Urban Planning Midterm

"Death and Life of the Great American Cities"

"There Exists no greater substitute for lively streets". -bottom up planning, -eyes on the street (more foot traffic, more people and families; cities are not sterile), -social capital (network of interactions, friendships; physical environment fosters daily interactions that build trust), ballet of the sidewalk; -cities as ecosystems; interactive mixed use development; -border vacuum (a sterile building or rail line on the edge of a neighborhood limits connection to surrounding neighborhoods/streets); -organic growth

Mobile Libraries/Little Libraries

An example of sharing within communities; Individuals can give a book or take a book encouraging a sharing and collaborative environment. Gives individuals who would have otherwise not had access to these books/books in general a chance to have access to them (IE. in underserved neighborhoods)

Brownfields, Greenfields, Greyfields

-Brownfields: abandoned, vacant, derelict or under-utilised commercial and industrial properties where past actions have resulted in actual or perceived contamination (can be salvaged) ; was already developed -Greyfields: old, obsolete, and unprofitable retail and commercial sites (ex. declining retail strip of land) ; previous developed parts of a city -Greenfields: aka suburbanisation/urban growth; a clean agricultural or open land site located in the periphery; unused land parcels or farmlands outside urban borders (clean up and grow rather than sprawl) - brownfield and greyfields are preferable over green fields

Proximity First

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Historic preservation tax credits

A 20% income tax credit (20 percent of the qualified rehabilitation expenditures) is available for the rehabilitation of historic, income-producing buildings that are determined by the Secretary of the Interior, through the National Park Service, to be "certified historic structures." These credits stimulate growth and encourage preservation of historic sites.

Build a Better Block

A TED talk given by Jason Roberts. provides a great insight to how everyone can make change rapidly by showing up, creating strong identities for their projects and encouraging people to make change in their communities. Brought back the trolley line and encouraged biking.

The Social Life of Small Urban Spaces

A book written by William Holly Whyte after his analysis of his time lapse videos of civil realm. He concluded that individuals want to see other people were there are interesting things going on. He stated that "sticky" public spaces are those that make us want to stay/hang out there such as restaurants/where there are activities going on. The book also discusses triangulation, or a connection with another individual based a common thing that you are looking at.

Alejandro Aravena

A chilean architect who won the Pritzker prize in architecture. He leads ELEMENTAL, which is an architectural firm with a socially responsible and sustainable purpose. He contributed to the incremental housing idea, and is currently working on the headquarters for the Inter-American Development Bank Group, which will also serve as a walkway to connect Barrio 31 to the ret of Buenos Aires.

Pocket Neighborhoods/Cottage Housing

A concept developed by Ross Chapin and Jim Soules in 1966, pocket neighborhoods are clustered groups of homes/apartments gathered around a shared space (ex. garden, courtyard, pedestrian street, reclaimed alley). Zoning ordinances may need to be amended to allow for pocket neighborhoods due to restrictions such as minimum lot sizes, maximum lot coverage, setback requirements, density limitations, etc. The houses "nest" together the 'open' side of one house faces the 'closed' side of the next. (allows for privacy but sense of community)

Pruitt-Igoe

A failed attempt at urban public housing in St. Louis Missourri. Pruitt was mainly for black individuals and Igoe was for white individuals. 33 11 story high rise buildings were built but the project failed to provide employment nearby or open space. Public areas decayed and there was crime and poverty. The complex was eventually blown up/eradicated.

London congestion charge

A fee that individuals must pay daily when entering the Congestion Charge Zone in Central London between 7 and 6 pm Monday through Friday. The standard charge is $11.50/day. This was introduced in an effort to reduce traffic volumes, improve the speed of buses and improve the way of life in central london.

Paris Le Téléval

A gondola system which will be installed and transport people to and from Paris and to 4 other neighborhoods. it will cover a 4.4 kilometer (2.7 mile) route, passing through five stations and transporting up to 14,000 people a day.

The Spiral Tower

A large innovative office building that combines indoor and outdoor workspaces. It is a part of the Hudson yards development and will include cascading terraces and hanging gardens. These terraces will allow for unique meeting areas and more communal space. It is connected to the highline and was marketed as the tallest building in the US and western hemisphere.

Urban Growth Boundary (UGB)

A line which delineates what areas are urbanizable and what are not. This tight boundary protects surrounding landscapes; it defines the limit of urban development and its separation from rural land. Growth is strongly discouraged outside of this boundary. UGBs can be voted to be expanded if necessary (Portland expanded its UGB to increase four areas for industrial development and residential development).

Vinegar Hill

In 1965, the city of Charlottesville demolished a thriving black neighborhood (Vinegar Hill). The neighborhood was well developed and had successfully businesses. Its inhabitants did not want to leave and were forced out of their homes. There were arguments that razing Vinegar Hill would allow for more shops to be built and wider streets. (failures of Urban renewal: displaced many)

Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU)

A separate housing unit which is pre-constructued in a factor. It is not the primary housing unit/single family home. Instead, this unit uses extra space (such as a backyard) or is attached to the single family home (ex. an apartment over the garage). It is often 450 square feet, has a bedroom, a bathroom, and combined kitchen and living room. These are used in Portland and exemplify gentle density. Legally, an ADU is part of the same property as the single family unit.

Parklets

A sidewalk extension that gives more space/amenities to people using a street. transform parallel parking spaces into a place to sit, relax, eat and enjoy street life; transform parallel parking spaces into a place to sit, relax, eat and enjoy street life

Woonerf

A street shared by cars, pedestrians, and bikes. This type of street is much more welcoming/appealing in a community. Originally implemented in Netherlands and Belgium, a Woonerf views a street as a social space rather than solely for vehicles (puts people first).

Density Bonus

A tool that offers developers a bonus of building over the maximum allowable residential density (specific percentages vary by jurisdiction) if they agree to construct a certain percentage of below market-rate housing units. These housing units are often for very low income families or for the elderly. Used to promote policy goals, and works best in cities where there is high market demand but limited land availability for properties, or where financial incentives for developer outweighs potential other projects.

