urban open spaces

Figure1: Visual voyage through a European street Source: Making People Friendly

1.1 Prologue

“Only in silence and solitude can we regain our

dreams . . . and build, plan a space, sow trees, pile

mountains, sail in the memory of a lake, discover

symbols that have hitherto been concealed . . . To know

who we are, to listen to the echo of a voice which

sounds strangely like our own. This is the physical

memory of our landscape".1

- Thomas Cavillo

We may be conscious of constant transformation

of the landscape, or rather cityscape, around us a

mutation that we have come to associate with

livelihood. Without movement and change there is

no life. Spaces speak to us in their own language, the

visual language of the physical world and that an

understanding of urban space will need to take in

account its physical, social and symbolic dimensions.

People’s impressions of a building, a particular

environment or space, or a whole city, are of course,

more than visual. Within the city lie many connotations,

memories, experiences, smells, hopes, crowds, places, buildings, the drama of life and

death, affecting each person according to his particular predilections. From his

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Figure 2 Urban spaces are the product of cities specially the juxtaposition of the building. Source: Making People Friendly Towns

environment each person constructs his own mental picture of the parts of space in

relation to one another.

Our environment of mountains, hills, plains, water, woods, vegetation, buildings,

roads, parks, plaza, streets and artifacts provides a myriad of different visual patterns

which we see, observe and unconsciously feel. Since the patterns we see are formed from

the arrangements of different components, it is an obvious starting point to identify it and

relate it back to the whole scene. We need to understand each attribute and see how they

interact and effect different variables and the method of organization have on the

patterns so produces.

1 Open Space in Urban Context

Advantage of thinking is in

terms of urban space is that we can

embrace a myriad of urban elements

as an entity rendering these elements

more distinctive and valuable then

they are alone. In planning the

spatial structure for a city we must

be careful to plane grand and

intimate spaces for the purpose the

serve.

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Figure 3. The vertical and horizontal elements together define a volume of space Source: Architecture Form Space And Order,

plane

Urban open spaces have distinct patterns. Usually there are seen in their block

street layout. Mixture of open spaces constitutes still another pattern. An urban space is

the geometry, regular or irregular, formed by routes, open spaces

and buildings. Grain is the degree of fineness or coarseness of an

urban area. Urban shape, pattern, grain, size, density and texture

are primarily aspects of solid forms – the building masses of the

city.

Single building or groups of buildings, which do not

enclose a space, are solid volumes when viewed externally.

Certain isolated buildings tend to dominated flat landscapes

when viewing distances are large and fee of obstruction. The

vertical and horizontal elements together define a volume of

space. Open volumes may be defined by an open spatial

structure such as a lattice or they may have more definite boundaries.

The spaces of the city range from the space of street to the space of the park

system and, ultimately to the vast space in which the entire city exists. It is helpful to

think of these spaces as two generic types: formal or urban spaces, usually molded by

building facades and the city floor and natural or open

spaces, which represents the nature brought into and around

the build form.

This is one aspect of looking at the urban space as a collection of building and

artifacts, and the other perceives it as a site for social relationship. The life and the form

of the cities are directly or indirectly are affected by the forces that modify the society,

point

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volume

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Figure 4: the identity of place is a particular mix of social relation, hence always becoming ˆunfixed, contested and multiple˜ Source: Making People Friendly Towns

categorized traditionally under four titles: demographic forces, economic forces,

impact of technological changes, and the

cultural variations. 2

The spatial relation demonstrate

our experience of being alone in space, of

being crowded or being comfortable in

relation with other arises from the relation

of each space to all the others. Social

distances, that is, the size of space or the

distance between buildings which constrain

the distance between the occupants of

space and the occupants of building.

There is clear dividing line between

the way the functional and aesthetic aspects of a urban space, due to the presence of

the aesthetic aspect in architectural

concerns, the urban space is analysed

through subjective values. The space is seen as a “dramatic event in the city”, a

gathering of people who creates “a collective surplus of enjoyment” and gathering of

buildings that can collectively give visual pleasure.3

Another dimension to our emotional reaction to a space is our awareness of its

content, i.e. the urban fabric with its

reaction to the position our body in space,

colour, texture, scale, style, character,

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personality, and uniqueness. It is also at this level that the patterns of behavior in the

space can be analysed in relation to the symbolic processes, meaning of the

environment, and the relationship of the individual with others in public places and with

their environments. The visual voyage through any contemporary cityscape operates

like a continuous shift between eye and mind.

