MSc Urban Planning and Policy Design

PORTFOLIO

2021 - 23

selected works

Vanshikha Singh

master of urban planning and policy design ‘23

politecnico di milano

Micro Moblity and Amenities Ecosystem to improve urban quality of Crescenzago district, Milan

Project Summary

Accessibility is intended to convey the poten�al for interac�on and exchange, as provided by loca�ons, infrastructures and mobility services also coming more recently to include virtual forms of interac�on.

Aims

• Experiment with different and alterna�ve uses to those of vehicular circula�on

• Promote both symbio�c and conflic�ng temporary transforma�ons with respect to current use

• Experiment possible different solu�ons in the treatment of road spaces but also in their regula�on

Project Category

Spa�al Planning and Infrastructure Design

Basic ameni�es users distribu�on

Strategies

1. Mul�func�onality of spaces

2. Walkability to Overcome the Barriers

3. Connec�vity to Green areas

Legends

Crea�ng new func�on by using vacant land

Foster the use of basic ameni�es by improving the design of external areas

Foster the use of basic ameni�es by a�rac�ng new age groups and extend �me limita�on

Strengthen the “scuole aperte” network by a�rac�ng different users

Towards a Pedestrian Oriented Neighbourhoods

Change of Streets Regula�on and Use

Restrain car circula�on through traffic calming strategies

Transform street as social space by priori�zing pedestrian circula�on

Crea�on of a widespread cycling network

Exis�ng cycling network

Overcome Physical barriers

Strengthen the connec�vity of Lambro park system Implement the Lambro park system through the vacnt areas Increase the availability of green spaces through opening green courtyards Create new green connec�on

Create a transversal local green corridor

Legends

1. MULTI-FUNCTIONALITY

Basic Ameni�es

Design the outside area to allow different social ac�vi�es

Enhance usability by introducing new func�ons

Join the “scoule aperte network

Vacant Area

Why CIMIANO ?

1. Mix use and ameni�es ecosystem 2. Accessibility to Public transporta�on 3. Axes barriers and Connec�on

Insert new urban func�ons

2. WALKABILITY

Street

Educa�on Sanitary service Sports field Church Library

Industrial and Commercial Residen�al/Commercial at GF Park Vacant Land

Overcoming Via PALMANOVE

Extend Sidewalks

Transform the street into a “shared street”

Establish a temporary chnage of street regula�on

Create raised pedestrian crossing

Create a pedestrian friendly passage

Cycling Path

Create Exisitng

Pedestrian Street

Create Exisitng

Collec�ve Tranporta�on

Transform M2 sta�on into a “movicentro”

Improve Cascina Gobba’s Interchange node

3. CONNECTIVITY

Green corridor at a local level

Green connec�on at a micro-level

Open private courtyard

Vacant area

Create new green area

Exis�ng Elements

School of the “scoule aperte” network

Basic ameni�es

Main working areas

Green areas

Metro line Metro Sta�on Bus line Bus stop

Cycling Path Bike stop Ameni�es

Barrier Amenity Main distributer

Actual Mid Term Long Term

Via Palmanova, the main barrier present in the neighbourhood, is Extra Urban street (massimum speed 70 km/h) made up of 3 traks, one of the main entrance to the city. In the current situa�on the passage from overcome the street is possible just thank an under-ground passage not accessible for wheel-chair and cycles.

To overcome the barrier in the mid term, via Palmanova will be open and crossable The street hierarchy will be changed and via Palmanova will pass from a Extra Urban street to an High Speed street (according to PUMS maximum speed 50 km/h). Through this inter-ven�on the car drivers will be disincen�vise to drive for reaching the city center and they will park in Cascina Gobba interchange node. To overcome the metro it will be built an elevated crossing.

Alterna�ve axeses Micro connec�ons

In the long term the sta�on will be redesigned for make it pedestrian friendly. The under-groud passage (in which the accessibility level is low) will be eliminated. Viale Orione will be transform permanetly in a pedestrian street and a new widespread cycling network will be crea�ng among the neighbourhood.

a. Play Street

The street in front of the Preziossisimo Sangue school will be closed to traffic, using ‘Road Closed’ signs and cones, or other barriers such as wheelie-bins for allow children to play freely. The sports fieds inside the scholl will also be available for free sport ac�vi�es whenever compa�ble with the school schedule.Place outdoor gym equipment on the vacant to promote the use of public space to exercise.

