Urban vitality: Exploring spatial conditions of 24/7 environments for Netherlands

Urban vitality: Exploring spatial conditions of 24/7 environments for Netherlands

Tan, W.G.Z.

Klaasen, I.T. (mentor)
Zandbelt, D.D. (mentor)
Zonneveld, W.A.M. (mentor)
Fernandez-Maldonado, A.M. (mentor)

Architecture

2009-04-07

Motivation: When we think about cities full of vitality and life spans that go beyond the normal waking hours, we think of global cities such as London, New York which are also capitals of capital, economic strength, buzz and success. Such urban systems1 make full usage of their structure and elements with continuous processes and flows. (Klaasen, 2004). The research on 24/7 environments was inspired by the difference in time bound spaces between the Netherlands and my home country, Singapore. Being used to easily finding services, retail and entertainment at all hours of the night, the shock of being in a country that in certain parts cease to operate on weekends prompted this explorative study into understanding what conditions are required to allow for a 24/7 environment which contributes to the urban vitality of the space, especially spatial pattern and conditions, and what are the effects of 24/7 environment in general. Explorative Study: Spatial planning of today, seldom take into concerns regarding the usage of space in a temporal fashion (Klaasen 2005, Drewe 2005). Planning and design are extended within visions and expected goals in terms of years, however, neglect the importance of planning the details of a finer temporal grain2 is to the vitality and success of an urban area. Given the state of current urban settlements to proceed into sprawl and fragmentation, it seems highly illogical to continue using whatever precious space we have left only within a pre-conditioned notion of time. Not to mention that given the limitations of the simplified models of reality that urbanists have been conditioned to work with, the element of time has barely been taken into account, voluntarily or involuntarily. This research is an explorative study into the why and how conditions that makes a 24/7 environment, in describing and propagating the environment. Bearing in mind that it is not humanly possible to function continuously as our biorhythm will never allow it, nor is it socially responsible. This explorative study of 24/7 environments within urban systems looks to spaces that have multiple time, spatial and functional characteristics. The purpose is to understand how these places can be multi-faceted and vital to the urban system. This is not about creating a 24/7 city non-stop activities This is about exploring the conditions of the urban phenomenon of a 24/7 environment

urban vitalityt
24/7
environments
spatial condition

http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:8c05e6b6-bada-4222-a3d8-48da9777f121

TU Delft, Architecture, Urbanism

Student theses

master thesis

(c) 2007 W.G.Z. Tan