Contemporary Urban Planning Research Articles

Résistance Anti-Industrielle: Counterprojects

This article discusses the role of “counterprojects” in architecture and urbanism as critiques of the industrialization and speculative development of urban spaces, particularly in the Brussels of the sixties and seventies. It highlights the contributions of Maurice Culot and Léon Krier, opposing the destructive modernization that was wiping out historic urban fabrics and displacing local communities. Their counterprojects aimed to revive traditional urbanism, emphasizing local craftsmanship, natural materials, and mixed-use neighborhoods and countering the sterile, high-rise developments that had come to dominate European cities. Some of these counterprojects exemplified this other vision, advocating for cities that prioritize human scale, social justice, and environmental sustainability. The author calls for the integration of these values into contemporary urban planning.

Towards A City of Good Dwelling

One of the main issues in contemporary urban planning is the fragmentation of urban spaces (Batty 2009) due to the relentless processes of land transformation. This phenomenon can lead to the creation of isolated urban islands and a lack of high-quality public areas. Such weaknesses particularly affect the socio-economic conditions of marginal areas within the existing city, especially those on the outskirts near rural areas. Public spaces (Low et al 2006) are essential for social interaction, community building, and improving the overall quality of urban life. They are spaces where cultural, economic, and social activities converge, contributing to the city's vibrancy and inclusiveness. Are considered the key of the new processes of urban regeneration and it contributes significantly to the making of the city of "good dwelling" (Beauregard 2020). To obtain the conditions for a good dwelling, it is proposed to apply the seven principles contained in the "Manifesto della Città del Buon Abitare"(Colarossi et al 2023): the city of good dwelling must assume the general principles of hospitality, urbanity and beauty of its public spaces. The paper proposes as innovative approach, the use of an urban planning tool with which it is possible to apply the principles of the Manifesto of the city of good living and which is called "Plan-program of public space planning and public and private services" (P.A.S.S.i.). The effort of this research is to identify a general planning tool for the redevelopment to the existing city. The multi-scalar approach of the research tool simultaneously allows an overall vision of the program and a qualitative control of each individual project.

The financialisation of contemporary urban planning policy discourse: insights into Serbian and Irish planning legislation

ABSTRACT While existing literature highlights the role of private real estate interests in shaping urban policy agendas, few studies have examined formal changes in planning legislation as a key site of influence. This paper investigates planning legislation reforms in Serbia and Ireland as illustrative cases of a broader trend of reducing investment risks and enhancing the financial viability of real estate development. Employing critical and context-sensitive narrative analysis of policy change, we present three key insights. First, we reveal how planning has been transformed into a tool for creating real estate assets driven primarily by financial considerations. Second, we demonstrate that public interest is often subordinated to private interests under a policy narrative dominated by financial sector logic and document how legislative and policy changes frequently introduce new barriers that restrict democratic engagement in planning policy formation. Third, we identify an increasing centralization in planning administrative structures, which undermines the principle of subsidiarity and provides opportunities for certain lobby groups to exert undue influence over policymakers. As the financial sector's influence on built environments grows globally, this study calls for more research into how real estate finance and planning systems affect each other, and how this plays out in practice.

Renewed Theories and Discourses of 21st Century; City Planning and Housing Design COVID-19 and Beyond, Sustainable, and Green Design

This research delves into the future housing theories of the 21st century, focusing on recent transformations in both urban planning and housing projects and models. Despite the world's anticipation of a vast sustainable transformation since the late 20th century, the first quarter of the 21st century was confronted with an unexpected event: humanity found itself amidst a pandemic that significantly transformed the world. The post-COVID-19 era has guided significant and enduring changes in various aspects from urban planning to living styles, working patterns, housing models, and typologies. This research presents renewed perspectives, based on theoretical dialogues, and discourses that aim to understand the transformation period with recent events specifically housing. The research also includes the perspective of housing in the past aims to contribute to comprehension of this new era and aid in shaping future urban and housing planning strategies. The theoretical basis is to investigate new methods and techniques in urban, and housing planning that have addressed climate-related issues since the 1980s and the subsequent pandemic period. According to the findings obtained in the research, COVID-19 and sustainability initially considered different phenomena, pandemic is essentially triggered and contributed to sustainable city planning, and housing design. While the public perception often distinguishes between COVID-19 and drivability as distinct design concepts, the research reveals a nuanced reality. Despite apparent differences, it is discerning that similar ideas and design principles aim for a healthier housing concept in airier, and greener areas both in terms of housing planning, and models. This intricates a close conceptual relationship between pandemic-induced design adaptations and sustainable concepts underscores the complexity of contemporary urban and housing planning paradigms.