2 what constitutes a urban open space

Urban spaces are the result

of careful positioning of planes

(building facades) to create open

volumes; they interconnect and flow

from one to another in a careful

planned fashion. The degree to

which the spatial and visual

continuity is maintained between a

space and its surroundings depends

on the scale to change.

A particular space in a city

may function as locale of an important activity while possessing neither physical

enclosure nor appropriate floor. Times Square in New York is such an example. Such

spaces are islands or oasis in the city. Urban spaces can also be linear spaces. Avenues

and streets are linear urban spaces if they are enclosed on two sides or have some element

of unifying character – trees or uniform buildings. Islands or oasis are shopping places, of

Figure 5:Tight knit urban fabric and public realm Source: Making People Friendly Towns

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Figure 6 − The Sheriff Court, DundeeSource: www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk

Figure 7− Traditional Shops, DundeeSource: www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk

course the two can be inter-connected. Open spaces in the city have wide variety of

purposes. They are compliment and foil to urban form.

There are two quite distinct architectural concepts for the town and the city defining the

ways in which the buildings can be arranged in a space:

In the first concept the town or city is

visualized as an open landscape into which

buildings have been introduced as a positive

object designed as a three-dimensional mass,

pieces of sculpture sitting within a parkland,

‘figure’ in composition, while the space is in

which they stand.4

The second is where public space, that is, street

and square appear to be carved from an original

block of material, that is, the space it self

becomes the ‘figure’, the positive element, the

volume to be deigned and the buildings relegated

to a supporting role, the ‘ground’. 5

“Complexity is the spice of urban life. The bustling

urban centers are magnets to the city.” 6

aths, such as streets, walkways, canals and railways, are movement channels and

form a predominant element in people’s image of a city. Nodes are the focal points in the

pattern of development, such as junction or squares and street corners..

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Figure 8: The Street− the corridor spaces Source :Surroundings Of Residential Units by Wohnumfeld

THE LINE : Street and Avenues

“the streets have provided urban communities with

public open spaces” 7

-Jonathon Barnett

The street is a place to be seen. Sociability

is large part of why cities exist and streets are a

major if not the only public place for the

sociability to develop.

It appears that most street activity occurs

when it is convenient for large number of

pedestrian to use the street in many ways. The form of the street can be analyzed in

terms of a number of polar qualities such as straight or curved, long or short, wide or

narrow enclosed or open, formal or informal. Street can be analyzed in terms of scale,

proportion, contrast, rhythm nor connection to other streets or squares.

A sense of place is in street design is best achieved if the spatial volume defined

by the frontage is perceived as the positive form, the figure seen against the general

ground of he surrounding architecture. According to Gibberd: “the street is

not building frontage but a space about which buildings

are grouped to form a series of street pictures: or

alternatively the street is the space that may be

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Figure 9− Christopher Alexender: the city is not a treeSource − Making People Friendly Towns

expanded into wider spaces such as closes or squares” 8

if a street or a section of street is to posses the quality of enclosure then it must have the

three main elements, an entrance, the place itself, and a termination or exit.

THE PLANE: Square

“Square is a out door room and with room it shares

the quality of enclosure” 9

A square or plaza is both an area

framed by buildings and an area designed to

exhibit its building to the greatest

advantage. Activity in square is important

for its vitality and, therefore, also for its

visual attraction. The square is an outdoor

room and with the room it shares the quality

of enclosure. The key to enclosure in the

square is the treatment of its corners.

Generally speaking, the more open the

corners of the square the less the sense of

enclosure, the more built up or complete

they are, the greater the feeling of being enclose. The most successful city squares,

though they may have a dominant function for which each is known and which may

classify them, are often that sustain the activity through the diversity of use in its

surrounding building. Other important quality f a square and its surrounding building

is the degree of enclosure, discussed in chapter2.

