The diffusion of the concept of the 15-minute city in international debates and practices offers interesting insights for reflecting on the idea of a city and, concurrently, on the forms of public transportation that allow reaching major services within reasonable timeframes, thus ensuring the livability of neighborhoods. The thesis stems from these premises and unfolds with the objective of proposing a project for a site in the city of Shanghai, based on two distinct areas of reflection and research: the concept of a proximity city and forms of water-based public transportation. Research and design should be both the key component parts of your thesis. The thesis seeks to explore the possibilities of an intermodal transport system and the combination with the proximity city idea and demonstrates the key findings through a design project on reimagining the urban design future of the First Bay Area along Huangpu River in Shanghai. Specifically, the project site is a new residential area in the Minhang district of Shanghai. The area overlooks the Huangpu River and the newly constructed Lanxiang artificial lake. The choice of the site is supported by investigations related to ongoing projects in the area, the presence of services, proximity to waterways, and an analysis of the existing situation. In the design intentions, the periphery of Shanghai could become a sort of backbone or starting point for developing the river area for residential purposes, rather than solely industrial, creating a neighborhood whose structure revolves around the logic of services and intermodal transport systems. To address the project, the first part of the thesis, comprising the first three sections, establishes the theoretical and research background. Firstly, it examines the concept of the “15-minute city” as a model and compares it with other models that have characterized the last century (modern city...), to understand its characteristics and foundational principles, as well as the most relevant elements that will form a framework guiding the project’s development. Secondly, in the following section, the thesis explores the concept of intermodal transport. With specific attention to water-based transport, typology of water transport linkages between water transport and other modes of transportation. Finally, to complete the preliminary reflections for the project, the third section introduces the theme of Water Towns in China, outlining their characteristics and historical development. Starting from the creation of the Grand Canal to the still-observable features of water towns in the wetlands of the eastern part of the country, the main characteristics will be elucidated through literature and case studies, including on-site observations. The subsequent part of the thesis is dedicated more closely to the project itself, aiming to cre- ate urban strategies, principles, and actions that connects the concept of a proximity city with an intermodal transport system. Analysis of various international case studies will help focus on specific aspects useful for developing project themes. Understanding different features and modes between land and water, as well as the relationship between transport and the positioning of services, will provide guidelines and fundamental elements for defining a sound project. Each case study has a particularly relevant and functional element for understanding the theme and project development: Wuzhen, a well-preserved tourist destination: a historic water town transformed into a historical theme park, limiting new interventions to maximize the preservation of existing architectural heritage. An interesting case study to understand the real aspect of a Chinese water town. Comacchio, a connecting town in a marshy area: with preserved architectural features and size over time, it serves as a case study for understanding the use of waterways by residents. Limited changes over time and small dimensions allow the continued use of canals, albeit in a private context. London, use of the river as a (relatively) rapid transport mode: employing the Thames for water bus services connects relatively distant locations quickly and consistently, avoiding peak-hour traffic congestion. Stops are shared with places of interest and interconnected with other forms of public transport. Shanghai, boating on the bund: Shanghai primarily uses the Huangpu River for cargo transportation, but limited uses for public passenger transport exist near the city center. According to the city’s plans, public transport will increase while industrial or commercial use of the river will decrease soon. The interesting aspect is how the current state will evolve to favor the population and river connections. Venice, a combination of landscape preservation and water-based public and private transport evolution: the Venice case study serves as a bridge between territorial and morphological understanding and the development of transport systems centered around navigable canals. After examining these cases, the thesis moves on to project development. The chosen location, known as the ‘First Bay Area,’ faces the Huangpu River at the first major bend upon entering the Shanghai area. Shanghai plans to transform the area into a second Lujiazui through comprehensive development, given its unique location. The area overlooks a river branch hosting various situations on different shores, from industrial to financial office areas or residences. Understanding its development in terms of preserving existing natural areas, coexisting with planned urban development, is interesting. The project involves creating an urban strategy that combines the concept of a proximity city with an intermodal transport concept. Through the analysis of the existing situation and active development policies in the area, the research will identify the area’s possibilities, creating a strategy for service distribution and a plan for developing a water-based transport system to connect the area with the Bund area and intermediate points of interest.
