Flat City Response

mid-sized cities;suburbia;Architecture

Bolen, Matthew

University of Waterloo

关键词: mid-sized cities;    suburbia;    Architecture;   

Others  :  https://uwspace.uwaterloo.ca/bitstream/10012/4819/1/THESIS_FINAL_SUBMIT_REVISION-2.pdf

瑞士|英语

来源: UWSPACE Waterloo Institutional Repository

【 摘 要 】

It has become widely recognized that the development of postwarsuburbia in North America has had a detrimental effect on communityidentity, environmental sustainability, and social conscience. Suburbandevelopment is often prominent in mid-sized cities made up ofa low density or ;;flat” urban landscape. The Regional Municipalityof Waterloo’s urban core consists of three such cities (Cambridge,Kitchener, and Waterloo). As one of Canada’s most economicallystable and fastest growing municipalities, it provides a rich opportunityfor regional growth through intensification.In the Region of Waterloo’s latest planning policy plan, ;;A Vision fora Sustainable and Livable Waterloo Region” is outlined. In additionto this comprehensive policy, a two-part ;;Visualizing Densities”study provided a comprehensive analysis of the existing communitiesthroughout Waterloo Region and how they can be improved. Bothof these documents helped to promote sustainable growth in thedowntown and inner city areas, however, they have not effectivelyaddressed how to deal with existing suburban areas. The VisualizingDensities Part II study proposed a redesign of a three selectedexisting suburban study areas throughout the region. Althoughthese proposals had good intentions, they all but ignored the existingnetwork of streets and built fabric. Therefore, it only really addressedhow to design and build a new green field development.By building upon current suburban redevelopment concepts andstrategies, this thesis will develop an adaptable process for existingsuburban community revitalization. This process will be applied toa suburban study area set within the city of Waterloo (one of theregions mid-sized cities). A critical aspect of this process will be therenewed role that architects must play as analysts, visionaries andeducators. The overall intention of this thesis will be to develop ameans of engaging and revitalizing existing suburban areas into moreefficient, self-sustaining, and responsive community networks.