Wicked Problems

A wicked problem is a social or cultural problem that is difficult if not impossible to solve. These difficulties are due to incompetency or contradictory knowledge, the number of people/opinions involved, the large economic burden of finding a solution, and the interconnected nature of these problems with other problems. Examples include homelessness, political instability, disease, famine.

Jane Addams and Hull House

Addams was social reformer who was inspired by the settlement houses in London to start her own in Chicago, Illinois. She implemented a playground, cooperative housing for young working women, and a nursery in her hull house. She was also inspired to change legislation and fought to abolish child labor, limit the working hours of women, ensure factory safety conditions, and make attendance to school mandatory. Many of her reforms were adopted by the Progressive Party.

Levittown

After World War II, the federal government attempted to meet the pent up demand for housing by building this new community. Homes (700-800 sq ft) were mass produced with the assembly line. This contributed to urban sprawl and low density patterns of development, along with segregation and racism. African Americans could not buy a home in Levittotwn, and there was also a restrictive covenant which prevented jewish people from being able to buy this home (thought it would impact property value). Since Levittowns were government organized, this ultimately institutionalized racism.

Roundabouts

Alternative option for low volume intersections that take up slightly more space but are very efficient, greatly reduce cost and energy usage (no stoplights), reduce the number of fatal accidents and the centers of them can be made into greened features.

Form Based Codes

An Alternative to conventional zoning; FBCs address the relationship between building facades and the public realm, the form and mass of buildings in relation to one another, and the scale and types of streets and blocks. The regulations in FBCs are keyed to a regulating plan that designates the appropriate form and scale and character of development, rather than only distinctions in land-use types. Codes respect community character and the ultimate vision a community wants to achieve. (Focuses more on physical design, form, and visual aspects of development and how the various uses interact with each other; doesn't dwell on particular use of property or setback such as heights, density, floor area ratios, as in the zoning ordinance.

Jane Jacobs

An activist and critic of Urban renewal. She wrote "Death and life of the Great American Cities" and fought that the vibrant neighborhoods being knocked down must be protected. Said that Robert Moses was the infrastruction tzar (wanted to build the cross bronx thruway that would wipe out washington square park); Jacobs fought him. She ultimately stopped the LOMEX (lower manhattan expressway) from being built.

Columbia, MD (1960)

An example of a government incentivized "new town" which was diverse and had a unique design. It was complete with jobs, housing options, schools, shopping, and medical services. This prevented land use conflicts, as the use of the land was somewhat predetermined. Columbia's zoning ordinance gave developers more freedom and did not require county approval for each specific project. Social scientists were used to help in the planning process.

Quinta Monroy, Chile (Half Houses)

An example of incremental housing in which plumbing, electricity, and a concrete foundation is subsidized, but the rest of the home is not. Homeowners can choose to expand their homes/add features upon moving in or later on. This removes unnecessary expenses.

The High Line

An example of pedestrianizing new york city, and balancing population density with nature. The High Line is an elevated liner park that used to be a railroad line. Today, it uses urban design and ecology to attract visitors. It has increased the amount of luxury rentals available in the area along with housing prices, which displaced many.

Green Cycle Routes (Copenhagen)

An extensive network of bicycle paths and footpaths in Copenhagen that run through recreational areas of the city such as parks and waterfronts. This separated network of paths allows for cyclists to avoid automobile traffic and the safety hazards they pose. There are 110 planned and existing kilometers of routes throughout the city that are marked off with posts and signs for guidance to key destinations for the cyclists. They provide an opportunity for riders to also down and enjoy various greenspaces, habitats, amenity parklands, and public spaces while at a safe distance from traffic (green surroundings, quieter nature of routes)

Reston, VA (1960)

Another example of government incentivized "new town" with a diverse and unique design. Reston was influenced by "garden cities" which combined green space, residential space, and commercial space. Reston aimed to be a place where individuals could live, work, play, and enjoy scenic beauty regardless of income level. It tried to preserve open spaces, landscapes, and wildlife.

Toronto

As Toronto's population grows, it is using vertical communities to accommodate such growth. These vertical communities include all the aspects that were included in low rise communities, such as access to transit, housing options, schools, and community centers. Between 2006 and 2016, over 143000 dwelling units were built, over 80% of the being more than 5 stories high.

Hotspot Cities

As a result of global sprawl, there has been widespread biodiversity loss. Hotspot cities contain 50% of the worlds species, and thus we need to protect these cities. These cities include Cape Town, SA, and Bogota, LA, and Sao Paolo and many more, and they represent the conflict between growth and biodiversity loss.

Shrinking Cities

As seen in Cleveland and Detroit, these are cities that experiencing population losses in their relative urbanized areas. They raise the question of how we can repurpose leftover areas, and how we can reimagine the cities to attract new inhabitants rather than deter individuals. Emigration tends to cause shrinking cities.

Green Streets

As seen in Portland, Green streets use vegetation to filter pollutants from stormwater. This vegetation ultimately improves air quality, is a habitat for species, and helps in beautifying the city. Green Streets are potential solutions to the impervious materials that result in excess often polluted runoff.

Baldwin Park, Florida

Built outside of orlando florida, on a former US Navy training site. The city limits car traffic, and encourages walking through its grid pattern. Buildings engage the sidewalk, and differ in pattern (ex. has live work buildings). There is a central lake front park which the main street leads to. Ultimately an extension of Orlando.

Daniel Burnham

Burnham led the City Beautiful Movement and introduced it at the World Columbian Exposition in Chicago (the white city). He encouraged lush gardens, grand blvds, and classically designed building facades. He built and designed the flat iron building in NYC.

Community Land Trusts (CLTs)

CLTs represent a vehicle for developing and preserving affordable home ownership opportunities for low and moderate income households. A CLT is a private, nonprofit membership corporation that receives start up capital from grants from the city, a community foundation, banks, fundraising efforts. A home buyer purchases the home from the CLT at a given price and leases the ground under the home for a certain time period (99 year lease). This lease removes the value of the land from the equation and the home buyer is responsible for paying any property tax on the home. Home buyers can receive a profit if they sell their home but profit is capped to make sure house remains affordable for future owners

Rachel Carson

Carson was a conservationist who helped advance the global environmental movement. Through her work in biology, she studied pesticides and their effects. She wrote Silent Spring to express these results.