Employing Vernacular Urbanism and Traditional Practices in Enhancing Contemporary Cities: Insights from India

Vernacular urbanism, which encompasses traditional architectural and planning practices rooted in local culture and environmental conditions, presents valuable insights for modern urban design. As modern cities face increasing challenges such as environmental sustainability, cultural homogenization and climate change, the significance of these traditional practices becomes more apparent. In this context, it is argued that understanding and integrating vernacular practices can enhance contemporary urban design by merging historical knowledge with modern needs. This paper examines the integration of vernacular urbanism— traditional architectural and urban planning practices—into contemporary city design by employing a qualitative approach through case studies across various Indian cities such as Mumbai, Kochi, Jaipur and Jaisalmer, drawing on various data sources including historical texts, architectural treatises. By examining these, the study uncovers the evolution of vernacular urban practices and their applicability to contemporary urban design challenges. The paper concludes that integrating vernacular principles into the design of contemporary cities creates a harmonious balance between heritage preservation and advancing modern developments. This approach effectively bridges the gap between historical knowledge and contemporary urban planning, resulting in more livable, sustainable urban environments.

Literature Review of Urban People's Living Standard through Historical Dynasties in Vietnam: Bibliometrics Method and Lessons from History

This research explores the evolution of urban living standards in Vietnam across historical dynasties, employing a bibliometric method to analyze existing scholarly literature. The study spans from the ancient periods, influenced by Chinese culture and governance, through medieval dynasties like the Đinh, Lê, and Lý, to the colonial era under French Indochina and modern developments post-1954. Key aspects such as housing, infrastructure, economy, health, and education are examined to discern patterns and influences on urban life. Lessons drawn from history inform contemporary urban planning, highlighting the importance of governance, economic diversification, and cultural integration in shaping sustainable urban environments.

Traditional urban forms in contemporary cities: morphological analysis of the traditional Iranian bazaars in present-day cities

PurposeThis study aims to explore the relationship between contemporary cities and traditional urban forms. The central focus lies in identifying the key factors that facilitate the harmonious coexistence of these contrasting sides of the city.Design/methodology/approachThis study takes Iranian bazaars as exemplars of traditional urban forms. To assess their current status, a comprehensive examination of their general evolution is conducted, tracing the transition of these urban complexes up to the present day. Subsequently, morphological analysis and exploration of spatial arrangements across numerous cases are employed to unveil the factors contributing to their disappearance or adaptation within the framework of Iran’s contemporary urban era.FindingsThe evolution process of the Iranian bazaar shows that the encounter between traditional bazaars and modernity occurred swiftly and blindly, resulting in adverse effects on traditional urban forms, notably bazaars. In recent years, contemporary urban planning has undertaken corrective measures, adopting a more nuanced approach. This shift significantly strides in restoring the symbiotic relationship between cities and their traditional bazaars. Morphologically, certain bazaars have preserved their vitality in contemporary cities through their natural development patterns, adept integration with new urban textures and the implementation of ingenious adaptive strategies.Originality/valueThis study employs a comprehensive and equitable approach to examining a distinct category of traditional urban forms. It initiates the inquiry by meticulously considering historical continuity in conjunction with detailed contemporary circumstances, subsequently scrutinising their losses, damages and developmental aspects. An extensive collection of cases is assembled and subjected to a consistent analytical framework for comparative evaluation to obtain the most accurate result. Consequently, the outcomes of this research may help the present urban planners engaged in projects concerning the restoration, preservation, revitalisation and development of traditional urban forms.

