% 13%
Concept Framework: How To Deal With Plastic Pollution
Mitigating waste pollution
Severe plastic pollution
Habitat rehabilitation
Problem Purpose
Points: Artificial Interventions
Manual intervention Precast block Intercept
Slow down Gather Collect
Regularly arrange on the reef fIat
Restore biological habitat & Maintain ecosystem balance
Methodology Vision
Basic unit Forms Section Module WaterfIow
Expected effect
New waste management measures
Lines & Surfaces: Grid System For Three Different Types Type1 Type2 Type3
main animal migratory routes
wooden boardwalk
main animal migratory routes shallow bottomed vessel access
Planning Of Manual Interventions In North Beach
The North Beach of Herderson Island is divided into three different types based on its topography
manual interventions position for type 1: no beachridge/incipient sand dunes
manual interventions position for type 2: no beachrock
manual interventions position for type 3: both include
+ + + + + + + + + + + + +
changeDelete
joinFinal
ocean
Initial arrangementSize
and
form ocean current
current ocean current size change baseline size change baseline size change orientation
N reef
zone
beachrock
buttress
400m
9
wooden boardwalk intercept collect intercept collect collect access
coral ledges/surf
reef fIat
beach sand/coral shingle beachridge/incipient sand dunes lowest limestone units higher limestone units notch
0100200
module1 module2module3module4
concrete block concrete mixture armor stone core stone wood plank 1 2 3 4
New habitat for biodiversity coralseaweed fishturtlebird
Type 1 : Bilateral InterceptionType 2 : Central Guard Master planMaster plan Perspective
Type 3 : Offshore Collection Master plan
Step3:Inshore refuse collection
10 0 10 20 40m armor stonewood plank concrete mixture (oyster shells as aggregate)
concrete block 0 10 20 40m0 10 20 40m
Step1:External plastic waste interceptionStep2:Coral reef restoration
The Three-North Shelterbelt Program In China
The Three-North Shelterbelt Program, sand dune system, and desertification affected areas map of China
75'0"E80'0"E85'0"E90'0"E95'0"E100'0"E105'0"E110'0"E115'0"E120'0"E125'0"E130'0"E
gobi desert mobile dune oasisfarmland shelter-belt regions with desertification occuring scope of the Three-North Shelterbelts forest urban area lake water systems yardang vegetated dune
Rooted In The Future
Human-friendly Planting Patterns in Sustainable Development
Instructor: Hao Wu
Type ： Individual work
Taklimakan Desert
Gurbantunggut Desert
50'0"N
Badain Jaran Desert Hulunbuir Desert
Hunshandak Desert Magolia
Bohai Sea Kazakhstan
Tibet Plateau
Kumutage Desert Qaidam Desert
Tengger Desert Horqin Desert Ordos Desert Hobq Desert
+ SITE
45'0"N
Date ：
November to December,2023
Area ： 1050ha
Location ：
The outskirts of Bayan Khoshuu Village in Alxa Zuoqi
Key Concern ：
Planting stragety Protection Forest System,Pollen Allergy,Human-friendly
75'0"E80'0"E85'0"E90'0"E95'0"E100'0"E105'0"E110'0"E115'0"E120'0"E125'0"E130'0"E
Source ： The spatial trends for natural forests, farmland shelterbelts, and shifting-sand shelterbelts were compiled based on data from Xiao (1994), and the China Forestry Yearbook((1949–1986) (bound volume), 1987–2006). The trends for dune systems are from IGFDR (1974) and CAREERI (2005).
The trajectory of Three-North Shelterbelt Program pollen allergy
the forest coverage rate in the construction area
belt of trees and grid of grass sand barriers desert to oasis
In the Three-North region, severe wind erosion buries large areas in sand, leading to frequent sandstorms
First
Second stage
40'0"N
35'0"N
Artemisia artemisia,as a pioneer plant for sand fixation, produces pollen that is a major allergen barren land
1978 ： Commencement of program 2000 ： End of stage 1 2020 ： End of stage 2
stage ： Ecological governance is coordinated with economic development, ensuring that the protective forest system achieves structural stability, functional perfection, and the organic integration of ecological, economic, and social benefits
： The ecological environment quality in the Three-North Region is showing a stable and improving trend, with the basic containment of the degradation of natural ecosystems, effective alleviation of sand and dust hazards, and successful control of soil erosion 11%
19.1%
50'0"N 45'0"N 40'0"N 35'0"N
04
11
tree shurb herb ## year/day growth circle
0m 5m 10m 15m 20m 25m
18year Artemisia ordosica with both medicinal, forage, environmental and economic values, but its pollen spreads and becomes a major allergen. Pollen allergy
Artemisia ordosica Psammochloa villosa Haloxylon ammodendron Salix cheilophila Elaeagnus angustifolia Populus alba Pinus sylvestris Populus nigra
habitat windproof sand retention salinity fecundity
water-wetness resistance economic value ground ground ground ground ground & sand dunes ground & sand dunes sand dunes sand dunes
Growth environment: soil
Sparse forest belt Major tree species
Roads are arranged in two common ways
Dense forest belt
Populus alba Populus simonii Populus tomentosa
Floating poplar catkins bring environmental pollution
Master Plan
Artemisia ordosica planting area
Haloxylon ammodendron planting area
Elaeagnus angustifolia planting area
Ulan Buh Desert
Herbaceous ground cover oasis
Village
Ulan Buh Desert
SITE +
Yellow River
Major tree species
Pinus sylvestris Elaeagnus angustifoli Salix cheilophila
Susceptible to pests and diseases
Growth environment: sand dunes
Straw checkerboard barrier
The most powerful sandfixing ability
Strongest wind protection 50m 50m 5m
Major tree species
Artemisia ordosica Psammochloa villosa Haloxylon ammodendron
Artemisia artemisia pollen was the main allergen
Table Mountain
Wuhai City
The design site is located on the edge of the desert, overlooking Wuhai City across the river. It aims to serve as a pilot perception area for Wuhai City, exploring a planting model that integrates windbreak, sand fixation, and the suppression of Artemisia ordosicapollen spread.
wind defense process
road system
Lake
y
200day 90da
0 200 400 800m N
Typical Sand Fixation Species For Program
Typical Planting Patterns For Program
12
Proposed Planting Patterns For Decreasing Pollen Spread
Proposed planting model
AProposed planting model BProposed planting model C
Introducing a desert oasis to increase the relative humidity and suppress the dispersion of black sagebrush pollen
Plane layout
Section
The outer peripheral tall trees and elevated topography work together to suppress the internal black sagebrush pollen dispersion
Planting black sagebrush on the leeward side, utilizing the terrain to suppress pollen dispersion
6m4m4m
Innovative Planting Scenario For Coping With Pollen Allergies
Original siteArtemisia ordosica---plating
environmental quality monitoring devices wind turbine
Artemisia ordosica
Artemisia ordosicaroadgrassgrassgrassroadoasis
Artemisia ordosica---growingElaeagnus angustifolia on the periphery
Elaeagnus angustifolia
topography shaping oasis
wheatgrass grids plant growth detector
poplar
Haloxylon ammodendron
oasis
Artemisia ordosica
Artemisia ordosica
Artemisia ordosica environmental monitoring station wind turbine
Populus
Elaeagnus angustifolia
Haloxylon ammodendron
H₂O pollen pollen pollen
13