The site of today’s Civic Center in Downtown Los Angeles evolved gradually over the course of over 150 years before being dramatically transformed in the early to mid 20th century. Understanding how this area evolved and was redeveloped can help guide efforts to restore physical and historical continuity throughout the area. Specifically, this historical understanding can assist in identifying key opportunity sites within the area, such as Civic Center South, and in setting urban design goals for new development. Research for this thesis included an analysis of the area’s historic development and a review of its current conditions. The historical analysis examined how the study area initially developed and how it was subsequently transformed through redevelopment. The review of current conditions examined recent and proposed development in and around the Civic Center South site and recent policies and regulations that are guiding new development within Downtown Los Angeles. This study ultimately provides an overview of the historic development context of the north end of Downtown Los Angeles as well as a review of the developments and regulations influencing development within that area today.

Streets provide the framework of a city and they are necessary for human life. Some underlying patterns of street networks cannot be directly recognized by people. In this study, topological analysis of urban street networks was adopted to build up new insight into urban morphology. Space syntax, which has been integrated into GIS, was applied for the analysis of spatial configuration, and fifty Swedish cities were chosen as samples to uncover various urban patterns. Street connectivity was the focus of the analysis and axial lines were the main analytical tools. The aim of this study was to hierarchically represent the cities’ streets and classify the sample cities into different types by urban morphology. Street data for Swedish cities were collected from OpenStreetMap. ArcGIS 10, with the Axwoman extension, provided a platform to carry out the topological analysis. Natural roads, axial lines and space syntax parameters were generated automatically with the functions of Axwoman. Hierarchical levels of streets were visually represented and the underlying pattern of each city was gotten from the hierarchical representation. Based on street hierarchy, the fifty sample cities were classified into nine groups, wherein cities of the same group had uniform hierarchical levels. Using the hierarchical pattern of each group’s axial lines, the nine city groups were further reclassified into three types. It was found that, for the street network of most sample cities represented with axial lines, not more than 40% of their streets have connectivity larger than the average value. The hierarchical representation also revealed that streets with high connectivity, which provide greater accessibility, were only minorities in the sample cities. Moreover, minor streets with high connectivity were almost distributed in city centers. In some of the studied cities, axial lines made better representation of the hierarchical patterns of streets, while in others, it did not provide a suitable way of uncovering urban patterns compared to natural roads. A limitation of axial lines manifested in this study was that it chopped curved roads into several segments, thus, disrupting the continuity of streets. In general, axial lines can provide a way to uncover urban patterns. They have meaningful effect to city residents and these patterns can help people gain better understanding of the urban structure. In addition, the hierarchical patterns of streets can be used to model pedestrian and traffic flows, predict crime occurrences, and make spatial plans. The hierarchical representation of streets can also contribute to people’s wayfinding performance.

No description available.