Proposing an ethics of care: Tracing Victoria's transport planning history

AbstractThis paper examines the question what kind of ethics prevail in contemporary urban transport planning and what potential does an ethics of care hold for practice? Researchers have given ample attention to the need for better governance and coordination, and despite acknowledging the need to reduce reliance on private cars, little has been said by them about what ethics can or should guide planning to bring about such frameworks for caring. This area of research merits urgent work given our collective need to address the socio‐spatial, climate, and health impacts of car dependence. Taking as our focus transport planning in Victoria, Australia, we consider how an ethics of care could open new ways to redress how transport planning has perpetuated injustices in metropolitan Melbourne. We draw on secondary research to consider both the conditions that cultivated the current transport planning landscape and pathways for possible change that lie ahead. The research highlights opportunities to consider care as an ethical framework for transport planning that could amplify justice and equity claims in urban transport planning for Australian cities and that has salience for other cities elsewhere.

Spatial Planning Prerequisites for the Development of Affordable Housing in the Center of the City of Zagreb

This paper analyzes the concept of affordable housing and urban planning instruments that incentivize its development, especially in city centers. Considering the shortage of affordable housing in Zagreb, the research aims to identify contemporary urban planning practices that focus on the social function of housing and the role that local urban and housing policies have in ensuring access to it. By comparing the strategic documents for the housing development of the cities of Lyon and Barcelona and models of their implementation in the local urban plans for the areas of city centers and contact brownfield areas, the provisions incentivizing the development of the affordable housing (right of pre-emption, category of subsidized housing, inclusionary zoning, density bonus, and protection of residential use) are singled out. In the context of urban renewal of the historic center of Zagreb and of brownfield redevelopment in the contact zone of the city center, inclusion of the aforementioned provisions in local urban plans is examined, demonstrating the potential that such instrument has for the development of affordable housing in the city center.

Activity mix in urban Sweden 1997–2017

ABSTRACT Contemporary urban planning is permeated by the general goal of increasing the mix of activities in urban areas and subareas. This paper argues that there are several steps between plans for increased mix and the final urban improvements expected from such plans, and that a mix of activities (reside, work, visit) is a necessity for this line of thought to make sense. However, the main aim is to present a follow-up on these planning goals in a Swedish context. An empirical examination based on register data indicates that activities are most mixed in small-town centres and immediately outside the most central areas of larger cities. During the studied period of 1997–2017, most of the urban subareas have become more mixed. Nonetheless, most towns and cities in their entireties became less mixed, due to the simultaneous net redistribution of activities to monofunctional areas. As a consequence, the final objectives of the mixed-use planning are not achieved, regardless of whether mixed-use planning is connected to activity mix. Visiting activities (e.g. out-of-town retail developments) are the primary contributor to this counter-intentional redistribution, but work activities also contribute to some extent.

Comparative study of construction land development suitability assessment: Insights from multiple models and driving forces

Construction land development suitability (CLDS) assessment holds paramount importance in contemporary urban planning and management. Previous CLDS studies have faced challenges such as insufficient evaluation indicators, model complexity, and limited interpretability. To address these gaps, this study applies three simplistic yet mature models from the field of geological hazard assessment - Weight of Evidence (WOE), Information Value (IV), and Frequency Ratio (FR) - to evaluate the CLDS in Wuhan, China, and examine their feasibility. In parallel, a comparative analysis with the Patch-generating Land Use Simulation (PLUS) model was conducted. The WOE, IV, and FR models demonstrate a gradual decrease in CLDS from the city center and the Yangtze and Han rivers towards the periphery. Conversely, the PLUS model indicates the highest suitability around the city's development boundaries, followed by the city center, with suburbs displaying lower suitability. In terms of accuracy, the PLUS model's CARS module outperforms others, particularly for micro-level urban expansion simulations. The IV and WOE models follow closely, manifesting a preference for macro-level urban planning. Additionally, this study pinpoints key drivers influencing CLDS, notably population density, distance to social service Points of Interest (POI) and proximity to road networks. The cross-validation of the WOE, IV, and FR models underscores their reliability, with their straightforward principles positioning them as valuable tools in urban development planning. This comparative study validates the application of geological hazard models in urban contexts and diversifies CLDS assessment methodologies.

