MSC Urban Design & City Planning Programme Catalogue 2022/2023 by The Bartlett

2022/2023

The Bartlett School Of Planning, UCL ISSN 2399-5254

LAYERS

THE CUD P 22/23

CITY OF MSC URBAN DESIGN & CITY PLANNING PROGRAMME CATALOGUE

Layers of the City: An Exhibition by MSc Urban Design and City Planning

The Bartlett School of Planning, UCL

Programme Catalogue

2022 / 2023

ISSN 2399-5254

Coordination team of the exhibition and catalogue:

Bowie Yung

Fiera Alifa

Hana Younes

Pablo Sendra

Paullomi Raja

Roby Robbany

Scarlett Waller

Skye Langmuir

Cover design:

Roby Robbany

CONTENTS 6 9 17 27 33 97 Foreword Term 1 Term 2 Term 3 Research Projects Social Term 1 Field Trip: Newcastle Term 2 Field Trip: Lisbon Student Life

STAFF

Programme Director:

Pablo Sendra

Programme Administrator:

Yvonne Sibblies

Module Coordinators:

Elena Besussi

Fangzhu Zhang

Filipa Wunderlich

Juliana Martins

Matthew Carmona

Pablo Sendra

Paula Morais

Peter Rees

Richard Simmons

Module Staff and Tutors:

Bahar Drinkwater

Becky Mumford

Bianca Maria Nardella

Colin Haylock

Dimitrios Panayotopoulos-Tsiros

Efstathia Kostopoulou

Elena Besussi

Fabio Santos

Hanadi Samhan

Jingyi Zhu

Juliana Martins

Julie Plichon

Leo Hammond

Mat Proctor

Matthew Carmona

Matthew Wong

Melissa Barrientos

Mengci Xiao

Omar Sherif

Pablo Sendra

Paula Morais

Peter Rees

Raj Rooprai

Sonja Baralic

Stephen Marshall

Terpsi Laopoulou

Tse-Hui Teh

Valentina Giordano

Wendy Clarke

Zahira El Nazer

Zulfikar Putra

Dissertation Supervisors:

Matthew Carmona

Valentina Giordano

Juliana Martins

Major Research Project Supervisors:

Joost Beunderman

Ming Cheng

Elad Eisentein

Kathryn Firth

Colin Haylock

Judith Loesing

Chris Martin

Lucía Morato

Peter Rees

Neha Tayal

Elanor Warwick

Matthias Wunderlich

STUDENTS

Adi Wiratama Banjarnahor

Anika Ananna

Anna Baxter

Ashley Ng

Ben Chan

Beth Hughes

Bowie Yung

Cameron Cooke

Chaemin Yoo

Christopher Lee

Christos Petrou

Daniel Lui

Diran Shalabana

Fiera Alifa

Hana Younes

Hillary Chow

Howell Hui

Jacqueline Lau

Jake Snooks

Jiacheng Liu

Joe Chan

Kexin Xu

Kirstie Brittain

Krystal Lyu

Laura Bucero Descalzo

Laurie Edwards

Liz Gulino Torres

Luke Tassell

Luyao Wang

Mahmoud Sahmoud

Marie Kaune

Max Charles

Meng Xue

Michelle Lin

Muhamad Daniel Aizat Hj Abd Rahman

Myranda Morrison

Ningna Song

Nora Nanova

Paco Poon

Paullomi Raja

Renee Blain

Roby Robbany

Ryan Leung

Ryan Shean

Saheel Birewar

Sanjana Harkawat

Scarlett Waller

Skye Langmuir

Susherrie Suki

Theodora Shum

Tin Wai Chan

Vanessa Wang

Wesley Wong

Xiaoqing Mo

Xiaoyu Yu

Yutian Han

Zayn Abdallah

Zoe Brown

FOREWORD

The MSc Urban Design and City Planning is a globally unique masters programme at one of the world’s leading institutions in the study of the built environment, building upon a recognised long-term urban design research specialisation of the Bartlett School of Planning.

The programme seeks to address key challenges in planning through the lenses of urban dsign, equipping students with creative problem solving abilities that are in high demand in the world of practice. Students are recruited from across the globe with a broad range of and have backgrounds in terms of first degree and who have a diversity of interests in undertaking the programme. Likewise, staff who teach on the programme come from across the globe and have backgrounds in urban planning, urban design, conservation, architecture and public administration. The intersection of these interests leads to a highly creative and dynamic environment for the students to explore some of the key challenges facing built environment professionals.

This catalogue first introduces the taught modules at the MSc in Urban Design and City Planning, illustrating them with examples of student coursework. The catalogue then presents a seleciton of final major research projects and dissertations where students carry out in-depth explorations of a complex topic or research problem that synthesises each student’s specific interests developed throughout the year. The major research project focuses on a particular site, method or process and is propositional - delivering a vision and working it out in depth so as to

exhibit its potential, while also reflecting upon its limitations. The dissertation is an analytical and reflective project undertaken with a deep engagement with methodologies to illuminate a key issue in our fields. These final projects are organised into six categories within the catalogue, drawing on the topics of adaptability, movement, housing, public space, people and sustainability.

What follows is a celebration of the class of 2022-2023 and their work, and records the outstanding level of excellence of the students on the MSc Urban Design and City Planning programme at the Bartlett School of Planning, UCL.

“LAYERS

OF THE CITY”

Throughout the course, we have rigorously analysed the different layers that make up a city. We present our work here through the lenses of people, movement, adaptability, sustainability, public space and housing.

TERM 1

Urban Design: Layout, Density, Typology

BPLN0056

Urban Design: Placemaking

BPLN0042

City Planning

BPLN0035

URBAN DESIGN: LAYOUT, DENSITY AND TYPOLOGY

BPLN0056

Coordinator: Paula Morais

Tutors:

Prof. Stephen Marshall, Dr. Juliana Martins, Dr. Tse-Hui Teh, Omar Sherif

This module is the first part of the Urban Design Specialism at the Bartlett School of Planning. It provides an opportunity to critically investigate the spatial characteristics and qualities of the built environment, with a focus on exploring and testing urban form and density in the development of design proposals. This project-based module aims to develop knowledge and a range of skills for carrying out urban design investigations and proposals. It is complemented by the second module in the specialism (BPLN0057) which focuses on design as a tool of public policy, through guidance, incentive and control.

Understanding the characteristics of the urban spatial structure, density and built form (at several scales) is at the core of the Urban Design discipline. Studies of the morphological dimension of urban settlements have expanded our understanding of processes of urban change and historical development, identified the basic elements of urban form and space (such as street and block pattern, plots, buildings, and open natural spaces) and the inter-relationships between these, and explored the impact of different spatial configurations and urban building types. Hence, this module

explores this interface between knowledge drawn from the existing urban tissue and its application in designing space.

Specialism module 1 is thus organized in two parts: an analytical stage and a design stage. Students will work individually and in teams and will be asked to produce an urban design proposal for the Billingsgate Fish Market and South Poplar area in London, which aims to foster a critical dialogue between the multiple dimensions of urban design and current London planning and development contexts with

P A G E 0 3 P A G E 0 ntext S S - V S O N - P R O P O S A L - A C T V E H U B - C O M M U N T Y S A N C T U A R Y - C O N C L U S O N Area Context Study Area L O N D O N T O W E R H A M L E T S 8 9M Greater London Pop ar Ward 55 pph d d 0 5 GSI h h d d b to pop d s y 56 6% - h e c s 319K LB Towe H m e s 66 pph d den y 21% 0 3 GSI d b e t ve o pop d ns y 69% - h & m no y e hn e d d 2 9% d d 72% p p g g 19% aged 0-1 9% d 60 2 4 a e age dwe ng p 7 9K to a popu a n p 136 pph h gh avg p p y 23% 0 25 GS ow g een pace ndex p p p p y 76% o pop come r my h 206 20% h ghe han g 64 8% 29 4% g5 8% g 2 9 g g 40% h 27% p 33% p g 52% k g 20 8% h h 27 2% Tower Ham ets g f th ght b f h advantage o London s growth to reare seve a commun t es n London s, p ks, ty t s, d e the c ty s cu ture and uture e ia -d e u ba desig p oposa c or the B l ngsgate F sh Market & pp y the know edge we ga ned rom dea eve of housing densi y n d t h th s, p andscape and connect vi y verag ng opportun t es es & s t A 1 Ch t A 2 Ref ec ing on Layou Dens ty & Typ gy th Pop ar nter acing Networks Landscape Mob ty P A G E 0 50m 100m 1 4.1 Masterplan V I S I O N U A R Y - C O N C 2 3 4 5 6 Poplar High Street 1 1 4 4 2 2 5 5 3 3 3 6 Central Spine (CA1) Ce Quayside Promenade West Pedestrian Highwalk DLR Station Billingsgate Market & Square East Pedestrian Highwalk Elizabeth Line Station Social: Environ Mobilit Linking How our s the three H c sp b th B th To c b fr Th m (N In a c a c B A t P A G E 0 3 P Aspen Way B l ngsga e Square & Market 4 2 Masterplan: Deconstructed P A G E 4 N T R O D U C T O N & C O N T E X T - S T E A N A L Y S S - V S O N - P R O P O S A L - A C T V E H U B - C O M M U N T Y S A N C T U A R Y - C O N C L U S O N E t P d t H ghwa k Wes Pedest ian H gh k Pop ar H gh Street P d t B dg & P Rest tch ng Density Quays de P d 15 23 m C t C C S P d B dg 40 2 Bu er P A G P A G E P A G E S - V S O N - P R O P O S A L - A C T V E H U B - C O M M U N T Y S A N C T U A R Y - C O N C L U S O N P A G E C S C C Access & Qual ty of Publ c Sp V sua isat on The G ee B idge p o des spac the both the s to s a d es de eet e a a d st o The G f oo of the co u ty ce t e ho t ti th t p bl t d th t p t th k Th h p t i t t b t p p p id t ti Accord ng to the H gh Density L SPD the pub c rea m has to eg b e and access b e in te ms entrance and communal fac There shou d be c ear and d stin pathways that of ers simple easy nav gat on o pedestr an access communal spaces The g Pedestr an B idge wh ch cont nuous unt the entrance o Community Centre prov des a and eg b e wa k ng pathway for u to access these pub c spaces communal fac it es are nteg ated with the green Pedes Br dge to provide qual ty pub c space with nter aced pedes network Commun ty Centre Green Pedestr an Br dge Community Square P A G6- 5 Quays de TOD 566 new homes B ingsgate Res dences 1 194 new homes Pop ar C uster 1 345 new homes m² m² m² P A G E Residential Density Distribution 4.7 Restitching Density & Housing P A G EyN h Q p CA1 Active Hub CA2: Commun ty Sanctuary 1 2 3 1 P ot Coverage Res oor area 46 98m2 g d y 246 dph P C g 35 9% R 96 636 2 Ove a FAR 5 0 Dwe ng dens y 2 4 dph P ot Cove age 4 7% Res f oo a ea 21 94m2 O FAR 4 2 D g d y 62 dph 2 3 Overa l 3 05 o a new homes Pop a Low-dens y Zone 2%Cana y Wha H gh-dens ty Zone p49% - d N T R O D U C T O N & C O N T E X T - S T E A N A L Y S S - V S O N - P R O P O S A L - A C T V E H U B - C O M M U N T Y S A N C T U A R Y - C O N C L U S O N +Restitch ng Density The p oposa rest tches the ext d fference of dens ty and tenur Pop ar and Canary Wharf by creat o e o te ediate de s ty b b t b th I th h gh dens t es are placed near tr nodes to de iver the v s on s an Po cy D3 ob ect ve o TOD L dens t es are s tuated a ong the P High Street edge to respect the a exist ng character Yet th s is m w th moderate dens ties that a o the act vation o the h gh st eet A tota of 3 105 new homes w prov ded nc uding rep ace h f t t id t 45 t t h f d b Th TH Loca Plan po cy req rements CA1 prov des most of the site s ho ( 760) w th the Quays de TOD having the h ghest dwe ng dens 246 dph P ot coverage n B ings Residences s the owest (35 9%) to its vast open space However t regained w th a h gh ove a FAR o a ow ng the prov s on of 1 94 hom CA2 p d l g t f h th d i g d of 162 dph that accounts o prox mity o Pop ar and reta spaces Optimising Site Capa (Pol cy D3 of the London Pla We hope to offer a residential-driven urban design proposal that will produce a better configured urban fabric for the neighborhood. We also hope to achieve the ideal level of housing density in accordance with Policy D31 of the London Plan. In order to achieve this, we plan to restitch Poplar and Canary Wharf’s community, landscape, and connectivity. 50m 00m Sect on 1 Sect on 2 1 2 1 Existing & Proposed Green Spaces 4.3 Restitching Landscapes N T R O D U C T O N & C O N T E X T - S T E A N A L Y S S - V S O N - P R O P O S A L - A C T V E H U B - C O M M U N T Y S A N View of Gree Sem P ivate Cou tyards Pub c Parks and Pocket Parks G een Buffe on the edges of A p W y G een Bridge over Aspen Way p d p g courtyards we intend to connec the g p f P p d C y Whar We ntend to g ve better q ty g p p th people to use and en oy We a e ntroduc ng 4 ma or kinds of green spaces Re-st tch ng the network of green and blue spaces comp es w th LP Po cy D3 By he nc sion of more street g eenery and green roofs s ted d p th t q ty can be mp oved The London P an gg t th t g nfrastructure shou d be taken nto t t k- d t g t d manner The mu t -sca e green p h f d comprehens ve network that offers a d p S th P p B ue-green Network (Pol cy D3 of the London P an)

URBAN DESIGN: PLACEMAKING

BPLN0042

Coordinator: Professor Matthew Carmona

Tutors: Wendy Clarke, Matthew Wong, Efstathia Kostopoulou, Juliana Martins, Valentina Giordano, Raj Rooprai, Paula Morais, Melissa Barrientos, Jingyi

Zhu, Leo hammond, Zahira El Nazer

This course drew on the extensive theoretical underpinning of urban design as a means to explore approaches to appraise the character of the built environment, and, as a result, to forward practical and even visionary proposals focussed in the quality and liveability of urban space as a key contribution to sustainable place making.

