GEOG 442GEOG 442

Day 25Day 25: Synthesis: Synthesis

Housekeeping ItemsHousekeeping Items Did anyone participate in Earth Hour?Did anyone participate in Earth Hour? Despite having to improvise somewhat, I think the Despite having to improvise somewhat, I think the

presentation on Wednesday was a real success! What presentation on Wednesday was a real success! What are your thoughts? I hope all the pieces of the are your thoughts? I hope all the pieces of the written text are in Rich and Caitee's hands.written text are in Rich and Caitee's hands.

Is anyone interested in putting together a poster of Is anyone interested in putting together a poster of the project for the Sustainability Fair on Thursday? the project for the Sustainability Fair on Thursday? There's extra credit in itThere's extra credit in it. Same day is electoral stuff.. Same day is electoral stuff.

A reminder that for those of you who were volunteers A reminder that for those of you who were volunteers at WD-CAG, there will be a volunteer appreciation at WD-CAG, there will be a volunteer appreciation party tomorrow at 2:30 in the Map Libary.party tomorrow at 2:30 in the Map Libary.

In addition to lecture material, we have Craig and In addition to lecture material, we have Craig and Kevin's presentations today.Kevin's presentations today.

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Chapter 6 Chapter 6 – – SynthesisSynthesis Leung: “Synthesis is about matching user needs Leung: “Synthesis is about matching user needs

and land supply within the framework of the and land supply within the framework of the public interest. It involves creative thinking and public interest. It involves creative thinking and critical evaluation” (p. 167).critical evaluation” (p. 167).

There are several different kinds of plans that do There are several different kinds of plans that do this – policy framework plans, land classification this – policy framework plans, land classification plans, urban land use designs, and development plans, urban land use designs, and development management plans – each more detailed and management plans – each more detailed and prescriptive than the last.prescriptive than the last.

All types of plans contain five elements: All types of plans contain five elements: purpose, purpose, information, analysis, synthesis, and implement-information, analysis, synthesis, and implement-ationation, along with consideration of siting and sizing , along with consideration of siting and sizing issues.issues.

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Plan ElementsPlan Elements Regardless of its type, “a plan is a statement of policies of what Regardless of its type, “a plan is a statement of policies of what

the community wants to do with its land, and how these the community wants to do with its land, and how these community goals are to be achieved.. It is a document with community goals are to be achieved.. It is a document with words and graphics,” and usually contains:words and graphics,” and usually contains:

a background study on user needs, land supply, and the various a background study on user needs, land supply, and the various contexts in which the matching needs to occur;contexts in which the matching needs to occur;

a summary of background findings and a statement of goals and a summary of background findings and a statement of goals and public interest issues;public interest issues;

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Plan ElementsPlan Elements the proposed policies (e.g., land use, development, the proposed policies (e.g., land use, development,

transportation, and any special issue areas). These can be transportation, and any special issue areas). These can be presented in terms of land use, geographic area, or both. (For presented in terms of land use, geographic area, or both. (For more detail, see p. 168.)more detail, see p. 168.)

a statement on implementation, either control or action-oriented. a statement on implementation, either control or action-oriented. (For an example, see Nanaimo’s Official Community Plan at (For an example, see Nanaimo’s Official Community Plan at http://www.nanaimo.ca/assets/Departments/Community~Plahttp://www.nanaimo.ca/assets/Departments/Community~Planning/Offical~Community~Plan~10~Year~Review/nning/Offical~Community~Plan~10~Year~Review/Official~Community~Plan/OfficialCommunityPlan2008.pdfOfficial~Community~Plan/OfficialCommunityPlan2008.pdf

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The ‘Good City’The ‘Good City’Underlying all plans there is an explicit or implicit notion of the Underlying all plans there is an explicit or implicit notion of the

good citygood city or community. There have been a number of or community. There have been a number of philosophies in this regard.philosophies in this regard.

ModernismModernism- most closely associated with Le Corbusier and - most closely associated with Le Corbusier and with the principles of the Congrés Internationaux with the principles of the Congrés Internationaux d’Architecture Moderne (CIAM), as expressed in the 1933 d’Architecture Moderne (CIAM), as expressed in the 1933 Athens Charter. (Read the excerpt on pp. 169-174; what do Athens Charter. (Read the excerpt on pp. 169-174; what do you think?)you think?)

