Tim Stonor Low Carbon Masterplanning

低碳型整体规划一种基于实证的规划设计可持续发展城市的方法

Low carbon masterplanningAn evidence-based approach to the

planning & design of sustainable cities

6th IGEBC, Beijing 28th March 2010

Tim STONOR

提姆•斯都纳

Tim StonorLow carbon masterplanning An evidence-based approach to the planning & design of sustainable cities

6th IGECB, BeijingSpace Syntax © 2010

In this presentation I will show how Space Syntax technology is being used throughout the world to create sustainable eco-city masterplans.

Introduction



I will also describe how the applications of Space Syntax technology include the competition for the expansion of Beijing’s CBD.

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6th IGECB, BeijingImage CAUPD © 2009



Space Syntax Technology overviewDescriptionSpace Syntax is a sustainable urban planning & design technology.

BenefitsIt is used to reduce the total energy load of cities. In doing so, it targets social & economic prosperity.

FeaturesSpace Syntax is an objective planning & design approach with deep, scientific foundations.

ApplicationsIt is one of the longest-established urban planning methodologies. It has been developed & tested over twenty years in China & throughout the world.



The energy consumed by vehicles in towns and cities is often higher than that consumed by either the lighting or heating of buildings.

54% of UK transport emissions are produced by road transport.

Of these, 90% are produced by private/commercial vehicles.

Since 1990, total UK emissions of CO2 fell by 6% while transport emissions grew by almost 11%.

The problem The energy cost of road transport networks

Roadtransport

Source: Defra 2007



The increasing dependence of towns and cities on imports of fossil fuelled energy, food and water is a profound risk for the future of urban living. This risk can be mitigated in two ways.

The first way is to tackle supply chains through the introduction of local and renewable energy as well as locally produced food and water.

The second way is to tackle consumption patterns, by reducing “waste consumption” in urban systems: energy, water and food waste.

Solutions Addressing the scarcity of natural resources



Technology-driven solutions can create

cleaner fuels

and

new ways of working

that require less travel.

The role of technology in reducing emissions



Urban planning solutions can create modal change

from private to public transport

and

from carbon to non-carbon forms of travel such as walking & cycling.

Space Syntax is an urban planning solution that creates this modal change.

The role of planning & design in reducing emissions



When towns and cities are poorly laid out they create significant volumes of energy waste, most often in the form of dependency on private cars.

How do planning & design influence carbon emissions?



Examples include residential communities built at low density at the edges of cities, which cannot sustain local economies and require the use of cars and public transport to access goods and services, with a consequent impact on energy consumption.

In many cases, such places are built at too low a density to support public transport, with even greater energy implications.

The risk of poor planning & design



Density is not the only influence on urban sustainability. Certain forms of street layout design place greater demands on energy than others, especially when land uses are zoned rather than mixed.

Disconnected, mono-functional grids require users to make a greater number of longer journeys, resulting in increased energy consumed through vehicular movement.

Disconnected grids increase travel emissions



Disconnected grids are the preference of the transport planning community since they are easier to simulate and traffic control.

Unfortunately this form of planning often creates congestion as well as economic under-performance and social segregation.

If green buildings are placed into such an inefficient transport network, the result is NOT an eco-city. It is a city of net urban energy wastage.

The risk of poor planning & design



In order to tackle the urban energy equation, Space Syntax technology has been developed to measure the efficiency of spatial layouts and to design sustainable transport networks.

By measuring the efficiency of the street network, the technology assesses the likely transport profile of whole cities and city areas.

Inefficient parts of the spatial layout of any city can be repaired or replaced through urban planning & design.

Space Syntax Measuring the efficiency of spatial networks

6th IGECB, BeijingUCL Space Syntax © 2009



Space Syntax’s urban planning and design software calculates the relationship between street layout and energyconsumption. This leading eco-city technology was developed at University College London, the world’s 4th ranked university.

