Applications of Linear Systems in Contemporary Urban Design

Abstract

One of the fundamental disputes in the contemporary urban design is principal of shaping urban systems. The main focus of disputes and research is the clash of urban interior (and its multiplication – residential quarter) systems with freestanding building urbanism. The issue is also discussed from perspective of neighbourly bonds, contact with nature and access to transport. The concept of linear systems was supposed to be an alternative solution to the dispute. The father of the idea of linear cities was Arturo Soria y Mata. The first drafts about the concept appeared in 1882. Its priorities were based on transport accessibility and green zones. In the Polish urban design, the original concepts of linear systems were created by Oskar Hansen (Linear Continuous System) and Włodzimierz Gruszczyński (Ribbon City of Conjugate Transportation) at the turn of 60’s into 70’s. The theory of Hansen predicts creation of four stripes North-South across Poland. The theory was based on demographical and geographical research. To certain extend, Hansen managed to achieve some aspects of the theory. The examples can be seen in the housing estate Przyczółek Grochowski in Warszawa and in the housing estate Lubelska Spółdzielnia Mieszkaniowa in Lublin. The article tackles upon the strengths and weaknesses of linear systems. Their main assets are: transport accessibility, contact with greenery and ability to counteract the urban sprawl. However, the basic weaknesses are schematism and dullness of buildings and the problem of residential cell divided into two parts by long transport belt. Another discussed aspect is comparison between urban interior systems and linear systems. Transforming the structure of linear systems includes three processes – reduction of the scale of systems, naturalisation of the central transport belt and individualisation of the structure of building range. One of the methods opposing the dullness is integration of various types of buildings – “hybridisation.”Besides the enumerated above transformation processes, I think that it is crucial to break the schematism of the linear systems. The parallel belts of residential areas should be replaced by networks. Such networks would leave the enormous fields to untamed and natural space.