A public square provides for a social cultural life to take place. The square ought to be located in the part of the city where human activities are the most intense. The edges of the square consist of the buildings that define its space. The architectural style of these buildings shapes the character of the square and embodies the social cultural circumstances of a society. The experience of a public square goes beyond its structured aspects. In fact, each man-made place is located within a natural landscape that changes its appearances during the rhythm of the day and the seasons. It is the combination of the natural phenomena and the architecture that creates the atmosphere of a place. A total integration between these two elements constitutes the "spirit of place" or genius loci. According to Heidegger, human settlement has an enclosure and any enclosure has a boundary. This is also true for the square, the boundary of which is formed by its surrounding buildings. However, this boundary is not continuous, as it is interrupted by pedestrian paths and streets that lead to the square. The quality of a square’s enclosure is related to the characteristic of the openings. The aim of this design thesis is to conceive a public square for today’s social-cultural environment; a public square that is located within a cultural center at Shirlington, Arlington County, Virginia. The buildings of the center form an architectural unity that sets the stage for community events to take place. The articulation and the form of the buildings related to the natural environment make people feel that they were designed for them. This means a place where people can experience a strong feeling of location. / Master of Landscape Architecture

This research explores the relationship between economic transformations, as part of the process of globalization of the economy in Latin America and the restructuring of urban space. The study reviews two main bodies of the literature. The first one, concerned with the economic evolution of the region in the last two decades especially the trend toward export promotion. The second is related to the changes in the urbanization process arising form globalization. Drawing from these sources, a new model for the Globalized Latin American City is introduced. The empirical part of the research focuses on the Metropolitan Area of San Salvador (MASS), El Salvador, particularly in the relationship between the establishment of new Export Processing Zones (EPZs) and the emergence of new post suburban residential developments occurring nearby, thirty kilometers away from the city. A random sample household survey was conducted in two sites in order to get information about the processes of spatial movement of these populations and their hypothetical direct connection with the EPZs. The results contrast with the theoretical assumptions of the model. There is no evidence of strong direct connections between the neighborhoods and the EPZs. However, there is significant evidence that these linkages occur at a regional level, since the corridors where export-oriented industries have tended to locate appear to be increasingly connected to the metropolitan dynamic, as suppliers of work force and potential areas for new development. Therefore, economic globalization appears to act as a catalyst of a new pattern of urbanization, with profound social, administrative, and environmental consequences. / Master of Urban and Regional Planning

This study evaluated the role of waterfront development in urban regeneration, as waterfronts are used as the element that re-establishes the physical links between parts of the city. Consequently, waterfront development is an essential open resource where visitors can carry out diverse social and cultural activities on a daily basis. Furthermore, CBDs benefit from lively waterfronts, which become popular tourist attractions. There is a dire need for urban regeneration. The study focuses on the evolution of waterfront development through the urban morphology modelsto identify the starting point of central places and the factors that may have an effect on the growth of a city. Just as urban regeneration forms part of the evolution of cities and waterfronts, and as the cities and waterfronts developed so did the term urban regeneration evolve to its present form. Thus, one has to understand what components have an influence on the term urban regeneration and what the benefits are. Thereafter, the different aspects of urban development and urban regeneration are incorporated into waterfront development to understand the role of waterfront development in urban regeneration. As waterfront development took place, the first port was developed to ensure transportation of goods from one place to the next. Subsequently, the role of the waterfront became economically driven. As time passed and the old harbour fronts fell into disuse, a new role for the waterfront was needed, and the new role came with waterfront regeneration. Historically, waterfront regeneration