The course used the method of ‘place critique’ in which we take the time to learn from existing developments – how they are successful and how they are not – in order to more successfully shape places in the future.

The module provided students with an introductory yet comprehensive overview of urban design theory. It also offered an opportunity to turn urban design theory into practice through the completion of one project in two parts. The first encompassed a deep analytical dive into a particular project, with different groups taking different recently completed developments in London. The second focussed on proposing a series of creative interventions to these same projects in order to understand how we could learn from each place and, in an ideal world, re-

shape them for the better.

The projects chosen were each systematically analysed against the six substantive dimensions of urban design covered in the lecture programme, while tutorials focussed on what this meant in the context of each environment. Sharing the analysis and proposals allowed groups to learn from each other and demonstrated the variety of challenges and opportunities we face when shaping cities.

BARKING RIVERSIDE: A UNIQUE ‘SURBAN’ NEIGHBOURHOOD

OPPORTUNITIES

WIDER STRATEGIC INTERVENTIONS

How

AREA-SPECIFIC STRATEGIES: CORE

The Core as a focal point of the development

STRATEGIES: CORE

Stepped open space that connects places and the community

GROUND

LOWER GROUND

uneven topograa landscape. common space for

GROUND

space

community cafe where resident volunevents. It will socialise whilst over-

Stepped terraces can be used to mitigate the effects of uneven topography by allowing people to move between different levels of a landscape. It can also foster a sense of community by providing a common space for people to gather, socialise and interact.

This strategy creates a new green bridge crossing the lake in a park that is currently underutilised. It serves as a new landmark to enhance legibility, and also improving connectivity towards the central plaza and community centre area. Car access and parking are replaced by other active uses to

The Barking Riverside Bike Repair Cafe will act as a community cafe where cyclists can store and repair their bikes, and it will be run by resident volunteers. Profits will go towards community organisations and events. It will also act as a point of gathering where residents can socialise whilst overlooking the green space.

The central plaza will provide a range of amenities including general practitioner services and restaurants. We anticipate that these animated frontages will increase the attractiveness of the central hub. The facade of the community centre will be redesigned by referencing the industrial past of the area to enhance its heritage value and uniqueness.

and

LAKESIDE WALK phy by allowing people to move between different levels of a landscape. It can also foster a sense of community by providing a common space for AREA-SPECIFIC STRATEGIES:

The Core as a focal point of the development COMMUNITY VITALITY CONNECTIVITY TERRACES HIGHER GROUND LOWER Stepped open space that connects places and the community Activity hub that hosts more amenities and active frontages Giving character to the central blue-green space The Barking Riverside Bike Repair Cafe will act as a community cafe where teers. Profits will go towards community organisations and events. It will BIKE LANE Mimics TRANSITION STRATEGY BETWEEN THE TWO AREAS ACTIVE TRANSPORT LINKAGE EXTENDING THE EXISTING SUDs This strategy attempts to create a smoother transition and effortless legibility between the urban gateway and surban core, and a welcoming experience of place and sense of arrival before getting into the core. Tree lined streets and integrated cycle paths create a green blend between the two, as well as a safer route for the pedestrians. CORE-GATEWAY TRANSITION How do we beautify and improve the linkage between the two action areas? COMMUNITY VITALITY CONNECTIVITY Securing climate resilience and future-proofing through biodiversity gain, reduced surface runoff and access to nature Reducing car-dependence and promotes active modes of transport Promoting better connectivity between the two area, bike lanes also lead to key transport nodes for better transit integration FILTERED PERMEABILITY PERSONALISATION AND PUBLIC ART Strengthening identity and creating community-unique features Inspiration: Street Art at Hackney Wick (Sustainable Urban Drainage System) VISION AND CONCEPTS AREA-SPECIFIC STRATEGY: GATEWAY AREA-SPECIFIC STRATEGY: CORE CORE-GATEWAY TRANSITION WIDER STRATEGIC INTERVENTIONS HACKNEY TO CITY OF LONDON CYCLE SUPER CYCLEWAY C42 CS3 EXTENDING MIXED USE AND GREEN ZONES INDUSTRIAL MIXED USE GREEN SPACE A wider network inter-connectivity structure (direct superhighway active travel uptake, to the prevalent isolation (Buehler Integrating connectivity to London as WIDER STRATEGIC INTERVENTIONS How can we integrate Barking Riverside with its surrounding contexts and the London area? COMMUNITY VITALITY CONNECTIVITY Smoothening the transition between industrial and residential uses TO CITY OF LONDON CYCLE CYCLEWAY C42 CS3 EXTENDING MIXED USE AND GREEN ZONES RESIDENTIAL Good urban design “blends in and disappears and we do not notice that it is there” (Carmona, 2021). In Barking Riverside it feels that the transition between residential and industrial is rather abrupt at the moment, therefore we are trying to include employment-led mixed use building zones and A wider inter-connectivity structure superhighway active travel to the prevalent Integrating to London

CORE

Riverside

London area? COMMUNITY VITALITY CONNECTIVITY

can we integrate Barking

with its surrounding contexts and the

AREA-SPECIFIC STRATEGIES: GATEWAY ent to the river COMMUNITY CONNECTIVITY INTRODUCING Considering circular landmark Introducing a variety of use classes Visualisation Maximising AREA-SPECIFIC STRATEGIES: GATEWAY The Gateway as a critical arrival space and attachment to the river COMMUNITY VITALITY BARKING CARGO INTRODUCING A UNIQUE LANDMARK A unique ambitious design creates a significant landmark that boots legibility on the site, and when viewed from the Thames. Thoughtfully, the corten steel references industrial past-times on-site, and is a corrosion-resistant material that improves in Visualisation Visualisation Inspiration: Wapping Wharf CARGO scheme, Bristol Introduction of a cargo container scheme represents a method of temporary urbanism and urban acupuncture which can enrich city life (Lerner, Promoting identity and legibility URBAN SUBURBAN SURBAN DESIGN PRINCIPLES A UNIQUE SURBAN NEIGHBOURHOOD Urban design framework to accomplish partial intervention to Barking Riverside Fostering local identity and community cohesion through creating new places for community capacity-building Harnessing the socio-economic and health benefits of a positive urban vitality within appropriate context Ensuring more feasible and realistic active travel through changing behaviours to utilise existing infrastructure CONNECTIVITY CONNECTIVITY COMMUNITY VITALITY mass rapid transit capabilities car-dependence low density calmness and tranquility concrete jungle 24-hour urban vitality high density living integrated transport network mixed use proximity allegretto lifestyle biophilic design VISION STATEMENT CONCEPT MAPS ACTION AREAS MOVEMENT Focal point and community hub To foster bottom-up ideals through urban design interventions which allow residents to develop their own identity organically, in diverse, connected and engaging spaces, that improve legibility and develop a unique sense of place, thus answering the question, ‘what is Barking Riverside’? VISION AND CONCEPTS CORE A unique arrival space GATEWAY WIDER CYCLING CONNECTIVITY IMPROVED PEDESTRIAN LINKS CORE-GATEWAY TRANSITION

Smoothening the transition between industrial and residential uses

community

Hi!

Mimics LAKESIDE WALK

COMMUNITY VITALITY CONNECTIVITY

LOWER

TERRACES HIGHER

A community-run cafe that fosters sense of community Activity hub that hosts more amenities and active frontages Giving character to the central blue-green

area

enhance

heritage value

uniqueness. BIKE REPAIR CAFE CENTRAL PLAZA & COMMUNITY CENTRE GREEN SPACE BIKE LANE Hi! NHS Mimics URBAN SUBURBAN SURBAN DESIGN PRINCIPLES A UNIQUE SURBAN NEIGHBOURHOOD Urban design framework to accomplish partial intervention to Barking Riverside Fostering local identity and community cohesion through creating new places for community capacity-building Harnessing the socio-economic and health benefits of a positive urban vitality within appropriate context Ensuring more feasible and realistic active travel through changing behaviours to utilise existing infrastructure CONNECTIVITY CONNECTIVITY COMMUNITY VITALITY COMMUNITY VITALITY mass rapid transit capabilities car-dependence low density calmness and tranquility access to nature concrete jungle 24-hour urban vitality high density living integrated transport network mixed use proximity allegretto lifestyle biophilic design VISION STATEMENT CONCEPT MAPS ACTION AREAS MOVEMENT Focal point and community hub To foster bottom-up ideals through urban design interventions which allow residents to develop their own identity organically, in diverse, connected and engaging spaces, that improve legibility and develop a unique sense of place, thus answering the question, ‘what is Barking Riverside’? VISION AND CONCEPTS CORE A unique arrival space GATEWAY WIDER CYCLING CONNECTIVITY IMPROVED PEDESTRIAN LINKS CORE-GATEWAY TRANSITION

its

The site has many blue and green spaces which helps to create an attractive and liveable environment by improving air quality and providing places to enjoy the outdoors, thus improving physical and mental wellbeing. The site also has a strong sense of community with residents of various gender, religious, and ethnic backgrounds. As a result, a distinct cultural identity has formed through community organisations and event. The site has new and modern transport links such as the Thames Clipper, London Overground and bus routes in place which are frequent and have good connections to different parts of London. The site has the potential to have a vibrant promenade that both locals and visitors can enjoy, giving residents the chance to run their own independent businesses and enhancing the development's vitality. BETTER TRANSPORT OPTIONS The site has an illustrious history, having gone through numerous transformations over time, resulting in a rich heritage value due to its shipbuilding, powerstation, and industrial background. INDUSTRIAL HERITAGE VALUE BLUE-GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE STRONG SENSE OF COMMUNITY ACCESS AND THE USE OF THE RIVER OPPORTUNITIES Maximising the views towards the Thames Introducing industry-inspired visual elements to the site Creating more places of gathering to further enhance the sense of community Our direction to capitalise on these opportunities in Barking Riverside Extending the landscape qualities to other parts of the site Reinforcing connections to transportation nodes KEY:

CITY PLANNING BPLN0035

Coordinator:

Dr. Richard Simmons Tutors: Hanadi Samhan, Zulfikar Putra

The aim of the module is to introduce students to the practice of city planning. It enables students to develop a sound understanding of the purpose and goals of city planning, how it is practised, how it differs from urban design, what principal issues city planning has to deal with, and introduce key structures, techniques and methods used to produce its plans.

By the end of the module, students should:

• Understand important elements of planning theory and practice to enable them to participate fully in the discourse of city planning;

• Have a working knowledge of the main goals of city planning;

• Be aware of the key issues facing city planning in the 21st Century;

• Be able to discuss a selection of city planning’s tools, techniques, structures and practices in an informed way;

• Understand why city planners approach the preparation, writing and delivery of plans in the way that they do;

• Be aware of some of the differences between how city planning is approached in different cultures and polities;

• Form judgements about the value of planning and the alternatives to it

The lectures discuss issues which face city planning, some of the principal tools and techniques that it uses, and the ways in which they are applied. Each seminar, in turn, is structured around students’ critical engagement with set readings. The course is assessed based on seminar participation, an essay on a selected topic and an exam.