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The ‘Good City’The ‘Good City’ As Leung notes, modernism has been criticized in both As Leung notes, modernism has been criticized in both

theory and practice. His own view is that modernism theory and practice. His own view is that modernism contributed to making cities far more pleasant and healthy contributed to making cities far more pleasant and healthy places to live, but he also notes that the modernist “status places to live, but he also notes that the modernist “status quo has become complacent and lazy and, when quo has become complacent and lazy and, when challenged, defensive. For some people, modern planning challenged, defensive. For some people, modern planning has become planning by the rulebook, with the rules being has become planning by the rulebook, with the rules being hopelessly out-of-date.”hopelessly out-of-date.”

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The ‘Good City’The ‘Good City’ Leung, wrongly so in my view, classifies Leung, wrongly so in my view, classifies Kevin LynchKevin Lynch

and and Christopher AlexanderChristopher Alexander with the modernists. I with the modernists. I believe they harken back to a pre-modernist school of believe they harken back to a pre-modernist school of thought, and forward to post-modernism.thought, and forward to post-modernism.

Principles of the good city from Lynch include:Principles of the good city from Lynch include:

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The ‘Good City’The ‘Good City’--vitalityvitality (supporting the health and well-being of the residents): (supporting the health and well-being of the residents): On one level, our cities are far more healthful, but on another On one level, our cities are far more healthful, but on another level, sprawl is beginning to be blamed for declining physical level, sprawl is beginning to be blamed for declining physical fitness and growing air and water pollution levels, not to fitness and growing air and water pollution levels, not to mention climate change.mention climate change.--sensesense (the degree to which a city has visual structure and a (the degree to which a city has visual structure and a sense of place): Clearly, sprawl is leading to the phenomenon sense of place): Clearly, sprawl is leading to the phenomenon of “Anytown, North America.”of “Anytown, North America.”

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The ‘Good City’The ‘Good City’--fitfit (congruence between environment and activities): (congruence between environment and activities):

Arguably, cities are providing a better fit for cars than for Arguably, cities are providing a better fit for cars than for people. This dimension is also supposed to relate to people. This dimension is also supposed to relate to adaptability. Modernist buildings and spaces are not as adaptability. Modernist buildings and spaces are not as adaptable for new uses as pre-modern buildings were – for adaptable for new uses as pre-modern buildings were – for instance, rowhouses and warehouses.instance, rowhouses and warehouses.

--accessaccess (the ability to reach other people, activities, services, (the ability to reach other people, activities, services, and places, etc.): With its separation of uses and low and places, etc.): With its separation of uses and low densities, sprawl is making this more difficult – especially densities, sprawl is making this more difficult – especially for children, seniors, people with mobility issues, and for children, seniors, people with mobility issues, and those without cars.those without cars.

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The ‘Good City’The ‘Good City’--controlcontrol (users’ control over provision, use, and (users’ control over provision, use, and

management of spaces and activities): Outside of management of spaces and activities): Outside of our own homes, the built environment is largely out our own homes, the built environment is largely out of our control, and the kind of control that Jane of our control, and the kind of control that Jane Jacobs (re Greenwich Village) talks about has Jacobs (re Greenwich Village) talks about has largely been lost.largely been lost.

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The ‘Good City’The ‘Good City’Christopher Alexander has his own principles (see Christopher Alexander has his own principles (see A A

Pattern LanguagePattern Language and and A New Theory of Urban A New Theory of Urban DesignDesign).).

Incremental growthIncremental growth (size, mix of sizes, and mix of (size, mix of sizes, and mix of functions): growth should occur in small chunks functions): growth should occur in small chunks (‘increments’) that are respectful of what’s already (‘increments’) that are respectful of what’s already there [think downtown Nanaimo];there [think downtown Nanaimo];

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The ‘Good City’The ‘Good City’ Attention to the growth of larger wholesAttention to the growth of larger wholes- every - every

intervention in the built environment should heal the intervention in the built environment should heal the city and foster the creation of the greater whole [ditto];city and foster the creation of the greater whole [ditto];