Civano, AZ

Civano's planning integrates residential communities with shopping, workplace, school, and civic facilities essential to the daily life of the residents, as well as parks and natural open spaces vital for relaxation, enjoyment, and preservation of the area's natural landscape and heritage. Passive and active solar principles, sustainable building materials, and water conservation technologies are key elements across Civano. Every neighborhood will have gathering places such as coffee shops and small commercial enterprises. Most of these are within walking distance of each other, conserving resources and minimizing waste. Civano's plan requires adherence to a strict energy and building code that will result in enough energy savings to prevent one billion pounds of carbon emissions from entering our atmosphere over the next two decades

Tactical urbanism

Collection of low-cost, temporary changes to the built environment, usually in cities, intended to improve local neighbourhoods and city gathering places. Short term actions for long term results. (ex. introduction of plazas and pedestrian centers in NYC through Janette Sadik Khan).

Naked Streets/Intersections

Created by dutch engineer Hans Monderman. A naked street involves the removal of all hard safety measures, including safety barriers, traffic lights, warning signs, speed humps, pedestrian crossings and road markings. These are all replaced with road surfaces that do not clearly distinguish between vehicle and pedestrian space, ambiguity in defining traffic rules, and a street environment that fosters eye contact and human interaction. by creating a greater sense of uncertainty and making it unclear who has right of way on a street, drivers reduce their speed and all street users increase their level of risk compensation. (originates from behavioural theory that people adjust their behaviour in response to the perceived level of risk: in riskier environments, pedestrian and drivers respond by behaving more safely)

William Holly Whyte

Created the Social Life of Small Urban Spaces (time lapse films then book). He was the first individual to film how people used squares, plazas, and parks in NYC and analyzed this civic realm. Gathered that individuals are drawn to public spaces because they want to see other people where there are interesting things going on.

Jan Gehl

Danish architect who uses observations to analyze the spaces he is working to improve ("making cities for people"). He counts (people, pedestrians), and at times cars (stroget: main street has expanded over time perhaps due to increased observations of pedestrians)

Ciclovia (bogota)

Each Sunday and public holiday from 7 am until 2 pm certain main streets of Bogotá, Cali, Medellín, and other municipalities are blocked off to cars for runners, skaters, and bicyclists. At the same time, stages are set up in city parks. Aerobics instructors, yoga teachers and musicians lead people through various performances. This encourages a community culture and a more sustainable city.

Ebenezer Howard and Garden Cities

Ebenezer founded the Garden Cities movement, which aimed to provide an alternative to the living conditions of London at the time. Garden Cities included greenery, a circular lay out with gardens at the core, and were often ringed by commercial and industrial areas and green areas on the outside all connected by railroad. Garden cities included the positive aspects of both the city and the countryside.

1956 Interstate Highway Act

Federal government (under Eisenhower) would subsidize construction of highways (allocated $26 million to pay for it). Highways were created for the intent of evacuation during the Cold War. This led to sprawl and urbanization, as more individuals could now commute to work so they could live farther away from their jobs.

Hyperloop

First proposed by Elon Musk, the theoretical transportation system we call hyperloop would propel people- or cargo-filled pods over long distances through steel tubes. Magnetic levitation and big vacuum pumps remove friction and air resistance. Hyperloop could be cheaper and better for the environment

Copenhagen, Denmark

Follows the regional fingers plan, where there is growth along the transit lines. Copenhagen represents a compact urban form. It is pedestrianizing: has open square shops, people live above the square. Gradualism: 2-3% of parking spaces were converted to pedestrian zones; not many high rises

inclusionary zoning

Inclusionary zoning seeks the provision of lower cost housing by offering a developer a higher density in return (bouncing) or by a mandatory requirement that a certain proportion of units are affordable. Its purpose is to increase availability of lower cost housing or increase supply of lower cost housing in area being gentrified. May seek to ensure provision of housing in central area that is predominantly commercial (another aspect).

Greenbelt, MD

Founded during the New Deal Era, Greenbelt was built on the idea of garden cities. It was similar to Radburn in the sense that it tried to keep automobiles and traffic hidden. It had multifamily homes that were compact and connected, and was pedestrian oriented and focused around a town center. Greenbelt was build on the idea of co-ops (shared day care, shared retail/commercial spaces), where ownership of companies would be shared and financial rewards could be reaped. (Provided affordable housing for federal government workers).

Edward Glaesar

Gaesar wrote "A Triumph of the Cities" which claims that cities are the healthiest, greenest, and richest places to live. He says that cities can bring out the best in mankind. He argues that cities allow for more collaboration, a healthier lifestyle due to limited reliance on transportation, more interpersonal commerce, job availability, lower per capita fuel consumption (cleaner, less greenhouse gas emissions).

Ian McHarg

His 1969 book "Designing with Nature" revolutionized landscape architecture. He redefined the fields of landscape architecture, urban and regional planning, and ecological design. It explains mans connection to nature, and redefined this connection. "Replace the polluted, bulldozed, machine-dominated, dehumanized, explosion-threatened world that is even now disintegrating and disappearing before our eyes."

Urban infill

Infill refers to the redevelopment of vacant or underutilized spaces. This formerly vacant land may be turned into high rises, town houses, or multifamily homes. In general, infill tends to increase density (developing spaces of higher densities).

Willis Carrier

Invented the air conditioning which removes humidity out of the air and cools it. His invention impacted population movements (can now move South to Florida or Arizona/deserts). Buildings no longer needed to consider the stack effect (chimneys were designed to draw air through/provide cross ventilation), and could now be entirely ceiled. The AC became a consumable product for the average homeowner. (today more than 90% of homes have AC).

"Design With Nature"

It explains mans connection to nature, and redefined this connection by providing blueprint like steps on how to strengthen environmental and natural connection. "Replace the polluted, bulldozed, machine-dominated, dehumanized, explosion-threatened world that is even now disintegrating and disappearing before our eyes."

