Inserted Communities for Temporary Gathering
Thesis Statement Inserted communities for temporary gathering in public space relieve the congestion of circulatory pedestrian. Context Traffic jams happened frequently when someone stops inside the fast and intensive flow of circulation. Well known as one of the highest density cities, Hong Kong owns most narrow and crowded pedestrians in the world. Therefore, reducing the temporary detention on sidewalks is the key to prevent circulatory congestion. The temporary detention and occupation of sidewalks is subject to regular periodicity.
All above detention people gather in public area during certain times, forming temporary communities for a week, a day, an hour, or only a few minutes. But it causes a force to be reckoned with in the congestion of circulatory space. Methodological Processes We human beings keep our biological clock, while the pedestrian also have its own timetable. The schedule of different temporary gathering groups will be studied through observation and research. Central, Wan Chai, Causeway Bay and Mong Kok are proposed targets, which are bothered seriously by pedestrian congestion problem of visitors and domestic helpers. The biological clock of pedestrian and public space will be found out and the potential sites in the future design will be decided. Most of the public spaces near the ground level have already been used up in dense urban centers. However, there are still instances of in-between existing either physically or mentally, where is suitable to place these temporary communities to relieve the congestion of pedestrian among different time slots. This thesis will take advantage of the in-between space by inserting structures for temporary communities, and create a pedestrian freeway for the usual passersby.
The initial concept is coming from inserted drawing pins in an urban scale. Elevated platform helps transit the overstay communities upwards; meanwhile the tiny footprint minimizes the influence on ground floor level. To further develop the idea, the umbrella system may be adopted into the design for following reasons:
The umbrella system will provide not only an overhead shelter for temporary communities, but also a real architecture that contains interior space for long time detention by extruding the thickness of the platform above. Some program to be placed into these spaces are domestic helpers’ activity center (including performance space, post office, and foreign exchange counter); small shops and nursery for paused visitors; public seats for people who wait for bus or traffic lights.
http://www.archivenue.com/masdar-worlds-first-real-eco-city/
The function of rainwater collector and solar power generator will be considered after the basic form and programs are confirmed. Mechanical system to fold the umbrella shelter will be studied and arranged at certain place.
Reference: Uffelen. C.V, Pedestrian Zones: Car Free Urban Spaces (Architecture in Focus), 2015. Vreedenburgh. E, Rooftop Architecture: Building on an elevated surface, 2005 Wei. T, Skywalk new elevated walkway system in Tsim Sha Tsui, 2011 HK Transport Department http://www.td.gov.hk/en/home/
HK Tourist Commission http://www.tourism.gov.hk/english/statistics/statistics_perform.html
HK Immigration Department http://www.immd.gov.hk/eng/faq/foreign-domestic-helpers.html |