Abstract. The article presents the effects of research on models of high density housing. The authors present urban projects for experimental high density housing estates. The design was based on research performed on 38 examples of similar housing in Poland that have been built after 2003. Some of the case studies show extreme density and that inspired the researchers to test individual virtual solutions that would answer the question: How far can we push the limits? The experimental housing projects show strengths and weaknesses of design driven only by such indexes as FAR (floor attenuation ratio -housing density) and DPH (dwellings per hectare). Although such projects are implemented, the authors believe that there are reasons for limits since high index values may be in contradiction to the optimum character of housing environment. Virtual models on virtual plots presented by the authors were oriented toward maximising the DPH index and DAI (dwellings area index) which is very often the main driver for developers. The authors also raise the question of sustainability of such solutions. The research was carried out in the URBAN model research group (Gliwice, Poland) that consists of academic researchers and architecture students. The models reflect architectural and urban regulations that are valid in Poland. Conclusions might be helpful for urban planners, urban designers, developers, architects and architecture students.
Abstract. The problem of preservation, reconstruction and conversion of historic urban layouts and historic buildings have been discussed in the article. Although some of the urban layouts and structures are not monuments by formal means, they are often being well protected by local law (Local Development Plans). Both the quantity of the original structures (very few remained original -many objects within the layout have been already converted) and the quality of the original substance and architectural layout -to little space, many elements which need reconstruction -allow to raise a question: Does preservation or reconstruction still make sense, and does conversion should be allowed. Several case studies have been discussed: Wolf's Throat in Gliwice (Glaubenstatt) -urban village layout set up by Germans in 1941, design for house conversion in Wolfsthroat and also Szobiszowice (Schobischowitz) in Gliwice -one of the urban neighborhoods layout set up by Germans before the II-nd world. Authors of the article are practicing architects: theory versus practice have been discussed.
The pandemic ‘stay at home’ obligations turned our homes from a place to live to a place to live, work, entertain ourselves and to study. Since March 2020, confinement has had a permanent impact on students’ perception of studying and on academic lifestyle. Most universities continue teaching online, and most academic facilities, such as lecture and seminar halls, student halls, and dormitories, have been abandoned. Some of them form vast areas in cities that play a major role in the urban structure. The authors have examined the degree and way of occupation of the academic infrastructure before and in time of the pandemic. Evidence and data have been gathered from different universities in Poland and Italy. From their origins, academic campuses can be considered autonomous communities within or on the city limits. In a post-pandemic perspective, the evidence shows that the growing population of students does not mean campus development and that the campuses that have shown the greatest resilience are “open” campuses which are able to share, integrate, and exchange their spaces and facilities with those of the city. The authors conclude that the pandemic will have an impact on the future urban form of academic facilities.
Housing development must be conducted with respect of sustainable urban design, since areas dedicated for housing are the largest parts of cities [O'Leary in: 1, 14]. Contemporary urban planning in Poland faces several different problems with housing developments such as: suburbanization, sustainability issues, low design and implementation quality. They are all connected with various factors: local and construction law, local traditions, real estate market, wealth level and others. In fact, many of the existing publications regarding qualitative and quantitative research on housing are being conducted in the field of economy. According to Horsewood [10] there is a fundamental difference between both approaches: in quantitative approach numerical values need to be collected to enable statistical analysis while in qualitative analysis information has to be collected in a non-numeric form. However, that does not necessarily occur in the
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