Download - ENBE Final Project #02: IPSUM (Report)

Better Livable Town

ENBE l Final Project l Part A – Report l The Better Town Representation

Natalie Ki l 0318918 l Ms. Delliya l FNBE APR 2014 l Taylor’s University

Natalie Ki Xiao Xuan l 0318918

Foundation in Natural & Built Environments (FNBE)

March-April 2014

Contents



1. Introduction

2. City vs. Town

3. Town

4. Investigation & Data

Collection

5. The New ‘X’ Town: IPSUM

6. Conclusion

1. Introduction



For our Elements in Natural & Built Environments (ENBE)

Final Project, our task is to design our own “better

future town” that must be sustainable. The project is

split into two parts – Part A (sub-sectioned into two

parts) and Part B.

- Part A (Individual, 20%): an A4 report and

presentation slide/video of both our understanding,

along with the proposed town.

- Part B (Group, 20%): A maximum of 3 A2 presentation

boards and a physical model of the chosen town.

This had to be done after we understand both the

functional and aesthetic appeals to a city & town.

By doing this, we would be able to successfully

implement the characteristics of town planning like

natural topology/terrain, landscape, infrastructure,

space, building, etc…

Throughout the process of this project, we can

understand the built environments better, as well as

the delicate balance of the symbiotic co-relationship

of the natural & built environments.

2. City vs. Town



Definition, Similarities & Differences A city is a relatively large and permanent human settlement. Although

there is no actual arrangement of how a city is distinguished from a town

within the English language, we can easily assume that cities have systems

of sanitation, utilities, facilities, land usage, housing and transportation,

thus making it an urban settlement with a particularly important status.

A town, on the other hand, is a settlement or an area with residential

districts, shops and amenities – as well as a local government.

A city, being an urban settlement with an urbanely important status,

differentiates from a town. It is typically used to call an area or designate

an area that has a large population. It may also indicate a special

administrative, legal or historical status. Rather than entirely meaning a

largely populated area (“metropolitan”). A town, however, is more of a

community of people ranging from a few hundred to several thousands.

Generally, a town is thought of as a larger village, but also as a smaller

city.

Cities and towns differentiate primarily by the area’s demography and it’s

geography. In simplified terms, cities are larger dwelling places than

towns.

Cities cover a wider area, but as they both advance, they may sometimes

incorporate or merge with the surrounding area – thus expanding. Towns

do no generally expand into the other areas in the same way as cities, but

it is safe to say that towns do flourish in the same spectrum as cities – just

not on a comparatively large scale.

Cities are more densely populated than towns. Towns, as mentioned

earlier, are smaller than cities, but unlike towns, cities are the seat of the

region’s administrative functions. The most administratively important

building offices are situated within the city central. The governance of

cities is handled by the corporate bodies where as municipal bodies rule

the towns. Unlike towns, cities are generally well-planned with modern

amenities.

Before I can explore what a town is and needs, I have to explore the

differences and similarities between the two. This will help me

comprehend towns better in the sense that I won’t be confused with the

two.



Common Issues

No matter if a settlement/community is a town, city, village or what not, all

of them share some common issues among the inhabitants and their living

environment. Some are only present in certain areas, but to name a few…

-Organized crime

- Traffic and automobile issues

- Lack of sales tax revenue

- Lack of water resource

-Corruption in local government

- Unbalanced pay for city employees like fire-fighters and policemen

- Decaying downtowns

- Suburban development

- Poor planning

- Gentrification

- Lack of space

- Dying enclosed malls and outdoor malls

- Lack of affordable housing

- Segregation

- Lack of diverse economic workforce

- Too much urban sprawl and not enough urban landfill

- Environmental issues

- etc…

3. Town



Definition The definition of a ‘’town’’ is loosely translated into multiple meanings. The

three most solid definitions are:

1. A settlement, an area in which includes residential districts, shops and

amenities with it’s own local government; especially one larger than a

village but smaller than a city.

