Residential Blocks Research Articles

Arrive and retreat: London’s ultra-prime apartment blocks as dark urban renaissance

The expansion of an archipelago of residential blocks across London’s West End has created an urban renaissance of sorts, but it is a rebirth that has targeted the expanded ranks of the global super-rich, yielding a visibly luxurious, often vacant residential remaking, rather than the aspirations for a diverse, vibrant and open urbanism envisaged some years ago for the city. New luxury apartment blocks offer high levels of privacy, security and the seamless integration of bodies and vehicles into underground or enclosed entry points. These ‘ultraland’ blocks are less places of conviviality and encounter, offering instead a kind of dark space urbanism that facilitates a partial social engagement with local environs by barely present owners. Combining an analysis of the planning applications for these developments with extensive street observation in London’s West End we discuss the social and spatial integration of these developments. We argue that a key effect is one of social ‘reduction’—the sense of null spaces that absorb bodies, furnishings and cars in ways that are the antithesis of earlier ambitions for socially vital and democratic urban spaces. We discuss the significance of these changes for contemporary life in the city more broadly.

British Allotment to American Park: An Atlantic Crossing of the Garden Suburb Movement 1910–1930

Endorsement of open spaces internalized within residential blocks was an iconic concept promoted by the British garden city movement in the early twentieth century. Advancing various social goals, they were associated within a gendered ideology of domesticity, child safety, local food production, and community-centeredness. This article examines American responses through theoretical reformulation, endorsement, opposition, and uneven practical experiments situated against the maturing science of planned suburban development. Raymond Unwin included these spaces in a seminal morphological exposition, developing the concept of the quadrangle with a variety of uses including agricultural allotments, tennis courts, and playgrounds. Views of leading American community planners are canvassed, split between those promoting agricultural commons, landscaped gardens and playgrounds, and opponents citing upkeep and security concerns. Evolution of the interior park arguably peaked with Radburn which established a new iconic form and narrative of interior parks at a larger scale.

Performance Evaluation of Balcony Designs for Mitigating Ground Level Noise

This study aims to tackle the challenge of high noise levels on balconies while preserving natural ventilation. Eight innovative balcony designs, incorporating elements like diffuser edges, undulating ceilings, Helmholtz resonators, grooves, or sound traps, were evaluated via finite element (FE) modeling. The insertion loss results showed that for many balcony designs, noise reduction in the balcony could deteriorate beyond an elevation of 8 m. However, the front jagged and full wavy ceiling designs were shown to be more robust in noise attenuation across balconies on different floors. The jagged ledge and grooved parapet designs yielded an overall 1.5 dBA lower SPL at the exterior regions, compared to other designs, which implies that the designs are less acoustically detrimental to nearby residential blocks as they tend to diffract and absorb incident noise. The jagged ledge design is more effective for lower floors while the jagged ceiling design is more effective for higher floors. A combination of the protruded jagged ledge for the lower floor and jagged balcony ceiling for the higher floor would result in the lowest noise ingress over three stories of residential units: this would be capable of achieving more than 3 dB noise reduction and would offer viable options for improving balcony noise mitigation, by providing valuable insights to architects and designers seeking practical solutions for outdoor noise reduction. Our study highlights that whereas the spectrum characteristics of acoustic absorption materials may be less tunable, and where reduced head space is traded for thicker material for greater ab-sorption and added affixation and maintenance cost, the jagged ledge and ceiling curvatures can actually be shape-tuned, say for every 3 to 4 floors up the high-rise to more effective reduce noise ingress and possibly improve the architecture façade outlook.

Renovation of blocks of typical low-rise buildings 1940-1950 in Samara in the paradigm of contextual design

The prospects for the renovation of residential blocks of the 1940-1950s in the paradigm of contextual design are determined. For this purpose, the structure and morphology of neighborhoods was studied, the main types and characteristic features of the existing urban fabric were identified. An analysis was carried out of the quality of the existing environment of the territories, their provision with transport and social infrastructure. A judgment is given about the nature and specificity of renovation, taking into account the existing urban planning context, the historical memory of people, and the richness of the environment. The thesis about the historical value of typical low-rise buildings and the uniqueness of the urban morphology of the research object is substantiated. The boundaries of the renovation areas have been determined. A list of areas for proposed renovation is given. Principles for the renovation of built-up areas of the 1940-1950s have been developed, as well as models illustrating an operational approach to solving the problem.