Buildings and developments should integrate wellBuildings and developments should integrate well- i.e., - i.e., should be based on an existing sense of place [ditto];should be based on an existing sense of place [ditto];

Creating positive urban spacesCreating positive urban spaces- buildings surrounding - buildings surrounding public spaces, not spaces surrounding buildings;public spaces, not spaces surrounding buildings;

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The ‘Good City’The ‘Good City’ The layout of buildings should be internally and externally The layout of buildings should be internally and externally

coherentcoherent- for instance, one should know where the - for instance, one should know where the entrance is, and the principal feature of a house should not entrance is, and the principal feature of a house should not be the garage [think also Granville Island and its Public be the garage [think also Granville Island and its Public Market];Market];

Relating structures and details to larger and smaller Relating structures and details to larger and smaller wholes or ‘patterns’- wholes or ‘patterns’- his idea is that good architecture – his idea is that good architecture – that which maximizes human and ecological well-being – that which maximizes human and ecological well-being – has always manifested itself in the form of “patterns” or has always manifested itself in the form of “patterns” or gestalts.gestalts.

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The ‘Good City’The ‘Good City’ Each pattern fits into the larger and smaller patterns above Each pattern fits into the larger and smaller patterns above

and below it: “no pattern is an isolated entity. Each pattern and below it: “no pattern is an isolated entity. Each pattern can exist in the world, only to the extent that it is supported can exist in the world, only to the extent that it is supported by other patterns: the larger the patterns in which it is by other patterns: the larger the patterns in which it is embedded, the patterns of the same size that surround it, and embedded, the patterns of the same size that surround it, and the smaller patterns that are embedded in it.” This also the smaller patterns that are embedded in it.” This also relates to the creation of relates to the creation of nodesnodes..

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The ‘Good City’The ‘Good City’An example would be how the coffee shop (Java Hut) in An example would be how the coffee shop (Java Hut) in

the library contributes to the positive functioning of the the library contributes to the positive functioning of the interior and exterior spaces of that particular node on interior and exterior spaces of that particular node on campus. In Alexander's view, each intervention in the campus. In Alexander's view, each intervention in the built environment should seek to be built environment should seek to be contextualcontextual, rather , rather than free-standing; it should seek to heal and than free-standing; it should seek to heal and “complete” that which surrounds it.“complete” that which surrounds it.

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The ‘Good City’The ‘Good City’ ““This is a fundamental view of the world. It says that This is a fundamental view of the world. It says that

when you build a thing you cannot merely merely build when you build a thing you cannot merely merely build that thing in isolation, but must also repair the world that thing in isolation, but must also repair the world around it, and within it, so that the larger world at that around it, and within it, so that the larger world at that one place becomes more coherent, and more whole; and one place becomes more coherent, and more whole; and the thing which you make takes its place in the web of the thing which you make takes its place in the web of nature, as you make it.”nature, as you make it.”

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New UrbanismNew Urbanism

New urbanism is the most prominent of the new New urbanism is the most prominent of the new doctrines to challenge modernism. It consists of sub-doctrines to challenge modernism. It consists of sub-movements, such as movements, such as Traditional Neighbourhood Traditional Neighbourhood DevelopmentDevelopment (TND), led by Andres Duany and (TND), led by Andres Duany and Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk, and Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk, and Transit-Oriented Transit-Oriented DevelopmentDevelopment (TOD), led by Peter Calthorpe. (TOD), led by Peter Calthorpe.

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New UrbanismNew Urbanism It is probably no coincidence that the first meeting of It is probably no coincidence that the first meeting of

the Congress of the New Urbanism (CNU) was in 1993 the Congress of the New Urbanism (CNU) was in 1993 – the 60th anniversary of CIAM meeting in Athens. It – the 60th anniversary of CIAM meeting in Athens. It sees itself as a similarly comprehensive movement, with sees itself as a similarly comprehensive movement, with a similarly comprehensive program. However, it seeks a similarly comprehensive program. However, it seeks to restore and build on what it feels modernism to restore and build on what it feels modernism destroyed.destroyed.