2. A human settlement larger than a village but smaller than a city.

3. A group of people staying, working and living in an area.

There are five different kinds of towns:

Types

1. “Infantile Town” : does not have any clear zoning. Often categorised

as an unorganised settlement.

2. “Juvenile Town” : which has a developed area for shops.

3. “Adolescent Town” : which has factories and basic zonings.

4. “Early-Mature Town” : which has separate areas for high-class housings.

5. “Mature Town” : Organised structure, has zonings, defined areas for

industrial, commercial, residential, etc…

Gridding “Gridding”, also known as the “grid plan”, “grid system”, “grid street plan”

or “gridiron plan” is the system of settlement planning in which buildings

are designed at an angle, thus forming a grid.

There are multiple types of grids – some in which are more commonly used

than others, but all settlements have some sort of gridding system. Each

can be analysed to see the basic gridding.

For our project, we have been asked to follow a gridding system in order

to make our structure stronger, as well as easier when it comes to basic

designing of our layout.



We had five options to choose to use as our gridding foundation:

1. Square Grid:

Geometrically, Square gridding is the most simple style. It has been

commonly used in simulator games such as “Sims”, “Habbo”, etc…

The most successful example of square gridding is New York City in

America.

Example of Square Gridding: New York City’s Square Gridding:

2. Triangle Grid:

In geometry, the triangular gridding is one of the three

regular gridding of the Euclidean plane. This is because the internal

angle of the equilateral triangle is 60 degrees, making six triangles at a

point occupy a full 360 degrees.

Example of Triangle Gridding:



Example of Hexagonal Gridding:

1. Radial Grid:

Radial gridding can be considered the most versatile and flexible of all

gridding systems in which a point is considered the ‘’centre’’ and all

else is plotted in a radial pattern outwards.

Example of Radial Gridding:

3. Hexagonal Grid:

Hexagonal gridding is also one of the three regular systems of the

Euclidean plane. The internal angle of the hexagon is 120 degrees so

three hexagons at a point make a full 360 degrees.



Components / Requirements Components of towns can vary in terms of what kind of town it is. Some

towns would require a different set of components. However, all towns

should have a basic coverage of:

- Infrastructure

- Residential

- Commercial &

- Industrial

Commercial, Residential, Industrial

Education

Educational facilities, schools, colleges, and other forms of educational

centres represent the educational background of an area or settlement.

Without education, cities/towns wouldn’t be able to flourish as a

community.

These include:

- Kindergartens

- Elementary Schools

- Primary/Junior High

- Secondary/High School

- College

- University

- Academic Institutions

- etc…

Banking

Banking buildings, loan offices and others of the same represent the

economical and financial side of a settlement.

These include:

- National Banks

- Retail Banks

- Commercial Banks

- Investment Banks

- Central Banks

- Credit Unions

- etc…



Healthcare

Health is one of the more important requirements in any sort of settlement.

All cities, towns or villages must have a facility or two dedicated to serve

as the health centre. This maintains and takes care of the healthcare of

the inhabitants.

These include:

- Medical Centres

- Hospitals

- Clinics

- Vets

- Dentists

- etc…

Religion

Religion is more of a personal requirement for the residents. Nonetheless,

some settlements have areas dedicated to religious practice – though not

all.

These include:

- Church

- Synagogues

- Temples.

- Shrines

- etc…

Re-Creational

Recreational facilities must be taken into consideration in any sort of

settlement. The inhabitants should have something dedicated to

recreational activities. It concerns itself with the entertainment and

happiness of the inhabitants, so some areas should at least be dedicated

to some recreational activities within the given space.

These include:

- Parks

- Clubs

- Sport Centres

- Shopping Complexes

- Amusement Parks

- Mall Lots

- Tourist attractions

- Arcades

- etc…



Safety

Safety is another one of the main essential elemental components in a

community. It relates to the healthcare, but on a more direct way.

There include:

- Fire Brigades

- etc…

Discipline

Discipline relates to safety. It concerns itself with the control of discipline

within a community.