Urban microclimate analysis: residential block morphology impact on outdoor thermal comfort

In many cities, protracted exposure of urban structures to excessive solar radiation and the urban heat island (UHI) phenomenon may cause thermal discomfort for pedestrians in outdoor spaces, particularly in hot-arid regions. This study investigated the impact of urban residential block morphology on microclimate in Isfahan, Iran, using ENVI-met numerical models. The predicted mean vote (PMV) model for residential outdoor spaces was calculated using simulation data for the hottest day of the summer to assess outdoor thermal comfort. Comparison of the alternatives – namely, diagonal blocks, compact linear blocks, continuous curved blocks and dispersed cubic blocks – showed that the microclimate performance of the diagonal type was better than those of the other design options, as the PMV index represented the minimum distance from the ideal thermal comfort range due to a lower sky view factor (SVF) and optimal orientation. The curved blocks performed better in urban open spaces, promoting airflow and reducing UHI, than linear and cubic blocks. The results showed that the PMV index could predict thermal comfort in various urban design patterns and could be affected by the morphology of urban blocks. Variations in building morphology alter the SVF and microclimate parameters, which have an impact on outdoor thermal comfort.

Residential Micro-Segregation and Social Capital in Lima, Peru

This article addresses the bidirectional relationship between residential micro-segregation, in the form of built barriers to mobility, and social capital. I engage with two bodies of the literature. On the one hand, I critique a widespread top-down model of residential segregation. This model suggests that higher-status groups drive segregation through direct (e.g., secluded neighbourhoods) and indirect (e.g., by funnelling housing demand) measures. On the other hand, I provide evidence of the bounding effects of segregation on social capital. While some scholars suggest residential homogeneity favours social capital, others argue that benefits occur within privileged neighbourhoods. The effects of segregation on social capital are less clear at lower scales and in highly unequal Global South cities. My argument is twofold. First, I uncover the dynamics of segregation below the neighbourhood scale. I use the notion of horizontal micro-segregation to identify the social and spatial conditions associated with a higher concentration of street-level segregating infrastructure. My methodological approach draws on data for all residential blocks in Lima, Peru (N = 99,685). I find that suburban-inspired urban design is positively associated with micro-segregating infrastructure, upon controlling for other factors such as socioeconomic status, density, and urbanization age of each block. Second, I provide evidence of the bounding effects of segregation on social capital. Using ten waves of the Lima Cómo Vamos survey (2010–2019), I show that micro-segregating infrastructure is associated with higher trust in neighbours and lower civic engagement. These findings indicate that exposure to segregation affects social capital within and across secluded neighbourhoods throughout the socioeconomic spectrum.

High-Rise Residential District Morphology Optimization for Enhancing the Green Space Cooling Effect

Large-scale urban green spaces exert a cooling effect in cities and have great potential for optimizing the urban climate. In this study, taking the typical green space Xingfulindai in Xi’an as an example, we carried out field measurements and ENVI-met simulations of the area and the surrounding high-rise residential areas to analyze the cooling effect. The results show that the cooling effect is the strongest at night in summer seasons, spreading up to 250 m, and the cooling intensity along the downwind direction can be up to 2 °C. On this basis, a total of 16 ideal models of seven groups of high-rise residential blocks were established to analyze the effect of three morphological indices, namely, building orientation, podium ratio, and otherness with respect to the cooling effect of the green space, and a block morphology design strategy for high-rise residential areas was proposed to enhance the cooling effect of the green space. This study provides climate-adaptive optimization strategies for the construction and renewal of residential blocks.

Contamination of soils by geohelminths ova in key social areas of Vladivostok

BACKGROUND: Geohellminthiasis constitutes approximately 90% of all parasitic diseases affecting the population. WHO recommends regular parasitological monitoring of the soil, for the subsequent assessment of its parasitic contamination and the development of epidemiological measures for the prevention of parasitoses among the population.
 AIM: To study soil contamination by geohelminths ova in important social areas in the city of Vladivostok.
 METHODS: Soil samples were collected from the territories of residential blocks, parks and playgrounds. In total, 671 soil samples were collected. Samples the collection was carried out according to MUC 4.2.796-99 and examined using the Romanenko method. The prevalence (%)and intensity of contamination per gram of soil sample were calculated.
 RESULTS: In total, 7 morphological forms of geohelminth ova were found: Toxocara spp., Toxascaris leonina, Uncinaria stenocephala, Ascaris spp., Ancylostoma spp., Dypilidium caninum and Taenia spp. Propagative stages of helminths were found in 401 of 671 samples. The overall prevalence of contamination was 59.8%. Toxocara spp. were the most prevalent contaminating 300 (44.7%) of the samples. Geohelminths ova were found in soil samples at all sites. Parks and residential areas were the most contaminated.
 CONCLUSION: Geohelminths ova were found in all kay social areas of Vladivostok warranting urgent epidemiological measures to improve the situation.