Sky City / Acoma Pueblo

It is the oldest continuously inhabited community in North america, and is an example of sustainable design principles. It has ceremonial spaces (kivas), local materials and food, and is built with limestone. It has a vibrant culture and history.

Southern Megalopolis

Jean Gottman (1961) notices that groups of densely populated metropolitan areas were bleeding together, causing individuals to not be able to tell where one city ends and another begins. It suggests that we need a balanced growth pattern that reduces costs and reliance on automobiles. ex. Charleston, SC

Kentlands, Maryland

Kentlands is built upon a former farm estate. It used the neighborhood concept and is organized in a gridded street pattern. It has picket fences, narrow streets, trees, porches. It fosters a personal connection with residents and emphasizes parks and town centers which are in walking distance. (Sense of Community)

Pierre L'Enfant

L'enfant was the architect who designed the layout of Washington, DC. He included wide boulevards laid out in a grid pattern, and important buildings occupied strategic places based on changes in elevation and the contours of the waterways. He included park like areas, such as the National Mall, which conveyed the idea that every citizen was equal, along with numerous public squares with fountains and monuments within intersections.

Monterrey Housing (monterrey, mexico)

Lead by the ELEMENTAL group, half housing is being developed here. The half houses consist of a home on the first floor, and a 2 story apartment above it. The buildings are porous enough to ensure growth, but expansions zones also are able to be protected from rain with their continuous roofs. There is also easily accessible green/communal space.

Legibility/Imageability of a city

Legibility refers to the ease with which a city's parts can be organized into a coherent pattern which is memorable to the observer (imageability). This can be seen in Venice or in Leiden, where there are distinct features or patterns that are extremely memorable to visitors. Legibility and imageability categorize cities that are unique and easily identifiable.

Leiden

Leiden is a city in Holland (the Netherlands). It is walkable, offers abundant public space and 3rd spaces (not work or home, ex restaurants/cafes), and exhibits classic dutch architecture. It is legible/imageable (organized in a coherent pattern that stands out to visitors), the streets are permeable (ease of movement), and it is extremely safe, and has many landmarks. It is a compact urban form with a tremendous sense of urban identity that builds on a unique history.

Liuzhou Forest City (China)

Liuzhou is an example of a biophilic city, or a city immersed with nature that evolves with the natural world. It will be fully covered with trees and plants upon completion in 2020, and will be able to absorb large quantities of CO2. It will be connected to the rest of the city by a railway line used by electric motor cars.

Transbay (transit center)

Located in San francisco, this new transit center will have a park on its top level. It is a part of a $6 billion project that will basically create a Grand Central Terminal in San Francisco, and also modify the surrounding neighborhood. The Transit Center will service the Caltrain, and future California high speed rail.

Skyville @ Dawson

Located in Singapore, this may represent the future of affordable housing. It contains 80 homes with a naturally ventilated community terrace shared by all. The building is also extremely sustainable, and provides a unique variety of floorplans which use prefabricated and waste reducing design processes. There are landscape parks, as well as shops and cafes throughout the building for all to enjoy and encourage a sense of community.

"Last Child in the Woods" Richard Louv

Louv describes "nature deficit disorder", where children are no longer connected with nature. He links this lack of exposure and connection to nature to increased rates of obesity, attention disorders and depression. He emphasizes the importance of nature in child development, and how we can increase exposure to nature.

"The Image of the City" by Kevin Lynch

Lynch argues that individuals use various key aspects of cities to orient themselves. They use mental maps to enforce imageability and legibility of the cities they love. These maps contain paths, edges, districts, nodes, and landmarks, and each of these interrelate to make a city memorable for inhabitants or visitors. He argued the need to recognize the patterns and 5 key aspects of a city has wide practical and emotional importance for inhabitants.

Majora Carter

Majora specializes in urban revitalization. She began with her project in south bronx, called Sustainable South Bronx, which aimed to make this area more sustainable and equitable. She led the Hunts Point Riverside Park project which transformed this once illegal dumping ground into an oasis that allowed for a deep connection that could be enjoyed by individuals in a sustainable way (ex. canoeing).

Mannahatta / Mannahatta Project

Mannahatta or "the island of many hills" was the name used by the Lenape people in the 17th century to label the NYC borough we know today as Manhattan. The Manahatta Project is an online mapping tool through the Wildlife Conservation Society that allows one to envision what Manhattan looked like before any settlers (400 years ago). it looks into the physical shape of the landscape, as well as the biodiversity at the time.

Linear Metabolism / Circular Metabolism

Metabolisms refer to how cities consume resources and produce waste. A linear metabolism uses a high abundance of resources AND produces high volumes of waste. A circular metabolism has zero waste; it uses resources and the "waste" becomes a productive input (every output eventually becomes an input).

Missing Middle Housing

Missing middle housing refers to a range of multi-unit or clustered housing types which are compatible in scale to single family homes, but also meet the demand for walkable urban living. Examples include duplexes, triplexes, courtyard apartments, bungalow courts, townhouses, multiplexes, and live/work spaces. Detached single family homes are in abundance but may be unaffordable or impractical to some, and high rises are also in abundance, but we are missing the middle range of housing options. Missing middle houses support walkable communities, local businesses, and public transportation options. (ex. Santa Barbara, CA; smaller cities)

Tenochtitlan

Modern day Mexico City is Tenochtitlan. Discovered by cortez, this city has an impressive spatial arrangement and is said to have around 400,000 in habitants. It had twin temple pyramids, and a central walled ceremonial precinct.

Monté Alban

Monté Alban was located in Oaxaca Mexico. It has statues depicting enemies, large plazas, and pyramids. Terraces, dams, and canals were carved out throughout the city.

Freiberg, Germany

Not many high rises; many individuals live in the center where the tram moves through; there is expansion along tram lines; history is maintained (small water channels run through the streets which have been there throughout history); energy efficient (people love to bike, solar panels)

James Oglethorpe

Oglethorpe founded Georgia and was the mind behind Savannah. He laid out the city around 4 squares in a gridded pattern, and created a land allocation system, which granted a house plot, garden plot, and farmland to new freemen. He included a public square, and encouraged cellular expansion. Each square was surrounded by 4 residential blocks and 4 civic blocks. One square and 8 surrounding blocks was a ward, and when a ward was filled the grid would expand.