Generative Urban Design in the Field of Infrastructure: An Optimizing Solution for Connecting Fier and Vlora County by a 600 m Bridge over Selenica River, Albania

The way we think about infrastructure is being completely changed by parametric and generative design. Meanwhile the contemporary urban planning process is often viewed as a complicated and fragmented workflow. The main goal is to optimize solutions with tens of thousands of variations while concurrently taking into consideration various limits. This Paper will discuss and demonstrate the use of a generative urban design framework at the local scale. Although relevant to infrastructure, generative design is not limited to architecture. And on the other hand, the construction sector is becoming more specialized and complex. The close cooperation between structural engineers, architects, urban planners and other stakeholders is a major driving force behind modern projects. The building site is cut off from architects and engineers, particularly in the digital age. To ensure a three-dimensional scope of work, digital models are therefore necessary. The difficulty is that the structural model and architectural model do not match up exactly. A generative design is therefore explained in the case of a bridge design. Bridges are effective structures that provide a variety of topologies, materials, and geometries. This paper examines how the geometry and topology of a 600 meters long bridge can bring an optimal solution for connecting two nearby counties, Fieri and Vlora. The performance of the bridge can be examined by altering the geometrical parameters in addition to the topology. By adding more design factors and offering a fresh method for bridge optimization, the study aims in further developing the initial parametric model. Since the process of changing the design is quite quick and the analysis is displayed instantly, using parametric design to study alternative options for bridges could be highly helpful to designers. Keywords: generative design, bridge, geometry, typology, optimization, deflection.

Navigating the future of urban environments: A comprehensive analysis of contemporary urban planning

This article presents an in-depth exploration of the evolving landscape of urban planning, delving into its historical roots, contemporary practices, and future prospects. It begins by tracing the historical evolution of urban planning, highlighting the transition from the industrial revolution's response to urbanization challenges to the post-WWII era's shift towards sustainable planning. The discussion then progresses to contemporary urban design principles, emphasizing human-centric design, the integration of nature, and the importance of urban resilience in the face of climate change. Furthermore, the article examines the future trends and challenges in urban planning, focusing on the rise of smart cities, the critical role of community engagement, and strategies for sustainable urban expansion. This comprehensive analysis aims to provide a nuanced understanding of the complex interplay between urban development, environmental sustainability, and technological innovation, offering insights into creating more livable, resilient, and inclusive urban spaces.

Practice What You Preach!

Contemporary urban planning is a highly complex process, often spanning many years and involving many different types of stakeholders. Western countries and cities are increasingly conducting construction and involvement processes along the same lines. However, there continue to be significant cultural and geographical differences in how designers, planners, developers, and citizens understand those concepts. This paper aims to give a practitioner’s perspective on how the design and planning process works in a Danish context. It does so by contextualizing Danish planning and elaborating on the tricky choices faced by designers and planners, elaborating on the specific philosophy of SLA. It then finishes by going through some of the projects that SLA designed to give the reader an understanding of the involvement process, design, and learnings.

Creating inequality in access to public transit? Densification, gentrification, and displacement

Densification is a key concept in contemporary urban planning. Yet, there are widespread concerns about densification causing displacement and gentrification. This paper examines densification around train stations—a prevalent form of transit-oriented development (TOD) in cities with established public transit systems—in the Canton of Zurich, Switzerland. We assess the effects of densification around train stations on the socioeconomic population composition in these areas and investigate three different potential displacement effects. Leveraging 1.8 million linked person-housing unit observations for all individuals within our study perimeter, we provide a more nuanced understanding of densification’s effects on the population composition and displacement than prior research. Our findings reveal that even though densification increases the absolute number of low-income residents, it primarily benefits middle- and high-income households. Specifically, there is a decline in the share of low-income residents, attributed to the influx of younger high-income individuals. Moreover, incumbent low-income residents experience an increased risk of direct displacement due to housing demolitions. These outcomes highlight the limitations of TOD strategies in mitigating persistent socioeconomic disparities in public transit access, emphasizing the need for more comprehensive measures to address the challenges of equitable housing and public transit accessibility.

