Structuring Urban Fragments

Structuring Urban Fragments

By Radhika Mathur

Abstract

The present scenario of suburbanization and gentrification has lead to a sudden expansion of cities to meet the demands of newer world views. The process has lead to fragmented growth of cities both spatially and experientially. The problem therefore is creation of isolated and detached urban fragments creating a dispersed urbanscape. The intent of the project is to bring about a structure within these fragments by diffusing, wedging and integrating existing fragments at strategic locations. The intent is achieved by characterization of the fragments on basis of density, use, built vs. open ratio, space character etc. namely – large impregnable voids (industrial estates), small insignificant patches, high density areas (slums), inherently structured and lost spaces (open spaces). The design attempts to structure the fragments through strategies of densification (redevelopment), network of movement, system of open spaces and appropriate accessibility. The major principles applied here for structuring are – continuity (visual and spatial), linkages, extension of an existing structure of uses and density, point overlap or stitching through multi use open spaces, seam like network of spaces and programs connecting high density fragments and patch like development of smaller fragments. The project is an attempt to provide a structure for transformation of existing areas and also to set guidelines for the future development of the site and city considered.

Keywords

Urban Fragmentation; isolation; characterisation; structuring; diffusing; integrating

The present scenario of suburbanization and gentrification has lead to a sudden expansion of cities to meet the demands of newer world views. The process has lead to fragmented growth of cities both spatially and experientially. The problem therefore is creation of isolated and detached urban fragments creating a dispersed urban scape.

The intent of this project was to bring about a structure within these fragments by diffusing, wedging and integrating existing fragments at strategic locations. The intent is achieved by characterization of the fragments on basis of density, use, built vs. open ratio, space character etc. namely – large impregnable voids (industrial estates), small insignificant patches, high density areas (slums), inherently structured and lost spaces (open spaces).

Concept of Urban Fragmentation

Term Fragmentation can be defined on the following basis:

· A process or action of breaking or separating into parts which form new individual units

· As a state of being fragmented

With respect to urban fabric and cities the fragmentation is understood in the following manner:

· As a generating process or a way of operating in the city

· A spatial phenomenon or state

· As urban experience or way of perceiving the city

Urban fragments

“One of the main lessons of the past two decades is that economic composition of places seems

to have become less and less permanent.”

(Harvey, 1989).

Urban fragments here define spaces or collection of spaces within the city which may either be

isolated from their neighboring unit or might be interdependent on definite terms and activities.

An Urban fragment might be a result of the historical pattern, economic systems, natural systems or spatial arrangement.

City of fragments 

Fragmentation may at times be a pessimistic vision of contemporary cities depicting them as

socially and spatially fragmented. But the idea is to rather be more optimistic in deciding that

what process or which fragment adds to the urban experience.

“Cities now are primarily understood as either collection of “urban fragments” that enhance the

“diverse” & “fragmentary urban experience” or as “inter related nodes” that bypasses

“unconnected fragmented areas”. Any city with such fragments ceases to be conceptualized as a

whole.” 

Kozak, Daniel, World Cities & Urban Form: Fragmented, Polycentric, Sustainable?, Assessing Urban

Fragmentation: The emergence of new Typologies in Central Buenos Aires, Ed.Mike Jenks, Daniel Kizak &

Pataranan Takkanon

Overview - Theory of Fragmentation 

Method - Characterizing Fragments 

Urban fragments are a result of a process and cannot be reversed. But completely isolated

fragments do not add to an urban fabric rather create a broken urban scape. A basic structuring

through strategic stitching of these can maintain the variation yet the continuity of experience

and character.

To validate the fragments existence and functioning, the site chosen was studied and the

following observations were made: The site (Thane Maharashtra) considered has distinct fragments which can be characterized on the basis of the following:

Density; Built Vs. Open; Usage; Texture; Accessibility; Movement Network; Porosity of fabric

The metropolises today are experiencing rapid change and very little consideration has been given on the character and structure of the surrounding agglomerations. It’s here that urban fragmentation is witnessed not only in the existing areas which are transforming at a high rate but also in new additions which do not directly comply with the surroundings. The idea is not to disagree with fragmentation but rather to achieve a suitable correlation between fragments. Some fragments are bound to be isolated at present and do not necessarily need to interact with their contiguous areas but in such cases it becomes solemnly important to at least envision an appropriate transformation of such parcels as they will apparently need to be a part of a living city.

The project has been a mere attempt to understand the phenomenon of fragmentation and address it with appropriate design strategies as it’s a pressing issue of expanding cities all over the world. There have been no biases towards the process and existence of urban fragments. Fragments cannot be certified as “good” or “bad”, it’s the correlation between them that makes them valid and a boon for gaining an urban character. There cannot be a single verdict about the aptness of urban fragmentation; it’s a result of a process of city building and expansion which can be only directed in the right direction for the future.

About author:

Radhika Mathur, is an architect and urban designer, presently working with an Urban Design Cell in Mumbai. It was her fascination with the city and its processes which lead to the following research. In practice too shes trying to make a niche for the profession by working with the implementing agencies and convincing them about the role urban design can play in shaping the future of our (read Indian) cities.

This article is edited version to suit the space on blog. For complete article readers can contact author  on radhika.mthr@gmail.com