Frederick Law Olmsted Sr.

Olmsted led the parks movement, and emphasized the need for parks in urban areas as places of respite. He planned Central Park, and encouraged the idea that parks were egalitarian, as they were places of beauty and amusement for the rich, and were necessary for the poor as a way to escape their housing situations. He insisted that parks be funded through increment taxation, where individuals who lived closer to the park were taxed to pay for it (seen today, "noblesse oblige"). He also encouraged the national park and preservation movements .

Park (ing) Day

Park(ing) day is an annual event where citizens convert parking spaces to temporary open public spaces, such as a park. It empowers people to redefine their spaces to best suit the needs of the community. It allows citizens to reclaim some of the spaces that are taken up or costly to obtain within urban areas.

Eco-Density

Part of Vancouver Eco-Density charter: -it focuses on achieving greater densities where carbon footprint improvements and environmental gains are highest (ex. around fixed transit, walkable shopping, employment/amenity areas) and where affordability/livability is fostered. -promotes "gentle", "invisible", and "hidden" forms of density -the understanding that the strategic use of density, in the right place and right time, is one of our best tools to help reduce our ecological footprint -EcoDensity is not a specific building type, development style, or land use pattern

William Penn

Penn founded Pennsylvania and was the mind behind the planning of Philadelphia. He envisioned a "greene country town", where individual homes could be separated by large green areas. However, he also focused on the large amount of trade and commerce occurring in Philadelphia, and thus promoted this commercial idea by making Philly accessible by ship. His plan took into account the rapid growth of cities, and common desires for the middle class to escape to a semi-urban enclave. In his drawings, he crafted a gridded street pattern and a center square which divided the city into 4 quadrants.

The Neighborhood Concept (Clarence Perry)

Perry used schools, small parks and playgrounds, and local shops to craft the ideal neighborhood. These neighborhood units were designed for walking and to accommodate children. The common spaces were green and were a civic focal point; there was often transit nearby. (Ex. Forest Hills Gardens, NY).

Perth, Western Australia

Perth must accompany a doubling population in the coming years, so it is deciding on how it should plan to grow. The debated is between connected vs contained vs dispersed, and infill vs sprawl vs greenfield. People are worried about sprawl and many argue that high density is bad (and that they need space).

Portland, Oregon

Portland focuses on limiting growth and strengthening its core features. It has a regional urban growth boundary to protect surrounding landscapes, and the Portland MAX light rail for transportation along with extensive bike paths. It has exclusive farm use and forest zones as well as regional greenspaces and environmental resource planning. Portland also has mandated minimum and maximum numbers of parking spots in certain areas, and has around 2000 green streets and 650+ green roofs. Portland also uses ADU's (gentle density).

Intersection Repair (ex Portland)

Project led by City Repair Project, which takes ordinary intersections and turns them into vibrant public spaces. Community members are invited to paint together (connects all members of community). The resulting mural turns into a gathering place and a point of pride for the neighborhood, and it ultimately helps in calming traffic and making streets safer.

Radburn, NJ

Radburn was built based on the english Garden City. It was built with both pedestrians and automobiles in mind, and was ultimately a system of interconnected cul de sacs. Each house faced the street, but was also connected in the back to pedestrian paths that spanned the entire development.

Seaside, Florida

Seaside was developed by Robert Davis; since the city was privately owned, developers could write their own zoning codes. This resulted in a central commercial hub (town center), pastel colored housing, picket fences, and a radiating street pattern which pedestrian alleys and wide walkable spaces. The Truman Show was filmed here. (Most of the residents are seasonal; also inspired new urbanism elsewhere).

Settlement Houses

Settlement houses were community centers which offered services to the poor, and often brought together the rich and the poor. There were educational activities for children, and employment programs for adults. Middle class individuals would often volunteer at the settlement houses, somewhat bridging the wide disparities between social classes. The settlement houses encouraged direct relief to help individuals break out of/escape poverty. (began in 1880s London)

Janette Sadik Kahn

She was appointed transportation commissioner by Major Bloomberg. She implemented 7 fast bus routes across NYC, and spearheaded the Citibike project. She was often controversial because her projects were implemented quickly and at a low cost. She also led the pedestrianizing of Times Square, which led to much less accidents and traffic.

City Beautiful Movement

Starting in 1893, this movement encouraged monumental grandeur and beautification of North American Cities. It was intended to create civic virtue for city in habitants, and supporters of the movement thought that beautification would improve the overall standard of living/quality of life in cities. Through boulevards and beautiful buildings, it was said these cities would be uplifting enjoyable spaces. (Ex. Coral Gables, DC)

The New Urbanism

Supporters of New Urbanism call for a reclaiming/return to traditional neighborhood patterns. They want to reclaim the walkable neighborhood, and its emphasis on the importance of sidewalks, a town center and the idea that the needs of the people come before the needs of the automobile. (A return to a place that is pedestrian oriented, and where there is a sense of community). This is exemplified In Seaside Florida, and kentlands maryland

Transfer of Development Rights (TDRs)

TDRs affords owners of historic properties and sites in competitive real estate markets the opportunity to sell the development rights of the property to another private entity. This private entity can then use these development rights to increase the development of another designated area, and the initial owner of the property obtains funding for preservation because the final private entity must purchase the development rights. A TDR program represents a means of separating the development potential of a site from its title (property owner maintains title to property but cannot develop it any further). This is often used to conserve/protect farmlands

Village of Euclid V. Ambler Realty (1926)

The Amber Realty Co. owned 68 acres of land in Euclid, Ohio. The village of Euclid then passed an ordinance dividing this land into different districts, which restricted Amber's ability to construct due to the different district laws. The court upheld the zoning ordinance and said that it prevents the infringement on residential/commercial life.

Robert Moses

The Tzar of infrastructure; he proposed the Cross bronx thruway construction which would have wiped out Washington Square park. He was opposed by many preservationists and activists such as Jane Jacobs who were against urban renewal. He build the Robert F. Kennedy Bridge and Jones Beach Theatre.