La diffusione del concetto della città dei 15 minuti nei dibattiti e nelle pratiche internazionali offre interessanti spunti per riflettere sull'idea di città e, contemporaneamente, sulle forme di trasporto pubblico che consentono di raggiungere i principali servizi entro tempi ragionevoli, garantendo così la vivibilità dei quartieri. La tesi nasce da queste premesse e si sviluppa con l'obiettivo di proporre un progetto per un sito nella città di Shanghai, basato su due distinti ambiti di riflessione e ricerca: il concetto di città di prossimità e le forme di trasporto pubblico basate sull'acqua. Ricerca e progettazione dovrebbero costituire entrambe le componenti chiave della tua tesi. La tesi mira a esplorare le possibilità di un sistema di trasporto intermodale e la combinazione con l'idea di città di prossimità e dimostra le principali scoperte attraverso un progetto di design per ripensare il futuro design urbano della Prima Area della Baia lungo il fiume Huangpu a Shanghai. Nel dettaglio, il sito del progetto è una nuova area residenziale nel distretto di Minhang a Shanghai. L'area si affaccia sul fiume Huangpu e sul nuovo lago artificiale Lanxiang appena costruito. La scelta del sito è supportata da indagini relative a progetti in corso nella zona, alla presenza di servizi, alla vicinanza alle vie d'acqua e all'analisi della situazione attuale. Nelle intenzioni di progettazione, la periferia di Shanghai potrebbe diventare una sorta di spina dorsale o punto di partenza per lo sviluppo dell'area fluviale a scopo residenziale, anziché esclusivamente industriale, creando un quartiere la cui struttura ruota attorno alla logica dei servizi e dei sistemi di trasporto intermodale. Per affrontare il progetto, la prima parte della tesi, comprendente le prime tre sezioni, stabilisce il contesto teorico e di ricerca. In primo luogo, esamina il concetto di "città dei 15 minuti" come modello e lo confronta con altri modelli che hanno caratterizzato il secolo scorso (città moderna...), per comprendere le sue caratteristiche e i principi fondamentali, così come gli elementi più rilevanti che formeranno un quadro guida per lo sviluppo del progetto. In secondo luogo, nella sezione seguente, la tesi esplora il concetto di trasporto intermodale. Con particolare attenzione al trasporto basato sull'acqua, tipologia di collegamenti di trasporto acquatico tra il trasporto acquatico e altri modi di trasporto. Infine, per completare le riflessioni preliminari per il progetto, la terza sezione introduce il tema delle città d'acqua in Cina, delineando le loro caratteristiche e lo sviluppo storico. Partendo dalla creazione del Grande Canale fino alle caratteristiche ancora osservabili delle città d'acqua nelle zone umide della parte orientale del paese, le principali caratteristiche saranno elucidate attraverso letteratura e studi di caso, comprese osservazioni sul campo. La parte successiva della tesi è dedicata più strettamente al progetto stesso, con l'obiettivo di creare strategie urbane, principi e azioni che collegano il concetto di città di prossimità con un sistema di trasporto intermodale. L'analisi di vari casi studio internazionali aiuterà a concentrarsi su aspetti specifici utili per lo sviluppo dei temi del progetto. La comprensione delle diverse caratteristiche e modalità tra terra e acqua, così come la relazione tra trasporto e posizionamento dei servizi, fornirà linee guida ed elementi fondamentali per definire un progetto valido. Ogni caso studio ha un elemento particolarmente rilevante e funzionale per comprendere il tema e lo sviluppo del progetto: Wuzhen, una destinazione turistica ben conservata: una città d'acqua storica trasformata in un parco a tema storico, limitando le nuove interventi per massimizzare la conservazione del patrimonio architettonico esistente. Un interessante caso studio per comprendere l'aspetto reale di una città d'acqua cinese. Comacchio, una città di collegamento in una zona paludosa: con caratteristiche architettoniche conservate e dimensioni nel tempo, serve come caso studio per comprendere l'uso delle vie navigabili da parte dei residenti. Cambiamenti limitati nel tempo e dimensioni ridotte consentono il continuo utilizzo dei canali, sebbene in un contesto privato. Londra, uso del fiume come mezzo di trasporto (relativamente) rapido: impiegando il Tamigi per i servizi di autobus acquatici, collega luoghi relativamente distanti in modo rapido e costante, evitando la congestione del traffico nelle ore di punta. Le fermate sono condivise con luoghi di interesse e interconnesse con altre forme di trasporto pubblico. Shanghai, gite in barca sul bund: Shanghai utilizza principalmente il fiume Huangpu per il trasporto merci, ma esistono usi limitati per il trasporto pubblico passeggeri vicino al centro città. Secondo i piani della città, il trasporto pubblico aumenterà mentre l'uso industriale o commerciale del fiume diminuirà presto. L'aspetto interessante è come lo stato attuale si evolverà per favorire la popolazione e le connessioni fluviali. Venezia, una combinazione di conservazione del paesaggio e evoluzione del trasporto pubblico e privato basato sull'acqua: lo studio di caso di Venezia serve da ponte tra la comprensione territoriale e morfologica e lo sviluppo di sistemi di trasporto centrati sui canali navigabili. Dopo aver esaminato questi casi, la tesi passa allo sviluppo del progetto. La posizione scelta, nota come 'First Bay area', si affaccia sul fiume Huangpu al primo grande bendaggio all'ingresso nell'area di Shanghai. Shanghai pianifica di trasformare l'area in un secondo Lujiazui attraverso uno sviluppo completo, data la sua posizione unica. L'area si affaccia su un ramo del fiume che ospita varie situazioni su rive diverse, dalle aree industriali alle aree di uffici finanziari o residenziali. Comprendere il suo sviluppo in termini di conservazione delle aree naturali esistenti, convivendo con lo sviluppo urbano pianificato, è interessante. Il progetto prevede la creazione di una strategia urbana che combini il concetto di città di prossimità con un concetto di trasporto intermodale. Attraverso l'analisi della situazione esistente e delle politiche attive di sviluppo nella zona, la ricerca identificherà le possibilità dell'area, creando una strategia per la distribuzione dei servizi e un piano per lo sviluppo di un sistema di trasporto basato sull'acqua per collegare l'area con l'area del Bund e i punti intermedi di interesse.