Comparative GIS Analysis of Public Transport Accessibility in Metropolitan Areas

With urban areas facing rapid population growth, public transport plays a key role to provide efficient and economic accessibility to the residents. It reduces the use of personal vehicles leading to reduced traffic congestion on roads and reduced pollution. To assess the performance of these transport systems, prior studies have taken into consideration the blank spot areas, population density, and stop access density; however, very little research has been performed to compare the accessibility between cities using a GIS-based approach. This paper compares the access and performance of public transport across Melbourne and Sydney, two cities with a similar size, population, and economy. The methodology uses spatial PostGIS queries to focus on accessibility-based approach for each residential mesh block and aggregates the blank spots, and the number of services offered by time of day and the frequency of services at the local government area (LGA) level. The results of the study reveal an interesting trend: that with increase in distance of LGA from city centre, the blank spot percentage increases while the frequency of services and stops offering weekend/night services declines. The results conclude that while Sydney exhibits a lower percentage of blank spots and has better coverage, performance in terms of accessibility by service time and frequency is better for Melbourne’s LGAs, even as the distance increases from the city centre.

Fugitive Dust Associated with Scrap Metal Processing

Fugitive dust (FD) is a nuisance and potential health issue, particularly in environmental justice communities that can experience high levels of contaminated FD. This community-initiated study examined FD from a scrap metal processor in Detroit, Michigan, to determine whether the FD was contaminated, how it migrated through the community, whether wipe or composite road dust samples were preferable, and whether literature profiles adequately characterized this source. The study was motivated by community concerns, as well as a massive subsidence/upheaval event resulting from excessive accumulation of mill scale, which is a type of scrap metal, at the facility. We collected 57 wipe samples from windows and other surfaces, and 20 composite road dust and surface soil samples, which were analyzed by X-ray fluorescence. Concentrations were expressed using the fraction of the reconstructed mass. We also compared results to air quality monitoring data and calculated pollution indices and enrichment factors. Samples collected near the processor had high levels of Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni, Sr, and Zn compared with background soils, and levels remained elevated in residential areas several blocks distant. Composite road dust/sediment samples appeared preferable to wipe samples for chemical characterization. The available chemical profiles did not match the FD composition, suggesting the need for local profiles. The high level of Fe, which is consistent with mill scale, was a novel finding and caused the road dust to exceed health protection screening levels. Numerous metal scrap facilities operate locally and nationally, and our results show the need to improve controls to limit or eliminate FD emissions from industrial sources using enforced policies that reduce dust generation and truck track-out.

A Study on Sense of Community: Case Example of Public Housing Project, Bengaluru, India

Background:In the realm of collective public housing, certain societal segments currently favor low-rise residential blocks due to their affordability and lower number of dwelling units per block, thus affording increased privacy for residents. However, the concept of associating residents’ benefits with social relationships has yet to garner sufficient attention.Objective:This article seeks to understand and examine the impact of public housing on the sense of community (SOC) within a public housing community.Methods:The study was conducted at the Bangalore Development Authority Jnanabharathi Residential Enclave in Kengeri, Bengaluru, Karnataka. This understanding was attained through a comprehensive review of existing literature and an on-site evaluation carried out using questionnaire surveys and photographs for visual interpretations.Findings:The results indicated a relatively deficient sense of ownership within the community. Homeowners exhibited higher levels of community involvement and engagement in various activities compared with tenants.Conclusions:Furthermore, the study recommends that public authorities reevaluate their perspectives on public housing developments and develop a policy-oriented approach for planning, design, and additional amenities to foster a stronger SOC belonging.