These include:

-Police

- SWAT

- FBI

- Prison

- etc…

Social

Social facilities relate to the social relationship and interactions in the

community.

These include:

- Community Hall

- Museums

- Art Galleries

- National Landmarks

- Public Places

- etc…



Transportation

Transportation is the act of transporting, or of the state of being

transported.

They should be efficient, able to move more people with less usage of

energy and causes the least about of carbon emissions as possible.

These include:

- Public Transportation:

> Bus

> Subway/Trains/Railway

> Taxi

> etc…

- Private Transportation:

> Roads

> Pedestrian Walkway Paths

> Bicycle Paths

> etc…

Infrastructure

Communications

Communication is the concept or state of exchanging information

between entities.

Communication should be able to bring people of any distance closer

together. It should be efficient – with no need of physical contact if

impossible. It should provide a wider range of exchanging information.

These include:

- Wireless

- Wired

- Television:

> Network Channel

> etc…

- Data:

> Internet

> Telephone

> etc…



Waste Management

Waste management is the management of waste material, such as

human waste, trash/rubbish, etc…

It should be efficient and able to control the waste management of the

settlement.

These include:

- Recycle of Waste (Sorting):

> Biodegradable waste

> Non-Biodegradable waste

- Waste Fuel for Power

- Efficient waste system for community clean efficiency.

Water Supply

The management supply and usage of water.

This should be able to promote water saving mentality – in other words,

smart usage of water with minimum waste. It should also encourage water

saving systems like rainwater collection, etc…

These include:

- Smart usage within a household:

> Toilets

> Sinks

> Showers

> Drinking water

> etc…

- Water distribution within a settlement:

> Dams

> Reservoirs

> etc…

Power Supply

The management, supply and usage of energy & power.

This should be able to encourage the use and implementation of reusable

energy sources that don’t cause as much carbon emissions.

These include:

- Smart usage of energy

- Use of reusable energy sources:

> Solar

> etc…

4. Investigation & Data Collection



Ancient/Past Cities & Towns Ancient Cities/Towns are important to look at in order to understand the

history of the towns & cities, as well as how they were designed, the

concept of them and the issues that we can use as a guideline to help

improve it within our own town.

Edo/Tokyo (Japan)

What was significant about the city/town?

Back in the past, Edo was one of the largest city of its time – populating

prosperously despite the fact that it was geographically smaller and

devastated by fires and other disasters.

The city, Edo, was laid out like a castle town, meaning it was mainly

plotted with around the castle – which was therefore considered the most

important place of the city. The surrounding areas would therefore reduce

in terms of importance.

Edo was clearly plotted, with areas designated to serve their main

functions well. For example, the area northeast of the castle was the

centre of the urban culture. Asakusa is the considered the centre of an

area for traditional Shitamachi culture as the traditional Senso-ji temple still

stands there to this day. The ‘Japan Bridge’, also called the Nihon-bashi, is

the central commercial centre, where fishermen, craftsmen and other

producers or retailers conducted sales.

What information will you consider for your “better” town? What did you learn from it?

I would like my town to be able to withstand the disadvantages of

uncertain disasters such as the ones that many towns/cities face. By doing

so, it would be strong to withstand time and prosper as the centuries

change.

Even though I do not plan to follow a castle town planning, studying the

way Edo had been laid out helps me understand how plotting of

important areas in a town has been utilized, especially during the age of

kings, emperors, rulers, etc…

I have learnt from analyzing the structure of Edo during the past, how they

have clearly displayed the difference of certain areas to serve their own

purpose. This helps each area to conduct their own work without



Bournville (Birmingham, England)


complicating with one another, but also supporting in terms of growth. In

order to replicate this, I hope to utilize their example when planning my

town – thus enabling each developed area to work efficiently with a

purpose, as well as prosper.