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Figure 1.13: Circles

Figure 10The Amalien, CopenhagenSource : Urban Design ˘ Street And Square

Here the formal relationship between the parts of the image leads the small

white circle (which is the same size in both

images) to seem larger in the structural

context of the tiny black circles than

amongst the large black. The picture clearly

states the relation between the build form

and open spaces and how the scale and

proportion between them changes the visual

perception and sense of the space.

The spaces in which some of the

above features offer more visual pleasure,

emotional security, and a heightened

potential depth and intensity of human

experience.

Urban morphology

Objects are rarely isolated: they are in the company of other volumes or limits.

Space is born, from the relationships between these elements. The geometry and

organization of each object bestowed a direction and amplitude upon the radiance. The

direction is legible in the geometry of the volume and modulation of its façade.10The

architectural interest often concentrates on the physical fabric of the city, and its

aesthetics and functional dimensions. Often architects, define urban form in three

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dimensions. In its sculptural expression of different heights and shapes and its skyline.

The morphological elements of urban space are identified as streets and squares which

have been geometrically typified. In architectural history urban forms of past studied

through their morphological components parts such as castles and manors, walls and

gates, streets and circulation spaces, market places churches and public buildings. The

diversity of physical form and natural qualities has on return influenced the social

qualities of urban space.

3.1 Architectonic Of Urban Open Space

Language has become an important source of ideas about architectural

composition, like language, architecture has its own vocabulary and its grammer, ‘but

while it has several distinct vocabularies all covering same feild of expression, it has only

one grammer.’ Alexander extends this idea of an architectural pattern language to include

a visual language of a town: ‘Such a language is, in principle, complex enugh to be the

language of the town.’11

Buildings are volumetric combination of a large numbr of elements and urban

spaces are volumetric combination of a large numbr of buildings. They are joined

together in larger units which in turn, modulate the realtionship between the parts and the

whole. An urban pattern is the geometry, regular or irregular, formed by routers, open

spaces, and buildings. A number of concepts have been used to analyse the architectural

composiion in order to gain an understainding of the qualities which determine good or

beautiful form. The way in which these basic concepts cab be used and their relations

have veeb studied in order to determine their utility in urban design.

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Symbolism: the place making

We can conceptualize place as timeless and bounded, with a singular, fixed and

unproblematic, authentic identity. However, if the dynamism of the concept of space-

time is employed, place can be understood as open and porous. Place becomes a moment

is the ever changing social relation at all scales. The identity of place is a particular mix

of social relations, hence always becoming “unfixed, contested and multiple”.

There is little doubt that dynamic conception of place would be more realistically

represent the multiplicity of social practices and identities. There would be, however,

fixities at any point in time, as change takes place over time in relation to the existing

frames of reference. The identities of places, therefore, will be defined and redefined

constantly in relation to constant changes in Historical times. Human beings and places

can both be seen as sites for interaction of diverse social processes.

The way we can meaningfully introduce the fourth dimension of time into space

is by concentrating on the process of its evolution and change. Following the way the

space has been made and transformed will allow us to add fourth dimension to our spatial

understanding. The lived experience of space is one in which time is inherent. The

question to ask is weather they are any fixities in dynamic conception of space.

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Figure2: The ugly American strip or the tight−knit organic European historic town? They both are man made environments. Yet they lay the opposite ends of the continuum. we need to decide what sort environment we should be making and how to achieve them

2 Need for Study

How do we understand spaces and relate to it? Do we relate it by our reason

or our senses? Is it representing openness or fixity? How do we relate to time

and space? 12

In our response to theses

questions, we find ourselves divided

between objective and subjective

understanding, between reason and

emotions, between theory and

practice, between uniformity and

diversity, and between order and disorder.

In this sense, space could be seen as an

abstract substitute for the world around us, for what we generally mean as our built and

natural environment. The changing function of the building over time shows the

complexity of the relationship between social and physical space which is important to

realize to bridge the gap between physical fabric its relation to us, the human. Awareness

and appreciation of environmental perception, and, in particular, of perception and

experience of a ‘place’, is an essential dimension of urban deign.