LECTURES SEMINARS

Introduction to Critical Thinking: Is City Planning Feasible? Planning Systems | Conservation New Settlements | Modes of Planning WEEK 1 WEEK 2 WEEK 3 WEEK 4 Demographics | Right to the City WEEK 5 Urban Economies READING WEEK WEEK 7 Health and Wellbeing | Planning for Housing WEEK 8 Resilience and Sustainability WEEK 9 Big Data, Smart City WEEK 10 Beauty | Transport WEEK 11 Global Cities | What if we Don’t Plan? SEMINAR 1 Planning the Emergent City SEMINAR 2 Conservation SEMINAR 3 Modes of Planning SEMINAR 4 Making Planning Work for Everyone

TERM 2

Critical Debates in Urban Design

BPLN0032

Collaborative City Planning Strategies

BPLN0033

Sustainable futures

BPLN0034

Urban Design: Guidance, Incentive and Control

BPLN0057

CRITICAL DEBATES IN URBAN DESIGN AND CITY PLANNING

BPLN0032

Coordinator:

Juliana Martins

Tutors: Bahar Drinkwater, Dimitrios Panayotopoulos-Tsiros, Terpsi Laopoulou

Urban design is a field of knowledge where theory and practice are closely related. A ‘Critical’ knowledge of theory together with analytical practices are the necessary foundations for applied urban design that can shape the spaces of the city in a meaningful way. Urban design theory supports and informs urban design practice in many ways. It raises awareness and provides a more robust understanding of present-day spatial and social problems in cities, can provide a rationale for creative urban design approaches, and can assist analytical practices by providing methodological approaches for urban analysis, drawing on urban design and other related fields of research.

Urban design theory covers a wide field with no clear boundaries and strays into various others disciplines such as architecture and social sciences. The multi-disciplinary nature of urban design, the close interrelation of theory and practice, and its ‘wicked’ subject underpin the complex field of urban design knowledge.

A conscious debate is necessary to keep the field moving and to help constantly redefine and calibrate urban design theory and practice approaches.

This course invites students to explore the field of urban design knowledge. It will give an insight into the complex and contested nature of urban design theory and encourage students to construct their own understandings of topics and rationale for urban design interventions. Rather than assimilating facts, students will be learning to critically think and debate urban design, and contribute to the constant evolution and upgrading of urban design knowledge.

LECTURES SEMINARS

Urban Design as a field of knowledge and research by Dr Juliana Martins

Precarity of refugees: the case of Basmane-Izmir, Turkey by Dr Bahar Durmaz-Drinkwater

Research by Design / Research in Practice by Dr Juliana Martins

Panel discussion: The future of urban design theory - emergent questions and debates with Lawrence Barth, Kathryn Firth and Lily Moodey

SEMINAR A

The Nature and Role of Urban Design

SEMINAR B

Streets & Blocks: Qualities of Urban Design

SEMINAR C

Public Space: Social Dimensions

SEMINAR D

Mix: Spatial and Social Perspectives

SEMINAR E

Place: Perception and Experience

COLLABORATIVE CITY PLANNING STRATEGIES

BPLN0033

Coordinator: Elena Besussi

Tutors:

Hanadi Samhan, Bianca Maria Nardella

This module brings together community groups and planning students in the coproduction of planning knowledge. It defines co-production as a process of collaboration between different experts: communities and future planners, which has the intent to transform pre-existing understanding of the position and expertise that both parties represent.

This year’s project focuses on the preparation of a planning brief for a large area in a central London Borough (Hackney). The students’ proposal will need to respond to the outcomes of a community-led survey, identify indicators of social value, outline a planning brief that explores how planning can provide guidance to a development that positively address locally articulated needs and use social impact assessment methods to corroborate the proposed planning guidance.

A key aspect of this project is the critical analysis and challenge to mainstream assumptions of what constitute value in planning.

The module is assessed by the submission of one group report. The project leading to the preparation of the report is organised in two stages.

In Stage 1 students will:

1. Collection and analyse data and other qualitative information to identify local community priorities and social values

2. Design social impact indicators and social impact assessment tools based on community priorities 3. Measure the social impacts (via social impact assessment) of council’s strategies on indicators of “social value” (as defined above).

In Stage 2 students will:

1. Translate community priorities into core planning objectives and planning parameters

2. Prepare a planning document for allocated area which incorporates the planning parameters into policy guidance for future development.

3. Evaluate of the proposed planning guidance by application of the social impact assessment tool developed in stage 1.

4. Provide recommendations for MOPS’ current campaign.

“The

power of the people is much stronger than the people in power”

TOWARDS A HACKNEY BUILT BY THE PEOPLE, WITH THE PEOPLE, FOR THE PEOPLE BPLN0033 Collaborative City Planning Strategies Jiacheng Liu Jianheng Tan Laura Bucero Paullomi Raja Yutian Han GENTRIFICATION PROPAGANDA!! DESTRUCT ON SOC AL HOUSING The area shou d a ow cheap market p ots too oca affordable shops keep a ocal arge supermarket Not some crazy organ c p ace pleasea fordab e oca ethn c bus ness support for ndependent brands or bus ness sma l shops are be ter than supermarke s ndependent reta ers better han mu t nat ona cha ns ow pr ce and var ety of foods for var ety of communi y needs to cons der other cu tures and the r food needs LP32 Town Centers D 34 000 q f t l d i f p by 2033 i he whole Bo ough the most s gn f cant grow h ocused in Da ston and Hackney Central nc ude other uses such as commun y e sure cu ture tour sm c v c as we as esident al users above g ound f oor commerc a are accepted to etain and fur her mprove he vita ity of the town centres LP33 H k y C t d D t Any redeve opment o A1 reta l un s over 1 000 sqm must re-prov de at east the ex st ng quantum of A1 re a oorspace At east 60% of the whole frontage must be A1 contr but ng to the v tal y and v abi y o he town centre Secondary shopp ng areas can nclude d verse A B and D LP37 S al a d I depe de t Shops N t d p t >1000 q ) p t at least 10% of sma l shops of A1 c ass use PHC2 - 55 Morning Lane (Tesco S te M xed use redeve opmen of Tesco superstore and ca park hrough he prov s on w Tesco The a ay arc affordable rent small shops affordable, non-corporative, non-chain retail ethnically diverse product range, catering to the local communities' needs owned by local / shared ownership / cooperative type small shops owned by local businesses big Tesco Tenure Size Quality Affordable Retail with variety of products 55 Morning Lane 16 Community pr or ty Attribute Subtopic Voices of local people HACKNEY LOCAL PLAN 2.2 Identification of policy gaps and weaknesses in Hackney Local Plan: "grey areas" All photographs are by us 4. MOPS' toolkit for negotiation REMOVE TESCO TESCO HIGH END RETAIL GREEN SPACE SOCIAL HOUSING HIGH-RISE The counc and deve oper are p ann ng to bu d a sma er supermarke and demo ish th T d p t th h ghr s ng m xed use bu d ngs w h e a use on ground and res den a & of ce use above KEEP TESCO AS A COMMUNITY ASSET K p g h T h t requent response n MOPS su vey Tesco acts ke a commun ty hub fo d f erent ethn ty to n eract wi h each o her and prov des res dents w th af ordab e tems h h d p bl t Council s Plan Recommended Argument GENTRIFYING SHOPS Deve oper s v s on ke maker space sho s the r ambi on o crea e highp th t l d lne ghbourhoods LOST HIGH END SPACE ns ead of he nearby Fash on Hub act ng as a was e o space expens ve empty and a a ure people pre e noncorporate o non-cha n shops un by H k y R d t GREEN SPACE ABOVE THE GROUND Deve oper s deve opmen agenda recommends h gh r se de e opment th 3rd g p h h p t t and h gh-dens y deve opmen MORE COLLECTIVE AND CORPORATE-FREE SPACES P p h t 3 d g p spaces owned by pr vate sec ors genera ly mpose mo e con o /regu at on on use/users and cause the end o pub c space Res dents are cal ng for a des re or owe dens y d p - p NO MORE AFFORDABLE HOUS NG BECAUSE OF F NANCIAL SHORTAGE t s eas er to see the end o he wor d than a development n Hackney w h 50% f d b h g b budget and ow-p of e urn PRECEDENTS IN OTHER BOROUGHS O her boroughs have success u y ach eve he requ remen s set by London P an P k gt E t t regenerat on pro ec n sl ng on ha w de ver over 500 new homes 60% of wh ch w be af ordab e HIGH DENSITY DEVELOPMENT New scheme w de ve a sma er supe marke han the current Tesco and 450 h p 19 y h gh b t t 20% l h g HIGH RISE WITH MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING C d i g h t d t t Pack ng on Estate are general y 8-15 storeys h gh a 19-s orey high deve opmen de n tely cou d de ver more han 20% soc a hous ng The de e opmen co d be negot ated th s i h g See B g Tesco on Pg 16) (See new reta l po ic es suggested on Pg 26) See Page 18 for more (See Smal shops on Page 16) See B g Tesco on Page 16) See Economic Green Fac l t es on Pg 18) (See Hous ng po cies ana ysed on Pg 27) See Typo ogy and a chi ectural sty e on Pg 15 See LP13 on page 15 S LP13 LP15 T p g 15) 33 https://morninglanepeoplesspace.org/background-andreports/ https://morninglanepeoplessp ace.org/background-and-reports/ https://medium.com/@alvinowusu12/the-mostcontentious-street-in-hackney-who-is-morning-lane-forhttps://www.gsa.gov/governmentwide-initiatives/federalhighperformance-green-buildings/resource-library/integrativestrategies/green-roofs source:https://archello.com/project/trafalgar-place https://morninglanepeoplesspace.org/background-and-reports/ https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2018/mar/2 9/high-street-closed-betting-shops-york-back-from-dead https://www.northwesttwo.org.uk/green-space-assetcommunity-value/ source:https://calfordseaden.com/project/packington-estate/ source:https://hunters.co.uk/projects/detail/blackhorse-yard/

Wael Ghonim

SUSTAINABLE FUTURES

BPLN0034

Coordinator: Dr. Pablo Sentra

Tutors: Julie Plichon, Sonja Baralic, Becky Mumford and Tse-Hui Teh

This module provides students with a holistic approach to all the aspects of sustainability: social, cultural, economic and environmental. Students will reflect on possible sustainable future cities by addressing issues that are currently at the forefront of the debate on urban design and city planning: how to make the city more inclusive, collaborative, consume less resources, interact with nature, address the challenges of climate change and, at the same time, strengthen its design and maintain its heritage.

The module combines design and theoretical reflection through a series of lectures, workshops and design proposals.

There were two assessments. The proposal were for the Wandle Valley in South London. The first one was an A3 portfolio with the three workshops. The second one was one A1 poster and a 500word essay in an A4. Both assessments were done individually.

The key topics discussed were sustainable futures, actions to tackle climate change, co-operative strategies, and finally sustainable vision for the future.