To be honest, Bournville is best known for it’s relationship to Cadbury,

however, there are some significant aspects of this place in terms of it

being a town. The entire area was the main manufacturing home base for

the Cadbury plan, therefore majority of the work force and people

related to the company lived there. Despite the aim of the area being a

production headquarters, the Cadburys implemented recreational

facilities, residential estates, educational centres, social areas and others

that make it more than a industrial town/village.

From looking at Bournville, I’m impacted by the balance of the area. Even

though the purpose of Bournville is to serve as an industrial hub, there area

implementations of other components that make it a livable area,

inclusive of both recreational and social purposes, thus preventing the

entire town to be just a production site.



- Early Cities developed in numerous regions of the world.

- Uruk is the world’s first city.

- During the Neolithic ages, there were no cities at that time as all

settlements were temporary at that time.

- In Ancient Greece, around the 1st Millennium BC, independent city-states

evolved from the time, eventually leading to the creation of ‘’free city’’

and ‘’polis’’

- Constantinople was the largest city around the 12th century – with a

population of 1 million.

- All cities had a pattern of revolving and flourishing around a

marketplace or city centre.

- Cities served as the centrals of shortage, trade and manufacturers.

- During the fourth millennium BC, the requirements for cities of the past

were discovered production of a surplus of storable food, system and

agriculture.

- Cities included protection during the attacks: populace would flee

behind the city walls, where the defence forces would assemble to repel

the enemy.

- The ancient polis consisted of the city itself, usually surrounded by a wall

and a rural hinterland.

- These days, old towns are considered historical districts.

- These were built before the emergence of all-travel large-scale urban

planning and the high-rise construction of the mid-19th century.

- The oldest towns have existed since before the common era.

- Many have narrow streets and even narrower alleys.

Buildings are all within walking distance.

- Pedestrians move easier than automobiles.

- Pre-modern cities typically had less than 100,00 inhabitants – a few

examples being Rome, Istanbul and Beijing.

- They are densely populated – less than a kilometre across.

- The architecture is dominated by city walls or other fortifications with

structures like palaces and religious buildings.

- Ancient towns layout was slightly more sporadic than a city as the

population density involved within a town was smaller and therefore,

requires less mass populating accounts – mass formatting.

- A smaller scale of a city – with less development in terms of utilities,

facilities, sanitation, etc…

Generic Trend & Facts of Ancient/Past Cities & Towns



Current/Present Cities & Towns Looking at the cities & towns of our current time help us feel more

relatable to the design scope and trends of our needs within a

community. By doing this, we can analyse and break down the issues and

useful elements that will help us be more stable when planning our own

town.

Welwyn Garden City (Borough of Welwyn Hatfield,

Hertfordshire, England)


Welwyn Garden City struck me as a unique town because of the intricate

balance it maintains as both a garden city and as a new town. It also

clearly represents the social, cultural and physical ideals of the 1920’s

(period of which it was built)

In Economy, despite it’s growth to maintain the balance of both Garden

and Town, Welwyn has a strong commercial base with strong

development areas for employment.

In Transportation, Welwyn City are well connected to outer cities and

areas through buses, main roads and railways. This allows it to be

considered as a convenient commuter town.


I would like to replicate the fact that Welwyn has successfully maintained

the balance of both ‘city’ and ‘town’, without neglecting the

environmental aspects, in order to avoid the disadvantages of either.

I would like to create a strong economical structure

The use of multiple well-developed transport systems to allow safe and

efficient transportation.













- Cities of our time are very developed compared to the cities of our past.

With the requirements being the same, but includes more things and

space because of the repaid pace of our population growth rate.

- Cities play an important role – the growth of technology has been

implemented into our society and environment.

- Towns of our current time are much more developed and common then

cities – although cities still remain as the main settlements of our world.

- Towns are commonly available as they are mostly located around or

nearby as the suburban areas.

- The format is much similar, but connects much less than cities (

metropolitan) area.