was only seen as imperative when a waterfront area is critical for the growth of the city. Notably, when there is no use for the area and the city is in the decline period, waterfront regeneration will be a priority. Consequently, the empirical study focused on exploring this role of waterfront development by means of two international case studies (Baltimore Inner Harbour, Toronto Harbour Front) and two national case studies (V& A Waterfront, Mossel Bay CBD and Port Precinct Plan). A qualitative approach was selected because it focuses on collecting and analysing information in as many forms as possible. Furthermore, a qualitative approach aims to achieve an in-depth understanding of the matter, which is important to allocate the role of waterfront development in urban regeneration. As the study focuses on understanding the role of waterfront development as part of urban regeneration within cities, it explores the methodological framework of case studies. The case study approach involves one or more circumstances within a bounded system. As some of the case studies can be irrelevant to a study, the qualitative approach was appropriate for this study, because it focuses on eliminating unwanted case studies. This is importantto ensure that case studies do not influence the result. To ensure that the relevant information is selected, the multiple case study design was used. The study concludes that waterfront development has three primary roles in urban regeneration and that these roles have evolved over time. In conclusion, the role of waterfront development is not only economically motivated, but also environmentally and socially significant. / MSc (Urban and Regional Planning), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

This study evaluated the role of waterfront development in urban regeneration, as waterfronts are used as the element that re-establishes the physical links between parts of the city. Consequently, waterfront development is an essential open resource where visitors can carry out diverse social and cultural activities on a daily basis. Furthermore, CBDs benefit from lively waterfronts, which become popular tourist attractions. There is a dire need for urban regeneration. The study focuses on the evolution of waterfront development through the urban morphology modelsto identify the starting point of central places and the factors that may have an effect on the growth of a city. Just as urban regeneration forms part of the evolution of cities and waterfronts, and as the cities and waterfronts developed so did the term urban regeneration evolve to its present form. Thus, one has to understand what components have an influence on the term urban regeneration and what the benefits are. Thereafter, the different aspects of urban development and urban regeneration are incorporated into waterfront development to understand the role of waterfront development in urban regeneration. As waterfront development took place, the first port was developed to ensure transportation of goods from one place to the next. Subsequently, the role of the waterfront became economically driven. As time passed and the old harbour fronts fell into disuse, a new role for the waterfront was needed, and the new role came with waterfront regeneration. Historically, waterfront regeneration was only seen as imperative when a waterfront area is critical for the growth of the city. Notably, when there is no use for the area and the city is in the decline period, waterfront regeneration will be a priority. Consequently, the empirical study focused on exploring this role of waterfront development by means of two international case studies (Baltimore Inner Harbour, Toronto Harbour Front) and two national case studies (V& A Waterfront, Mossel Bay CBD and Port Precinct Plan). A qualitative approach was selected because it focuses on collecting and analysing information in as many forms as possible. Furthermore, a qualitative approach aims to achieve an in-depth understanding of the matter, which is important to allocate the role of waterfront development in urban regeneration. As the study focuses on understanding the role of waterfront development as part of urban regeneration within cities, it explores the methodological framework of case studies. The case study approach involves one or more circumstances within a bounded system. As some of the case studies can be irrelevant to a study, the qualitative approach was appropriate for this study, because it focuses on eliminating unwanted case studies. This is importantto ensure that case studies do not influence the result. To ensure that the relevant information is selected, the multiple case study design was used. The study concludes that waterfront development has three primary roles in urban regeneration and that these roles have evolved over time. In conclusion, the role of waterfront development is not only economically motivated, but also environmentally and socially significant. / MSc (Urban and Regional Planning), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