Circula�on

Via

a b c d e g e a b c f g d Street Experiment Pedestrian Street Shared Street Private Green Areas Public Green Areas Raised Intersec�on 1 2 3 4

Implementa�on

b. Open Street and Square

Outdoor sea�ngs for bars and commercial ac�vi�es will be placed temporary on the parking lanes in front of viale Orione’s church to compensate the loss of indoor sea�ngs capacity. Transform the street facing the church in a pedestrian promenade, suitable for temporary commercial and social ac�vi�es, like markets and cultural events. The outdoor area of the church and sport field will also be available for social ac�viteis whenever compa�ble with the church’s ac�vi�es.

c. Study Area

Study sta�on will be placed in the vacant area with proper equipment like plugs, gazebos for sun repair in summer �me and hea�ng laps in winter �me. The outside area of the library will also be implemented with sea�ngs for hos�ng cultural events and aci�vi�es.

d. The ‘movicentro’

The possibility to interchange between different transport modes: bus, metro and cycling will be increased thanks to the renewal of the sta�on, the displacement of bike raks and the improved accessibility trough the new padestrian passage.

e. The Passage

To overcome the barrier of via Palmanova the underground passage will be replaced by a raised pedestrian crossing, crea�ng a physical and visual connec�on whi�n the neighborhood and forcing the veichels to slow down along all the axes. Thus, the Cimiano metro sta�on becomes easily accessible for pedestrian, cycling and weelchairs.

d A

a. Shop on the Street

b. Sustainable mobility

Encourage the use of bikes by expanding and connec�ng the cycling network.

b. Safe Street

The 30 zone and extended sidewalks implementa�on will guarantee the safe coexistence of bikes, vehicles and pedestrian.

2. Via Padova

WORK & WOKERS in 15-Min City, NIL 28-39 milano

Project Summary

The 15-minute city framework, mainstreamed a�er Paris’ ville du quart de l’heure offers tools to promote “resiliency of the se�lement system” (Abdelfa�ah et. al 72). Milan’s polycentric shape may permit the development of mul�-scalar 15-minute districts. To create such an ac�on plan at the neighborhood scale, the modern and evolved workscape must be redefined. Urban environments, in the framework of the 15-minute city, offer commercial and recrea�onal ac�vity, necessary services, and ecological goods within a reasonable distance from home. Milan’s Innova�on and Inclusion Ac�on Plan of 2018 suggests reconsidering our star�ng point for the 15-minute district as both home and work, “whichever type of dynamics it reflects: smart working at home, coworking neighborhood hub, new offices and urban manufacturing workplaces or tradi�onal office spaces” (Comune di Milano). It is this living and working ecosystem that is hybrid in and of itself, “made by both inhabitants and users; in par�cular, some workers commute into and out of the neighborhood, some work from home and others work in their neighborhood co-working spaces”

Project Category

Urban Planning and Policy Design Phase 1

Workers Identity & Demographics

INCLUSIVE CITY labour (er) dynamics

Foreign Composi�on

1. Landuse 2. Densified Industrial Territory

Work spaces, Enterprises & Hubs

The growth of co-working spaces and Fab-labs

I. LAND USE

Productive hotspots in the southeast, land use breakdown

dense tissue woven by the presence of production, service, office and commercial sectors often the most essential for urban dwellers, and in our site area, almost always located outside residential areas and along major roads. Along Via Emila and the Paullese, major traffic attractors/generators, we find a concentration of social and health services, for example, the hospitals of San Donato Milanese, and commerce, such as the large commercial center of San Giuliano Milanese with multiplex cinema.