Impact and Role of the Public Realm in Creating More Socially Cohesive Communities: A Case Study of Urban Pattern in Almaty, Kazakhstan

Over the last three decades, there has been a notable transformation in urban growth patterns in Kazakhstan’s large cities, particularly in Almaty. While this can be traced back to market-oriented planning agendas, the increasing fragmentation of the public realm in cities can be linked to the recent residential development projects. The rise of these projects in post-Soviet neighbourhoods is often criticised due to their typology, as developers create them as gated communities. These patterns’ socio and spatial fragmentation is associated with fewer opportunities for social interaction between Soviet neighbourhoods and the more recent exclusive communities. Therefore, this paper investigates the key issues present in the urban patterns of Almaty city that can hinder the creation of a more cohesive society. It presents a case study of other Soviet-developed neighbourhoods with similar development patterns. The study’s methodology includes morphological mapping, observation of the use of the public realm and a survey of residents to support the findings. The investigation focuses on one of the typical urban patterns of mixed-use Soviet neighbourhoods and recent urban residential blocks, where an opportunity lies for perspective communities. The research reveals a lack of social cohesion between local communities due to mono-functional land use, poor permeability and accessibility that fragmented the city into closed neighbourhoods. The research dives into the core issues of Soviet and post-Soviet urban morphology’s outcomes in the public realm and the impact on social life in these neighbourhoods.

The Study on the Elderly-Oriented Landscape Renovation of Micro Public Space in Old Residential Areas A Case Study in Shanghai Beigang No.1 Community

China has stepped into an aging society, and the primary endowment pattern is home-based care for elderly people presently. Therefore, the public space of residential areas has become the site frequently visited by elderly residents. However, some old residential blocks waiting for renewal have some problems such as an outdoor environment of low quality, which necessitates elderly-oriented reconstruction. The present study focuses on the strategies and methods for elderly-oriented landscape renovation in the public space of old residential areas in terms of the study area within Beigang No. 1 Community. The project intends to understand the needs and preferences of elderly people through field research, then attempts to classify micro public space, plan activites, and consider detailed design to improve the quality of outdoor activities for the elderly and other people. The study hopes to provide inspirations and support for practitioners on renovation projects.

Successful reduction of indoor radon activity concentration via cross-ventilation: experimental data and CFD simulations

ABSTRACT Advanced computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations are essential for predicting airflow in ventilated spaces and assessing indoor air quality. In this study, a focus was set on techniques for the reduction of indoor radon-222 activity concentration [Rn], and it is demonstrated how true-to-scale 3D CFD models can predict the evolution of complex ventilation experiments. A series of ventilation experiments in an unoccupied flat on the ground floor of a residential block in Bad Schlema (Saxony, Germany) were performed. Specifically, the ‘Cross-ventilation 100 %’ experiment resulted in room-specific [Rn] reductions from ∼3000 to ∼300 Bq m−3. We quantitatively interpreted the results of the ventilation experiment using a CFD model with a k–ϵ turbulent stationary flow model characterised by the used decentralised ventilation system. The model was coupled with a transient transport model simulating indoor [Rn]. In a first approach, the model overestimated the decrease in the starting of the experiment and the steady state. Adjusting the model parameters inflowing radon and inlet velocity the model results are in a good agreement with the experimental values. In conclusion, this paper demonstrates the potential of CFD modelling as a suitable tool in evaluating and optimising ventilation systems for an effective reduction of elevated [Rn].

Solar Energy Utilization Potential in Urban Residential Blocks: A Case Study of Wuhan, China

In dense, energy-demanding urban areas, the effective utilization of solar energy resources, encompassing building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) systems and solar water heating (SWH) systems inside buildings, holds paramount importance for addressing concerns related to carbon emission reduction and the balance of energy supply and demand. This study aimed to examine the interplay between urban residential blocks and their solar energy potential, with the objective of promoting environmentally sustainable development within urban residential areas. The primary focus of this study was the hot summer and cold winter zone of China, which serves as a representative case study. Methodologically, we employed Rhinoceros and Grasshopper (GH) software version GH6.0 tools to simulate the solar radiation potential within residential blocks and translated this information into the potential utilization of BIPV and SWH systems. Subsequently, our focus was directed towards identifying optimal locations for mounting BIPV modules and water heaters on roofs and building façades. The study results revealed the following: (1) The floor area ratio (FAR), building density (BD), average building height (ABH), and space layout (SL) exerted substantial influences on the solar potential of a residential block, with correlations of up to 75%, 71%, 78%, and 50%, respectively, concerning the overall solar potential of the entire plot. (2) It is essential to emphasize that, with regard to the BIPV installation potential, façades account for 80% of the overall residential block potential, whereas rooftops contribute only 20%. Both south- and west-facing façades exhibited a BIPV installation ratio of approximately 34%. (3) In the realm of solar water heating, the potential for installations on building façades accounted for 77% of the total living area of the residential blocks, 23% on the rooftops, and 35% on the south-facing façades. This study furnishes practical guidelines for harnessing the potential of BIPV and SWH systems within residential blocks, thereby contributing to the advancement of sustainable urban development practices.