23 N Summerstown IndustrialArea Retained Internal Core Original Structure1 Community Kitchen: Adoptable Workspace: Planning and leasing: The core of the co-housing structure is a community kitchen which overlooks the main play area oustide. This allows parents to oversee the children while socialising and preparing meals. Moreover, shared childcare and supervision enables working single parents to go to work, thus not .seitiliba cimonoce rieht gnitimil Kithcen countertops on wheels and seating areas are movable to adopt easily to changing needs, whether that is a Friday dinner party or a long-term to work from home. Sports: Open spaces can be used as spaces to exercise for both parents and children soc Accessibility: Elevator and staircase access ensure maximum accessibility and easy soc Private Balconies: Edges of the industrial structure are used as private outdoor space, making use of wind and sunlight. soc env Productive Play: Gardening plots integrated in children’s play areas make play both fun and productive! soc env econ econ soc Modular Walls: (Interior) walls of dwellings are modular/ foldable to allow for dynamic home layouts which meet the changing needs of single parent households quickly and at a much lower cost. soc econ Homes: equipped with a bathroom and living area accommodate different (and dynamic) family sizes and needs. Four aspect homes also maximise exposure to (in)direct sunlight. soc env soc soc env econ Repurposing is less costly than new built | Harnesses natural lighting and ventilation | Playtime produces consumption goods | Modular walls reduce adaptation costs | Shared kitchen appliances reduce sale, maintenance, and energy costs | Shared babysitting allows working parents to go to work | environments which harness natural light and ventilation | Private balconies and 4 aspect homes maximise exposure to sunlight | Community kitchen encourages the sharing of resources and the reduction of food waste | Fruits and vegetables grown on site in productive play areas Bringing single parents together and creates a resilient, self-supporting community | The community is well integrated from its retail, sport, green and education facilities | Community kitchen becomes a social hub |Community support as well as liveable spaces improve mental wellbeing |Flexible and accessible spaces are responsive to various/changing social needs | Open spaces promote play and sport between residents This proposal takes advantage of the current talk for new SILs in the wider borough which can house the relocated industries. (DLUHC, 2022). It also encourages the careful use of permitted development planning for a liveable and timely conversion of industrial buildings to residential use (Madeddu and Clifford, 2022). This conversion can be carried out in phases which a) allow for the rehousing of relocated light indistry b) the refurbishment of the structures and wider landscape and c) the introduction of families/ businesses/ community centres. The project will be owned and managed by the Wandsworth Community Trust which will expand its repertiore of housing to include single parent co-housing. This proposal should act as temporary housing, that is, as a pedastool for struggling single parents. As such, the properties will be rented out in intermediate or affordable rates to the single parents by the borough of Wansworth. Ventilation & Sunlight: Removing the exterior of the industrial structure allows for sunlight to penetrate to lower improves mental wellbeing. soc env econ BPLN0034 Sustainable Futures by Design Part 2: SustainableVision SINGLE PARENT CO-HOUSING References Design Milk, 2016., A Flexible Apartment for a Young Couple in São Paulo Dezeen, 2022., Davidson Prize longlist features 14 proposals for co-living. DLUHC 2022., Direction Under theTown and Country Planning General Permitted Development, England. Order 2015. Hayden, D., 1980.What would a non-sexist city be like? Speculations on housing, urban design, and human work. Signs: Journal of Women in Culture and Society, 5(S3), pp.S170-S187. ONS, 2001., Household by Household Type, 2001 Ward. Lone Parents ONS, 2021., Living Costs and Food Survey. March 2021 Wandsworth, 2022., Policies Map Changes Document. Local Plan Publication (Regulation 19) Version January 2022. Madeddu, M. and Clifford, B., 2022.The conversion of buildings to housing use: England’s permitted development rights in comparative perspective. Progress in Planning, p.100730. Notes 1.The repurposing proposal can be adapted according to the unique shapes as well as number of 2. Industrial active frontages in the form of stores, workshop and exhibition spaces related to the goods produced in that facility. McLanahan, S.S.,Wedemeyer, N.V. and Adelberg,T., 1981. Network structure, social support, and psychological well-being in the single-parent family. Journal of Marriage and the Family, pp.1-12 16.0% - Wandle Valley 12.8% - London Remaining Disposable Income 10.5% - England & Wales % 735 of Lone Parents Lone Parent Households with real concerns: (ONS, 2001) (McLanahan et. al., 1981) (ONS, 2021) £57.40 £356.80 £120.60 £284.60 £324.50 £414.20 87% weekly expenditure single adult no children two adults one child one adult one(+) child 52% London Rent for lone parents two adults no children weekly income weekly expenditure as % of income 67% 61% 67% (Zoopla, 2021) “rent is too expensive!” “some days I just need emotional support...” “I can’t go to work without someone to watch over my children” NINA WEST HOMES (1972) Housing for Divorced or Separate Parents Pros: From Industry to Single Parent Co-housing + Cons: Housing mixed with daycare and play areas, Shared babysitting, Working parents go to work while non-working parents work in daycare Better integration to wider society diverse family sizes/ needs Create a community of single parent families Relies on donations from Nina and private donors, Works within, not against, the UK housing crisis, Limited scale and scope of intervention Blurs home-working binary which traditionally home and formalises domestic work (childcare) + + + (Economically) Unsustainable additional needs soc env econ shared playarea dwellings in-situ nursery kitchens overlooking playarea key: C potential refurbishmentresidential community centre industrial active frontage streets permeability green space R R R R R R R R R R C C NinaWestHomes

Create a well-connected community of single parents existing light industry Christos Petrou

Proposal:

URBAN DESIGN: GUIDANCE, INCENTIVE AND CONTROL

BPLN0057

Coordinator: Professor Matthew Carmona

Tutors:

Wendy Clarke, Mat Proctor, Valentine Giordano, Colin Haylock

This module explored the role of government in intervening to secure a better designed built environment, one that will return greater value to its users over time. Increasingly governments around the world, both national and local, are waking up to their responsibilities in this regard and have been exploring the range of tools at their disposal through which to both define and implement clear public design aspirations on urban design.

To explore the governance of design, lectures examined both the theoretical case for, and challenges associated with, urban design as a focus for public policy as well as the different tools of urban design governance and their purpose, scope, means and effectiveness. Learning was reinforced through a single group project in two parts.

The first part of the project involved a quick-fire collective analysis in which the whole year analysed different aspects of the chosen area and shared their results with each other. The second stage focussed on the preparation of an urban design code for this large and complex site in London. Tutors worked with groups during the designated studio periods to conduct their analysis and develop and refine their design proposals.

25 Site-wide Cod C. Green and Blue Infrastructure C1 C2 C2 C5 d and used e locals of dra nage and a must a ure elopment uld provide at t 9sqm of nity space per son as advised WHO C7 C7 C8 Rain Gardens Slopes and Edges 8 cter Areas Residential (Family) es res dent a area mus ho d lowe -r se g 3-8 t th i t f ngs and set backs and m xed uses on ound f oors g h ld h ard w th n or n close prox mi y to the g to serve fam es w th younger un ts mus a m to consist of 3-5 oms w th an overa size of a least p t es res dent a area mus con a n es such as schoo GP p act ces markets nu ser es and communi y s w th n 1000m o centre o area d t l b ld g t d i be converted to schoo s w th ground as nurser es % f t b d f t i en roo to enhance oca hab tat % of roof area to be used as ntens ve f l ty d p ay area for younger chi dren w th n the area must be used fo he ng purposes of top p ay a ea o be al oca ed for unger generat ons of ch ldren and ibl y t d urtyard p ay area to be a ocated for er ages and access b e to a l d t b t J1 J2 J4 J5 J6 J7 16 D1 D1 E1 E2 E2 E7 E1 E3 E8 E3 E4 E9 E5 E5 E6 E4 E7 E8 Bu d ngs should ncrement from R Th d h he gh of 30m Bui d ng l nes mus have a m n mum 75% pl th t b k f 1-3 Bui d ng forms shou d be f ex ble and adaptable to fu ure demands Land-f l ng mater a s shou d be oca y sourced and whenever poss b e recyc ed rom the s te F d h ld p d th t contex and nternal spat a conf gura ion D l g p h t h d g f 60 to 120 for opt ma densi y Bu ld ng l nes and e evat ona treatmen s should be cont nuous but a ied fo e i ess A bu ld ngs shou d assume a d f erent ground eve dent ty to f h B d g t t f ontages a ong a l acades acing streets pub c space and parks Wh p b d l g h ld b dua aspect S ngle aspect dwe ings must no face North Corner b d ngs sho ld ass me ou d a g es to e su e leg b ty a d sa ety resource management Site-wide Codes E. Buildings H2 H1 H3 H4 H5 H5 H6 H7 H9 H10 Street frontages must be act vated through m x of use classes such as A1 A3 (shops cafés A2 (professiona services B1a B1b or B1c (bus ness) and B2 Reta l shoud be the predom nant use within the pr mary frontages const tu ng 60% of a l units with n the pr mary frontage as a who e Character Areas H. The High Street H1 Anci lary spaces such as b ke and waste storage could be a buffer between res dent al commerc al or industr al use H2 Street furniture should be provided along the h gh street to encourage soc al interaction and attract bus ness H3 To avo d roadside oading and del ver es HGV access must be managed H4 H5 H6 To promote pedestrian way-f nd ng and consistency of landscaping it shou d be considered how the publ c realm character of the h gh street l nks with secondary streets H7 Higher employment densities uses (B1c) could be cons dered n proxim ty to pub ic transport H8 Circulation for residential access staff visitors and serv ces must be separated H9 Flex b lity should be maxim zed with non-structural d viding wal s and arge c ear spans to increase adaptabi ity and subdivision for tenants H10 Design unctions must be safe and easy to cross for pedestrians and cycl sts in order to promote act ve transport The h gh street must be designed as a green corridor connecting parks and green open spaces H8 M x use Act ve street frontage Mix use: off ces, cultural and res dent al uses Residentia use H11 H11 Human sca e env ronment must be provided at street level The first f oor must be marked through arch tectura e ements that he ps d stingu sh the base from the rest of the bui d ng H1 14

TERM 3

DESIGN AND REAL ESTATE

BPLN0031

DESIGN AND REAL ESTATE

BPLN0057

Coordinator: Professor Peter Rees

Tutors: Mengci Xiao, Fabio Santos

The best examples of British urban regeneration are created by collaboration between the development industry, architects and local planners. Through site visits, presentations and critical interrogation, we learn how this is achieved. The absence of municipal master planning in the UK creates opportunity and flexibility for the development sector but requires unique planning skills to shape projects and represent the needs of the community.

Students visit areas of major commercial regeneration in Central London and receive presentations from senior property professionals, architects and planners. The course covers key elements of masterplanning, architectural design, real estate and project management, which combine to produce major development projects in London, a world business city.

Students are awakened to their natural, often latent, sensitivities to the form and character of places, in preparation for future careers in the footsteps of the practitioners they meet. The “openbrief” project provides an opportunity to sharpen these senses and allow students to bring their diverse skills to bear on the challenge of place-making.

Student groups are assigned a Central London to identify the unique set of characteristics that form its identity as a place. This activity is complimented by gathering information on the location including (but not limited to) significant real estate proposals and local planning policies relating to the neighbourhood. These studies will culminate in a team presentation, illustrating the key characteristics of the area, and its potential, to a panel of development professionals at the final session. The need for a combination of creative teamworking and concise presentation mirrors the “real world” of real estate.

30 UDCP NEWS PRESENTS In a rapidly shifting world has Drummond Street stayed stable? REGENERATION RESILIENCE REPRESENTATION A FILM BY MARIE KAUNE And ANNA BAXTER PRODUCED BY NORA NANOVA STARRING CAMERON COOKE, MAX CHARLES, LAURIE EDWARDS And SPECIAL GUEST JAKE SNOOKS ReDRUMMINGST ReDRUMMINGST

Tin Wai Chan, Hillary Chow, Jacqueline Lau, Ashley Ng, Vanessa Wang, Bowie Yung Anna Baxter, Max Charles, Cameron Cooke, Laurie Edwards, Marie Kaune, Nora Nanova, Jake Snooks Saheel Birewar, Joe Chan, Christopher Lee, Paco Poon, Luke Tassell, Chaemin Yoo Renee Blain, Kirstie Brittain, Laura Bucero Descalzo, Skye Langmuir, Myranda Morrison, Ryan Shean, Theodora Shum

31 GROUP 4 PRODUCTIONS UCL BSP BPLN0031: DESIGN AND REAL ESTATE FILM IN COMPLITION OF THE MSC UDCP “OH YEAH” LOCAL GRANNY STARRING SANJANA, CHRISTOS, PAULLOMI, MAHMOUD, SUKI SUSHERRIE, TORRES LIZ GULINO, ANDYOUNES HANA omg... this is taking FOREVER!!!

AMPTHILL SQUARE ESTATE & EVERSHOLT STREET NORTH BEN CHAN, DANIEL LUI, HOWELL HUI, WESLEY WONG, XIAOQING MO, YUTIAN HAN NW1 ‘A RENEWED LOOK AT THE SITE THROUGH VARIOUS COLOURFUL LENS!’ SIX GROUP -OURSELVES

CUES OF HUES

Liz Gulino Torres, Sanjana Harkawat,Christos Petrou, Paullomi Raja, Mahmoud Sahmoud, Susherrie Suki, Hana Younes Anika Ananna, Jiacheng Liu, Jianheng Tan, Luyao Wang, Kexin Xu Ben Chan, Yutian Han, Howell Hui, Daniel Lui, Xiaoqing Mo, Wesley Wong Fiera Alifa, Adi Wiratama Banjarnahor, Muhamad Danial Aizat Hj Abd Rahman, Krystal Lyu, Roby Robbany, Ningna Song

RESEARCH

MAJOR RESEARCH PROJECT

BPLN0052

DISSERTATION IN PLANNING

BPLN0039

MAJOR RESEARCH PROJECTS

BPLN0052

Coordinator: Dr. Filipa Wunderlich

Supervisors:

Ming Cheng, Ela Eisentein, Colin Haylock, Judith Loesing, Chris Martin, Peter Rees, Neha Tayal, Elanor Warwick, Matthias Wunderlich

To complete the MSc Urban Design and City Planning programme, students are given the option to submit a Major Research Project. This project typically focuses on a key area of knowledge covered in the programme, eg. urban design, urban design guidance and control, housing and development, sustainable urban design, sustainable transport, or other.