3. 15- Min walksheds from workpoles

a. Proximity of workplaces to services

Dense residen�al fabric

Meddium dense con�nous residen�al fabric

Discon�nous residen�al fabric

Sparse and sca�ered residen�al fabric

Derelict areas and unvegetated

Parks, gardens and uncul�vated green

Agricultural land

Framhouse and agricultural land

Industrial and ar�sanal se�lements

Commeercial se�lements

Technological plants

Public an dprivate service facili�es

Airport

Infrastructure network spaces

b. Proximity of workplaces to green spaces c. Reachability of services from industrial hubs in 15-mins d. Reachability of green from industrial hubs in 15-mins

SCALO ROMANA

The 15-minute city framework, mainstreamed a�er Paris’ ville du quart de l’heure offers tools to promote “resiliency of the se�lement system” (Abdelfa�ah et. al 72). Milan’s polycentric shape may permit the development of mul�-scalar 15-minute districts. To create such an ac�on plan at the neighborhood scale, the modern and evolved workscape must be redefined. Urban environments, in the framework of the 15-minute city, offer commercial and recrea�onal ac�vity, necessary services, and ecological goods within a reasonable distance from home. Milan’s Innova�on and Inclusion Ac�on Plan of 2018 suggests reconsidering our star�ng point for the 15-minute district as both home and work, “whichever type of dynamics it reflects: smart working at home, coworking neighborhood hub, new offices and urban manufacturing workplaces or tradi�onal office spaces” (Comune di Milano). It is this living and working ecosystem that is hybrid in and of itself, “made by both inhabitants and users; in par�cular, some workers commute into and out of the neighborhood, some work from home and others work in their neighborhood co-working spaces”

12, 525 inhabitants in SCalo Romana with an area of 1,7 km2 equal to .9% of the Milan’s total popula�on

Milan has begus to pay special a�en�on to peripheral areas, in a�empt to rebalance and recognise the city, has been sustained in Miilan. Scalo Romana is an important piece of puzzle. The Commune, especially with its revised Piano di Governo Territoriale (PGT), lloks carefully at this quadrant of Milan, as the city centre becomes densified and wants for space.

Ongoing Project ZOOM-IN

Scalo di Porta Romana

Vitae

Torre Farro

Tall Milano

Domus Ortles VI

Balduccio da Pisa 7

3. Adapted Neighborhood Strategies

Legends

01

Foster a Proximate knowledge economy

Spaces for incubator, start-up, co-working spaces and mul�func�onal working spaces

Graound floor for mul�func�onal working spaces

Possible connec�ons and coopera�ons betwwen them Actors who might be involved

PILOT PROJECT

Proximate working coali�on 1

02

2b

2a

03

Animate Under-used Public spaces

Schools with space for a�er-hours ac�vi�es

Under u�lised parks that need regenra�on

Public gathering spaces like squares and points of encounter made more a�rac�ve

Regenera�ve stretches of the ve�bbia river

PILOT PROJECT

“aperta” school-park hybrid permeable and ecological parkway

Iden�fy and reclaim vacant spaces

Vacant private buildings on which to ac�vate new interven�ons and func�ons for the surrounding

Possible connec�on with the Parco Agricolo Sud

3

04

4a 4b

PILOT PROJECT Crea�ve Cascina

Guide Private properly development

New transforma�on projects that need to be open to the the community

New luxury residence involved in an harmoniza�on process

Buildings with groundfloor poten�al or with services/ameni�es available

PILOT PROJECTS

Symbiosis development review

Tall milano development review

4c

Prada in the park

05

Transform streets for sustainable movement

Making sidewalk safe

Opening new pedestrian passageways

New possible bike path connec�on

Exis�ng bike path to be regenrated

New gathering spaces resul�ng from removing traffic islands Greening Streets

Accessible infrastructure PILOT

Loca�on

Trajectory star�ng from intersec�on of Via Vallarse, running the perimeter of the block, in which the Marcello Candia Primary School and the Franca Helg Park are found.

Space 19,000 mq2 total

an ‘aperte’ school-park

At the intersec�on Via Vallarse and Via Arcivescovo Calabiana immediately south, there is a primary school, occupying a substan�al surface area of 7,149.3 m² It maintains normal scholas�c hours, a�er which the school space is used/not used. Neighboring the school, though not in any way connected, is the Franca Helg park. The Franca Helg park opened in 2020. Named a�er renowned Italian architect Franca Helg, the new park offers an excellent opportunity to reimagine the social �es in the area. In much the same way that Helg’s architecture sought to use context to ground its design in the lived experience, the Scuola Aperta would foster a stronger contextual understanding for schoolchildren, while also bringing other park users closer to the educa�onal projects of the children.

a creative cascina

This is pilot project aims to reclaim an abandoned building on Via dell’Assunta and convert it into a mul�func�onal agricultural and social space. It project involves purchasing the property, restoring the brick building, and se�ng up a mul�func�onal space through a coali�on of partners already ac�ve in the area.