Advancing Urban Life: A Systematic Review of Emerging Technologies and Artificial Intelligence in Urban Design and Planning

The advancement of cutting-edge technologies significantly transforms urban lifestyles and is indispensable in sustainable urban design and planning. This systematic review focuses on the critical role of innovative technologies and digitalization, particularly artificial intelligence (AI), in urban planning through geo-design, aiming to enhance urban life. It begins with exploring the importance of AI and digital tools in revolutionizing contemporary urban planning practices. Through the methodology based on the Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) protocol, this review sifts through relevant literature over the past two decades by categorizing artificial intelligence technologies based on their functionalities. These technologies are examined for their utility in urban planning, environmental modeling, and infrastructure development, highlighting how they contribute to creating smarter and more livable cities. For instance, machine learning techniques like supervised learning excel in forecasting urban trends, whereas artificial neural networks and deep learning are superior in pattern recognition and vital for environmental modeling. This analysis, which refers to the comprehensive evaluation conducted in this Systematic Review, encompasses studies based on diverse data inputs and domains of application, revealing a trend toward leveraging AI for predictive analytics, decision-making improvements, and the automation of complex geospatial tasks in urban areas. The paper also addresses the challenges encountered, including data privacy, ethical issues, and the demand for cross-disciplinary knowledge. The concluding remarks emphasize the transformative potential of innovative technologies and digitalization in urban planning, advocating for their role in fostering better urban life. It also identifies future research avenues and development opportunities. In light of our review findings, this study concludes that AI technologies indeed hold transformative promise for the field of geo-design and urban planning. They have proven instrumental in advancing predictive analytics, refining decision-making, and streamlining complex geospatial tasks. The AI’s capacity to process expansive datasets and improve urban planning accuracy has facilitated more sustainable urban development and enhanced the resilience of urban environments.

PROSPECTIVE DIRECTIONS OF URBAN CONCEPTS TRANSFORMATION IN THE CONTEXT OF THE IMMERSIVE PRESENCE ENVIRONMENTS DEVELOPMENT

The proliferation of immersive presence environments (an artificially created multimedia environment of an alternative reality) is evolving into a widespread social phenomenon that gradually influences how people live and interact. As a result, it has the potential to reshape expectations and demands regarding living spaces and their arrangement. While numerous studies have explored the impact of virtual and augmented reality technologies on urban planning, relatively little attention has been given to the possibility that the behavioral changes brought about by these technologies could prompt a reevaluation of the fundamental principles underlying urban planning. Previously, immersive environments were primarily seen as tools for a limited group of individuals to enhance their problem-solving capabilities within the existing framework of urban planning. However, with the widespread adoption of virtual presence tools, there is a potential for a significant shift in this paradigm. The exact nature and implications of these changes are still not well understood and remain uncertain. However, through the method of behavioral interpolation, we can begin to model the key aspects and potential outcomes of this paradigm shift. The object of this article is to present a theoretical framework for potential transformations in the contemporary urban planning paradigm resulting from the widespread adoption of personalized virtual reality technologies. Through analysis, five key categories within modern post-industrial urban planning are identified as likely to undergo changes: a) residential areas; b) accessibility radius; c) social cohesion; d) transportation requirements, and e) optimal density. Residential units will necessitate additional opportunities and spaces, altering living requirements and lifestyles. The significance of the accessibility radius, particularly for pedestrians, may diminish as a considerable number of desirable locations become accessible directly from individuals' homes. Reducing strain on transportation networks will enhance cities' environmental sustainability and create new opportunities for green spaces. The concept of social cohesion will experience stratified transformations, as differences related to ethnicity, religion, gender, race, age, social status, etc., become neutralized through the development of shifting virtual personas and non-deterministic identities. These interrelated changes will also diminish the weight of the optimal density category. Collectively, these transformations form a comprehensive conceptual framework that reimagines the city. This article outlines two potential directions of change in the urban paradigm that could arise from the proliferation of personalized metaverse communication technologies. The first direction pertains to the contemporary interpretation of deurbanistic concepts, incorporating elements of self-sufficiency, stability, security, and communication infrastructure characteristic of the information age. The second direction is likely to focus on various approaches to transforming the existing urban environment. This transformation will occur through the involvement of market regulatory mechanisms and the development and implementation of specialized municipal programs aimed at modernization and stimulating population growth.

