Katharina Deisting Grätzltransformation - Implementing the Superblock 2.0                                                              

Vienna (Austria)

Supervisor: Teresa Arana Aristi

Examiner: Jesper Magnusson

The IPCC report published in 2021 shows that global warming and its consequences progress at a rapid rate. (IPCC, 2021, p.4) In order to mitigate and adapt to the consequences of climate change, urban planning and design play a crucial role. In 2016, transport was responsible for almost 30% of the total CO2-emissions of the EU (European Environment Agency, 2019). 72% of those 30% could be accounted for by road transport (ibid. 2019). How cities are planned strongly influences the mobility patterns of its citizens which consequently impacts the carbon footprint. The concept of the so-called superblock has been used as a tool in Barcelona to reorganize traffic and create more walkable and cyclist-friendly neighbourhoods. This facilitates less pollutant forms of mobility and creates more room for lively public spaces. The theoretical part of this thesis explores the block as a typology and then focuses on the superblock. It explores how the superblock could help to mitigate the consequences of climate change and relate it to the ecological and social dimension of sustainability. In order to do so, the concept and origin of the superblock is firstly introduced as well as an already implemented project in Barcelona presented.

The second, practical part of the thesis explores the implementation of a superblock in Vienna, Austria. The traffic within the site is reorganized and design solutions for the new streetscapes proposed. A central design proposal is the Hasnerstraßen HUB, a mobility hub that centralizes the parking possibilities and represents a new public space. Furthermore, the work explores how nature-based solutions could be integrated in the superblock as a typology to help adapt to the consequences of climate change. By doing that, an “advanced version” of the original superblock - the Superblock 2.0 will be proposed.

Sources:
European Environment Agency (2019) CO2-Emissionen von Autos: Zahlen und Fakten (Infografik), Europa.eu. Available at: www.europarl.europa.eu/news/de/headlines/society/20190313STO31218/co2-emissionen-von-autos-zahlen-und-fakten-infografik (Accessed: 22.01.2022)

Masson-Delmotte, V. et al. (2021) Climate Change 2021: The Physical Science Basis. Contribution of Working Group I to the Sixth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Available at: www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/wg1/downloads/report/IPCC_AR6_WGI_SPM_final.pdf (Accessed: 24 January 2022).

Wendy del Carmen Hernandez Madrigal - CREATING COMMUNITY IN HIGH-RISE BUILDINGS 

It is a well-recognized fact that a city will continue to grow whether or not it is desirable. Growth is not something that can be stopped, only contained and influenced. In that way, there is a need for new concepts and approaches to urban space planning and this could be in the form of vertical cities. 

The tall building is indeed a vertical progression of a horizontal city and should be considered a vertical urban design and all the conventional considerations in the ground-plane of any typical urban design project need to be applied to the vertical plane of a tall building. Additionally, we know that incorporating mixed-use into our urban plans leads to more livable cities. The diversity of functions in tall buildings could vary from one floor to another creating more option activities for different users, design flexibility and city vitality than a single use function building.

In order to create a strategy to allow me to work in the complex section of a tall building I created three qualities that combine good design of the physical infrastructure of the built environment along with ways to engage, empower and enable people and communities to thrive: Mobility, Physical and People. They are based on the concept of livability and quality of life.

The former is used in many aspects of urban design and new approaches to city, the latter is one of the most important dimensions in sustaining any urban development. Finally, I added a third concept “the composition of a tall building” to understand it and come up with some solutions in the creation spaces of social and environmental contact that is based on both allowing the public and controlling the residential area. In order words, taking the steps of bringing the public into a vertically rising urban environment.

The site I chose was Hyllie that is today in rapid development with planning and construction of homes, offices, schools, preschools, parks and streets. In 2040, it is estimated that 25,000 people will live here.

Ghada Shaaban - Reclaiming Eco Assemblages – Emphasis on ecosystem resilience in human-oriented urban design in Varvsstaden, Malmö, Sweden

Many cities are facing the problem of old industrial areas whose soil has been contaminated with toxic substances created by different historical activities within the area. The great unsolved environmental problems, such as: water, soil and air pollution problems, and habitat loss in the Öresund region today, are a result of the industrialization era. “Reclaiming Eco-Assemblages” lays out a manifesto for increasing consciousness in thought and in actions when proposing an urban design for post-industrial areas. It also addresses problems related to climate change including environmental degradation and increasing climate extremes. The interdisciplinary approach taken in this thesis culminates key aspects and potentials that evoke ideas and reactions for governments, architects, and developers in order to implement blue-green strategies with nature-based management. The project site is called Varvsstdaen. It is an old industrial area in the western harbor of Malmö, Sweden. I have chosen Varvsstaden as it is a prioritized development area for Malmö City. The site today is experienced as an empty backside of the city. The development of the detailed urban design of Varvsstaden follows a literature study of ecological urbanism and nature-based management. This was supplemented with an in-depth regional and specific site analysis that focuses on spatial aspects of the existing and newly built environment in relation to the spatial quality of the green and blue landscapes as they make the cities healthier, livable and attractive for all species. Varvsstaden, as proposed in this project, will become a pedestrian-friendly district with a continuous and directly accessible green path. Flexible yet robust spaces with visual and spatial connectedness will be the highlight of the project aiming to achieve a cohesive and holistic urban design approach. 