A Major Research Project represents an in-depth exploration of a complex topic / problem. It is a demonstration of knowledge, a critique, and the application of this knowledge and critique into a project. The project will focus on a particular site, method or process and will be propositional, delivering a vision, and working it out in depth so as to exhibit its potential, but also reflect upon its limitations. The major project should embrace the complexity of the chosen topic and apply knowledge in a critical and reflective manner.

Students will be assigned a practice-based supervisor from amongst consultatns working within the Sustainable Urbanism

and Planning, Design and Development fields. This year, students were supervised by professionals working in consultancies that included: Urban Initiatives Studio, Urban Architecture, Urban Movement, East Urban Design Landscape Architects, Haylock Planning and Design, Clarion Housing Group.

All students have 4 individual face-toface supervision meetings to discuss their project with their practice-based supervisors, and 2 workshops, in which students will need to present their project and will receive feedback from across the team of supervisors and students involved in this Major Research Project route.

DISSERTATION IN PLANNING BPLN0039

Coordinator: Fangzhu Zhang

Supervisors:

Juliana Martins, Matthew Carmona, Valentina Giordano

To complete the MSc Urban Design and City Planning programme, students can also choose to submit a dissertation. The dissertation represents an academic research study of a specified topic. Students will normally draw from available theory or debates on a particular subject and submit them to a critical analysis based on a review of the literature and the gatjering and interpretation of primary and / or secondary data. Primary data is information collected by the students for the specific purpose of the research. This entails the use of case-studies and the methods of surveys, interviews, and or direct observations. Secondary data is information which is readily available, documents, reports, databases, and others. Students will most often concentrate on the use of primary data in order to practice, put into action and demonstrate their fieldwork research skills and complement this with secondary data when pertinent.

Overall, the dissertation develops students’ research skills and abilities, offering them the opportunity to follow a rigorous academic programme and think

through and design their own research strategy; as much as it allows students to explore - in depth - a particular and usually complex area and / or question covered in the course and some of its specialist teaching. The student demonstrates abilities in research topic design, execution and presentation and a capacity for in-depth critical thinking in their chosen area of study. This is the culmination of their MSc programme, a major and largely selfmanaged study, where students put into practice and synthesise what he or she has gained from the course. The dissertation is something students take with them, and use to demonstrate their expertise in a particular urban design / planning related subject, launching the next stage of their career.

“LAYERS

OF THE CITY”

HOUSING

The built environment echoes with the threads of a settlement’s legacy, carries the whispers of time. The projects explores the intricate resilience to finds its home in the sanctuary of the sturdy walls.

PEOPLE

People make the city. These projects look at how the city can become a more inclusive, welcoming, safer and healthier place for the people that live, work and visit.

MOVEMENT

Ease of movement is central to a well-functioning city. These projects explore patterns of movement and propose potential solutions to improve people’s journeys across the city.

ADAPTABILITY

These projects illuminate the city’s transformation, erasing the boundaries between nature and urban living. They infuse vitality into empty spaces, foster vibrant communities, and bolster resilience.

PUBLIC SPACE

Across diverse urban landscapes, our surroundings have mirrored our journeys. These projects explore reshaping urban neighborhoods, embracing inclusivity, and reimagining public spaces as the soulful pulse of human connection.

SUSTAINABILITY

In the urban narrative, city stories weave ancient echoes into sustainable design, nurturing green networks, embracing passive structures for a zero-emission, and sowing verdant hope for harmonious future life.

A Neighbourhood Green Network for Urban Flood Management and Social Cohesion

Anika Tasnim Ananna anika.ananna.22@ucl.ac.uk

Major Research Project

Urbanisation and climate change have altered the urban landscape in recent decades, resulting in a proliferation of impermeable surfaces and increased intense rainfall events. These factors have heightened the hazard of urban flooding in cities worldwide, posing formidable challenges for urban planners and designers. This study critically examines the integration of green and social infrastructure into urban planning and design to mitigate the pressing issue of urban flooding while fostering social cohesion in vulnerable areas.

The study reveals that existing policies and technical guidelines for sustainable stormwater management are primarily geared towards new developments, leaving retrofitting initiatives for existing neighbourhoods unaddressed. While policies acknowledge social dimensions and amenities, no specific guidelines exist for incorporating them into sustainable drainage systems (SuDS). The findings from the precedent study of the research emphasise the significance of contextually-driven Sustainable Drainage Systems initiatives, promoting the need for customised approaches that balance community amenities and environmental enhancements in different contexts.

In response to these findings, the proposed solution introduces a green network framework that conceptualises green spaces as nodes and streets as corridors, integrating social infrastructure to address flooding issues and foster stronger community cohesion. It presents a parameter-based strategy for urban design elements, which facilitates the implementation of adaptable Sustainable Drainage Systems and community amenity interventions tailored to each site’s unique characteristics. The adaptable design methodology has the potential to transform into a pragmatic checklist, enabling the implementation of SuDS interventions in diverse contexts. This study offers a comprehensive analysis of how stormwater management might be improved, focusing on promoting community involvement and ecological welfare guiding urban planners, designers, and academics in developing sustainable urban design principles.

Keywords: Sustainable Drainage System (SuDS), Social Cohesion, NeighbourhoodScale Green Network, Urban Flooding, Sustainable Urban Design Principle.

Designing for mental well-being in high dense cities: curating therapeutic spaces through privately owned public space

Ashley Ng sin.ng.22@ucl.ac.uk

The promotion of mental wellbeing in high dense cities is increasingly concerned as global mental health continues to decline. Therapeutic spaces in everyday contexts are important environments for daily stress recovery and healing. Its development by the public sector is, however, increasingly challenged by the lack of land, budget and management capacity.

Amid the high dense, land hungry and increasingly commercialised urban context, it is questioned whether privately owned public spaces can be curated into therapeutic spaces.

The report structure is twofold. The research and analysis section identifies qualities and strategies for the design and delivery of such spaces. The toolkit design and application section attempt to curate a network of multi-level spaces into therapeutic landscapes. As such, this study aims to raise awareness and provide insights towards designing for better mental wellbeing from the lens of urban design for every urban dweller.

Major Research Project

Designing temporary post-crisis housing with liveability in mind

Ben Chan w.chan.20@ucl.ac.uk

Climate change has increased the frequency and severity of natural disasters, leading to more severe weather events and increased instances of people losing their homes. In response, governments commonly construct temporary post-crisis housing as an interim housing solution for victims, normally designed for periods up to 2 years. In reality, these temporary postcrisis housing developments are often used well beyond their intended lifespans, with residents living in temporary housing for as long as 5-6 years. In many cases, temporary housing built in response to crises do not have clear future uses and are often demolished, raising sustainability and financial critiques around this type of housing solution.

The reality of ‘temporary’ post-crisis housing being used for years on end raises issues revolving around physical and cultural adequacy and liveability. This project aims to investigate how temporary post-crisis housing can be designed with liveability in mind such that these communities can be meaningful components of our cities beyond their role as temporary housing.

Major Research Project

By doing so, cities around the world have an additional, feasible and potentially attractive new housing stock available and reduce waste at the end of crisis recovery programmes. It additionally allows residents of temporary post-crisis housing to enjoy a higher level of liveability and satisfaction during crisis-recovery processes.

This project has undertaken research to bridge the gap between temporary postcrisis housing and liveability, and created a toolkit to guide future design processes of such housing. An application of the toolkit is demonstrated at the end of the project to illustrate how the toolkit can translate into more liveable outcomes.

Spatial Justice: Analysing the Allocation of Educational Resources within Hong Kong’s Public Housing

Bowie Yung po.yung.22@ucl.ac.uk

This dissertation explores the intersection of spatial justice, housing, and education in urban environments, with a particular focus on Hong Kong. In a rapidly globalising and financialised world, housing has transformed from a basic human necessity into a privilege that grants access to better living conditions and social capital.

Public housing schemes have emerged as a response to soaring property prices, aiming to provide affordable housing, especially for those who cannot afford the market rates.

However, the effectiveness of public housing in achieving justice, particularly in the context of education, remains a subject of debate. This study employs quantitative case studies to evaluate the relationship between public housing estates and the distribution of secondary schools in Hong Kong, with a keen eye on three key spatial justice indicators: school quality, availability, and accessibility.

Major Research Project

It studies the historical evolution of public housing policies and their impact on housing distribution across the city, contrasting this with the distribution of educational resources. By analysing the geographical data, this research uncovers an inverse correlation between public housing density and access to quality education, shedding light on the spatial dimension of social justice in urban settings. This dissertation contributes to the ongoing discourse on spatial justice and its relevance in the context of public housing and education.

High-density living: promoting social interaction within multi-story developments through enhanced communal spaces

Christopher Lee christopher.lee.19@ucl.ac.uk

This paper investigates how communal spaces in multi-story developments can be designed to foster social interaction. Multi-story living has a very negative reputation in countries like the UK, where it is seen as the root of many social problems. The government’s response is often to simply redevelop the entire estate, causing other social and environmental issues. To improve the reputation of multi-story living and avoid costly redevelopment schemes, this MRP has developed a toolkit that may help to transform semi-public / public spaces into effective spaces for social interaction.

Through extensive literature review, it is clear that the main barriers to social cohesion are the high turnover rates, small dwelling sizes, and the lack of defensible spaces within multi-story estates and that the communal spaces must be defensible, comfortable, and functional to encourage social interaction. The present study has identified children, stay-at-home parents, the elderly, and people working from home being the main users of communal spaces. Case studies were used to highlight design strategies that can satisfy factors for social interaction and the needs of different user groups.

Based on the key findings, a toolkit was developed. Splitting into overarching principles and a matrix, the toolkit can assist designers to create a more effective communal space that can foster social interaction. This is applied to a section of Aylesbury Estate in Southwark, London, which is currently undergoing a complete estate redevelopment under the New Deal for Communities initiative set up by the New Labour government. This MRP concludes that the toolkit can effectively create the desired communal spaces, but the specifics of the matrix may need to be adjusted according to socioeconomic context and that the success of which relies heavily on the designers’ industry knowledge and their willingness to work in the residents’ best interest.

Dissertation

Does Planning Need to Change its Tune Towards Social Value: An Analysis of the Planning Policy Context Affecting Live Music Venues in London

Scarlett Waller ucbqmaw@ucl.ac.uk

The number of music venues in the UK’s capital is declining, with one small music venue closing every month on average in the past two years.

Music venues contribute toward the wider music ecology of a place in supporting communities, the local economy and the wider arts and cultural offerings in cities. Existing literature recognises the social value contribution of these venues, though there is little research that explores if this same relationship is evident across the planning process, and if so how it is handled by planning practitioners. Exploring the role of planning and the intricacies of the regulatory process is particularly significant in this context, given that planning has been challenged with the opportunity to alleviate the loss of these music venues primarily through policy interventions, despite there being little understanding of the existing policy context.

This study bridges the gap between policy and practice. How specific areas across the regulatory planning process can be more effective in attending to the current ambiguity connected to social value is also advised in this study. The findings of this research can be used to inform policy makers and music-industry stakeholders on conceptualisations of value to protect and promote music venues in urban settings at threat of redevelopment in the future.

49 Dissertation

Design to Heal: Pre-Resolution Urban Design Principles for Post-Conflict Space

Christos Petrou christos.petrou.22@ucl.ac.uk

Memories are spatially bound. Monuments, museums, and statues are obvious examples of how a certain, often exclusive, version of the past is projected, remembered, and celebrated through the built environment. Yet, what about the rest of the post-conflict city? What about its everyday, non-memorial spaces produced under reconstruction, regeneration, and urban sprawl? What is their relationship with memory and, if any, how can we more democratically remember the past through them? Interestingly, these questions are especially relevant for wartorn cities in their pre-resolution stage, where the built environment is required to support a multiplicity of competing politics, memories, and aspirations for the contested city.

This study expands the memoryscape of cities by looking at how the design of nonmemorial spaces encourages a productive and inclusive revisiting of the past, one which fuels criticism for the present as well as political action for the future. To do that, it studies such spaces in a set of postconflict cities and proposes 4 principles for a memory-led reconstruction.

