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Semi-private open space:

Size: About 3,000 m2 Location: Between buildings. No access from the main street. 3 accesses from the commu-nity streetsUses: some seating, walking

Successful features for use: Pleasant place for walking

Challenges for use: Possibility of disturbing people at home

Successful features for comfort: Good sense of enclosure. Quiet environment Running water cools area

Challenges for comfort: Lack of seating options Bad water quality

Successful features for visual quality: Natural landscaping Stream

Successful features for safety: Visible from many housing units

Challenges for safety: Dense landscaping may hinder visibility

Successful features for access: Easy access from the adjacent apartment

buildings

Challenges for access: People who live in other parts of the

development may feel uncomfortable here

1. Semi-private open space Source: Vanke

2. Next to the backyards of the apartmentbuildings. Source: Liang Zhao

3. Foot pathSource: Liang Zhao

3. Water between buildings.Source: Liang Zhao

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SUSTAINABLE RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT HANDBOOK

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SUSTAINABLE RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT HANDBOOK

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CONCLUSION

Based on our analysis of successful features of open space, the open spaces in Vanke devel-opments should be designed as a system of integrated, connected parks creating a more livable and attractive development for all residents. To do this, Vanke will need to fully understand the uses of different age groups and genders of the Chinese middle class, the preferred scales of different activities (large groups, small groups, or as individuals), and the frequency of such uses within the develop-ment. For example, more playgrounds should be built in a variety of open spaces in a devel-opment with a large number of children. A detailed survey of all of the residents in a few of Vanke s developments could be a useful way to gather this data.

We recommend the following: Provide a variety of scales of open space in

a given development Provide a variety of uses as appropriate according to scale Differentiate between spaces to establish a sense of place Provide a variety of materials and features Make spaces comfortable for all age groups Consider conflicts of use and anticipate undesirable use

Vanke should consider how to facilitate healthy social interaction through open spaces. The spaces that encourage the most social interac-tion often include the following features (Carmona, Heath, Oc, and Tiesdell): Located on busy routes

variety of uses and provide all residents with suitable open spaces.

Sources:Carmona, Matthew, Tim Heath, Taner Oc, and Steve Tiesdell. Public Places Urban Spaces: The Dimensions of Urban Design. Boston: Architectural Press, 2003.

Childs, Mark C. Squares: A Public Place Design Guide for Urbanists. Albuquerque, NM: University of New Mexico Press, 2004.

Cooper Marcus, Clare, and Carolyn Francis, People Places: Design Guidelines for Urban Open Space. New York: Van Nostrand Rein-hold, 1990.

Hee, Limin, Jin-Yeu Tsou, Giok Ling Ooi, and Selina Lam. Design, Use & Social Significance of Public Space in Public Housing: Case Stud-ies of Singapore and Hong Kong. Singapore: CASA National University of Singapore and The Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2004.

Moughtin, Cliff. Urban Design: Street and Square. Boston: Architectural Press: 2003. Moughtin, Cliff, Taner Oc, and Steven Tiesdell. Urban Design: Ornament and Decoration. Boston: Architectural Press, 1999.

Newman, Oscar. Design Guidelines for Creat-ing Defensible Space. Washington, DC: National Institute of Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice, 1976.

Physically and visually accessible Streets are incorporated as parts of social

space Built on a level even with the pavement Contain implicit (steps, low walls) and explicit

(benches) places to sit Contain movable seats to enable different

kinds of interaction

Key Issues1. Problems with use of open space Vanke should consider what kinds of undesir-able behavior can be anticipated and therefore prevented, accommodated, or controlled. Consider again the example of skate parks to accommodate and contain undesirable behav-ior of teenagers. Skateboarding no longer is undesirable if the activity no longer disrupts circulation or damages property. By designing spaces for certain uses and attempting to control undesirable uses, Vanke can affect residents lifestyles. Rather than minimizing this influence, Vanke should consider what kinds of activities, and in general what kind of lifestyle, it aims to promote in its development by providing the physical environment and design elements necessary to live that lifestyle.

2. Integration as an open space systemVanke should consider how best to integrate these open spaces as a system. First, this will create efficient circulation throughout the site. Additionally, a single park can serve a small number of residents in some dimensions, but one park cannot serve all the needs of those users without conflict and competition over space. Creating a system of easily accessible open spaces is a way to address the widest

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