scholarly journals Social Encounter by Experiment? Potentials and Pitfalls of Real-World Labs for Urban Planning

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 208-220
Author(s):  
Charlotte Räuchle
Keyword(s):  
Urban Planning ◽  
Social Cohesion ◽  
Real World ◽  
Open Space ◽  
Planning Theory ◽  
Research Experience ◽  
Urban Open Space ◽  
Communal Life ◽  
Innovative Solutions ◽  
Local Stakeholders

This article explores the potential of real-world labs (RWLs) and real-world experiments (RWEs) to be a fruitful addition to established approaches in urban planning in Germany. While transdisciplinary and transformative RWLs rooted in socio-ecological sustainability studies have become an important tool for experimenting with innovative solutions for environmental challenges in cities, RWLs aimed at improving social cohesion in neighbourhoods and fostering a communal life characterised by dialogue and solidarity are rare. To this latter aim, this article contributes with research experience from a transdisciplinary RWL on cooperative urban open space development seeking to foster social cohesion in super-diverse neighbourhoods in Germany. This article analyses the contradictory perceptions of the local stakeholders involved as regards the potentials of RWEs to be a meaningful addition to established planning practices. This article makes it clear that there is greater proximity between urban planning theory, practice, and RWEs than initially assumed. Nevertheless, RWEs have considerable potential as a positive complement to established approaches to urban planning and as a means of experimenting with open-ended encounter formats in neighbourhoods.

IF YOU COULD KNOW, WHAT USERS THINK: Urban Design and Preference of the Visual Attributes to Design Sustainable Urban Open Spaces

2015 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 143-151
Author(s):  
Farhana Ferdous
Keyword(s):  
Urban Planning ◽  
Physical Environment ◽  
Open Space ◽  
Public Spaces ◽  
Physical Characteristics ◽  
User Preferences ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Open Spaces ◽  
Urban Open Space ◽  
Visual Attributes

What are the visual attributes of successfully designed urban open spaces that play significant roles in the creation of sustainable livable cities? Public spaces are mostly designed for social interaction and communication. The aesthetic and morphological dimensions of public spaces are among the essential visual and physical characteristics that need to be understood for successful social use. This paper reports on a study that was exploratory and qualitative in nature and sets out to explore the different physical characteristics of designed urban open spaces as being aesthetically and socially important from the users' point of view. By using photo simulation techniques, a set of 24 photographs of urban plazas, squares, and pedestrian malls were used as surrogates for the physical environment. The study identified some salient attributes of designed urban open spaces in order to create sustainable urban planning, with six sub-categories considered to be important. Based on detailed participant responses, a list of the attributes of preferred physical environment to design sustainable urban open space has been developed. The findings can be implemented to create sustainable urban planning as well as to design successful urban plazas, squares, and other public open spaces according to user preferences in the future.

Unravelling Layers of Colonial and Post-Colonial Open Space Planning and Heritage: The Identity of [Padang] Merdeka Square, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (11) ◽  
pp. 151
Author(s):  
Nadiyanti Mat Nayan ◽  
David S Jones ◽  
Suriati Ahmad
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Values ◽  
Open Space ◽  
Publishing House ◽  
Cultural Development ◽  
Kuala Lumpur ◽  
Space Planning ◽  
Post Colonial ◽  
Urban Open Space ◽  
National Heritage ◽  
International Publishing

In 1880, when the British moved their Federated Malay States administrative centre to Kuala Lumpur, the Padang quickly became a symbol of British economic and administrative colonisation, and a nucleus of the socio-cultural development of Kuala Lumpur. This paper discusses the layers of history, symbolism and cultural values that the Padang contributes to the socio-cultural tapestry of both Kuala Lumpur and Malaysia, and the lack of relevant planning and heritage measures to conserve these attributes and characteristics. The conclusions offer avenues to engage with pre- and post-colonisation that enable re-making and the conservation of the iconic space of Kuala Lumpur.Keywords: Urban open space; Merdeka Square; Kuala Lumpur City Hall; National Heritage Act 2005eISSN: 2398-4287 © 2019. The Authors. Published for AMER ABRA cE-Bs by e-International Publishing House, Ltd., UK. This is an open access article under the CC BYNC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/). Peer–review under responsibility of AMER (Association of Malaysian Environment-Behaviour Researchers), ABRA (Association of Behavioural Researchers on Asians) and cE-Bs (Centre for Environment-Behaviour Studies), Faculty of Architecture, Planning & Surveying, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia.DOI: https://doi.org/10.21834/e-bpj.v4i11.1721

scholarly journals The legal street: a scarcity approach to urban open space in mobility transitions

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Brett J. M. Petzer ◽  
Anna J. Wieczorek ◽  
Geert P. J. Verbong
Keyword(s):  
Urban Space ◽  
Open Space ◽  
National Level ◽  
Urban Mobility ◽  
New Approach ◽  
Urban Open Space ◽  
Space Allocation ◽  
Zero Sum ◽  
Lock In ◽  
The Eu