La caractéristique la plus évidente de l’interface terrestre est son hétérogénéité. Phénoménologiquement, celle-ci, anthropique ou naturelle, transparaît de limites qui définissent les formes déployées dans l’espace géographique. Ces limites sont certes dues à une dynamique temporelle, tout autant que à une dynamique scalaire. Celle-ci se manifeste dans les rapports possibles et changeant existant entre échelles dans la mesure où tout échelle ne peut se concevoir que comme relative à une autre servant de référence. Ceci conduit à la relativité d’échelle (R.E.) qui devrait permettre de définir intrinsèquement l’espace géographique. Le premier objectif est de montrer la possibilité d’utiliser la R.E. en géographie. Au coeur de la R.E., on trouve la géométrie fractale qui reste indispensable pour essayer de comprendre l’organisation scalaire du monde. Jusqu’à présent les fractales n’étaient utilisées que comme un outil de description plus ou moins pertinent. En R.E., les formes fractales deviennent une conséquence d’un espace formel intrinsèquement irrégulier. La fractalité peut donc être une voie de compréhension du monde utilisant l’espace de ses échelles, c’est-à-dire de ses résolutions. L’objectif central de cette étude est donc de construire une méthodologie fractale générale nécessaire à l’étude d’une morphologie quelconque à travers divers exemples issus de la géographie physique, de la géographie urbaine, de la géohistoire et de la géographie du peuplement. L’objectif final est d’aboutir à des solutions formelles accessibles à une large communauté de géographes, ce qui n’est pas le cas de la théorie de la R.E. dans son formalisme actuel. D’un point de vue épistémologique, le développement en géographie de la R.E. pose la question de la renaturalisation de cette discipline des Sciences humaines et sociales et de sa constitution en science analytique, donc plus largement de proposer une nouvelle définition de la géographie / The most obvious characteristic of the terrestrial interface is its heterogeneity. Phenomenologically, this one, human or natural, show limits that define the forms deployed in geographic space. These limits are certainly due to temporal dynamic, all as much as a scale dynamic. This one is manifested in the possible relationships and variables that exist between scales inasmuch as every scale can no conceive than relative to another that is used as reference. This leads to the scale relativity (SR) which should allow to define intrinsically the geographical space. The first objective is to show the possibility of using SR in geography. At the heart of the SR, we found that fractal geometry is indispensable to try to understand the organization in the scales of the world. So far fractals no were used than as a tool of describing more or less relevant. In SR, the fractal forms become a consequence of a formal space intrinsically irregular. The fractality can be thus a way of understanding of the world using the space of scales, that is to say its resolutions. The central objective of this study is thus to build a general fractal methodology necessary under investigation of an unspecified morphology through various examples resulting from the physical geography, the urban geography, the geohistory and the geography of the settlement. The final objective is to lead to solutions formal accessible at a broad community from geographers, which is not the case of the theory of the R.E in its current formalism. From an epistemological point of view, the development in geography of the R.E raises the question of the Re-naturalization of this discipline of the human and social sciences and of the constitution in analytical science, therefore more largely to propose a new definition of the geography

A hipótese que conduz o trabalho atribui aos Grandes Projetos Urbanos à condição de ferramenta de transformação da forma urbana sob a ótica das intervenções sobre o tecido urbano degradado ou ociosos capaz de regenerar partes deste tecido e provocar a reabilitação de sua paisagem e dinâmica social e econômica. Como meio de investigação sobre a cidade contemporânea, a primeira parte da tese é dedicada ao estudo e análise da forma urbana e seus pesquisadores, no qual cada um apresenta suas teorias e resultados sobre o tecido urbano que se transforma a cada instante. É certo que os Grandes Projetos Urbanos tiveram maior influência nos países europeus motivados por diversos fatores (naturais ou não) que obrigaram as cidades a repensar suas estruturas urbanas e definir, rapidamente, estratégias de reconstrução de forma eficiente, assim na segunda parte da tese os \"estudos de caso\" são colocados como objetos de estudo e análise da forma urbana a partir da compreensão e entendimento das causas e consequências com que levaram cada cidade estudada a iniciar o processo de transformação da forma urbana, da mesma forma com que utilizaram de estratégias econômicas e sociais capaz de regenerar o tecido urbano e revigorar a dinâmica da cidade, sendo