Major Research Project

Its principles actively go against both urban design orthodoxy and reconstruction paradigms to advocate for emancipatory possibilities beyond amnesic spaces of beauty, comfort, and calmness. Rather, they embrace an engagement with conflict spaces which is disruptive, uncomfortable, real, and illegible, demanding a conscious effort to be figured out both physically and politically. In that, it argues that conflict should be an unabated part of the healing process. What is ignored is never healed, and what is forgotten is bound to be remain unresolved. Conflict confrontation is thus an essential pre-requisite to conflict resolution. In the words of Austrian poet Rainer Maria Rilke (1996): “Wie viel ist aufzuleiden!” (How much suffering there is to get through!)

Beyond Traditional Boundaries

Re-knitting Urban Life And Local Riverways

For Neighbourhood Riverfront Revitalisation Through The Lens Of Flood Resilience

Daniel Lui wing.lui.20@ucl.ac.uk

Urban riverfronts present complex design challenges and opportunities for fostering sustainable and socially inclusive revitalization, while aiming to influence the restoration of the city-river harmony to reclaim urban rivers back into society. However, many riverfront redevelopment projects have prioritized economic growth over ecological health and river access. Urban regeneration, often viewed as the solution for improving river spaces, further optimised riverfront corridors as a “by-product” for riverside developments. On the contrary, existing riverside neighbourhoods, such as residential estates, due to a lack of policy guidance and support, have yet to bring attention to its neglected riverfronts.

Investigating through an evidence-based approach with mixed-methods, the study situates in London in an attempt to examines alternatives to conventional large-scale urban regeneration approaches, retrofitting urban riverfront for today and future public interests, integrating concepts such as landscape ecology, human-river interaction, adaptive design, flood-risk consideration, and more.

Key findings demonstrate opportunities for sensitive retrofits and infill to enhance habitat, hydrology, and river access through public-private partnerships and grassroots stewardship initiatives.

This research contributes conceptual design guidance and policy implementation support for riparian owners and stakeholders in riverfront transformation grounded in environmental sustainability, social equity, and participatory local identity. It advances theories and practices for local sustainable neighbourhood riverfront revitalisation.

Major Research Project

Beyond Traditional Boundaries

Re-knitting Urban Life And Local Riverways

For Neighbourhood Riverfront Revitalisation Through The Lens Of Flood Resilience

Fiera Alifa fiera.alifa.22@ucl.ac.uk

Key findings demonstrate opportunities for sensitive retrofits and infill to enhance habitat, hydrology, and river access through public-private partnerships and grassroots stewardship initiatives.

Major Research Project

Restitching Historic Coastal Lebanese Cities to the Sea: through Community’s

Socio-Cultural Dialogue

Hana Younes hana.younes.22@ucl.ac.uk

Most Lebanese waterfronts have been disregarded and completely disconnected from the city, affecting the relationship between the public realm, the social community, the city and the sea.

The community’s socio-cultural dialogue and their rooted connection to the sea is slowly fading away, affecting peoples’ sense of belonging while leaving the coastal city with no identity. This is all due to the violation of maritime properties through illegal encroachments and privatized gated coastal developments catering for private interests, which resulted in the lack of provision of public space.

When waterfront projects are supposed to connect the local communities back to the sea, these projects are only repressing them, following commercially led developments that target touristic audience, benefiting private developers.

Therefore, this research project works to show the importance of enhancing the socio-cultural community dialogue along the public realm of historic coastal cities, to recover a connected cohesive waterfront.

Major Research Project

This topic has not been appreciated or considered while designing waterfront projects, whereas, it is in these small cherished moments the community has with exchanging experiences, sharing memories, and really mesmerizing their connection with the sea, that enhances the coastal city’s identity. People have always been drawn towards the sea, as it is considered sacred to many, a place that reflects peace, and creates sociocultural values and activities for the local community.

A design-led methodology is followed, where from literature, case study review, and on site exploration on the coastal city of Sour, in Lebanon, key principles and toolkits of urban design interventions were proposed to intensify the sociocultural community dialogue along the public realm of waterfronts. Meaningful authentic interventions of public realm, landscape, heritage and history, legibility, and socio-cultural placemaking were integrated along the coastal city of Sour to test and enhance this dialogue.

Leftover spaces: Redesigning and reconciling back alleys in high density commercial districts

Howell Hui chin.hui.20@ucl.ac.uk

Introduction: Back alleys are often perceived as problematic spaces in cities. Unregulated dumping of waste, breeding of flies, unpleasant odours and ambiguous ownership issues are common in urban alleys; however they do serve and accommodate many functions that are essential to our everyday life. This interesting dilemma has prompted the researcher to understand the ways to redesign back alleys in high density commercial districts to address its range of problems while reinforcing and preserving their functions.

Context: High density commercial district is selected as the context mainly due to the paucity of back alley-related research in this context. It is also an ideal context to study back alleys since they usually have the greatest development pressure which in turns create numerous narrow alleyways between buildings.

Major Research Project

Methodology: This is a research-led project, and a qualitative approach is adopted to analyse twelve back alleys in Causeway Bay, a high density commercial district in Hong Kong. Observations and photodocumentation are conducted to record the physical elements and user activities. Uses adjacent to the back alleys are mapped graphically to establish their relationship with the problems and activities found in the alleyway space. User perceptions and patterns are inferred and deduced using observation. Signage analysis and desktop research are performed to analyse the existing regulations and ownership issues that exist in back alleys. The collected firsthand data are then sorted and translated as the foundation of the design toolkit.

Design Toolkit: The toolkit consists of two sections. The first part concerns the pre-design tools that enable designers to familiarise with the site, and the second part lists out all actual design tools for applying to the site. Tools in the second part are applied to one of the twelve surveyed back alleys and the results are visualised.

Optimising the Contribution of Airports to Urban Development

Jacqueline Lau Wan Lin jacqueline.lau.22@ucl.ac.uk

Major Research Project

In recent years, the demand for commercial air travel continues to grow accompanied by the potential value of urban development around airports. In the context of globalisation and technological advancements, there is a growing need for enhanced connections to facilitate business opportunities. This research addresses the benefits of maximising the contribution of airports to city development as well as seeking to propose innovative airport development designs and strategies, positioning airports as catalysts for local global market expansion.

The main objective of this research is to create a comprehensive design toolkit that preserves airports as major transportation hubs within cities, while effectively mitigating the negative impacts of urban airport development. By grappling with inherent constraints such as building height restrictions, land acquisition challenges and secure boundary requirements, this research aims to refine urban planning approaches. Emphasis will be placed on enhancing connectivity to major transportation nodes and formulating development policies for airports and surrounding areas to stimulate future growth.

The research methodology involves an amalgamation of literature reviews, analysis of existing planning frameworks, and policy examination to distil contemporary trends in airport city design. Through case studies and design-oriented investigations, the research will yield a conceptual framework with three main strategies for airport future development.

A key contribution of this research is the creation of a tailored toolkit focusing on airports situated in urban cores, with 2 potential sites: London City Airport and Berlin Tempelhof Airport, respectively. The design is striving to conceive an adaptable prototype plan amenable to diverse urban airport contexts. Ultimately, the research seeks to enhance interconnectedness, centralising airports’ role to promote clustering effects around its development and addressing constraints that impact potential business hubs.

Infrastructuring the Urban Commons: A portfolio of institutional tools for post-industrial Sheffield

Laura Bucero laura.descalzo.22@ucl.ac.uk

Research Project

In recent decades, the theory and practice of the urban commons have been the subject of extensive research, arising from the necessity of transition from current unsustainable and inequitable urban systems to more collaborative, resilient, and fair ones. Situated within the broader framework of the Social and Solidarity Economy, the urban commons have the potential to address complex and interrelated social, environmental, and economic challenges by recentering ‘use value’ at the core of the relationships between people, land, and urban resources.

Additionally, through commoning practices of self-governance and selfmanagement, existing structures in post-industrial cities can be creatively reconfigured into something new by a community of end-users, in ways that promote community wealth and wellbeing. Nonetheless, although the urban commons are gaining strength as a design framework, the general lack of institutional support in the UK, on top of neoliberal and austerity policies and privatisation trends, hinders long-term financial, spatial, and social resilience.

This project argues for the development of new institutional tools to reconcile mainstream institutions and policy frameworks and innovative ways of socio-spatial organisation. Thereby, infrastructuring the urban commons by supporting their (re)emergence, longterm sustainability and resilience, and transferability to other contexts. Employing a research-by-design methodology, key narratives and strategies from a literature and case study review are identified to inform the design of a portfolio of institutional tools that aims to bridge this gap.

The portfolio comprises funding and organisational mechanisms that might enable communities of commoners, government and educational institutions and diverse stakeholders to collectivise the provision, care and management of urban spaces, resources, and services. Sheffield is taken both as the case study and the site to test the proposed tools. Understanding ‘infrastructuring’ as a verb, the project emphasizes the negotiation and re-articulation process both in the design and in the contractual practice of the commons.

Major

Street pool: Combining regulatory and street design to unlock the transformative potential of the street

Laurie Edwards laurence.edwards.22@ucl.ac.uk

Currently at a time of multiple and overlapping crises, there is an urgent need to change the unsustainable patterns of living that the western world has vehemently adopted. This system change will need to be applied to many urban facets. This research focusses on streets as ideal sites of experimentation using the emerging Co-City framework to test hyperlocal system change and build the case for scaling street reclamation through collaborative and participative governance. Such governance allows street space to be stewarded, managed by citizens through a collaborative pact with the city authority.

This project proposes a combined regulatory and physical toolkit that creates multifunctional street space, integrated and convenient sustainable mobility, deep participation and a holistic method of accounting for value. It argues that street space is currently underutilised; reclaiming street space for people through collaborative governance will create conditions for front-door flourishing, sustainable lifestyles and improvements in social justice. Assets and benefits are shared, resources are integrated in the “street pool”.

Major Research Project

This project adopts a mission-oriented innovation approach when carrying out literature review and case studies to identify levers that would help create transformative streets. Four missions and six design principles were created to guide the creation and application of the toolkit. Data and spatial analysis were used to select disadvantaged neighbourhoods to which the toolkit was applied. These neighbourhoods have on average 54% of people who do not own a car, and yet 100% of the street is dedicated to car parking or open road.

After creating the street pool 56% of space is reclaimed for people, the environment and shared mobility. This demonstrates how designing a full stack of interventions would transform streets into “street pools” where resources are shared to the benefit of the majority, increasing resilience and unlocking the transformative potential of the street.

Striking the Balance: Integrating Incremental Plot-Based

Development and Social Sustainability in Neighbourhoods

Liz Gulino m.torres.22@ucl.ac.uk

The urban landscape continually evolves in response to growing populations and changing societal needs, expanding the horizons of urban planning. Beyond infrastructure and economic growth, today’s urban planning strives to create socially vibrant, inclusive cities amidst rapid urbanisation (Talan et al., 2020). Maintaining a delicate equilibrium between development and social sustainability is paramount to fostering thriving communities.

Within this context, the relevance of plotbased urbanism, a traditional yet effective approach, comes to the forefront. While it gradually optimises serviced land, it faces the challenge of aligning growth with community sustainability. Rapid plotbased development often struggles with issues related to state efficiency, planning mechanisms, and community involvement, ultimately leading to fragmented and unequal urban environments (Ünlü, 2011).

Major Research Project

This research explores the dynamic relationship between urban development and social sustainability within everchanging urban landscapes at neighbourhood scale. It uncovers challenges and opportunities in harmonising plot-based urbanism and community well-being, emphasising the need for coordinated, inclusive urban development that preserves community cohesion and cultural roots. By examining socio-spatial implications and case studies, this research offers insights and actionable recommendations for urban stakeholders. Its ultimate aim is to reshape planning in contexts with weak state sectors, nurturing urban spaces that facilitate growth and a deep sense of belonging and well-being

Social Cohesion in Suburbia: Achieving a DesignLed Toolkit to Confront Suburbia’s Social Cohesion Challenges Within the Context of Circular Development

Max Charles max.charles.22@ucl.ac.uk

Suburbia, characterised by sprawling detached and semi-detached singleoccupancy dwellings, automobiledependent lifestyles, and often fragmented communities, faces barriers to strong social cohesion. In turn, this major research project develops a design-led toolkit to address these challenges within the context of Circular Development. Recognising that suburbia’s current design and planning paradigms contribute to social isolation, this project puts forward solutions to strengthen social cohesion across various spatial scales.The research employs a research-led design approach.