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New UrbanismNew Urbanism New urbanism features a very strong emphasis on New urbanism features a very strong emphasis on urban urban

designdesign, which deals with the relationships between , which deals with the relationships between buildings and the public realm (streets and open spaces) buildings and the public realm (streets and open spaces) and how they fit together as a whole, including their and how they fit together as a whole, including their aesthetic arrangement. (For details on the specifications aesthetic arrangement. (For details on the specifications for TND and TOD, and a comparison of representative for TND and TOD, and a comparison of representative TND and TOD communities, see pp. 177-178).TND and TOD communities, see pp. 177-178).

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New UrbanismNew Urbanism New urbanism faces a number of challenges: consumer New urbanism faces a number of challenges: consumer

preference for low-density suburbia; dominance of cars preference for low-density suburbia; dominance of cars and an auto-oriented built environment; a restrictive and an auto-oriented built environment; a restrictive culture of planning and zoning; an increasingly privacy-culture of planning and zoning; an increasingly privacy-seeking public; and concern about the safety of seeking public; and concern about the safety of alleyways and lanes, which are a key feature of new alleyways and lanes, which are a key feature of new urbanist design.urbanist design.

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New UrbanismNew Urbanism There are many criticisms of new urbanism. Some There are many criticisms of new urbanism. Some

feel that new urbanist communities are too homo-feel that new urbanist communities are too homo-genous and ‘white bread’ though, as Leung points genous and ‘white bread’ though, as Leung points out, the US Department of Housing and Urban out, the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has been incorporating new Development (HUD) has been incorporating new urbanist principles into inner-city redevelopment urbanist principles into inner-city redevelopment projects.projects.

Others feel that too many projects are greenfield Others feel that too many projects are greenfield (‘new suburbanism’?), but Doug Kelbaugh responds (‘new suburbanism’?), but Doug Kelbaugh responds that one has to build where the opportunity exists and that one has to build where the opportunity exists and that, with greater acceptance, new urbanism will that, with greater acceptance, new urbanism will move into all settings and improve on its record.move into all settings and improve on its record.

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New UrbanismNew Urbanism Leung questions the affordability and sustainability of Leung questions the affordability and sustainability of

what he calls ‘designer suburbs’ – that only mainly what he calls ‘designer suburbs’ – that only mainly elites can afford to live in them, and that their greater elites can afford to live in them, and that their greater density is compromised by their generous quotient of density is compromised by their generous quotient of green space, making them just as low density in net green space, making them just as low density in net terms as traditional suburbs.terms as traditional suburbs.

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New UrbanismNew Urbanism He also feels that new urbanism is fueled by a nostalgia He also feels that new urbanism is fueled by a nostalgia

for a simpler, more community-oriented time that may be for a simpler, more community-oriented time that may be irretrievably lost.irretrievably lost.

Whatever the weaknesses of modernism and new Whatever the weaknesses of modernism and new urbanism, it is important to remember that they represent urbanism, it is important to remember that they represent paradigmsparadigms that were, and are, attempting to come to grips that were, and are, attempting to come to grips with the challenges and problems of their respective eras' with the challenges and problems of their respective eras' built environments. built environments.

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New UrbanismNew Urbanism There is always a danger when a paradigm is treated as a There is always a danger when a paradigm is treated as a

dogma, when it pretends to have all the answers for all dogma, when it pretends to have all the answers for all situations. This leads to inflexibility, and an unwillingness situations. This leads to inflexibility, and an unwillingness to learn from other schools of thought or points of view.to learn from other schools of thought or points of view.

There is also a danger of elitism – that the experts think There is also a danger of elitism – that the experts think they know best and will impose their viewpoint on they know best and will impose their viewpoint on everyone else.everyone else.

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Ecological PerspectivesEcological Perspectives Two key attributes that should be respected in Two key attributes that should be respected in

urban development: urban development: ecological integrityecological integrity (preserving ecological processes) and (preserving ecological processes) and connectivityconnectivity (maintaining biodiversity through connections on (maintaining biodiversity through connections on the landscape).the landscape).

How would one apply these principles?How would one apply these principles?