The Relationship between Residential Block Forms and Building Carbon Emissions to Achieve Carbon Neutrality Goals: A Case Study of Wuhan, China

Controlling building carbon emissions (CEs) is key to achieving the goal of carbon neutrality. Residential blocks are the main contributors of buildings’ carbon emissions and intensity, and thus can be manipulated to achieve carbon neutrality. This work aimed to evaluate the building carbon emissions intensity (CEI) levels of residential blocks using Rhino and Grasshopper and to quantify the relationship between the block form parameters and a building’s carbon emissions (CEs). Firstly, 48 cases were selected by stratified sampling, and they were classified by architectural typology. Secondly, the residential block morphological parameters and building carbon emissions were calculated. Thirdly, the relationship between the block form parameters and the building’s CE was quantified using statistical methods. Lastly, low-carbon planning strategies for residential blocks under the target of carbon neutrality were proposed. The findings showed that the influence of the block form parameters on a building’s CE was 31.66%. A building’s shape factor has a positive influence on its CE, and the floor area ratio, building volume–site area ratio, and building height have negative influences on its CE. A building’s shape factor, cover ratio, and surface–site area ratio synergistically impact its CE. The weight of a building’s shape factor on its carbon emissions was 3.84 times that of its cover ratio and 4.46 times that of its surface–site area ratio. The technology workflow proposed in this study can provide data in support of carbon emissions assessments and low-carbon planning strategies for urban blocks in other cities in China and worldwide.

Greenery, sun exposure and ventilation of public spaces in residential units in Tirana

When referring to residential units, well-ventilated and lit green spaces are considerable contributors to increasing the quality of life of its residents. This research aims to analyse the transformation of the spaces between the buildings in the context of Tirana, by simultaneously stressing the key distinctions between their original design and their current situation. A typical residential complex close to Tirana’s centre is used as a case study to further illustrate this topic. The research starts with a qualitative morphological analysis of greenery, lighting, and ventilation condition of public space between residential units. It expands with a quantitative-comparative analysis, based on questionnaires conducted with residents, as well as by-passers of the selected residential area. The apparent reduction of greenery in spaces between residential units was one of the study’s most obvious findings. Originally intended as green spaces, public spaces between residential units have since been used for a variety of purposes, including being occupied by extensions of buildings or open parking lots. These interventions have resulted in a shift of usage to the inner streets of the residential block, which are now used for vehicles and are no longer either quiet or exclusively dedicated to pedestrians. The overall value of this space has been transferred from a straightforward recreational area to an economic space. Consequently, designers and urban planners have a responsibility to re-evaluate the significance of green surfaces, in addition to the shape and orientation of the residential unit as a foundation of sustainable urban development.

Association between the extension of smoke-free legislation and incident acute myocardial infarctions in Singapore from 2010 to 2019: an interrupted time-series analysis

BackgroundWe examined the association between smoke-free laws implemented in the outdoors and the common areas of residential apartment blocks and reported acute myocardial infarctions (AMI) in Singapore.MethodsWe used an interrupted...

산업집적지 내 1인 주거 블록 배치 및 프로그램 제안 연구

산업집적지 내 1인 주거 블록 배치 및 프로그램 제안 연구

Simulation and optimization of thermal comfort in residential areas based on outdoor morphological parameters

High-density urban development is affecting the outdoor microclimate of residential areas in an uncomfortable direction. Previous research has primarily focused on modifying local functional planning and construction design, without further examining how various outdoor morphological parameters influence the outdoor thermal environment. This study was conducted in a cold northern city and found that the spatial forms of buildings have a significant impact on outdoor thermal comfort in four typical residential blocks. Block C, characterized by varied terrain, experiences extreme temperature fluctuations. The parameters Vegetation volume to built-up volume (VV2BV) and Landscape otherness (LO) significantly influenced the optimization of summer PET to 24 °C and 21 °C, respectively. Building height standard deviation (BHSD) and Cubic index (CI) had a minor impact on PET. The increase in CI is inversely proportional to the PET value, while BHSD is positively correlated. When LO is 1.6, the staggered windward surface formed by the vertical direction reduces summer PET to 20.6 °C and can increase it by 4 °C in winter. These spatial parameters are ranked in order of significance for optimizing PET as VV2BV, LO, CI, and BHSD. Relative humidity, wind speed, direct radiation, and total radiation are significant factors in the spatiotemporal distribution of PET. The objective of this study is to establish a theoretical framework for improving the thermal environment of residential areas and to provide guidance for creating comfortable urban blocks.