Generic Trend & Facts of Current/Present Cities &

Towns



Potential/Future Cities & Towns Through analysing the past two types of cities & towns, we now have a

great understanding of the problems and types or style within the

settlement. Thus, it helps us implement the trend of the future towns &

cities in order to rectify this.

Masdar City , (Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates)


Masdar City is a project that is meant to serve as a hub for cleantech

companies. It is planned to be reliant on solar power and other renewable

energy sources. Masdar City will be the latest of a small number of highly

planned, specialized, research and technology-intensive municipalities

that incorporate a living environment.

In terms of Architectural Design:

Masdar is a sustainable mixed-use development designed to be very

friendly to pedestrians and cyclists. A 45-meter high wind tower modeled

sucks air from above and pushes a cooling breeze through Masdar's

streets.

The site is raised above the surrounding land in order to create a slight

cooling effect. Buildings are clustered close together in order to create

streets and walkways which are shielded from the sun. It will be able to

cope with hot desert temperatures through shorter, narrower streets

usually no longer than 70 meters. The buildings at the end of these streets

create just enough wind turbulence to push air upwards, creating a

flushing effect that cools the street naturally.

In terms of Transport:

The initial design of Masdar City banned automobiles, as travel will be

accomplished via public mass transit and personal rapid transit (PRT)

systems, with existing road and railways connecting to other locations

outside the city. The absence of motor vehicles coupled with Masdar

City's perimeter wall, are designed to keep out the hot desert winds, to

allow for narrow and shaded streets that help funnel cooler breezes across

the city.


I would like to replicate the fact that Welwyn has successfully maintained

the balance of both ‘city’ and ‘town’, without neglecting the

environmental aspects, in order to avoid the disadvantages of either.

I would like to create a strong economical structure

The use of multiple well-developed transport systems to allow safe and

efficient transportation.




Masdar City is a great example of the development that our construction

industry is moving towards, which mainly concern and involvement of the

use of utilizing a more green state of living, whilst expanding alongside the

growth of our technology.

All these uses of sustainable mixed-use development into the architecture

are designed to suit the climate and natural environment of the land. I

would like to use it as an example of how to plan my town to suit and

utilize the natural climate of my area instead of trying to fight/change it.

I also wish to use the features mentioned on the left to see if I can

implement it in any way into my town. This mainly concerns the similarities

of climate between Abu Dhabi and Malaysia (hot climate).

I plan to use the same approach – Public Mass Transportation – in order to

reduce the amount of carbon emissions that come from individual

automobile's use of fuel. By doing so, it also encourages less use of roads

and therefore more space to implement a green, sustainable

landscaping.



-Potential cities will focus on the development of technology and it’s

implementation.

- The future of cities will also depend upon the use of new materials.

- The most important and vital part of development of the future of cities

are fully dependent on of the use of eco-friendly, sustainable living.

- For example, in Malaysia, the construction industry is working to

implement the “Green Building Index”

- Like the future of towns, the development of technology play a big

impact in the township – but the careful balance between managing

sustainable living and technological living.

Future of Urban Development:

1. Low Impact Materials:

- Materials that are non-toxic

- Sustainably produced

- Required little energy to produce or process

2. Emotionally Durable Design:

- Reduce carbon emissions

- Reduce consumption

- Less energy required.

3. 3 ‘R’s:

- Reduce

- Reuse

- Recycle

4. Bio mimicry

5. Service substitution

6. Design Impact Measures:

- Estimated cost

- Account of carbon footprint

- Life-cycle

7. Renewability:

- Available nearby

- Materials that can be composed when the usefulness has been fulfilled

Generic Trend & Facts of Potential/Future Cities &

Towns

5. The New ‘X’ Town:



Concept

The “Garden City Movement” was created by Sir Erbenezer Howard (29

January 1850 – 1928), in the most popular publication “Garden City of To-

Morrow”. It caused the birth and use of the use of the garden city

movement at the beginning of the 20th century. It is very popular and well-

known successful urban planning movement initiated in the 1898s.

