Introduction:
Regions around the world are experiencing various challenges, which have arisen as the after-effects of fast-paced developments. Most of these developments promise a good future. However, there have been discrepancies in the envisioned quality of life, and the ground realities. Most of these discrepancies are observed in the developing regions. The developed regions, or those that manage financial resources well, can keep up to execute the projects to completion.
Tackling global challenges begins with:
1) Public awareness
2) Effective communication between the development & planning departments and the inhabitants of the region - considering the ground realities.
3) Creating strategies towards a common vision that improves the quality of life in a region. Such as the Sustainable Development Goals.
Each region exhibits a range of terrains, climates, socioeconomic backgrounds, and cultures. The historical and political transition of these regions provide an insight into the region’s current resources and envisioned future. The development in the region also depends on the ideologies of past visionaries and current aspirations. Due to these differences, we can observe a range of development styles and patterns around the world.
Developments in any region are carried out for a better quality of life. These include good quality and safe housing, transport and urban infrastructure, facilities that are inclusive of people’s age and abilities, water supply, sewage, and garbage treatment.
1 Climate Responsive Architecture:
The architects are taking responsibility for designing structures that can adapt to climate shifts. Some regions around the world are experiencing a climate that gets unbearable. With this, the structure can mitigate the impacts of climate change on the built environment. In terms of – responsive facades, greening technologies, and passive design strategies. It also improves the overall urban heat island effect.
Blending built form in nature and human scale_ © Turenscape
2 Water Catchments, Storage, and Supply:
Singapore’s integrated water supply model is an example of long-term planning efforts, innovations, and creating a sense of autonomy in water resource management within the region. It addresses the challenge of water scarcity and security. Integrated regional strategies have been undertaken to generate water as an ecological service. Some of these strategies include:
1. Increasing the water catchment areas.
2. Designing climate-responsive buildings that can retain and reuse water resources.
3. Desalination plants
4. Public awareness and education towards judicial & responsible water use
They also have designed infrastructure to enable efficient water storage, recycling, and supply units.
Closing Singapore’s Water Loop_ © PUB, Singapore, 2017
Recently, PUB – Singapore National Water Supply Agency, has been focussing on tackling flood risks due to rising water levels. Another challenge that is being addressed here is – disaster preparedness.
3 Pedestrian Safety and Recreation Spaces:
There have been a few projects undertaken in Panjim, Goa, India that are focused on pedestrian safety and recreation spaces. The park is accessible to people of different abilities. The challenges addressed here include social cohesion, public health and well-being, and creating an eco-sensitive zone.
The pedestrian project is now fully functional_ © Team Herald
The project is a pedestrian access zone, longitudinal and parallel to the beach. This access zone includes recreation spaces for people of all ages. By incorporating green spaces, they have considered native tree planting to create an ecological balance. These areas also absorb rainwater, and the tree shade provides respite to pedestrians in the sweltering summer months.
There is also a small recreation zone reserved for the senior citizens titled ‘Senior Socials’ – which is a park and recreation space. This reflects social inclusion in the project concept.
4 Housing:
Housing comes under the systemic category of economic development and affordability. Despite their high population density, Tokyo, Japan was able to accommodate housing for them. This solution was possible due to their adaptive regulations, and modular design practices.
Public Housing, Japan_ © Philip Brasor
Their compact urban design strategies enable mixed-use development. This allows walkable neighbourhoods and vibrant communities. Other than this, their zoning regulations and bureaucratic system enable innovation. So, their housing system allows a diverse range of occupations – including single or family.
They also have many social housing programs which include subsidized housing. This fosters social inclusion and reduces homelessness.
The regulatory reforms encourage the private sector to invest in land and different housing schemes. This allows the delivery of quality projects.
5 Reducing Carbon Footprints: Bicycle Infrastructure & Public Transportation:
Many European and East Asian Cities promote bicycle infrastructure. This addresses the global challenges related to public health, congestion, and air quality. Their reliance on the bicycle instead of cars has heavily reduced the emissions from vehicles. These initiatives also enable the inhabitants to lead a healthy lifestyle.
Cycling for commute, Beijing._© Hou Yu, China News Service
Other than this, many cities around the world have connected networks of public transportation – consisting of railway networks, metros, monorails, and buses. These cities have also addressed last-mile connectivity based on their regional context – like carpooling, pick-up and drop facilities, and cycle infrastructure.
These transportation systems are economical and safe for the users and reduce carbon footprint.
All of these initiatives highlight the importance of development visions, regional strategies, bureaucratic flexibility, civic responsibility, and sensitive development.
6 Urban Greening: Nurturing Earth, by Restoring its Ecology
Many regions around the world are initiating urban greening via different strategies. Urban greening means increasing the green landscape coverage. This enables natural heat absorption and cools the area - contributing to creating a pleasant climate.
Some of these strategies include mangrove restoration, restoring the lakes, planting urban forests, and designing climate-adaptive and responsive structures.
Bengaluru, in India, had a system of over 1000 lakes. With rampant urban development, the water bodies were reclaimed for more land space. The city, therefore, lost its capacity to absorb rainwater.
Kyalasanahalli Lake was restored by Anand Malligavad, a Bengaluru resident - now a lake restoration specialist
The lake restoration process was inspired by the early Chola techniques. This included creating separate lagoons to sieve out the clean water from the sewage, ridge to the river that allowed rainwater to course into the lake, and irrigation canals. Other than this, to create
Multi-functional urban green space corridor exemplifies the concept of Re-naturing Paris_(c) Sergio Grazia
To create a turning point in the city's climate, Paris has envisioned strategies to showcase urban climate adaptation. It is termed 'France's National Adaptation Plan for Climate Change'.
The idea is to supply green infrastructure networks as ecological corridors and enhance the quality of life of its residents. Its strategy also includes ameliorating access towards and use of natural spaces for the well-being of the citizens.
7 Urban Connectivity
Many regions around the world are making their farther most extent accessible. This includes different modes of transport and last-mile connectivity. With the Sustainable Development Goals in place, many cities around the world are aiming for carbon neutrality. With public transport becoming more accessible to the masses, intra-city travel is getting economical, environmentally friendly and safer.
India also has good intercity transportation provided by the Indian Railways _ (c) Dinesh Hukmani
Walkable neighbourhoods, buses, and cycles are some modes of last-mile connectivity that encourage carbon-neutral practices.
8 Urban Memories: Culture, Heritage and Food - A Way of Life
A region's culture is reflected in the day-to-day activities of the inhabitants. Right from the morning - when people go out for a morning walk, run or an energetic workout. To the lunchtime - where the lunch homes and food stalls are bustling with hungry office-goers.
The food consumption practices, the different systems of interactions and the resource availability reflect the culture - of what the region represents.
Office goers prefer to eat from nearby food stalls during lunch time. The urban structure supports this activity.
The urban fabric also reflects the traces of the past. The collective history is not just imbued in the well-known historic buildings - but in the very lanes of the suburban residential zones as well. These areas carry the memories of generations that have grown up in them.
It could be the vada pav stall at the street turning or the idli-dosa vendor who honks a horn letting everyone he has arrived. Even the seller provides healthy fruit (and vegetable) juices and a choice of pasta salads. Each service reflects the needs and choices of the people in the area.
These lanes and their services become a part of urban memories - the sev puri stall, the samosa sellers, and the masala sellers (ginger, chillis, lemon, mint and coriander leaves) become an ardent part of the day to day lives of the residents.
The political systems and the people create culture. In time, continued culture becomes a part of history. Shifting the urban fabric would require sensitively shifting the nuances of the day-to-day life, the urban culture.
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