Capturing the Soul of a City (2)

Designing Walkable Cities:

Cities like ancient Rome were built with pedestrians in mind, as walking was the primary mode of transportation. Today, however, Rome’s streets are dominated by cars, and the once walkable urban environment is compromised. Pedestrians and cars often share the same space, which negatively impacts the walking experience.

This raises critical questions for urban design:
·        What defines a reasonable space and the minimum distances for a walkable city?
·        Can pedestrian areas and roads for cars coexist harmoniously?
·        How can we better incorporate street shops and open spaces to enhance the walking experience?

These are key considerations in both architectural design and master planning.

When considering cities like Dubai and others, careful planning of building spaces is essential. A prime example is the HSBC headquarters in Central, Hong Kong, where the open ground-level area provided for public use has evolved into a cultural gathering spot, offering shaded spaces in a hot climate. Rather than being a loss, creating public spaces can significantly enhance the architectural value of a building, improve its surroundings, and promote both commercial activity and walkability.

Similarly, shaping cities to cultivate a genuine sense of place begins with how we, as architects, thoughtfully address these challenges through innovative solutions.

The image is taken from. HSBC Heritage Plaza at 1 Queen’s Road Central – One Space (one-space.com)

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