Through academic literature, policy and case study reviews, the project engages with suburban characteristics to understand the requirements for greater suburban social cohesion. Barriers to social cohesion were identified, as are the benefits of pursuing a Circular Development-oriented context. This culminated in a design-led toolkit, guided by the strategies of: prioritise humanscale activities, intensify social interaction and Circular Development.

The research project’s outcomes aim to inspire communities in ways to retrofit suburban areas across spatial scales in the hopes of transforming them into socially cohesive and environmentally sustainable communities.

This research addresses the pressing issues of suburban social cohesion in light of a growing suburban population, placing pressure on already thin social infrastructures. Additionally, this research aims to fill a gap in professional practice. Through the review phase of this project, case studies that satisfy all three significant elements of this project - social cohesion, suburbia and Circular Developmenthave not emerged.

68 Major Research Project

Building Community Capacity in Low Populated Cities with Low Populated Countries Through Adaptive Reuse

Muhamad Danial Aizat B Hj Abd Rahman md.rahman.11@ucl.ac.uk

People are key assets for cities in achieving sustainable development and therefore it is crucial to build community capacity to stimulate growth socially and economically in cities to reach sustainability. However, building community capacity is challenging in the context of ‘lower populated cities within lower populated countries’ (LPCC) due to reasons such as lack of population, presence of dense social interaction and knowledge transfer that is required for growth and higher gaps in knowledge and skills leading to reduced labor market and human capital. Although, low populated cities do have its own advantages such as tighter knit community and reduced urban problems and have the potential to overcome their shortcomings through hard and soft urban design interventions.

This project focused on adaptive reuse as the catalyst for building community capacity and is based on southeast Asian region context specifically on the country of Brunei Darussalam to further understand the issue of building community capacity in LPCC and proposing design toolkit. Literature review and review of case studies are conducted within this research which informed the design toolkit proposed. The design toolkit is then

Major Research Project

tested on three different sites within the capital city of Brunei Darussalam, Bandar Seri Begawan.

This research argues that physical urban design interventions play a crucial role in stimulating and supporting building community capacity within LPCC however non-physical interventions are also important in initiating, increasing scale and monitoring building community capacity. This research concludes that amplify factors are highly important in the context of LPCC which includes technology use, international collaboration, and enthusiasm of cause. There is also a need to encourage more attention and research from urban design and planning literatures on understanding the challenges for low populated cities which have not been discussed extensively to achieve global urban agenda such as sustainable development.

A City for All: Defining and Designing Urban Public Space Through an All-Gendered Lens

Myranda Morrison myranda.morrison.22@ucl.ac.uk

Major Research Project

In today’s socio-political climate, noncisgendered and non-heteronormative behaviours and forms of expression are viewed as an act of rebellion or a political statement. To be transgender or gender non-conforming, specifically within an urban setting, is to experience a vastly unique way of life than those who are cisgendered, this is a given. But how do these people experience the city? How do transgendered individuals interact with the city? How can public spaces impact these individuals and their relationship to their surroundings?

Currently, there is no concrete methodology or in-depth literature in relation to the design of urban public space for gender non-conforming populations. Relevant literature includes queer and gender theory, with attention towards how women and queer individuals navigate public space, yet there is still a gap regarding the usage of public spaces from those who identify as gender nonconforming.

This project thus aims to bridge that gap, and create a framework to better understand how to not only include gender nonconforming people, but to put them at the forefront of planning and design measures.

Generative Urban AI: Utilising AI Technology to Enhance the Urban Design Process of HighDensity New Developments

Nora Nanova ucbvnpn@ucl.ac.uk

Major Research Project

This research explores the potential for generative AI to enhance traditional urban design processes, proposing an integrated framework that leverages the strengths of both approaches.

Through a literature review, the paper examines the evolution of AI in urban design and highlights key capabilities like rapid option generation and performance optimization as well as limitations around interpretability and reliance on potentially biased data. It outlines the traditional urban design process, noting strengths in incorporating intangible qualities and strategic thinking along with weaknesses like time-consuming iterations and oversimplification.

After reviewing prominent generative AI tools, the paper introduces a conceptual framework for targeted integration of AI techniques to accelerate data-driven tasks while preserving human creativity and contextual sensitivity.

A site analysis of London’s Royal Wharf development reveals gaps between the original design principles and current realities. New principles emphasizing green networks and mixed uses are defined, informed by policy analysis to establish standards.

The principles are implemented through separate generative AI and traditional design processes, enabling comparison. While AI enables efficient exploration, the traditional process better captures intangible local factors. Merging the proposals reveals unique strengths, which are combined into a final design improving public amenities, activating waterfronts, and distributing community facilities.

Creating Inclusive Neighbourhoods Using MegaEvents as a Catalyst

Paco Poon paco.poon.22@ucl.ac.uk

Major Research Project

Mega-events are exploited as a leverage to upgrade urban infrastructure, accelerate policy decisions, and promote a bright city image to attract investments. As such, more cities compete to become the host of mega-events, thus forming a trend of event urbanism in the 20th century. However, creating a positive event legacy is easier said than done given such events’ immense scale and complexity. Host cities could be left with long-term socio-economic burdens and fragmented communities if their vision is not fully translated into practice.

This project aims to understand megaevents’ capacity as a catalyst for creating inclusive neighbourhoods. This researchled project will develop a toolkit with the best inclusive design strategies extracted from previous mega-event proposals, case studies and technologies. It is set to guide inclusive design in four criteria, namely public transport, pedestrian movement, design quality and buildings & facilities.

The toolkit is accompanied by a legacyled event process, which emphasises the importance of a site-specific development objective and legacy transformation plan.

A legacy-led approach in the megaevent planning process is believed to facilitate coordination between actors and produce better-quality design outcomes. It also guides a smooth delivery timeline and effective transition between event episodes. It is essential that these interventions can accommodate temporal event needs while capable of transforming into future neighbourhood use.

The toolkit and process were then applied to Saint Denis in Paris, an area that will become the host of the 2024 Olympic Games. It is found that the current proposals are event-led and fail to address all local issues. Compatible best practices were then extracted from the toolkit to formulate a site-specific legacyled development plan.

Connecting Generations: Placemaking Interventions to Decrease Urban Loneliness in the Young and Old

Paullomi Raja paullomi.raja.22@ucl.ac.uk

Major Research Project

Objectives: Urban loneliness has been recognised to affect the mental and physical health of the young and old generation. In this report, our objective is to analyse the effects and suggest possible solutions to decrease urban loneliness through placemaking interventions.

Methods: The secondary research was the literary review followed by case studies research on the urban interventions focused on social isolation, urban factors, public and community spaces that might encourage interaction have been explored. The primary research consisted of site visits to allotment gardens and community spaces, which were conducted to understand the real-time experience of the users through interviews, observation, sketch and photo documentation.

Results: While there are currently a bunch of programs by boroughs and community centers catering to solutions for the aging community’s loneliness, there is a lack of interest in the younger generations loneliness. Intergeneration contact zones need to be established to give the younger and older generation opportunities and activities to share their experiences. Existing community spaces that have a consistent crowd

attending events and have a potential to expand their activity rota are ideal for the placemaking interventions.

Conclusions: This research project introduces new ways of thinking, applying and designing public spaces to encourage social interaction. Placemaking interventions in well placed areas will potentially reduce urban loneliness. A design toolkit for intergenerational contact zones has been designed to assist current and new communities to adapt the new interventions suggested in the report.

79 03. CONTRIBUTION TO PRACTICE 06. TOOLKIT: Intergenerational Contact Zone Toolkit to Combat Urban Loneliness 05. TOOLKIT APPLICATION: THE OLD LAUNDRY utes signifiicantly to social disconnection and loneliness, which have detrimental effects on the public’s well-being. Research demonstrates that a lack of social connections can lead to health issues such as obesity, diminished mental and physical well-being, and an increased mortality rate. It’s essential to address the issue of urban loneliness, mainly for two demographic groups: young adults transitioning from school to the workplace and older vulnerable individuals during the transition from work to retirement. Therefore, this research project delves into urban loneliness and its effect on the youngadults and the older generation. It subsequently suggests potential interventions in urban planning to establish intergenerational contact zones aimed at mitigating this loneliness. The proposed interventions are supported by relevant case studies and a toolkit outlining the necessary steps for future development. The book “Narratives of Loneliness” examines how urban design often prioritizes financial gain and influence over the well-being of ‘people.’ It points out that when designing a space, social considerations tend to be given the lowest priority, resulting in a lower quality of life. This project aims to investigate which public spaces effectively address loneliness and highlight the importance of prioritizing such spaces in future design endeavours. ALLOTMENT GARDENING REPAIRING EXPRESSION Discussion Voting Community Activist Community Centre Connect Connect Authority Group Step 1: Who are you? 1. A Community Activist 2. A Community Centre 3. An Authority Figure/Group If a community member wants to establish the intervention, we suggest that they connect with the existing community. In an informal or formal meeting of the community, introduce the personal problem of urban loneliness and suggest that steps be taken together as a group. Once they have the community onboard, we suggest they team up with the borough authority to get the required investment, permissions, and future professional service. Step 2: What intervention is suitable for this community? Depending on the community group’s interests, needs and skills, the final intervention will be chosen. To figure this out we communicate through the following 1. Survey Forms 2. Discussions 3. Voting Step 3: Engage the Community After selecting the intervention, a team should be formed to take charge of the project. An idea team has the following positions and the tasks associated with their job. The Activist: This person knows the community well and knows how to beight people together for a shared The Planner: Scheduling and planning the event. The Entrepreneur: Someone that has financial knowl edge and contacts with the local businesses to acquire funds as required. The designer: They should be able to help design and decorate on a budget. The Artist: Artists of many types (visual, musical, theatri cal) and specialties (painting, sculpture, graphic design) are key to any pop-up project. The handy person or persons: They need to handle basic assembly skill The promoter: The markerter and the spokesperson. They need to be social-media savy and a people’s per son that makes everyone feel welcome Step 4: How much space does the intervention require? The ideal location for the spatial interventions will depend on the existing space available in the area where the com munity usually meets. The site should be chosen based on: The area required for the particular intervention. An existing space that can be multi-used The location of the space in relation to the community Step 5: Partnerships and Funding 1. Approach the landowner of the site required, to pitch your social value intervention to acquire license and permission for this project. Pitch ideas to potential partners that will help fund the Step 6: Building the intervention With the help of local businesses and partnerships, building the intervention should not be completely outsourced. Since it is a community initiative, the best practice would be to encourage the community members to come together to help with the construction. Employee skilled workers to lead the project and co-design with the community co-ordinators Scheduling the build and following the plan Volunteer care should be organised for the volunteers Step 7: Hosting a pop-up event With the help of local businesses and partnerships, building the intervention should not be completely outsourced. Since it is a community initiative, the best practice would be to encourage the community members to come together to help with the construction. Employee skilled workers to lead the project and co-design with the community co-ordinators Scheduling the build and following the plan Volunteer care should be organised for the volunteers and the teams. PLACEMAKING INTERVENTIONS SITE THE OLD LAUNDRY ENTRANCE TO THE OLD LAUNDRY ENTRANCE TO THE POTENTIAL SITE POTENTIAL SITE waterloo meadows 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 200 m Pau om Ra a Un ve s y Co ege London 02 Sep embe 2023 18:16 Pro ec on B sh Na ona G d Scale 1 2500 Di p © C py gh d d t b gh 2023 O d S y AC0000851941) FOR EDUCAT ONAL USE ONLY along with government policies and management which would require further research. 1. This research project aims to raise awareness about the necessity of designing spaces that combat loneliness in highly populated cities. 2. It also suggests integrating co-designing public spaces with the communities. 3. The project will provide case studies and secondary research detailing possible solutions for urban loneliness. 4. The project aims to design a placemaking toolkit for community centers and activities, thus helping communities follow the steps to select a design that suits their needs, skills and interests. Urban Loneliness affects the young adults and old vulneraActivties in Community spaces, bring people together to share their experiences, time, skills and more. While, these 3 activites and community centre are explored, a community can explore other activties that follow the same qualities of bringing people together in a space. Placemaking interventions for reducing urban loneliness includes activties that en courage people to step out, commit to the space and the people involved. Step 1: Who is initiating the intervention? Me- A community activist. For this research project, I have reached out and connected with the community centre, the co-ordinators and the community members. The question this well-set community center poses is What can we add to make this community centre better? And the answer will be concluded through 1. Surveys 2. Discussions with the community co-ordinator Once, the data received has been analysed, further step’s will need to be planned. Step 2: Survey Data Analysis Description: The survey forms were given to community members at The Old Laundry during their weekly pantry days after they were done shopping and had sat down with their coffee andpastry. Most of the members emphasize the importance of the access to the Cook for Good pantry initiative that takes place in The Old Laundry. The survey data show’s majority of the community members are interested in gardening. Step 3: Engaging the Community Since The Cook for Good pantry handles The Old Laundry’s programs and initatives, there is a team in place for all future ideas. have reached out to join the team and they will brief me about potential openings as well as job description in the coming weeks. Step 4: How much space will the intervention need? For allotment gardening, after lengthy discussions, the community centre will rent a site on the Priory green estate. Step 5: Partnership & Funding The team and I have reached out to Peabody Association, the landowners of the Priory Green Estates for permission to access the grounds for a potential allotment gardening intervention. Further steps are underway. The project is on-going and the response so far has been exciting. AFTER: ENVISIONING THE INTERVENTION BEFORE: SPACE HIGHLTED ON MAP Urban loneliness Urban loneliness in the young and old.