The Marcello Candia primary school is a part of a network of 3 public schools in the area. The middle and high schools are located a few blocks to the Southeast near Corve�o. This pilot project would thus also be able to expand and bring in the students of those schools in future expansion.

building at Via dell’Assunta, 67 abandoned since 2011, is a former publishing house (Garanzi) located adjacent to the Parco Agricolo Sud on the southern edge of our area. building is currently up for auc�on at an es�mated 670,000 euros.

Permeable ecological parkway

HOMELESS & 0UT OF SIGHT

Project Summary

Suburban homelessness is an under inves�gated phenomenon, at least in a systema�c and rigorous way. Indeed, we are accustomed to perceiving this condi�on within large ci�es like Milan and believing that immediately outside of them people always have a home of their own. But if we come to discover that in a suburban context such as the small town of Seregno, 20 km from Milan, there are more than 150 homeless people, our point of view is forced to change. Such a discovery forces a comprehensive rethinking on the issue of housing and the role of urban planning in a suburban context and raises several new and interes�ng research and design ques�ons. How is it that people end up on the street in territories where one would expect be�er housing affordability than in the big city? What prac�ces are put in place to survive without a roof over one’s head in such a different context? How does the homeless experience relate to significantly lower density and proximity to services? And perhaps most decisively, how should local and supra-local urban and public policy planning approach the issue, especially towards a design perspec�ve? The answers are certainly not trivial, but some context-based a�empts for the case of Seregno have answered some of these ques�ons. Indeed, we have found ourselves dealing with a dimension quite different from the densely urban one, with, for example, a dispersed stock of disused buildings but with great poten�al, exploi�ng a formal but o�en quite informal network of actors, through the presence of a community and a smallness impossible to recreate in the central metropolis. The answers contained in this work are certainly limited in �me and space, but they open to broader perspec�ves and more detailed research ques�ons. We perhaps need to rethink the way we approach suburban homelessness, especially in a longterm perspec�ve in which the Milan metropolitan region may go through sudden and dras�c socio-spa�al changes. In summary, how many Seregnos exist today and may come into existence in the future?

Project Category

Housing

and Neighbourhoods

Seregno, Italy

To rent a market apartment, at least one-third of Seregno’s popula�on would have to pay >40% of their income, which would make them extremely cost burdened.

Why ?

rent

Additional cost of transportation

10 Available units

30% of people leaving Seregno in the morning go to Milan

2,710/year* € 682/year**

WHO?

Monetary affordability

Ease of access to the op�on

Spa�al accessibility (to the centre)

Housing quality

Neighbourhood’s quality

Grade of affordability

WHERE?

Public Housing Private Housing SheltersAbandoned buildings Vehicles

Housing and Neighbourhoods 2022- 23

Mapping the type of ABONDONED BUILDINGS THE PHYSICAL DIMESION

CODES into Milieu

05

Milieu amidst of space

Project Summary

The landscape of public urban structure is like a remote in which milieu’s choose to move, play,pause,rewind and fast forward.A vivid and integrated physical se�ng of Piazza del Duomo has the capability of producing and reciproca�ng sharp image on its milieu.The builtenvironment and its design affects social rela�onships, they establish a context where some rela�onships may be expected and other may not.

Project Category

Urban Ethnography

Influence of dominant subject controls the psychological behaviour of par�cipants genera�ng sum incompa�ble human condi�ons

Power and Hierarchies

What a�racts people more is the other people.

Piazza del Duomo in the background which seizes all the WOWs forcing the par�cipant to not pause in the shadows.

Piazza del Duomo is directly connected with power, as a dominant determinant it has created a sense of control and thus reflects spa�al hierarchies produced in that place.

People sit in the mainstream crowds naturally it becomes the junc�on, a landmark and a transfer point

Pause Play Start Forward and Rewind

Both the network tangibly and intangibly converges towards Piazza del Duomo making Piazza dei Mercan� as a passing by island in a wider context.

Urban Ethnography 2022- 23

Foot movements were consistent in Piazza dei mercan� with a sort of silent language.

Enter, pass by unno�ceably through its legible and porous character of its corners from the rear sides.