Erbenezer Howard’s ‘Garden City Movement’

History

Aim

The aim of the “Garden City Movement” was to create a method of

urban planning that was planned, self-contained communities surrounded

by ‘greenbelts’, containing proportionate areas of residences, industry

and agriculture.

The description would result in humans living peacefully and harmoniously

with nature. This aim would eventually cause the reduction of alienation

between human society and nature.

Examples

As Erbenezer’s method has become one of the most successful and used

methods of sustainable urban planning. It has spurned many

developments throughout the world.

Some exmaples are:

- Forest Hills Garden, 1909

- Bedford Park, London, UK

- Malino, Dublin, Ireland

- Village Homes, Davis, California, USA

- Sha Tin, New Territories, Hong Kong



The concept of the Garden City Movement is to produce relatively

economically independent cities with short commute times and the

preservation of natural environments. Garden suburbs arguably do the

opposite. This concept is portrayed through three magnets that centre

around the people.

Concept

Aim



Aim











Zoning

Zoning is a device of land-use planning used by local governments in most developed countries. The word is derived from the practice of designated permitted uses of and based on mapped zones from the practice of designating permitted one set of land uses from another. Zoning may be use-based, regulating the uses to the function of which land may be put, also function zoning. Or it may regulate building height, lot of coverage (density), and similar characteristics, or some combination of these. Similar urban planning methods have dictated the use of various areas for particular purposes in many cities from ancient times. Theoretically, zoning is the primary purposed to segregate uses that are thought to be incompatible. It is also used to prevent new development from interfering with existing residents and businesses. It also helps preserve the ‘character’ of a community. Zoning is commonly controlled by local governments such as countries or municipals, though the nature of the zoning regime may be determined or limited by the state or national planning authorities through enabling legislation. Zoning may include the regulation of the kinds of activities which will be acceptable on particular lots: - Open Space - Residential - Agricultural - Commercial - Industrial

Uses

Categories

There are about 6 categories in the zoning legal department: - Residential Zones - Mixed Uses & Planned Community - Comprehensive Design - Commercial/Retail - Industrial - Overlay

Implementation

We use zoning in order to determine, separate and designate one area from another by section and function. They also outline heights, setbacks, yard widths, parking, etc… In architectural drawing, zoning is used to categorize certain areas. In town planning or/and city planning, it divides the sectors of land plotting. It can be used generally or detailed – where subcategories are also shown. Zones are displayed in different types. The most common use of separating zones are through colour, with a legend to indicate what colour represents what.





Site Location The building site’s location is based off a real location in Malaysia called ‘’Titiwangsa’’. I chose to work off a real area because: 1. It has an interesting natural landscape topology. 2. The land that I chose helps make the foundation of my town realistic. 3. In my opinion, Titiwangsa is an area that has been exposed to urban development, but has suffered from neglect, causing the land to be wasted as it has not been brought out to it’s full potential. Thus, I wish to remodel it like a town and attempt to enhance the natural qualities of the land through this project.

The Name

In Latin is… “Green” “Garden” “Environment” “Nature”



Site Analysis: Vegetation Coverage

This diagram shoes my analysis of the natural vegetation coverage of my site before the development of my town occurs. As you can see, it is a medium-dense forest with vegetative overgrowth surrounding more heavily around the perimeter. The scale used here is 1:2500

My site is: 3.7 km by 5.25 km, making it 19.425 km2.



Site Analysis: Natural Topology The image below described the site’s natural topology. The scale used here is 1:2500 and the topology unit is in metres. There are five cross-sections to show the terrains: - A-A - B-B - C-C - 1-1 - 2-2

Section A-A



Section B-B

Section C-C

Section 1-1

Section 2-2



Site Analysis:

Designated Natural Elements of Interest The site is trapped by duke to the North and Jalan Pahang to the West. The Lake is irregularly shaped formed at the low-lying ravine of the site, Because of these natural elements of interests, the concept of design must be built sustainably to enhance and utilize the natural elements. The concept that I will be following because of these elements are: The Garden City Concept and Lake Township Concept. This is because… - The concept of township is to design around a natural environment that has a lake. - To form a township that is of exemplary standard to where it is a township that lives and learns about sustainable living. - To become a green sustainable township dedicated for research studies.

