Thesis (M.Arch.)--University of Detroit Mercy, 2008. / "28 April, 2008". Includes bibliographical references (p. 113).

xii, 69 p. : ill. (some col.) A print copy of this thesis is available through the UO Libraries. Search the library catalog for the location and call number. / New Urbanists promote development modeled upon neighborhoods that are highdensity and mixed-use with connected streets so that residents will drive less and have a strong sense of community. Little is known about whether New Urbanist environments provide the envisioned change in living experience for those who reside there. This study assesses changes in the living experience of residents of a suburban New Urbanist environment located in Eugene, Oregon, relative to their living experience in their previous residential environment. Findings reveal that respondents drive less for some but not all types of trips. There are no significant changes in sense of community. Changes in housing density and land-use mix are found associated with driving behavior change. Change in the enjoyment of the walking environment is found associated with changes in levels of resident interaction and feelings of sense of community. / Committee in Charge: Dr. Yizhao Yang, Chair; Dr. Robert Young; Robert Parker

South Africa is faced with a situation where-by the general public has a negative perception of public transport. It is a fact that generally the lower income employees use public transport to get to work and back, whether it is buses, taxis, or trains. In the past, the combination of users and misinformed planning philosophies led to interchanges/ranks that were un-user friendly, and uninviting. However, the South African government has embarked upon a campaign to make public transport the heartbeat of the South African economy, and to improve the general public perception. Along with the hosting of the 2010 Soccer World Cup, the country finds itself under pressure to implement a safe, efficient, and user-friendly public transport system. This dissertation investigates means and principles of designing functional interchanges that incorporate civic activity and participation. Beyond Function seeks to recapture the social dimension of transport interchanges since; these are the converging or meeting spaces and gateways into the cities, there exists a need to be celebrated. The philosophical orientation is towards commuter convenient facilities, thus heightening the spirit of travel. / Dissertation (MArch (Prof))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Architecture / unrestricted

The proposed project aims to transform the selected site and buildings at Rissik Station to new uses, along with the restoration and reuse of historical buildings. This amounts to a recycling and improved use of existing resources. / Dissertation (MArch(Prof))--University of Pretoria, 2009. / Architecture / unrestricted

A mixed-use development focusing on dance activities with supporting educational and retail facilities. The creation of a new urban citizenship drives the process of urban regeneration in the inner city. The development is situated in the Newtown cultural precinct. The performance arts is used as a tool for urban regeneration. The process of regeneration begins at community citizen level. The city gives citizens hope for a better future. This dynamic force shapes the city. / Dissertation (MArch (Prof))--University of Pretoria, 2005. / Architecture / unrestricted

Demand for cooling has been increasing around the world for the last couple of decades due to various reasons, and it will continue to increase in the future particularly in developing countries. Traditionally, cooling demand is met by decentralised electrically driven appliances which affect energy, economy and environment as well. District Cooling Plant (DCP) is an innovative alternative means of providing comfort cooling. DCP is becoming an essential infrastructure in modern city development owning to many benefits compared to decentralized cooling technology. Demand Response Management (DRM) is largely applied for Demand Side management of electrical grid. Demand of electrical energy is closely connected with the demand of alternative form of energy such as heating, cooling and mechanical energy. Therefore, application of DR concept should be applied beyond the electrical grid; in particular, it could be applied to any interconnected district energy systems. District Cooling Plant is one of a potential candidate and Demand Response management solutions can be applied to DCP for sustainable operation. The study of demand response and its applicability has not been attempted previously for district cooling systems. To our knowledge, this is the first attempt to evaluate its applicability and economical feasibility. This thesis focused on some of the DR objectives which have the potential to implement for DCP of a mixed-use city. General published data on mixed use city developments and a specific city in Dubai was taken as a case study to show the usefulness on DRM objectives. This study primarily addressed the issues related to load management. The findings are: DRM creates greater flexibility in demand management without compromising service levels. Also it reduces the operation cost and impact to environment. However implementation is a big challenge. Therefore implementation strategies are also proposed as a part of recommendation which includes a generic model for demand response management. Moreover, a review is provided on key enabling technologies that are needed for effective demand response management. Finally this thesis concludes with recommendations for prospective applications and potential future works.