Every new generation abandon some parts of its socio-spatial inheritance and

maintain some other parts. By this they ensure a permanent but dynamic coexistence to

the social and spatial forms, the cultural habits and the physical fabric of the cities. This

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Figure12− Street ScapeScource : Google Image Search

coexistence would not imply that the present is a prisoner of the past, as each new

generation transforms and interprets, and therefore recreates, its inheritance in its own

image.

Cities today fulfill many different functions. Some of these functions are in

conflicts with each other and create great hardships and strife: for example, expressway

destroys housing, and beautiful parks can become danger spots. Some functions have

continued through history, and others are constantly changing.

The urban forms of the past have studied

to prove its inability to cope with the

requirements of the modern civilization. Within

the urban grid, and the monotonous and

predictable urban condition, the generation of

prosthetic geometries and new morphologies acts

as a catalyst for innovation. Maybe this is the

right time, in the evolution of twenty-first century

architecture, to study and adopt new forms and

technologies. The aura of optimism and the

apparent financial success of the new building

boom seem to require fresh and daring idea for

the urban spaces and redefining them.

Different places mean different things to different people. We probably perceive

our urban environment in slightly different ways. What matters is to put together

buildings and bits of town in ways that they are easy to understand.

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What is the physical form of the place-form and structure in the three

dimensions and in broad outlines? What id the density and character of the

buildings? What is the spacing of the buildings? How does it vary? What is the

greenery of the place? How would you describe paving, the signs, the night

lighting? What are the physical patterns of the space? 13

The joy of seeing is an acquired pleasure. Like most good things in life it needs

some work. Perception requires some education in seeing; like most other values it can

be taught and learned. Too many of us don’t know the joy of seeing because we assume-

since we are born with eyes- that we can see. But there is much to learn about seeing

before we really perceive and understand our environment.

As a practical subject matter, when compared with related academic fields, urban

design has not been sufficiently supported by research. As emerging enterprise, however

it requires a research agenda to be established. The task is being undertaken to bridge the

gap he exist between the approaches to urban design.

The use of urban space is linked to the information field generated by surrounding

surfaces, and on how easily the information can be received by pedestrians,

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3 Objectives

DEFINITION, Essence, Existence and Identity

To understand the role of open space in the urban environment and its relation to

the built form. To examine the parameters defining open spaces and study the

scale and proportion of built mass to open space.

URBAN MORPHOLOGY

To understand the inter-relation of urban spaces as component and patterns of

lines, points and volumes. Thus, understand volumes, enclosures and mass the

forms urban patterns.

THE ABSTRACT: Soul Of Open Space

To study the aesthetic and symbolic notion of urban space making and the

dynamic of change.

4 Scope

The understanding of urban open space will need to take in account its physical,

social, and symbolic dimension simultaneously.

Initial concerns will be based on the symbolism and the meaning in the built

environment to the humans, focusing on the experimental ‘sense of place’ and

‘lived-in’ experience experiences. The phenomenon of ‘invented’ place is to be

explored.

The two environmental stimuli-‘sensation’ and ‘perception’ are to be studied in

detail.

The focus shall be kept on the appreciation of an urban open space and the

aesthetic qualities of urban spaces like the streets and the squares. The positive

and negative space in connection to the built form and their scale are essential to

be recognized.

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The study is not limited to one or two case studies, but a number of relevant

examples are selected such as civic-commercial spaces, transport nodes, historical

and political places and parks and recreational areas, exhibition spaces and

cultural space, which best illustrate the aspect being discussed.

5 Limitations

The study is limited to the civic-commercial area, transport nodes where human

activities and need are most intense.

The changing need of commerce and transport will be mentioned only to the

extent that they affect the quality of urban space.

Due to the complexity of the topic the study will be limited to specific delineation

of the examples.

The study will be entirely focused ton the outdoor open spaces, tough the urban

realm in contemporary times extend into the interior space of built from, it is not a

part of this study.

The application modern theories of urban design in foreign land will only be

studied through Internet and books as personal visit to the place is unattainable.