Flexible Architecture:

The idea that housing environments can change over time. For example, school houses (designed from the beginning to later be made into a house/2 residential units). Can shift focus from school to the longevity of housing once there is no longer a need for the school in this environment.

Adaptive Reuse

The practice of repurposing historic fabric of a location/reusing an old building for a purpose different than its original. Ex: repurposed warehouse, lofts; a church becomes a bookstore; Along with brownfield reclamation, Adaptive reuse is used to limit sprawl and and conserve land.

Floor Area Ratio (FAR)

The ratio of a building's floor area (that it has/is permitted to have) to the area of the plot of the land upon which the building is built. A higher FAR ratio indicates a dense/urban construction (larger area of building on smaller plot of land). A low FAR deters from construction. Increased FAR allows developed to complete more projects. (total floor area/total lot area); it represents the maximum amount of floor space that can be built on a given lot

Trackless Trams

The trackless tram is essentially a standard light rail but differs because it can be installed much faster (running gear is replaced with rubber tires, dont need to dig up the street) Powered by lithium ion batteries, trackless trams can be recharged in just 30 seconds at a solar-powered station. And they are driverless, navigating the corridor by magnetic strips and sensors. They are quiet like light rail, significantly faster than most traffic and people can move in and out very quickly

Beacon Hill Village (Boston, MA)

The village not only links members to carefully vetted personal trainers, caterers, house cleaners, plumbers and computer advisers, it also offers them a number of free benefits such as weekly car service to the grocery. Other free benefits include monthly lectures by notable Bostonians, exercise classes and special health clinics—all activities that take place in neighborhood churches, schools and a community center. Provides members with everything they could find in a retirement center, but allows them to stay in their homes (aging in place).

Zoning

The zoning era lasted from around 1915 to 1930. Zoning is how we try to manage the developing process. It is a regulatory implementation tool guided by a comprehensive plan. Areas of land are ultimately divided by government officials and the permitted use of this land is predetermined.

Thermal Delight

Thermal delight refers to the joy of moving to a place with a different temperature; it is almost like an additional category of the senses. We are losing thermal delight due to the AC; we are losing this joy of moving to places that are different temperatures and are losing our connection to nature/the outside world.

Village Homes

These homes tend to be environmentally sustainable, as they harness the natural resources of their landscape. They use stormwater and solar energy to replace unsustainable practices. As seen in Davis, California, these sustainable homes face a common space rather than the street, and have special bioswales (natural drainage) which collects water that can be used to cultivate fresh food. Cohousing is exhibited, and the sense of community/sharing (spaces are reimagined as collective spaces); colorful; organic suburban feel (an Eco-Radburn New jersey where front door faces green space not streets); ecological community; edible landscaping (connected via bicycle / pedestrian network; kids can ride to school)

Live Work Units

These structures combine living and working spaces. They are often difficult to get approval for, as it has to satisfy both residential and commercial building codes. The most traditional example of this would be having a business on street level, and then the business owner's apartment right above it. Yet questions regarding these mixed use properties and their safety/zoning codes are always arising.

Spanish Laws of the Indies

These were Spanish laws that set design characteristics for new Spanish settlements in the Americas. Some design requirements include a prominent plaza, and gridded streets/intersections. There were 2nd and 3rd districts designated to the middle class and poor, as well as land assignments for specific purposes. For example, specific plots were designated for churches, government officials, businesses, and wealthy homes. Ex: St. Augustine Florida, Santa Fe New Mexico

Dutch Hofjes

These were homes created typically as a form of social security, and were designed for the elderly. They have a central courtyard and then housing surrounding it in a cluster formation (it is a U shape pattern, featuring a central garden and gate to enter). They foster a sense of community and were often inhabited by women or individuals of the same religion.

Monacans

They inhabited Virginia since the 1600s. Jefferson observed their burial mounds and wrote about it. They were recognized as a tribe by the Commonwealth in 1989.

Third Places

Third places are public spaces that encourage people to interact and get together. They are not a work space or one's home, and instead tend to be cafes or restaurants that bring people together. They foster more creative interactions, rather than just the monotony of home and work life, and allow new connections to be made.

Pearl District (Portland)

This area was formerly occupied with warehouses, and railroad yards but is now known for its shops and upscale residences. Upon undergoing urban renewal, the Pearl district has high end retail, and an abundance of condominiums and warehouses which were turned into lofts. It is home to Powells' City of Books, a portland icon.

"The Happiest Kids in the World"

This book explains why dutch children are so happy. It explains how their ability to bike everywhere safely, as in Leiden, and have more independence as a result greatly contributes to their general happiness. Children can be confident when away from their parents because they know they are safe, and they are able to get to school safely and efficiently.

Rotterdam's Water Plazas

This exemplifies how building designs can impact energy consumption. The Water Plaza absorbs flood waters, but also doubles as a public space when there is no rain. It appears to just be a park, but can clearly serve a very useful purpose. This is an adaptation to climate change, as we are adapting our spaces to respond to flooding or excessive rain.

Pavement to Plazas

This form of tactical urbanism reclaims underutilized asphalt spaces at lost costs. These projects are usually temporary, and test possible long term improvements. The community typically supports this type of reclaiming, and want more public space as there tends to be lacking public space in these areas.

Home Gr/own (Milwaukee Program)

This initiative was started to turn vacant lands in Milwaukee into farms that are sustainable and useful for food production. It exemplifies how we can repurpose leftover spaces. This ultimately promotes economic development, and matches growers with local markets in order to facilitate business and urban food infrastructure.

The Nightingale House (The Commons, Melbourne)

This is a financially socially and environmentally sustainable model. It acknowledges what raises home prices (determined no garage, naturally ventilated no AC, no ceramics from italy, no 2nd bathroom, no chrome plating). A 7 story building that is not a commodity based approach; embraces sustainability, simplicity, and necessity, as well as a socially collaborative community.