Design of Infrastructures (Main Roads)



Legend: - Dark Blue Line : Existing Main Roads - Purple: Proposed Main Road - Green : Enclosed Area - Burgundy : Lake - Red : Mass Public Transport System Concept

Development Area

With public service roads that lead to the North and the West, in order to keep the area immediately surrounding the lake as well as the lake itself environmentally sensitive & protected. The proposed main road is to be set up to link with the with the existing ones, closing off the boundary on the South and East. This encloses the area within and cocoons the central zone. Thus, the central zone and efficient and green form of mass public transportation is to be set up – its main station should be positioned close to the existing main road.



Sun Rotation & Azimuth

Now that I have designated the roads, The surrounding areas – other than the centre zone – will be dedicated for development areas.

Moving onto the study of Sun Rotation and Azimuth, I decided to look into the sun rotation of Malaysia because it helps determine the orientation of the buildings. Because the site is located in Malaysia, the morning sun rises in the East and sets in the West.. The Azimuth of Malaysia is East to West, thus means that the buildings in my town must face North to South.

Pedestrian Walking Radius



The image shows the proposed position of the mass public rail station (pink line) based on pedestrian walking distance over time (maximum 15 minutes). This ensures that everything is conveniently located within a comfortable vicinity. The small circle is 5 minutes. The medium circle is 10 minutes. The biggest circle is 15 minutes.

First Draft: Vegetation

The light green displays the green land coverage. The light blue is the lake The dark green circles are the vegetative overgrowth – thus creating a ‘green belt’



First Draft: Zoning

Key/Legend: - Light Yellow: Commercial - Deep Pink: Train Stations - Light Green: Medium-Rise Residential - Dark Green: High-Rise Residential - Light Blue: Boutique Hotel - Azure Blue: Hotel - Dark Blue: Police Station - Purple: Medical Centre - Pink: School Compound



Final: Master Plan



Final: Master Plan & Zoning



Protected Green Zone

The green protected zone is the “heart” of the town. It has been enclosed by

the internal roads in order to protect the natural environment within it.

Chosen Type: A Town with a Lake I chose a town with a lake because water bodies like lakes gives a unique natural habitat to vegetation and marine life. It is usually causes the surrounding land to have interesting landscape terrains that slopes inwards like a basin – thus making the overall natural landscape more interesting. It also demands challenging human built forms to balance with the lake, so it requires a high and controlled waste water management system – enabling the use of installing Stormwater distribution. Lakes are also more relatable and tangible compared to larger forms of water bodies such as seas or oceans. They are not as vast in size, and the water content are more easily usable compared to seas as they don’t require sanitation of salt-water, but merely filtration. Utilize the lake’s natural form.- easily manipulated, related and establishing into our lifestyle – utilizing it like lake houses, living environments, golf courses, reserves, etc. You can use lake as water source without water process (no need for sanitation that a sea needs, just filtration)



Landscape

The landscape encompasses a wide diversity and variety of tropical vegetation.

This is to provide a strong support to the research of the land, as well as to

implement the beauty of the natural environment to the inhabitants of

Because the town has a lake with the surrounding terrain gently sloping into

it. It demands indigenous water management and infusion between man-

made & natural environments. Doing so would allow prevention of pollution

the lake, especially when involving environmental activities (prime reason).

This also involved the planning system – which works to achieve sustainable

township planning (secondary).

In terms of food – the design of the township would require all residents to

grow their own organic vegetables with the allocated land piece that are

built within their own land. Architecturally, the infusion of and broken down

of barriers/boundaries between man-made and natural environment will be

utilized to implement a more sustainable and green approach to our

lifestyle.



Medium-Rise Residential The Medium-Rise

Residential areas are dispersed along the South & East of the town.