Motivation and Approach This thesis seeks to address the alienated urban experience facilitated by Government architecture within the CBD that has become the norm, namely exclusionary “objects as architecture”. The study will seek to counter public exclusion and establish interdepartmental connectivity thus aiding cohesion within Government as well as between Government and the public. Architectural Intention - Definition through Transparency Exploration will happen by redefining views of the public realm through the creation of an architectural experience that tackles legibility within both the public and private domains, thus engaging all users as valued actors in the spatial milieu. / Dissertation (MArch(Prof))--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Architecture / unrestricted

This thesis marks a point where the priorities determining my occupation with architecture might shift. In part it is a reflection of an approach to architecture, which generates an awareness that can be extended to an environment of practice. This awareness should provide direction towards the making of architecture, regardless to the number of constraints or limitations which reality might impose. This project is the documenting vehicle for the examination of a design process. The proposal is the evidence of this design process. Its documentation should prove and expose qualities which derived from my approach to architecture. / Master of Architecture

The diploma thesis concerns the replenishment of the urban mosaic of Frýdek-Místek regional town in the Czech Republic. A new local vision for the Riviéra housing estate is to be set. The intervention area spirals around the brownfield of a former spinning factory, which is included into the modernist urban area. The brownfield neighbours with the Janáček park, which is standing out in the surroundings in the means of the articulation and condition of the public space. The fenced areal, on the other hand, forms a barrier to the urban life. The aspiration of the project is to unscramble the potential of the unbuilt area within the vivid part of the town.

För många av dagens kommersiella hyresgäster och fastighetsägare är det viktigt med organisatorisk skalbarhet för att kunna anpassa sin verksamhet eller fastighet efter ändrade omständigheter. Detta har flera orsaker. Bland annat det snabbt föränderliga samhälle vi lever i, delvis sprunget ut den senaste tidens digitalisering och globalisering. Många företag kämpar dessutom för sin överlevnad på en hyresmarknad som favoriserar långa och fasta hyresstrukturer. Samtidigt har vår strävan efter hållbarhet konkretiseras allt mer på fastighetsmarknaden och tar sig bland annat uttryck i form av olika delningsekonomiska lösningar som har förändrat synen på traditionella kontor och avtal samt enformiga fastighetsanvändningar. Det finns en ny efterfrågan på hyresmarknaden som kräver en ökad nivå av fastighetsstrategisk flexibilitet. Denna uppsats ämnar definiera olika sätt att öka flexibiliteten i kommersiella kontor, fastigheter och hyreskontrakt och framförallt ta fasta på de möjligheter som skapas såväl som potentiella risker. Genom coworking tillåts kontorshyresgäster att hyra kontorsyta under flexibla former samtidigt som de kan åtnjuta ett ökat nätverkande och andra sociala förmåner. Multi- och mixed-use är benämningen på sådana flexibla fastigheter som byggs för att långsiktigt kunna inrymma olika funktioner vid olika tidpunkter eller simultant. De flexibla kontrakten avser i denna uppsats traditionella kontrakt som tillfogats realoptioner vilka tillåter en ändring av det avtalade innehållet, eller kontrakt som digitaliserats i en blockkedja. Studien visar att flexibilitet som produkt har stor potential att låsa upp den kommersiella hyresmarknaden och underlätta för en delningsekonomisk utveckling där resurser nyttjas bättre och många företags chanser att överleva i framtiden ökar. Flexibiliteten skapar inte bara värden för hyresgäster utan även hyresvärdar och fastighetsägare kan profitera på flexibiliteten. Detta kräver emellertid att aktörerna har de rätta förutsättningarna för att riskerna inte ska bli för stora och flexibiliteten ett vågspel. Sammanfattningsvis har det flexibla kontoret, den flexibla fastigheten och det flexibla hyreskontraktet potential att bidra till en socialt och ekonomiskt hållbar marknad, och skapa mervärden för de som gör allt rätt. / To many of today’s commercial tenants and real estate owners it is crucial with an ability to adjust their business or property to new circumstances. This is due to several reasons. For instance, the rapidly changing society caused by digitalisation and globalisation and the fact that many companies are struggling to survive on a market that favors long and rigid rental structures. Furthermore, the trend of sustainability is partly expressing itself through the growing sharing economy. All together the attitude towards traditional offices and leases as well as a uniform use of buildings has changed and a new demand for strategic flexibility has formed on the market. This study aims to define different ways to increase the flexibility in commercial offices, properties and leases and foremost to find out the possibilities and risks that follows and thereby to whom and when it would be beneficial. Coworking allows tenants to rent office space with flexible conditions while being able to appreciate the social benefits. Multi- and mixed-use are adaptable properties designed to accommodate various functions at different times or simultaneously. The flexible leases in this study refers to leases including real options as well as smart contracts made possible by the blockchain technology. The study shows that flexibility as a product has a great potential to unlock the commercial rental market and facilitate a development of the sharing economy where resources are used more efficiently, and businesses are increasing their chances to survive. Flexibility incorporated in real estate is not only valuable to tenants but also to landlords and property owners. This however requires the right circumstances to limit the risk and ensure that the flexibility does not become a venture. In conclusion, the flexible office, the flexible property and the flexible lease can contribute to a socially and economically sustainable market and create additional value for those applying it right.