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Ecological PerspectivesEcological PerspectivesMichael Hough suggests several environmental Michael Hough suggests several environmental

planning principles:planning principles: Nature is about process, not static pretty picturesNature is about process, not static pretty pictures Economy of means can be good for people and the environmentEconomy of means can be good for people and the environment Diversity is good for nature and the sustainability of societyDiversity is good for nature and the sustainability of society Understand the larger significance of one’s actions & vice versaUnderstand the larger significance of one’s actions & vice versa Learn about what makes one’s place ‘tick’Learn about what makes one’s place ‘tick’ Go beyond mitigationGo beyond mitigation

to enhancementto enhancement Make natural processesMake natural processes

Visible, instead ‘out ofVisible, instead ‘out of

sight, out of mind.’sight, out of mind.’

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Ecological PerspectivesEcological PerspectivesCentral to this perspective is sustainable development, Central to this perspective is sustainable development,

which Maclaren defines as:which Maclaren defines as: Seeing that individual well-being depends on satisfaction of basic needsSeeing that individual well-being depends on satisfaction of basic needs The needs of future generations are as important as our ownThe needs of future generations are as important as our own Fair distribution of costs and benefitsFair distribution of costs and benefits Waste discharges should not exceed assimilation capacityWaste discharges should not exceed assimilation capacity Use renewable resources within limits of regenerationUse renewable resources within limits of regeneration Minimize use of non-Minimize use of non-

renewable resourcesrenewable resources Increase land efficiencyIncrease land efficiency Aim for long-termAim for long-term

economic benefitseconomic benefits Diversity equals adaptablity.Diversity equals adaptablity.

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Ecological PerspectivesEcological PerspectivesA key to ecological (and social) sustainability is A key to ecological (and social) sustainability is

developing indicators and monitoring performance (see developing indicators and monitoring performance (see p. 182). Practical planning suggestions include:p. 182). Practical planning suggestions include:

Take a regional ‘systems approach’Take a regional ‘systems approach’ Channel development to already disturbed areasChannel development to already disturbed areas Preserve high-quality cores and corridorsPreserve high-quality cores and corridors Design around wetlands and uplandsDesign around wetlands and uplands Restore ecological function where possibleRestore ecological function where possible Minimize & treat run-off (swales,Minimize & treat run-off (swales,

detention ponds, and filter strips)detention ponds, and filter strips) Use stormwater ponds as habitatUse stormwater ponds as habitat Re-use reclaimed waterRe-use reclaimed water Use integrated pest managementUse integrated pest management Use low maintenance landscaping.Use low maintenance landscaping.

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MulticulturalismMulticulturalismAcknowledging multiculturalism meansAcknowledging multiculturalism means Recognizing that planning theory and practice is not Recognizing that planning theory and practice is not

culturally ‘neutral’ but reflects ethnic biasesculturally ‘neutral’ but reflects ethnic biases That different cultural communities have different needs That different cultural communities have different needs

that must be respected in the planning process (e.g., that must be respected in the planning process (e.g., housing for extended families, extra parking for banquet-housing for extended families, extra parking for banquet-style restaurants in commercial districtsstyle restaurants in commercial districts

That encouraging participation will require outreach in That encouraging participation will require outreach in different languages and using different participatory different languages and using different participatory techniquestechniques

That encouraging participation may require overcoming That encouraging participation may require overcoming distrust of authority fostered by experiences in one’s home distrust of authority fostered by experiences in one’s home country.country.

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FeminismFeminismAcknowledging women and feminism meansAcknowledging women and feminism means Recognizing that planning theory and practice is not Recognizing that planning theory and practice is not

gender-‘neutral’ but typically reflects a male biasgender-‘neutral’ but typically reflects a male bias That women’s needs have not been given first priority in land That women’s needs have not been given first priority in land

use and transportation planning (can you think of examples?)use and transportation planning (can you think of examples?) That a feminist city would:That a feminist city would:-have many services to help with violence against women & children-have many services to help with violence against women & children-have a wide variety of services needed by women-have a wide variety of services needed by women-friendly, mixed use, pedestrian-oriented neighbourhoods-friendly, mixed use, pedestrian-oriented neighbourhoods-close relationship between residences, employment & shops/services-close relationship between residences, employment & shops/services-safe, cheap & efficient public transport-safe, cheap & efficient public transport-a diversity of affordable housing forms-a diversity of affordable housing forms-good, accessible daycare -women-positive public & community art-good, accessible daycare -women-positive public & community art-meaningful jobs in the community for women-meaningful jobs in the community for women-involvement of women in planning.-involvement of women in planning.