Space Syntax Deep research foundations at UCL



Using Space Syntax, it is possible to optimise relationships between spatial layout, movement and other critical aspectsof urban sustainability.

Space Syntax technology identifies the optimal location of land uses, especially retailing, public transport nodes and community facilities.

A “total” sustainability solution Economic viability



We have developed techniques to objectively assess the risk of vulnerability to burglary and personal attack.

We have worked with city authorities and police forces to reduce crime levels in urban areas.

A “total” sustainability solution Crime & safety



Space Syntax technology measures the likelihood that people will walk to take physical exercise and thus avoid the increasing threat of ill-health.

Obesity, and the diseases connected to low physical activity, are a growing threat to urban economies, given the increasing financial costs of ill-health.

A city is only truly an eco-city when it is also a healthy city.

A “total” sustainability solution Healthy living



Spatial layouts influence the degree to which people from different social and ethnic backgrounds are able to live together.

Space Syntax technology is used to consult with community groups about development proposals and to find harmonious ways of bringing new communities to live alongside existing ones.

A “total” sustainability solution Community cohesion



In 2009, a competition was held to create a vision for the extension of Beijing’s CBD as an eco-city.

Space Syntax was invited to create a “design union” with the China Academy of Urban Planning and Design.

We set ourselves the challenge of creating

a national CBD

a global stage

sustaining life everywhere.

Case study Extending Beijing’s Central Business District




One of the most fundamental problems of the existing CBD is the high traffic congestion.

Our concept tackled this problem directly. We focused on the creation of a sustainable transport network that massively increased levels of walking, cycling and public transport usage.





We began by analysing the site within the spatial network of Beijing.

The spatial network modelling revealed the over-dominance of the vehicle network and the weakness of the walking network. It identified key connections that could be repaired or replaced.


6th IGECB, BeijingUCL Space Syntax © 2009



Historical analysis Understanding the evolution of the site

The site has a profound history. The CAUPD/ Space Syntax design union researched this history and recovered many elements of it in the final design.

These included two ancient trade routes and the more recent - but still culturally important - power station.




+ =

Design process Using the model to test ideas

Six concepts were tested. The best aspects of four of these were then combined into a preferred option.




We created five different types of urban landscape, each of which promotes low carbon activity:

Urban parks

The Central Garden

Chinese-style boulevards

Multi-level community green spaces

Roof gardens.


Urban parks

The Central Garden



Roof gardens.


Urban parks

The Central Garden



Roof gardens.


Urban parks

The Central Garden



Roof gardens.


Urban parks

The Central Garden



Roof gardens.


Urban parks

The Central Garden



Roof gardens.

Preferred option Five types of urban landscape system




The preferred option was developed to create a system of local neighbourhoods, connected by walkable major and minor streets.

Urban character Locally distinct & globally connected

Neighbourhood plan




The preferred option was further developed to exploit the natural importance of a large, central space.

Fine-tuning the design through detailed spatial analysis




The central space is a device that unites the local neighbourhoods. It is also the setting for a “Golden Stage” where major cultural events take place.

The central space A golden stage




Pedestrian, cycle and vehicle connectivity at ground level is complemented by urban and regional train connections beneath ground.

An enhanced public transport network




The outcome A sustainable urban transport network

ExistingHigh levels of traffic congestion.Low levels of public transport service.Disconnected from the existing CBD.Low natural landscape quality.

ProposedMixed mode transport network.High levels of walking & cycling.Integrated with the existing CBD.High natural landscape quality.




In conclusion, Space Syntax offers a marriage of

theoretical knowledge

analytical methods

creative thinking

worldwide experience.

There is more detail than can be described in a short presentation. However, my colleague ZHANG Ji and I will be happy to speak to anyone who wishes to know more about low carbon masterplanning for sustainable cities.

Thank you

Concusions

Tim STONOR

ZHANG Ji

Documents

Tim Stonor Low Carbon Masterplanning