Ása Katrin Bjarnadóttir - THE BLUE RIBBON OF AKRANES - A WALK THROUGH HISTORY

There is only one large ocean that makes up our blue marble, even though we’ve given it many different names. It’s difficult to see where one ends and another begins and change in one place has an effect elsewhere. The ocean connects us all and we are depended on its grace to provide us with life. The beach opens our way to the world and closes us off. It is a conflict zone in times of climate change and it’s where life becomes so tangible through the power of the waves and the delicateness of each shell.

The sea provides us with a variety of foods, evens out the temperature on Earth and plays a key role in the water cycle. Life as we know it would not thrive without it and every other breath we take comes from the sea.

This project proposes to enhance the existing attraction of the shoreline in Akranes, Iceland, by connecting, activate and rebrand the shoreline. The municipality would be a pioneering town in Iceland to address nature experience, effects of climate change and connect water and land with a holistic plan that would also serve as a platform for education by offering people a window to the magical world of these transformation areas.

Akranes’s coastline has been shaped by the town’s historical development. During the last few decades, the town has gone through rapid transitions from being dominated by industrial fishing and cement factory and now stands at a crossroad to reinvent itself.

People belong as much to the ocean as the ocean does belong to them and therefore a symbiosis between them must occur. The coastline reflects the history of the inhabitants of Akranes, allowing them to recognize themselves in the landscapes and the beach, creating a sense of responsibility to take care of this life support system and respect the ocean.

Hugo Settergren - UTMARKEN: envisioning Skåne’s new edible landscapes

Planet earth is getting hotter and regional climates are becoming increasingly unpredictable across the globe. Cities and communities on all continents are already impacted by the changing climate, but also two other crises – the fossil-energy decent and the 6thmass extinction event. These three complex and interconnected crises all increase the risk of food becoming a scarce resource. In fact, historically, feeding people is the key factor of maintaining stability in human societies. 

The countryside provides the foundational systems of which feed all cities and communities. The relationships between countryside and cities are therefore becoming increasingly important on a local level as these crises unfold. The border between cities and countryside is where the collaboration of both sides will begin, learning along the process how to feed ourselves sustainably in a more local world.

Today, there are systems of cultivation which produce substantial amounts of food and resources without the negative consequences of industrial (or conventional) agricultural practices. These systems are founded on practices that have been used in small scales in different corners of the globe for millennia –however they are now also seen from a scientific perspective. The benefits of agroforestry and restoration agriculture have the potential of; restoring habitats for wildlife, increasing soil fertility, preventing erosion, and stabilizing weather patterns – all while producing resources that cities need.

Integrating local cultivation of food and resources is crucial for both production and educational purposes – both important when working towards food security. The project described in this thesis is about finding a bridge between the city, in this case between Brunnshög in Lund and its neighboring and vast agricultural lands on the Scanian plains. The findings in this thesis shines light upon the pressing issue of local food security, and contributes to envisioning ways to design new edible landscapes.

Vinícius Ferreira de Oliveira - Completing the borders of Kalmar

The city of Kalmar has a rich history, being a hanseatic city, giving name to a union of kingdoms, being one of the main entrances of Sweden and having one of the best-preserved fortified cities in northern Europe. The city demolished its wall (and borders) aiming to grow and expand its geographic influence. Now the aim is to use the remainder areas next to the former wall to continue and complete the expansion of the city, but instead of occupying the agricultural land, completing spaces in the city center. The area of former wall which was left behind during the urban sprawl process now gives space for a contemporary vision to the city. The proposal aims to highlight and reinforce Kalmar’s unique cultural history within the city center in a network that includes new uses along the water, the university, the castle, the fortification remains in the old town and the city park. The proposal has the following questions as a framework: How to keep the small scale of the city and turn it into a destination? How to keep the tradition through history and propose a contemporary district? How to conciliate the urban spaces with the landscape? Kvarnholmen in Kalmar is transformed under this proposal. Industry and warehouse operations are replaced by university’s activities, businesses, culture, residential buildings and a destination for tourists. The target image is a contemporary district completing the borders of a historical center.

Kateřina Rybínová - THE NEW ‘GOOD’: Exploring a new urban lifestyle that would ensure us with a resilient future in central Stavanger, Norway

We want to have a good life!

In fact, this is the core of urbanism and the reason why we keep building and constantly improving our cities. The ideal of how we wanted to live has changed through the time and developed intto a form many people are satisfied with. But there is so much behind us living this ‘good life’.

The urgency of climate crisis and the worsening situation for humans in afflicted regions and the wildlife worldwide is alarming. No wonder why many people have started feeling worried and therefore it affects our mental health as well. We have to change the whole system and search for new ways how to exist and not harm the environment at the same time.

The case of centrally located waterfront in the fourth biggest Norwegian city gives the opportunity to create a new district that would combine resiliency for the future with attractivity for now, while connecting with the history as well. An industrial landfill area will be reconnected to the city and transformed into a lively district, where nature and culture meet and where people live more sustainably. Parking lots will be transformed into flourishing parks and people will be given comfortable solutions to move around without cars. The coastline will be arranged for humans to enjoy and for animals to thrive, and it will at the same time protect the city from the rising sea. A new festive street will gather a wide range of activities for everyone. People will be living in cooperating communities, surrounded by business opportunities and innovative solutions focused on pushing the research forward.

Through this exploratory transformation we may understand that we can live ‘a good life’ even though it will look different from the life that we are living right now.