Car Sharing

This is a model of car rentals where individuals rent cars for short periods of time (ex. hourly). This is best for individuals who need vehicles rarely. (ex. Zipcar)

Incremental building

This is a unique architectural response to the lack of available housing around the world. It views residents as co-creators of their own homes, and thus only provides them with half a home which has the necessities in it. Home owners can than expand if they wish/if this is economically feasible for them.

Kampung Admirality

This is a vertical village in Singapore designed especially for the aging population. It includes a people's plaza or public space, a medical center, and a community park, along with many studio apartments. The units are designed with optimum daylight and ventilation, and allow for communication and interaction of those living there.

Via Verde (Bronx, NYC)

This is an example of a sustainable public housing design that was built on a brownfield (a gas station had once been there). The housing has over 40,000 square feet of open space that is used for gardens, a central courtyard, ampitheatre, and other public gathering locations. The green roofscape and photovoltaic panels exhibit its sustainability and there is a distinct interplay between apartments and outdoor space.

Walking School Bus

This is when a group of students walk with 2 chaperones on the same path that their school bus would typically take. It ensures student safety, and also is a sustainable alternative to driving or even buses. Today, fewer and fewer people are walking to school and there is unsustainable mobility, so this is a possible solution.

1899 Building Height Law (Washington, DC)

This law stated that no buildings can be taller than the width of the street plus 20 feet. It stated that the use of steel and iron frames allowed for taller, lighter buildings to be built, which increased the fire hazard. The law was amended in 1910 to provide specific restrictions for commercial vs residential areas.

Dumb Bell Tenements (1879)

This layout for tenements included a narrow and long air shaft running through the center of the building, pinching the layout of the building inwards. It was essentially a front and rear tenement connected by a hall, and there was extremely poor ventilation. In some rooms, the only source of light was from the small openings in the air shaft. The air shafts were often used for trash, and the smell and and waste would build up.

Ecological Footprint

This measures the quantity of resources or land used by individuals to sustain their consumption of natural resources. Individuals with a large ecological footprint tend to consume large amounts of food and have unsustainable energy use habits. The US is an example of a country with a high ecological footprint.

Urban Sprawl

This occurs when the rate of land consumption is greater than the rate of population growth. Low density development occurs at the edge of cities and towns, which is often poorly planned and extremely land consumptive. The resulting areas are automobile dependent and designed without respect for the surroundings. It often results high public infrastructure costs and disinvestment in cities.

Gentle Density

This refers to growth through low rise, multifamily units. Areas categorized by gentle density include greenery and tend to be visually appealing. It is attached, ground-oriented housing that is more dense than a detached unit, but with a similar size and character (ex. Accessory Dwelling Units)

Street Permeability

This refers to how easily accessible the streets and neighborhoods of cities are. It permits individuals to move around easily, whether this be with transportation or just walking. It also ensures that there is connectivity between neighborhoods. Areas that have high permeability tend to lack cul-de-sacs, and allow ease of walking.

Climate adaptation

This refers to how we adapt to climate change. It is the mindset that we cannot avoid climate change from occurring, but instead must try and deal with its impacts rather than its causes. An example would be dealing with the heat, drought, and bad weather (implications of climate change). the responsive adjustment

Climate mitigation

This refers to how we try to reduce greenhouse gases in the atmosphere in an effort to prevent further climate change. It addresses the causes of climate change, and tries to stop climate change in its tracks. the preventative actions to reduce severity

Impervious Cover

This refers to the hard surfaces such as roads, parking lots, sidewalks and other concrete features which increase flooding because water cannot absorb through them. They explain the connection between land use, development patterns and flooding. When rainfall occurs, rather than being absorbed, it will instead runoff or cause dangerous flooding.

"Out of Reach" Report

This report shows how much income an individual must earn in order to rent a modest apartment in their state. It shows the gap between wages and the ability to find affordable rent. This emphasizes the lack of availability of affordable housing faced by the majority of the population. it encourages the government to fund federal housing programs.

Pioneer Courthouse Square (portland)

This used to be a parking structure, but was renovated to be a large public space. It is seen as the "living room" of Portland and is constantly hosting events. The 40,000 square foot city block is currently owned by the city of Portland, and encourages a sense of community with its open air layout.

Teotihuacan

This was a well-planned city in Mexico City, that represented early urbanization. It was called the "city of the gods" and had over 125,000 inhabitants. It had ceremonial spaces, and had a large central road, in addition to pyramids and residential compounds. (preceded Tenochtitlan)

Home Owners Loan Corporation (HOLC)

This was created under Roosevelt's New Deal to refinance homes that were in default/at risk of foreclosure due to the 1929 financial crisis. It offered money at 5 percent interest, provided insurance for its loans, and allowed up to twenty-five years for repayment (used to only be 3-5 years to repay). It engaged in redlining and favored the lower end of the middle class who lived in suburbs.

Redlining

This was part of the federal governments effort to ensure mortgages were safe (The Home Owners Loan Corporation). Green lines were safe loans (and drawn in white areas) while red lines were unsafe investments (black areas). Individuals living in "red" areas were denied residential mortgage loans. The lines are similar to today's segregation patterns, which shows the lasting impact of redlining.

New York Zoning Ordinance of 1916

This zoning ordinance was the first citywide zoning code. It regulated the location of buildings for specific uses and established boundaries for these purposes. This was enacted after the "equitable" building was developed, which cast a 7 acre shadow onto the street. The ordinance attempted to limit the height of certain buildings and require certain setbacks to allow sunlight to reach street level. It stated that buildings could build up 2x the width of the road they are located on.

Visual Preference Survey (VPS)

Tools to measure satisfaction with newly implemented or potential design solutions/planning. On a scale of -10 to 10. this takes into account the inhabitants of a given region/city.

Traffic Calming

Traffic calming uses physical design and other measures to improve safety for motorists, pedestrians and cyclists. It aims to encourage safer, more responsible driving and potentially reduce traffic flow. may involve a reduction in the width or number of vehicular travel lanes and reallocate that space for other uses such as bicycle lanes, pedestrian crossing islands, left turn lanes, or parking

cohousing:

Typically for elders; a clustered community with shared spaces and governance (ex. one home cooks for the neighborhood; agree to maintain landscape/common space). Intentional community of private homes clustered around shared space. Tasks of individuals in community may vary.