The key peculiar elements are the narrow-arched entrance to the piazza which minimizes the ac�ve u�lity but maximises the uninterrupted movement.

From where people come, where they worked, how frequently they used the place and what they thought of it

It is a cultural landmark and threshold which reflects ac�ve edge condi�ons compared to the piazza inside.

It is the separator which cuts off the flow of par�cipants to enter inside Piazza dei Mercan�.

Piazza del Duomo on a large scale with larger transac�ons of par�cipants, and it does something for Milan that no aggrega�on of small space could.

via orefici, is an ac�ve commuters’ network coming from Tram, bus or by foot

Smaller groups

via dei mercan� where people didn’t move out of the main pedestrian flow. Either they stay in it or move into it.

Image source : Author

“Up to seven people per foot of walkway a minute is a nice bustle”

Lone

Pulsating Neighbourhoods

Project Summary

The concept of 15 min city/neighbourhood is the resurgence of COVID-19 pandemic realised in global context.This has given new roots to how we should think about our neighbourhoods vulnerability. Indian context has always been rich in crea�ng pulsa�ng experiences.Although,sky scrapper has been an outcome of landlocked phenomenon in metropolitan regions of urban India. Humanized urban spaces are key contributors of successful social, spa�al and economic structures. COVID-19 pandemic out surge has taught us looking at the life of a common man more closely. The boundaries between isola�on and contact became sharper. Indian scenario has reflected a spa�al and physical breakdown between the rich and the poor. The space func�on represented and coded the fear of mixing formal and informal together.

07 Legacy in Architecture

// celebrating spirit of city beautiful : chandigarh, India

Project Summary

The wish for understanding architecture as a concrete phenomenon implies that spaces where life occurs are places, in the true sense of the word. A place is a space which has dis�nct iden�ty which has made it a GENIUS or has strong spirit of place. Architecture means to visualize the genius loci and task of an architect is create meaningful places.

The thesis represents a step towards a phenomenon which understands and decipher architecture in a concrete manner and its true reflec�on as a legacy in present �mes.

The Urban form with a planned determinants represents architecture’s share in truth where the place is the concrete ideology of a master collaborating with need of �me in the past.

Project Category

Urban Inser�on Project

Documen�ng My Journey

This the present scenario of exis�ng site. It has various ac�vi�es prolifera�ng around the plaza related to offices, GPOs and offices

When crossed this bridge from below, could experice a liveliness and sense of vibrancy in the place

This fountain was surrounded by large number of people engaged in fountain and light show with spillover of small eataries in the plaza

The place also had theatre and varied commercial poten�al in the present

Commercial ac�vi�es has shown large influx of people duw to buying and shopping ac�vity

Concept massing : Model scale 1:250

View of plaza surrounded by commercial buildings from the bridge

Reaching the plaza on ground could experience the plaza as a dead void and inac�ve.

Smaller in�mate courts has allowed people to sit below the tress, shades and shadow. Enter sector 17 has provision of basement parking in order to allow pedestrian culture.

The Spa�al organisa�on strongly depicts use of elements like fins and framed arches in the flea. The Flea market generates informal character and small reflec�ng pool.The amphitheater becomes the place of social interac�on along with shopping and small cultural events.

The central pedestrian spine has a street like character with forms transi�on from one zone to another. The street has small height columns as element to break the scale. The streets has places like shaded courts and pause point ac�vi�es for users to sit and rest.

The approach of public nature gallery has been adopted. Small height parapets allows user to sit. Raising with pilo�s has formed spaces for open displays. The strategic loca�on of gallery allows passer by user to deliberately enter the gallery.

The entrance from commercial plaza depicts grandeur through ver�cal colorful piers with invi�ng steps for the user. From Here you entre.the user gets a choice to directly be part of the flea market along the street or else enter this in�mate court

Depic�on of tower of shadow has been reinterpreted as a interac�ve space for visitors coming for exi�ng official ac�vi�es with small kiosk of coffee shop at the outer edge of the complex.

These coffee shops is also abu�ng to business centre and connected at upper floors for office users. This business centre is treated stand alone block with service cores and but it forms connec�on in the upper floors. The business centre in the le� caters to recrea�onal ac�vi�es with floor plates of badminton courts, tennis courts like that.

vanshikha.singh@mail.polimi.it