Towards an Integrated Urban Space Framework for Emerging Urban Conditions in a High-density Context

Abstract

In the dense and hybrid urban conditions emerging globally, urban space is seen not only as a precious and contested commodity, but also as one of the key vehicles for achieving socially, environmentally and economically sustainable urban living. Therefore, the conventional ways of designing, utilizing and managing public spaces need to be revisited and re-conceptualized, both quantitatively and qualitatively. Drawing from contemporary theories and concepts addressing the quality of public spaces, this paper outlines the discourse analysis used to develop an integrated Urban Space Framework to systematically classify, assess, analyze and guide the design of urban spaces in highdensity contexts.

A Holistic Strategy for Successful Photovoltaic (PV) Implementation into Singapore’s Built Environment

“…For example, among other things, the design framework implies that, when applied in the form of different structures (canopies, urban equipment, etc. ), PV can properly participate in all interrelated HARDware, ORGware, and SOFTware components that are crucial in shaping the urban space [27,28]. However, in order to achieve outstanding climate-responsive urban solutions, proper visual communication [164,165] as well as the involvement of multidisciplinary teams will probably be needed, including landscape architects and urban designers, since "they intervene physically at various scales in the landscapes where people live, commute, and recreate" [164,166].…”

“…Also, considering that the assessed total surface area for all rooftops is 98.7 km 2 (<14% of the total land area) [26], integrating PV into the non-building territory could help to harness the potential of the rest of the city's territory. In addition, due to Singapore's scarcity of land, public urban space, as one of the key vehicles for achieving socially, environmentally, and economically sustainable urban living, gains in importance in the emerging dense, complex, and dynamic urban conditions [27,28]. Hence, the implementation of PV into non-building structures and its involvement in public space design deserves special attention.…”

“…When integrated into the public space, PV, if carefully designed considering six design principles, could play a significant role in the overall experience of the city and become a very important factor within a holistic strategy for PV implementation in Singapore. Accordingly, various PV canopies over pedestrian walks, bicycle pathways, and open areas or visual/acoustic barriers can contribute directly to the spatial variety and environmentally friendly design and user comfort-HARDware attributes that are crucial for the nodal, spatial, and environmental performance of urban spaces [27,28]. Similarly, various PV seating amenities and unique outdoor sculptures could enrich social activities and identity-SOFTware attributes that focus on the relationship between people and space and its social and perceptual values [27,28].…”

“…Accordingly, various PV canopies over pedestrian walks, bicycle pathways, and open areas or visual/acoustic barriers can contribute directly to the spatial variety and environmentally friendly design and user comfort-HARDware attributes that are crucial for the nodal, spatial, and environmental performance of urban spaces [27,28]. Similarly, various PV seating amenities and unique outdoor sculptures could enrich social activities and identity-SOFTware attributes that focus on the relationship between people and space and its social and perceptual values [27,28]. Finally, PV implemented in various information signs and boards, street lighting, refreshment points, and safety and visual barriers (fences, etc.)…”

“…Finally, PV implemented in various information signs and boards, street lighting, refreshment points, and safety and visual barriers (fences, etc.) may ensure provisions and safety-ORGware attributes which refer to operational and management aspects of the public space [27,28].…”