Towards 15 minutes water cities: assembling intermodality, proximity and urbanity
Balestra, Rodolfo
2023/2024
Abstract
The diffusion of the concept of the 15-minute city in international debates and practices offers interesting insights for reflecting on the idea of a city and, concurrently, on the forms of public transportation that allow reaching major services within reasonable timeframes, thus ensuring the livability of neighborhoods. The thesis stems from these premises and unfolds with the objective of proposing a project for a site in the city of Shanghai, based on two distinct areas of reflection and research: the concept of a proximity city and forms of water-based public transportation. Research and design should be both the key component parts of your thesis. The thesis seeks to explore the possibilities of an intermodal transport system and the combination with the proximity city idea and demonstrates the key findings through a design project on reimagining the urban design future of the First Bay Area along Huangpu River in Shanghai. Specifically, the project site is a new residential area in the Minhang district of Shanghai. The area overlooks the Huangpu River and the newly constructed Lanxiang artificial lake. The choice of the site is supported by investigations related to ongoing projects in the area, the presence of services, proximity to waterways, and an analysis of the existing situation. In the design intentions, the periphery of Shanghai could become a sort of backbone or starting point for developing the river area for residential purposes, rather than solely industrial, creating a neighborhood whose structure revolves around the logic of services and intermodal transport systems. To address the project, the first part of the thesis, comprising the first three sections, establishes the theoretical and research background. Firstly, it examines the concept of the “15-minute city” as a model and compares it with other models that have characterized the last century (modern city...), to understand its characteristics and foundational principles, as well as the most relevant elements that will form a framework guiding the project’s development. Secondly, in the following section, the thesis explores the concept of intermodal transport. With specific attention to water-based transport, typology of water transport linkages between water transport and other modes of transportation. Finally, to complete the preliminary reflections for the project, the third section introduces the theme of Water Towns in China, outlining their characteristics and historical development. Starting from the creation of the Grand Canal to the still-observable features of water towns in the wetlands of the eastern part of the country, the main characteristics will be elucidated through literature and case studies, including on-site observations. The subsequent part of the thesis is dedicated more closely to the project itself, aiming to cre- ate urban strategies, principles, and actions that connects the concept of a proximity city with an intermodal transport system. Analysis of various international case studies will help focus on specific aspects useful for developing project themes. Understanding different features and modes between land and water, as well as the relationship between transport and the positioning of services, will provide guidelines and fundamental elements for defining a sound project. Each case study has a particularly relevant and functional element for understanding the theme and project development: Wuzhen, a well-preserved tourist destination: a historic water town transformed into a historical theme park, limiting new interventions to maximize the preservation of existing architectural heritage. An interesting case study to understand the real aspect of a Chinese water town. Comacchio, a connecting town in a marshy area: with preserved architectural features and size over time, it serves as a case study for understanding the use of waterways by residents. Limited changes over time and small dimensions allow the continued use of canals, albeit in a private context. London, use of the river as a (relatively) rapid transport mode: employing the Thames for water bus services connects relatively distant locations quickly and consistently, avoiding peak-hour traffic congestion. Stops are shared with places of interest and interconnected with other forms of public transport. Shanghai, boating on the bund: Shanghai primarily uses the Huangpu River for cargo transportation, but limited uses for public passenger transport exist near the city center. According to the city’s plans, public transport will increase while industrial or commercial use of the river will decrease soon. The interesting aspect is how the current state will evolve to favor the population and river connections. Venice, a combination of landscape preservation and water-based public and private transport evolution: the Venice case study serves as a bridge between territorial and morphological understanding and the development of transport systems centered around navigable canals. After examining these cases, the thesis moves on to project development. The chosen location, known as the ‘First Bay Area,’ faces the Huangpu River at the first major bend upon entering the Shanghai area. Shanghai plans to transform the area into a second Lujiazui through comprehensive development, given its unique location. The area overlooks a river branch hosting various situations on different shores, from industrial to financial office areas or residences. Understanding its development in terms of preserving existing natural areas, coexisting with planned urban development, is interesting. The project involves creating an urban strategy that combines the concept of a proximity city with an intermodal transport concept. Through the analysis of the existing situation and active development policies in the area, the research will identify the area’s possibilities, creating a strategy for service distribution and a plan for developing a water-based transport system to connect the area with the Bund area and intermediate points of interest.| File | Dimensione | Formato | |
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https://hdl.handle.net/10589/218430