eleitos quatro Grandes Projetos Urbanos: 22@ BCN e La Sagrera-San Andreu em Barcelona - Espanha, ZAC Paris Rive Gauche em Paris - França, Spina 2 - Porta Susa em Torino - Itália, que se relacionam de forma direta ou indireta com o objeto de estudo: Operação Urbana Orla Ferroviária de Suzano, colocado em discussão na terceira parte da tese, confirmando a necessária condição com que as cidades americanas, e em especial as latinas e central, se posicionam quanto as hoje configuradas \"Cidades Globais\", e que em muitas vezes perderam ao longo do tempo sua dinâmica urbana em detrimento ora da falta do planejamento urbano ordenado ou pela degradação gradativa em função da transformação econômica e/ou tecnológica. O caso de Suzano, cidade localizada na Região Metropolitana de São Paulo e distante cerca de 40 Km do centro da capital, não pode ser tomada como exceção deste processo de \"desmontagem das peças urbanas\" que provocou a subutilização dos espaços antes ocupados pelos serviços de manobra e depósito da rede ferroviária assim como a degradação dos espaços construídos provocados pela falta de uma politica pública que incentivasse novas experiências e o redesenho urbano neste trecho da cidade. Em resposta a estes fatores, o objeto de estudo é compreendido neste caso, como uma importante ferramenta de transformação da forma urbana com estratégias que garantam sua sustentabilidade e desenvolvimento urbano compatíveis com as atuais tecnologias. O trabalho defende que os Grandes Projetos Urbanos quando se tornam objetos de redesenho do tecido tendem a transformar a Forma Urbana incorporando critérios além daqueles funcionais e específicos da paisagem, mas também com uma intensa relação com sua vizinhança e entorno próximo. Nesta condição, tendem a desempenhar um papel relevante na qualidade espacial da cidade contemporânea provocando a regeneração tanto dos espaços não construídos (vazios urbanos) como os construídos (edifícios), num convívio mútuo entre as formas urbanas existentes e as propostas pela intervenção. / The hypothesis driving the work assigned to the Large Urban Projects tool condition transformation of urban form from the perspective of interventions into the urban fabric degraded or idle able to regenerate parts of this tissue and cause your landscape rehabilitation and social and economic dynamics. As a means of research on the contemporary city, the first part of the thesis is devoted to the study and analysis of urban form and its researchers, in which each presents his theories and findings on the urban fabric that transforms every moment. Admittedly the Large Urban Projects had more influence in European countries motivated by several factors (natural or not) that forced the city to rethink its urban structures and set quickly rebuilding strategies efficiently, so the second part of the thesis \"case studies\" are placed as objects of study and analysis of urban form from the comprehension and understanding of the causes and consequences with each city studied that led to begin the process of transformation of urban form, the same way they used strategies social and economic able to regenerate and invigorate the urban dynamics of the city, being elected four Large Urban Projects: 22 @ BCN and La Sagrera-San Andreu in Barcelona - Spain, ZAC Paris Rive Gauche in Paris - France, Spina 2 - Porta Susa in Torino - Italy, which relate directly or indirectly to the subject of study: Urban Train Operation Orla Suzano, put in discussion in the third part of the thesis, confirming that the necessary condition to American cities, and especially Latin and Central stand today as the configured \"Global Cities\", and that in many times lost over time its urban dynamics over prays the lack of urban planning for orderly or gradual degradation due to the economic transformation and / or technological. The case of Suzano, a town in the Metropolitan Region of São Paulo and distant about 40 km from the city center, cannot be taken as an exception in this process of \"dismantling of urban pieces\" that led to the underutilization of the space once occupied by services maneuver and tank rail network as well as the degradation of built spaces caused by the lack of a public policy that encourages new experiences and urban redesign this part of town. In response to these factors, the study object is understood in this case as an important tool for transformation of urban form with strategies that ensure their sustainability and urban development compatible with existing technologies. The paper argues that the Large Urban Projects when they become objects redesign tissue tend to make Urban Form incorporating criteria beyond that functional and specific landscape, but also with an intense relationship with his neighborhood and near surroundings. In this condition, tend to play a role in spatial quality of the contemporary city causing regeneration of both spaces not built (urban voids) as built (buildings), a mutual interaction between the existing urban form and the proposed intervention.