AbstractAn urban mobility transition requires a transition in space allocation, since most mobility modes are dependent on urban open space for circulation and the storage of vehicles. Despite increasing attention to space and spatiality in transitions research, the finite, physical aspects of urban space, and the means by which it is allocated, have not been adequately acknowledged as an influence on mobility transitions. A conceptual framework is introduced to support comparison between cities in terms of the processes by which open space is (re-)distributed between car and bicycle circulatory and regulatory space. This framework distinguishes between regulatory allocation mechanisms and the appropriation practices of actors. Application to cases in Amsterdam, Brussels and Birmingham reveal unique relationships created by the zero-sum nature of urban open space between the dominant automobility mode and subordinate cycling mode. These relationships open up a new approach to forms of lock-in that work in favour of particular mobility modes within the relatively obdurate urban built environment. Empirically, allocation mechanisms that routinise the production of car space at national level within the EU are shown to be far more prevalent than those for bicycle space, highlighting the constraints faced by radical city-level policies aimed at space reallocation.

Learning to Become Researchers: Lessons Learned from a Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) Program Focused on Research in the Psychological Sciences with Real-World Implications

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 10-22
Author(s):  
Patricia R. DeLucia ◽  
Amanda L. Woods ◽  
Jeong-Hee Kim ◽  
Ngan Nguyen ◽  
Eugene W. Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Homeland Security ◽  
Real World ◽  
National Science Foundation ◽  
Research Study ◽  
Psychological Research ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Research Experience ◽  
Rigorous Research ◽  
National Science ◽  
National Science Foundation Research

This research study at a National Science Foundation Research Experience for Undergraduates site focuses on psychological research with applications to the real world. Two cohorts of undergraduates engaged in rigorous research projects on, e.g., driving, homeland security, relationships, human-computer interaction, language comprehension and production, discrimination, and health psychology. Results indicated that students and mentors perceived an improvement in the students' research skills.

scholarly journals Neighbourhood open spaces for social cohesion

2020 ◽  
Vol 170 ◽  
pp. 06019
Author(s):  
Rukhsana Badar ◽  
Sarika Bahadure
Keyword(s):  
Social Relations ◽  
Social Cohesion ◽  
Open Space ◽  
Social Activity ◽  
Social Infrastructure ◽  
Open Spaces ◽  
Unitary Theory ◽  
The Social ◽  
Neighbourhood Level ◽  
The City

The global cities of the world are witnessing a visible disconnection of everyday life. In India the Smart City guidelines acknowledge the need to counter the growing social detachment and intolerance by encouraging interactions. They go further in identifying that preserving and creating of open spaces must be a key feature of comprehensive urban development. Most social relations are cemented within open spaces at the neighbourhood level. Previous studies examine the association between the attributes of neighbourhood open spaces and social activity but neglect to view the issue comprehensively. The present study turns to Lefebvre’s Unitary Theory which states that open space is a result of three forces; 1) perceived space which is the physical dimension and material quality identifiable by the senses; 2) conceived space created by planners and other agents as plans and documents; and 3) lived space which is shaped by the values attached and images generated through user experience. For open space conducive to social interactions these three aspects must work in tandem. With this consideration a framework of criteria and indicators is developed and used to measure and compare the open spaces in select neighbourhoods in Europe and India. The investigation thus reveals differences in all three aspects of neighbourhood spaces. It also reveals a discrepancy between the planning standards formulated and employed by the city authorities in providing the spaces and the actual needs of the community. The research aims to address this gap. The study of the Indian cases lays foundation for the use of the framework to measure open spaces in association with social cohesion and thereby contribute to the enhancement of the social infrastructure of the City.

scholarly journals Planning to care: the case for a broader implementation of therapeutic planning

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
David M. Alton
Keyword(s):  
Urban Planning ◽  
Key Words ◽  
Indigenous Communities ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Planning Theory ◽  
Planning Practice ◽  
The Public ◽  
The Relationship

Planning does not see itself as a caring profession, yet there are elements of care that underlie the relationship between planners and the public. Therapeutic planning is an emerging approach to planning that has shown promise at building on those elements of care and reimagining planning as healing and transformative for planners and the public. However, therapeutic planning has so far only been used as a specialized practice when planning with indigenous communities. Through an analysis of the literature on planning theory and therapeutic planning practice, this study seeks to build a case for a broader application of therapeutic planning. Key findings of this analysis show that therapeutic planning has the capacity to improve planners’ ability to address trauma, conflict and reconciliation. This ends with a concrete set of recommendations to guide the profession in embracing its potential for care. Key words: An article on urban planning theory and practice, used the key words: therapeutic; planning; caring; communication; profession.

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