The Modern Campus Fails as Pedestrian Space

Mehaffy, Michael W.; Salingaros, Nikos A.; Lavdas, Alexandros A.

doi:10.20944/preprints202310.1971.v1

Cited by 4 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 119 publications

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“…Major architecture firms tend to be heavily set in the techno-modernist camp because they typically do not have the developed skills to design anything else. Such offices divert attention away from an unattractive design by selling it to a university as certified according to one of the dubious checklists for energy efficiency [137]. Sustainability promised by techno-fixes thus subverts low-cost sustainability arising from when users love a place enough to maintain it.…”

Section: Two Sets Of Architectural Promises That Either Deceive or De...mentioning

confidence: 99%

The “Modern” Campus: Case Study in (Un)Sustainable Urbanism

Mehaffy,

Salingaros,

Lavdas

2023

Sustainability

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The design of campuses, like other aspects of contemporary environmental design, must be reassessed in light of the challenge of sustainability. This paper considers the “modern” campus design typology (including business campuses, commercial districts, hospitals, and schools) as a design paradigm for pedestrian public space, with implications for human flourishing and well-being. Its findings point to a serious problem: while the foundational design theories of a century ago have been widely critiqued as an obsolete way of thinking about cities, human nature, biological nature, and even the nature of mathematical and physical structures, we find that, in the case of campuses, the pervasive influence of these obsolete theories can still be seen in practice. Specifically, a new “techno-modernist” aesthetic offers visually exciting new “neoplastic” forms but is built on essentially the same discredited concepts of urban space. We propose a more directly human-oriented design methodology to promote the well-being of occupants, and improve outcomes for creative development, education, and health. This analysis resurrects tested traditional design tools and validates them through scientific findings from mathematics and neuroscience. It also adopts the older “design pattern” methodology of Christopher Alexander by linking it to biophilia and neuro-design.

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Section: Two Sets Of Architectural Promises That Either Deceive or De...mentioning

confidence: 99%

The “Modern” Campus: Case Study in (Un)Sustainable Urbanism

Mehaffy,

Salingaros,

Lavdas

2023

Sustainability

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“…Considering the numerous benefits they provide, UGSs have become an essential resource for urban residents that they should have equal access to, as well as fair enjoyment of. This aligns with the goal of biophilic urbanism [6].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 54%

Assessing Distributional and Perceived Equity of Urban Green Spaces in Qingdao’s Historic Urban Area

Jiang,

Li,

Peng

et al. 2023

Buildings

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Urban green spaces (UGSs) satisfy citizens’ physical and psychological demands and are considered an integral part of sustainable urban development. However, the distribution of UGS is often uneven, especially in historic urban areas with high building density and limited facilities, thus leading to issues of green inequity. This study examines two dimensions of green equity in Qingdao’s historic urban area, distributional equity and perceived equity, based on a fine-grained division of units and districts. Distributional equity is analyzed using the Gaussian two-step floating catchment area (G2SFCA) method and Gini coefficient to accurately calculate the equity in distribution and accessibility of UGSs. The perceived equity is assessed through the green view index (GVI) and location quotient of the streets, which represents citizens’ visual perception of green quality. Based on these analyses, a dual-perspective evaluation model of green equity is conducted, and the results show a significant imbalance of greenery supply and population demand in the historical urban area of Qingdao. This disequilibrium in green spaces leads to 62.20% of people living with low green equity, while only 8.12% experience high green equity. To maximize social justice, priority should be given to improving the 15 districts with low green equity; doing so could effectively reduce green inequity within historic urban areas where facilities and resources are relatively scarce, thereby improving the efficiency of urban renewal efforts.

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“…The traditional urban design further enhances this space by incorporating surrounding buildings of suitable scale, creating an attractive and usable environment. However, an appropriate regulation of the urban traffic is an essential aspect in defining the area as primarily or exclusively accessible to pedestrians [61].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Relevance of Catholic Parish Churches in Public Space in Barcelona: Historical Analysis and Future Perspectives

et al. 2023

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Knowledge of the link between church and public space remains limited. However, there seems to exist a relationship between the church and the city, dating back to the first foundational temples. This relationship is still present in the churches of the most recently created neighborhoods, including those that are now gone and gave way to new squares, as well as those that were repurposed to house new activities. In this study, the relationship between public space and 132 parish churches within the municipal limits of Barcelona (Catalonia, Spain) was analyzed, with the aim to highlighting the most representative examples to understand the role of religious buildings in the urban landscape of the contemporary city. Morphological analyses and comparative views were the methodological research tools used for drawing new maps highlighting how they configure urban axes and homogeneous patterns. Finally, we included a relevant case study of urban regeneration, Mare de Déu dels Àngels church, as an example to demonstrate that a church without a square can have one. In conclusion, churches influenced both the public space adjacent to the parish temples and the urban growth and expansion of the city of Barcelona. Moreover, urban regeneration and new uses of some underutilized churches are a non-negligible future perspective. Churches are relevant for understanding the past of the city of Barcelona, but they are also important for the present and future of the city’s public space.

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The Modern Campus Fails as Pedestrian Space

Cited by 4 publications

References 119 publications

The “Modern” Campus: Case Study in (Un)Sustainable Urbanism

The “Modern” Campus: Case Study in (Un)Sustainable Urbanism

Assessing Distributional and Perceived Equity of Urban Green Spaces in Qingdao’s Historic Urban Area

Relevance of Catholic Parish Churches in Public Space in Barcelona: Historical Analysis and Future Perspectives

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