Dissertation topic 3:

Shaping density : Forming good urban spaces through high density.

Historically, the streets of cities have been the epicenter where public life takes place. They
have provided democratic spaces which were important for many social, economic, leisure and
political activities. Many of the ideas we consider to be contemporary urbanism were established, or
rather re-established, from a collective frustration concerned with the destruction of cities under
modernist planning techniques and the shaping of form around the automobile. Characterized by a
separation of function, suburban sprawl and auto-motive dominance, the continued attrition of these
planning principles led to the destruction of communities and public spaces. These conditions have
been the cause of many of the poor conditions we see today, with the urban form of cities being
linked to such issues as obesity, poor mental health, crime and loss of productivity. Criticisms of the
planning ideologies occurred primarily over the second half of the 20th century and paved the way
for what we know today as urban design or contemporary urbanism.
In its wake, the most important questions and ideas of contemporary urban design were
established. Many of the principles revolved around the idea that a city should first and foremost
prioritize and serve the needs of people and their habitats. It should support and enhance our
physical and social behaviours. It should nurture community, walkability, amenity, social interaction,
life and activity. Environments should engage the inhabitants and enhance the experience of those
contained within its fabric in much the same way as good architecture enhances the lives of its
dwellers.
These ideas are inspired by the virtues found in historical city models and in contemporary
manifestations. They have proven that the forms of older cities are equally effective today as they
have been for millennia.
This will be an exercise in the shaping of good urban conditions, towards an improved city
fabric that enhances life and experiences within the city. It aims to experiment with the compositional
value offered in contemporary urban planning theory, strategies and practice, as a means to explore
how the creation of form can be engaging, questioning how this applies and materializes into the
modern urban forms to create engaging urban conditions.
It will discuss how such forces that define these urban conditions can work to enrich life in
under the increasing pressures of intensification, while demonstrating what can be done and how we
can achieve it to ensure a better urban form for the future of the city in an outline of methodical
strategies.