Urban Adult Play: Reframing Public Spaces as Everyday ‘Playgrounds’ in High Density Citis

Rachael Chan ucbqt20@ucl.ac.uk

Major Research Project

Play is a product of possibility, and a driver as well. Playful practices are a vital part of society in which people step beyond instrumentality, obligation, convention, and predictability to the pursuit of new and uncertain experiences. The diversity, contradiction from rational social practices, and creativity of play contribute not only to human well-being but the development of the social whole. Public spaces create multiple possibilities, aside from fulfilling human needs rationally, urban design attributes within the space enhance the exploration of new desires and immediate pleasure. The desire for play becomes manifest in bodily behaviors through articular physical settings within the urban context. Yet, there is a research gap between adult play and the spatial design of the built environment.

This project has concentrated on the theoretical aspect of play and various playful forms happening in public spaces to better understand the relations between people’s playful perceptions and behavior, and the design of the urban environment. Also, urban settings where play can be stimulated are highlighted, including paths, intersections, boundaries,

thresholds, props, and the space itself. Four principles for a playscape construction are proposed in response to the nature of play, which aided in proposing a toolkit to guide designers to retrofit public spaces. Rather than suggesting practical solutions for promoting a specific form of play, this project emphasizes the support of adventurous, diverse, and continually changing characteristics which urban public space provides to play. Wan Chai, a dense but dynamic district in Hong Kong is chosen to proceed design application. Playscape not only provides room for uncontrolled and irrational creativity and actions but also helps to spark individuals’ imagination towards the city. In that, this study aims to raise the awareness of urban adult play and provokes further investigation of playscape in different urban contexts.

Urban Change in Conservation Districts: A Study of Character Policy in Shoreditch, London

Renee Blain renee.blain.22@ucl.ac.uk

Dissertation

Conservation areas play a pivotal role in protecting character in distinctive urban places, but despite the ubiquitous usage of character within planning policy, there is debate on the definition, measurement, and application of the term. Character is complex, encompassing physical attributes such as built form and heritage, and experiential attributes relating to the relationship between people and the urban fabric.

This dissertation examines how character is defined and regulated in conservation areas, and how effective those policies are in protecting both physical and experiential character. The research utilises the South Shoreditch Conservation Area in London, England as a case study to explore the effectiveness of conservation policy both quantifiably and through public perception. It performs an analysis of planning documents to understand their approach in defining and regulating character, followed by an exploration of urban change within the conservation area and public perception thereof. Findings reveal an evolution of the definition and regulation of character, with physical character being dominant in

early policy documents and experiential character policies introduced over time. This evolution happened slower than urban change in the neighbourhood, and while policies were generally effective in protecting physical character, public perception of urban changes determined that the experiential character had been subsequently lost.

Recommendations are made on how to harness the public in policy making decisions to balance development pressures with priorities of residents to protect important aspects of character during times of urban change.

83 DOCUMENT TYPE CHARACTER CATEGORY Guidance Document Physical Environment Land Use Cultural Identity Design Policy Document Historic Significance Local Institutions Intangibles Shoreditch Specific Document Interrelationship Mobility Social Fabric SS Historic & Industrial Buildings Hackney Local Plan Hackney Unitary Development Plan Tall Buildings Strategy Creative Hackney Hackney State of Historic Envr. SS Local Development Framework Small Business Study Shoreditch Night Time Economy Study SSCA Appraisal Hackney Core Strategy Hackney Local Plan Hackney Local Plan SSCA Appraisal & Mgmt Plan SS Area Action Plan 1990s PHYSICAL 1986 1989 1995 2005 2005 2005 2006 2006 2007 2009 2010 2015 2020 2021 2024 Architectural Style X X X X X X X X X X X X X Building Height/Form/Massing X X X X X X X X X X X Materials X X X X X X X X Silhouette X X X Rhythm X X X Urban Grain/Plot Size X X X X X X X X X Street Pattern X X X X X X X X Public Realm X X X X X X X X X Natural Landscape X X X X X X X X Type of Accommodation X X X X Street Furniture X X X Density X X X X Historic Significance X X X X X X X X X X X X Historic Development Patterns X X X X Townscape X X X X X X X X X X X Streetscape X X X X X X X TANGIBLE EXPERIENTIAL 1986 1989 1995 2005 2005 2005 2006 2006 2007 2009 2010 2015 2020 2021 2019 Viewshed X X X X X X X X Land Use X X X X X X X X X Past Associations/Uses X X X X X X X Mix of Businesses/Tenure X X X X X X X X X X ACE Venues/Events X X X X X X X X X Mobility X X Population Demographic X X X X INTANGIBLE EXPERIENTIAL 1986 1989 1995 2005 2005 2005 2006 2006 2007 2009 2010 2015 2020 2021 2019 Cultural Significance X X Place Identity X X X X X Sense of Place X X X X Social Values X X 2020s 1980s 2000s 2010s

Enabling Gender Diverse Cities Developing an Urban Design Toolkit for Queering the Public Realm: A Case for Re-Queering Cis-Gendered Gaybourhoods Through Hybrid Space-Making

Saheel Birewar saheel.birewar.22@ucl.ac.uk

To truly enable socially sustainable futures, we need to think beyond the gender binary and mobility-centric idea of inclusivity and cater to non-conformist identities. Counter the inherent heteronormative and patriarchal design of cities.

A need to enable gender-diverse cities emerges. This project aims to explore how urban design interventions facilitate a built environment that is inclusive to diverse gendered and social identities. And further looks at how alternative forms of space-making can facilitate this. The project proposes queering as the process of designing queer inclusive spaces that cater to the needs and are welcoming to LGBTQIA+ identities and more importantly, create urban environments that celebrate difference and thrive on tolerances.

To do the same, the project takes a research-led design approach. With insights gained by literature review of spatial logics of queer spaces, urban planning and design implications and lived experience of LGBTQIA+ people, key priorities and themes for enabling

Major Research Project

gender diverse cities are understood. For the feasibility of the MRP the secondary further research focuses on public realm, through case studies possible spatial design strategies and good and bad practices are explored.

The key takeaways are further discussed with an professional expert. With an iterative process of formulating design tools and testing them on a site in Vauxhall, London, the MRP proposes an urban design toolkit for enabling queer inclusive public realm.

Keywords- LGBTQIA+, Heteronormativity, Social Sustainability, Public Realm, Queering, Hybrid space-making

Urban Transformation: Achieving Net Zero Emissions in a London Neighbourhood Through Retrofitting Buildings and Public Spaces

Sanjana Harkawat sanjana.harkawat.22@ucl.ac.uk

Major Research Project

The global commitment to combat climate change has made it urgent to achieve net zero emissions. To contribute to this goal, the United Kingdom has set a target of becoming net zero by 2050. To achieve this target, there is a need for comprehensive measures to improve energy efficiency in the country’s housing stock. This is especially important in areas with high energy consumption and carbon emissions. The use of building fabric retrofitting and innovative technologies presents promising opportunities to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions in residential and public buildings.

In order to identify best practices and potential challenges, extensive research has been conducted on building retrofitting, net zero objectives, and their socio-economic consequences. By analysing successful retrofitting projects worldwide, valuable insights can be gained.

Additionally, the research explores financing mechanisms and potential co-benefits of public support to foster

community engagement and ensure equitable outcomes. The London Borough of Hounslow is one such region, where over 50% of homes have poor wall energy efficiency. To address this challenge, the focus of this research is on achieving net zero emissions in a London neighbourhood of Hounslow through building fabric retrofitting and upgrading public spaces. By investigating the existing conditions, and carbon emissions in Hounslow, this research aims to develop a comprehensive retrofitting plan aligned with the borough’s journey towards net zero emissions.

Designing Child-Friendly Streets Through Temporary Urbanism: Promoting Safe and Inclusive Urban Environments for Children Through Collaborative Design

Sherrie Suki susherrie.suki.22@ucl.ac.uk

Additionally, the research explores financing mechanisms and potential co-benefits of public support to foster

community engagement and ensure equitable outcomes.

The London Borough of Hounslow is one such region, where over 50% of homes have poor wall energy efficiency. To address this challenge, the focus of this research is on achieving net zero emissions in a London neighbourhood of Hounslow through building fabric retrofitting and upgrading public spaces.

By investigating the existing conditions, and carbon emissions in Hounslow, this research aims to develop a comprehensive retrofitting plan aligned with the borough’s journey towards net zero emissions.

Major Research Project

Regenerative Regeneration: Utilising

regenerative design principles to retrofit and restore social housing estates vulnerable to demolition in London

Skye Langmuir ucbvsla@ucl.ac.uk

There has been an extensive body of research on both estate regeneration practices and regenerative design strategies, but nothing as of yet that combines the two.

The demolition of social housing estates in London has both social and environmental consequences. This project explores how regenerative design principles, which have largely been applied to new constructions, can be used in the retrofit and redevelopment of social housing estates vulnerable to demolition, avoiding social fragmentation and the release of embodied carbon, while bringing longterm benefits for both people and nature.

The proposed regenerative design toolkit is applied to the West Kentish Town Estate (WKTE) in North West London - an estate which has been confirmed for demolition and redevelopment led by architects Allford Hall Monaghan Morris for Camden Council.

Major Research Project

The redevelopment proposal is an example of dominant estate regeneration practice. This project explores how this process could be done differently, producing a radically different proposal on the same site, in a way that prioritises residents’ needs and boosts ecosystem health.

CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK

INDICATIVE PHASING PLAN

SITE BEFORE

SITE AFTER TOWER OCCUPATION

A Stepped Social Experience: Stairs as an Urban Antidote to the Lack of Public Open Space in High Density Neighbourhoods in London

Theodora Shum yin.shum.22@ucl.ac.uk

Major Research Project

Stairs are inherently intimidating. They exhaust, challenge and marginalise. Perceiving it as a physical detour to the everyday navigation of the urban realm, however, conceals the vast potential it inherently contains. Situating the urban research context in London, a topographically flat city equipped with an intrinsic hunger and demand for development, there is a tendency for schemes and plans to compromise the delivery of accessible quality public open space.

Anchored on the anomaly of incorporating verticality to the prevalent horizontality, this research attempts to position stairs as a potential antidote to the lack of public open space in London. It challenges the contemporary practise that minimises stairs to their mere functionality and follows one fundamental question - how and why are stairs capable?

Informed by field observations at seven sets of stairs in London, overseas initiatives, and secondary literature on urban navigation, social conceptions of space, place identity, and the social and

physical behaviour of using public space, a conceptual toolkit is formulated with the forging ambition to act as design guidance for urban designers, planners and associated practitioners. A design application at Custom House station then follows, a site where the railway tracks of Elizabeth Line and Docklands Light Railway physically disenable north-south mobility.

The wealth of different agendas observed on stairs, the specific architectural form unparalleled by any other urban assets, the pressing need for the city to rejuvenate public urban enjoyment, all in all, underscore the necessity of perceiving stairs beyond its functional nature.

Breaking Down Barriers Between Communities: Design for Community Cohesion in Public Spaces in Gentrifying Ethnoculturally Diverse Neighbourhoods

Wesley Wong ucbvywo@ucl.ac.uk

Informed by field observations at seven sets of stairs in London, overseas initiatives, and secondary literature on urban navigation, social conceptions of space, place identity, and the social and physical behaviour of using public space, a conceptual toolkit is formulated with

Major Research Project

the forging ambition to act as design guidance for urban designers, planners and associated practitioners. A design application at Custom House station then follows, a site where the railway tracks of Elizabeth Line and Docklands Light Railway physically disenable north-south mobility.