A conceptual framework to mitigate the adverse effects of surface urban heat islands through urban acupuncture: a two-phase scenario of diagnosis and prescription at the neighborhood scale

Rising temperatures, a major global environmental challenge, negatively impact health, the environment, society, and the economy. Surface Urban Heat Islands (SUHI), exacerbated by urbanization and climate change, intensify vulnerabilities for urban areas and residents. Urban planning and design aime to reduce these vulnerabilities through large-scale and small-scale interventions. However, addressing the significance of the capillary effects resulting from small-scale interventions and bottom-up community engagement is important. Urban acupuncture (UA) is an emerging approach in contemporary urban planning and design that focuses on small-scale interventions to mitigate the effects of SUHIs at the community level. This study develops a framework for mitigating the impacts of SUHIs through UA implementation in urban design. The proposed framework consists of two key phases: diagnosis and prescription. During the diagnosis phase, we analyzed heat-vulnerable points to identify indicators contributing to the development and exacerbation of the SUHIs. Then, we employed the Matrix of Cross Impact Multiplications Applied to a Classification (MICMAC) technique to comprehensively assess 75 influential indicators related to urban structure across various aspects and scales, focusing on the mesoscale. Among them, 30 leading indicators were identified, of which environmental and morphological indicators emerged as significant catalysts. Moving on to the prescription phase, we developed a UA-based framework called the “5 Wh Question” which addresses five fundamental questions: why, who, what, how, and where. Our findings can provide comprehensive solutions for policymakers and urban planners to address the identified heat-vulnerable points.

Urban Landscape Design Based on the Concept of "Harmony Between Heaven and Man"

"Harmony between Heaven and Man" not only embodies the essence of ancient Chinese thought but is also a core theory in the field of aesthetics. It emphasizes the close connection between humans and nature and advocates seeking a balance of harmony between heaven, man, and nature. This concept has significant implications for contemporary urban landscape planning. Faced with the challenges of "uniformity in a thousand cities" and "standardized development" in urban construction, it is crucial to incorporate this philosophical thinking into the design process. Design solutions and methods should be considered from multiple dimensions, such as urban ecological balance, harmonizing human life needs with the environment, regionalism and cultural heritage, as well as respect and protection of the ecological environment. Whether in overall planning or specific implementation, the profound meaning of "Harmony between Heaven and Man" should be explored to better showcase the harmony between humans and nature in urban landscapes and promote the city's health and sustainable development.

Displacement as a social problem and its relationship to gentrification

The article examines the impact of gentrification on the social fabric and urban structure of cities between 2018 and 2023. This study focuses on how neighborhood renovation can lead to the displacement of vulnerable communities, addressing a critical issue in contemporary urban planning. Through a methodological approach that combines bibliometric analysis and integrative synthesis, the dynamics of change in urban neighborhoods and their consequences for long-term residents are investigated. The article highlights the need to thoroughly understand the economic, social, and cultural dimensions of gentrification to mitigate its adverse effects and promote more inclusive development practices. By situating displacement within the context of broader urban strategies, this work seeks to offer balanced perspectives on revitalization policies and their impacts on local communities