Due to limitation of time the case studies are done to the extent to explain the

related topic in the research.

5.1 Epilogue

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“We shape our environment and our environment

shapes us”14

The need to care about urban environment has never been greater. Towns and

cities over centuries must surely rank as the greatest achievement of technological,

artistic, cultural, and social endeavor. The public realm, in my view, the most important

part to the spaces. It is where the greatest amount of human contact and interactions

takes place; it is all the parts of our urban fabric to which the public have physical and

visual access. Thus, it extends from the streets, parks and squares into the building which

encloses and line them.

Strictly speaking, outdoor space doesn't need buildings at all; only surrounding

surfaces, nodes for sitting and standing, and paths. As a large portion of urban space is

open to the sky, those small parts that one is able to connect with are crucial. Urban space

depends on the fine structure of its boundaries, requiring much greater care than the

architectural treatment of interior space

Open spaces of a city have a variety of purposes. They are a compliment and foil

to the urban form. The built environment is too far from being the only one to influence

our sense of identity. The erection of a monument has the aim of communication or

recalling without ambiguity an event or memory to those who have not known them. Too

many large square and broad avenues may not be appropriate and can sever a district as

easily as then can unify it. Urban spaces are the product of cities specially the

juxtaposition of the building.

Figure 13 sketchSource : responsive environment

Ancient roman architect Vitruvius formulated the three fundamental principles

essential o architecture, firmness, commodity and delight. Of ideal architecture have been

prompted in accordance with changing interpretation of architecture over time.

Therefore the designers already know how to plan a space efficiently for a given set of

activities.

Check point to design a urban open space :

Visual Survey

A visual survey in urban design is an examination of form, appearance and

composition of a space – an evaluation of its assets and liabilities. It also helps us to see

where the city needs reshaping. Though the elements are themselves abstractions rather

than concrete forms, a designer aware of their importance for legibility is helped to focus

on the kinds of physical forms worth taking as models for legible new layouts.

Combining new and existing elements

Develop the project to make more

legible the area of which it forms a p

art, by relating the new design to the

existing elements on the site and in its

surroundings. Because these cannot be

moved, they must be taken as fixes for

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Figure 14. sketchSource : responsive environment

developing the design. The implication, the interaction between the visual environment

and quantity of life in the city ultimately expresses the city’s failure or success. Urban

space should have certain qualities if it is to be responsive to human feelings and

sensibilities.

The idea of place

The means of building an architectural place are always physical, but they are

sufficient by themselves. We build urban fabrics, subject to ask ourselves about their

purpose. Architectural form must therefore refer to ‘the idea of place’ and not only to the

aesthetic principles, utility, or geometric and constructional rules. More exactly, we must

try to unite them in order to sustain the idea place. Parks and flowering gardens are open

spaces of respite and recreation. The act as a setting for architecture: they provide the

needed contrast and change..

Circulation and

Spatial orientation

Space is the medium of the

urban experience, providing the

sequence between public, semi-

public, and private domains. For

these sequences to work,

circulation barriers and gaps in

continuity must be minimized or eliminated.

Spatial orientation is defined by the

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configuration of urban blocks that collectively form districts and neighborhoods. It is the

articulation and differentiation of solids and voids that make up the fabric of the city and

establish the physical sequences and visual orientation between places.

Its difficult to visualize what a building should look like in an urban setting. Today

architecture is an evolved profession called the forth to deal with crowded plight of

mankind. It is the logical extension of ancient concern of architects with the commodity,

firmness and delight of building. Now it need to embrace the whole environment of man

in an evem more demanding complexity. The result is chaotic and confusing. Today

building donot follow ant stylistic uniformity.

Urban space is far more sophisticated mathematically than we are used to thinking.

At the other extreme from a collection of static, non-interacting simple forms and voids,

in reality we have a complex system tied together by both static and dynamic

interactions. Architecture is a gesture made with buildings and open spaces towards

humans to respond. Thus it can be said that architecture is of its nature assertive- it

proposes a certain way of doing things, of bringing together or separating activities- and

this will either create an order that affronts or one that enhances the quality of life.