Upzoning and Downzoning

Upzoning: a map amendment which allows a more intensive/dense use of a particular area (usually for a more profitable use and made in response to a request by the landowner; often opposed by nearby residents and may cause property values to fall Downzoning: an amendment to rezone to a use of lower intensity is often the result of neighborhood pressure; likely to reduce the value of undeveloped land and limit what can be done on the land so landowners oppose

Urban Renewal

Urban slums and poor neighborhoods were eradicated. Tall, singles buildings were built in their place. An important ethical debate: may revitalize downtown areas but can also be a waste of significant amount of public funds.

Boulder, Colorado

Uses the Boulder valley comprehensive plan to guide sustainable development. It has a road management program, and urban services program saying drains and sewers cannot be extended into the greenbelt (thus stopping spreading of growth). Uses open space fund which adds an additional percentage to sales tax to fund protection of the greenbelt. Extremely land efficient (bike culture, walking, compact footprint). Unlike Vancouver, Boulder has height restrictions to preserve the views of the rocky mountains. 1970s: used the Danish Plan which limits the amount of development by limiting the amount of building permits given out (created a point system for approval; affordable housing was more points, and more energy efficient dwellings were also more points, so this encouraged affordability and sustainability)

Vancouver, BC

Vancouver, similar to Toronto, is going vertical. There is an emphasis on a functional urban environment that works for the people who live there. There are tall, thin buildings but any guidelines (ex. daycare for housing towers). Towers are perched on a street oriented podium and there is a strong connection to street/sidewalk. Town centers (clustered in nodes) are founds on the route of the sky train. Access to water/mountains encourages outdoor activity/walking; sustainable transit and public spaces. A balance of respect for nature with busy urban life.

Vauban (eco-neighborhood in Freiburg)

Vauban was built as a sustainable model district on an abandoned military base. Many of the homes here meet the "passive house" standard, meaning they consume very low amounts of energy; the city relies on pedestrian and bike paths (few people use cars); tram school businesses are all within walking distance; has a unique ecological sewage system; Reduces Co2 and So2 emissions; allows for increased saving of mineral resources and energy

Ultra Small Vehicles (USVs)

Vehicles designed for future cities to design for GenZ. Sustainable, solar powered, designed for Japan. Limits excess space/unecessary features in vehicles.

Vision Zero

Vision Zero is a strategy to eliminate all traffic fatalities and severe injuries, while increasing safe, healthy, equitable mobility for all. It started in sweden and is now spreading throughout the US. Vision Zero acknowledges that many factors contribute to safe mobility -- including roadway design, speeds, behaviors, technology, and policies -- and sets clear goals to achieve the shared goal of zero fatalities and severe injuries.

"Half-Earth" (EO Wilson Idea)

Wilson proposes that half of the earth be devoted to nature. He believes this will avoid our mass-extinction, and increase bio-diversity that us humans caused. The half earth idea suggests a solution that is as grandiose as the problem.

Complete Streets

Woonerfs of America. They are accessible and inclusive to pedestrians, vehicles, and bikes (transit of all ages and abilities). They make it easy to bike, cross the street, shop and bike to work. They help create livable communities for various types of users, including children, people with disabilities, and older adults and improve equity, safety, and public health. (and ultimately traffic flow)

Silent Spring

Written by Rachel Carson, this book focused on the negative effects of chemical pesticides, such has human illness and ecological damage. This book advanced the Greenpeace movement, and resulted in changes in environmental legislation. Specifically in 1969, the National Environmental Policy Act was passed, and in 1970 and 1972 the clean air and water acts were passed.

Capital Bikeshare (Washington)

a bicycle sharing system that serves Washington, D.C.; Arlington County, Virginia; the city of Alexandria, Virginia; Montgomery County, Maryland and Fairfax County, Virginia; Capital Bikeshare was to be owned by the local governments and operated in a public-private partnership with a private operator; similar to citibke

Bus Rapid Transit (BRT)

a bus-based public transport system designed to improve capacity and reliability relative to a conventional bus system.[2] Typically, a BRT system includes roadways that are dedicated to buses, and gives priority to buses at intersections where buses may interact with other traffic; alongside design features to reduce delays caused by passengers boarding or leaving buses, or purchasing fares. BRT aims to combine the capacity and speed of a metro with the flexibility, lower cost and simplicity of a bus system. ex. Bogota, Columbia

Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities (NORC)

a neighborhood, apartment house, or larger area occupied mostly by older people who have aged in place, but without having been planned specifically for this population. As seen in beacon hill village (social aspect, pay fees to go on trips together, go to events, have meals together)

Citibikes (NYC)

a privately owned public bicycle sharing system serving New York City and Jersey City, New Jersey. saves money, saves time, is amusing and better for environment (doesnt emit fossil fuels)

Personal Rapid Transit

a public transport mode featuring small automated vehicles operating on a network of specially built guideway It is a light-weight, driverless vehicle, which can be deployed on networks of interconnected tracks. designed as an extension of existing pod cars and serves as a subway car on demand, and is used in areas where the demand for transport systems is irregular and high during peak hours.

High Speed Rail

a type of passenger rail transport that operates significantly faster than the normal speed of rail traffic. Travels long distances at high speeds, as in Japan (bullet train)

Bike Share/Dockless Bikeshare

dockless bike share does not require a docking station — which often limit the number of bikes a city could afford due to cost and space required. With dockless systems, bicycles can be parked within a defined district at a bike rack or along the sidewalk. Dockless bikes can be located and unlocked using a smartphone app. They encourage biking and are also sustainable but the misplacing of dockless bikes tends to be an issue

Granny pods

• An alternative to retirement homes/assisted living communities • The size of an average master bedroom (12x24 ft) contain surveillance cameras and other high tech capabilities to properly monitor and care for the resident; wheelchair accessibility, sensor technology Prospect related to aging in place (avoiding institutions).

Guerilla Wayfinding

• use of physical signs pointing to tourist attractions; includes estimated distance and travel time by foot