They are inclusive of a multitude of terrace houses, cluster-homes, multi-family

dwelling and single family units.

Roads are divided into three portions:

Roads for cars & other vehicles,

Bicycle paths & Pedestrian walkway pavements.

This is to encourage exercise and more sustainable uses of

transport that can help reduce carbon emission.

Roads Bike Path Pedestrian

Pavement



Research Centre

is a town that is dedicated to the research

study of the natural environment. Thus, it has it’s own research centre. This centre is located within the edge of the protected green zone in order to manage, maintain and protect the reserve. Pods branch out to specific area to control and monitor the habitat for constant supervision.

Hotels

has two hotels – a regular and a

boutique. They are located next to the main

LRT station and Main Access Road. This is to

provide visitors with a convenient place to

rest after immediate arrival. It is also located

nearby to the town’s centre attraction – the

water fountain.

Pedestrian walkways provide an easy access

for inhabitants to walk around and explore

the green life.

Corporate Offices, Police Station & Medical Centre

has four office blocks for

corporate companies, one medical

centre, inclusive of a clinic and hospital,

and one police station – which governs

the security of the town.

They are located on the North-East

corner of the town, nearby to the

residential zone (for convenience of the

office workers), and in case of an

emergency (either medical or security)



Educational Compound

The Educational Zone contains a school

(elementary to secondary), a college and a

university. They are broken up into three

sectors.

As most of the students are encouraged to

walk, bike or commute by train to the

campus, the location is conveniently placed

at the South-Eastern corner, right nearby the

residential zones.

1. Light Rail Transit (LRT): This is meant for mass public carriage, which is energy

efficient, with careful strategic station plotting for optimized pick-up & drop-

off. This ensures the best coverage of entire town, with stations are positioned

no more than 15 minutes apart on foot.

2. Bicycle Paths: Designated bicycle paths are designed and situated along

but clear from traffic with allocated bicycle parking areas. This is chosen

because it doesn’t cause any pollution and is a green-friendly form of

transportation. This also encourages residents to exercise.

3. Pedestrian Walkways: The town scale is designed based on pedestrian

coverage, whereby every cluster of residential area would have had basic

amenities and facilities not further than 15 minutes coverage zones.

4. Roads: Roads allow connection to the outside world, as well as allow quick

and easy pathways to every location in the town.

Transport



Perspective

Apart from serving as a new town in order to support the overcrowded town of the past, the other aim of my town is to serve as an educational hub in which we want to live and prosper in (a living example for the future). In order to give a good example of sustainable living environment. It is also to become an example of the balance and symbiotic co-existence between manmade & natural environments.



To conclude, I feel that the entire process of town planning is an extremely diverse

and complex process. There is a lot of prior research and understanding to be done

before it comes to even designing. This is because we can’t expect to design an

area by just following our own personal preference of design – we have to take into

consideration about the purpose of our design, reasons and the justifications on

why we have designed it that way. It has to be able to relate to the needs and

requirements of our client without losing a grip on the function.

A lot of other factors also come into play when it comes to designing an area

because of the manipulation we have to be careful of. This is especially important

when it involves the living space we live in. Every area must have a purpose, why is it

there? How does it benefit the people? What kind of effects does it have – both

good or otherwise? What are the current issues and how do we solve it?

The design must also be practical – for example, a green space. Building and

introducing a green space doesn’t just mean putting a piece of green land and

some recycling elements and expect it to be fully implemented into the lifestyle of

humans. It has to be properly blended into the living space in order to help the

transition of it into the inhabitants life cycle. Even then, we still have to take into

considerations of all the requirements that are needed for a proper community to

function. What are the access points? Main roads? How do you organize things on

a land in order to benefit the citizens without polluting the environment?

During this project, I have learnt to be able to see all these factors that come into

play and through the process of doing this project, I feel like I have been exposed

to the dramatic workings of these questions and the parts they play when it comes

to town planning.

6. Conclusion