Whatever the architects design has a tangible or an intangible relation with humans being

and in turn the society.

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References 1 http://www.hinduonnet.com/folio/- Language of Spaces, The Hindu folio by

Arati Chari 2 Design Of Urban Space by Ali Madanipour 3 ibdi. preface 4 Cliff Moughti, Urban Design – Street and Square, Architectural Press, Oxford,

Third Edition,2005, chap- 2 5 ibdi, chap- 2 6 ibdi, preface 7 ibdi, chap- 5, page 135 8 Gibberd, F , Town Design, Architectural Press, London, 2nd edition, 1955 9 Cliff Moughti, opcit, chap- 4, page 99 10 ibdi, chap- 2 11 Sitte, Cliff Moughti, opcit, chap- 2 12 Rob Krier, Urban Spaces, Academy Editions,London, Fourth Impression, 1988,

Pg10 13 Fran P. Hosken, Language Of Cities, The Macmillan Company, New York, First

Edition, 1968, pg 37

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List of Illustration

Figure 1 – sketch , Francis Tibbalds Source - Making People Friendly Towns, Francis Tibbalds Figure 2 –sketch, Francis Tibbalds Source - Making People Friendly Towns, Francis Tibbalds Figure 3 –sketch Source - Architecture Form Space And Order, Francis D.K. Figure 4 – sketch, Francis Tibbalds Source - Making People Friendly Towns, Francis Tibbalds Figure 5 – sketch, Francis Tibbalds Source - Making People Friendly Towns, Francis Tibbalds Figure 6 – The Sheriff Court- Source -www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/Dundee Figure 7– Traditional Shops, Dundee Source-www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/Dundee Figure 8 – Squares Open Spaces Source - Surroundings Of Residential Units by Wohnumfeld Figure 19 – sketch, Francis Tibbalds Source - Making People Friendly Towns, Francis Tibbalds Figure 10- The Amalien, Copenhagen Source : Urban Design – Street And Square, Cliff Moughtin, Figure 11– sketch , Francis Tibbalds Source - Making People Friendly Towns, Francis Tibbalds Figure 12– Streetscape Source - http://www.urbanlife2005.com/images/intro.gif Figure 13- Sketch Source: Responsive Environment, Bently Alcock Murrain Mc Glynn Smith Figure 14-Sketch Source: Responsive Environment, Bently Alcock Murrain Mc Glynn Smith

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Page i

Table of Contents List of illustration …i

1 Prologue …1

1 Open space in Urban Context …2

2 Components of Urban Open Space …5

2 Need for Study …12

3 Objectives …15

4 Scope …15

5 Limitation …16

6 Epilogue …17

References …21

Bibliography

1 http://www.hinduonnet.com/folio/- Language of Spaces, The Hindu folio by Arati Chari 2 Design Of Urban Space by Ali Madanipour 3 Design Of Urban Space by Ali Madanipour 4 Urban Design – Street and Square, Third Edition, Cliff Moughtin, chapter 2 5 Urban Design – Street and Square, Third Edition, Cliff Moughtin, chapter 2 6 Urban Design – Street and Square, Third Edition, Cliff Moughtin, chapter 2 7 Urban Design – Street and Square, Third Edition, Cliff Moughtin, chapter 2 8 Gibberd, F , Town Design, Architectural Press, London, 2nd edition, 1955 9 10 Chapman & Hall, Elements of Architecture, E & FN Spon, London, First English Language Edition, 1997, first interlude, page 86 11 Cliff Moughtin, Urban Design – Street And Square, Architectural Press, Oxford, Third Edition, 2003, Chapter 2, Page 31 12 Rob Krier, Urban Spaces, Academy Editions,London, Fourth Impression, 1988, Pg10 13 Language Of Cities, Fran P. Hosken, The Macmillan Company, New York, First Edition, 1968, pg 37 14 Churchill quoted in Contantinos Doxiadis

urban open spaces

Documents

urban spaces

terms of urban space

understanding of urban

parts of space

plane urban open spaces

volume of space source

urban shape

myriad of urban elements