O objeto desta pesquisa é a alteração das condições de ventilação natural e de incidência solar provocadas pelo meio urbano. Objetiva-se comprovar a hipótese de que o maior adensamento urbano através da verticalização é compatível com o conforto térmico em edifícios residenciais multifamiliares em altura utilizando apenas a ventilação natural durante 80% das horas do ano. Obstáculos no entorno modificam o comportamento do vento, reduzindo ou incrementando o campo de pressões sobre as fachadas. Por outro lado, edifícios altos situados nas proximidades podem reduzir parcelas significativas da radiação solar sobre planos verticais. O estudo tem como foco o clima quente e úmido de Fortaleza (3° S) e analisa quatro diferentes configurações representativas da morfologia urbana presentes nesta cidade. A investigação vale-se de simulações computacionais em diferentes etapas e escalas de abordagem numa metodologia sequencial e complementar na qual cada fase fornece dados necessários ao estágio seguinte. Partiu-se da avaliação da ventilação urbana através de CFD para as duas direções de vento predominantes, que forneceram dados de Cp sobre as aberturas do edifício adotado. Em seguida, simulou-se o comportamento dos fluxos internos, determinando as taxas de renovação do ar e o campo de velocidades no interior do apartamento. O desempenho térmico anual de três ambientes de permanência prolongada foi calculado e os resultados analisados com base no total de horas dentro da zona de conforto utilizando o modelo adaptativo da ASHRAE (2004). A sensação de resfriamento a partir do movimento do ar foi considerada para a extensão dos limites da zona de conforto. A hipótese mostrou-se válida, uma vez que formas urbanas mais verticalizadas como os cenários 2 e 3 obstruíram parcelas significativas da radiação solar em pavimentos mais baixos comparados a conjuntos urbanos formados por edificações mais baixas. Mesmo diante de vazões de ar cerca de 40% mais baixas em alguns casos com vento sudeste, o cenário 2 apresentou maior quantidade de horas em conforto. O mesmo ocorreu com o cenário 3, cujos valores de vazões de ar com vento leste foram discretamente superiores àqueles obtidos nos cenários 1 e 4, porém alcançando maiores períodos em conforto térmico nos pavimentos mais baixos, reforçando a atuação conjunta da obstrução à radiação solar e a manutenção de condições para ventilar naturalmente as fachadas de edifícios. Ao considerar o efeito de resfriamento provocado pelo movimento do ar, foi possível atingir a condição de conforto térmico em 85% dos casos. Ainda, as baixas correlaçõesentre a vazão de ar e a taxa de ocupação do solo em cada cenário ou a altura média das edificações reforçam a premissa de que a variabilidade do vento e o dinamismo da forma urbana impedem a determinação imediata de quais configurações espaciais reduzirão ou potencializarão as condições de ventilação natural, indicando, também, a possibilidade de compatibilizar maiores níveis de densidade urbana e condições ambientais satisfatórias em edifícios. / The object of this research is the changes in natural ventilation conditions and sunlight caused by the urban environment. The aim is to prove the hypothesis that higher urban density levels thru vertical buildings is compatible with thermal comfort in naturally ventilated residential buildings during 80% of total year´s hours. Surrounding obstacles modify wind patterns, reducing or increasing the pressure field over façades. On the other hand, tall buildings located nearby might reduce significant solar radiation portions over vertical planes. This study focus the hot-humid climate of Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil (3° S) and analyses four different representative urban forms within this city. The investigation uses computational simulations in different stages and approaching scales in a sequential and complementary methodology in which each phase supplies the necessary data to the next level. Starting point was to evaluate the urban ventilation using a CFD tool according to two dominant wind directions, which provided Cp data over buildings openings. Then, internal flows were simulated in order to determine air changes rates and velocity field in the apartment. Annual thermodynamic performance in threelong permanence rooms was calculated and the results were evaluated using ASHRAE (2004) adaptive model. Cooling effect due to air movement was considered to extend the limits of thermal comfort zone. The hypothesis proved to be valid since more vertical urban forms such as scenarios 2 and 3 obstructed significant solar radiation portions over lower floors compared to urban settlements with lower buildings. Even with airflow rates about 40% lower in some cases with southeast wind, scenario 2 had more hours within the comfort zone. The same occurred with scenario 3, in which airflow rates for east wind were slightly higher than that obtained in scenarios 1 and 4, but achieving greater comfort periods in lower floors, reinforcing the combined effect of obstructing solar radiation and maintaining the conditions to naturally ventilate building´s façades. Considering the cooling effect due to air movement made possible to achieve thermal comfort situations in 85% of the cases. Yet, lower correlations between airflow rates and land use in each scenario or average height of buildings reinforce the premise that wind variability and the dynamism of the urban form prevent the immediate determination of which spatial configuration may reduce or enhance natural ventilation conditions, also indicating that high-density urban levels are compatible with satisfactory environmental conditions within buildings.