Enbe report

2
Content:
1. Introduction
2. A Town
3. Investigation & Data Collection: Ancient and old cities/town
4. Investigation & Data Collection: The present towns/cities
5. Investigation & Data Collection: The future and better
township
6. Aspire Town
7. Conclusion
8. References list

3
Introduction
For our final project for ENBE, we are required to design our own future town where
we have to consider the zoning, transportation, activities and networking
infrastructures and sustainable initiatives for better living. The first step in planning a
project is to conduct thorough research on the needs of the people, the facilities,
infrastructures, and how it will sustain itself in the future by understanding historical
towns, present towns and also future towns that has or will be developed.
To plan a future is to look back on the past. There are many beautiful historical towns
that have existed for centuries. We can propose a better future town through
understanding and learning from the history of the towns while incorporating the
elements instilled in these beautiful towns.
Through this project, we are able to understand the basic form, unit and function of
the elements of the natural and built environment to create a town with a
sustainable and livable environment.

4
The City
A city is a relatively large and permanent human settlement.[1][2] Although there is
no agreement on how a city is distinguished from a town within general English
language meanings, many cities have a particular administrative, legal, or historical
status based on local law.
History
The first true urban settlements appeared around 3,000 B.C. in ancient Mesopotamia,
Egypt, and the Indus Valley. Ancient cities displayed both "organic" and "planned"
types of urban form. These societies had elaborate religious, political, and military
hierarchies. Precincts devoted to the activities of the elite were often highly planned
and regular in form. In contrast, residential areas often grew by a slow process of
accretion, producing complex, irregular patterns that we term "organic." Two typical
features of the ancient city are the wall and the citadel: the wall for defense in
regions periodically swept by conquering armies, and the citadel -- a large,
elevated precinct within the city -- devoted to religious and state functions.
During the Renaissance, architects began to systematically study the shaping of
urban space, as though the city itself were a piece of architecture that could be
given an aesthetically pleasing and functional order. Many of the great public
spaces of Rome and other Italian cities date from this era. Parts of old cities were
rebuilt to create elegant squares, long street vistas, and symmetrical building
arrangements. Responding to advances in firearms during the fifteenth century, new
city walls were designed with large earthworks to deflect artillery, and star-shaped
points to provide defenders with sweeping lines of fire. Spanish colonial cities in the
New World were built according to rules codified in the Laws of the Indies of 1573,
specifying an orderly grid of streets with a central plaza, defensive wall, and uniform
building style.
Cities have changed more since the Industrial Revolution than in all the previous
centuries of their existence. New York had a population of about 313,000 in 1840 but
had reached 4,767,000 in 1910. Chicago exploded from 4.000 to 2,185,000 during
the same period. Millions of rural dwellers no longer needed on farms flocked to the
cities, where new factories churned out products for the new markets made
accessible by railroads and steamships. In the United States, millions of immigrants
from Europe swelled the urban populations. Increasingly, urban economies were
being woven more rightly into the national and international economies.

5
What makes a city
Cities generally have complex systems for sanitation, utilities, land usage, housing,
and transportation. The concentration of development greatly facilitates interaction
between people and businesses, benefiting both parties in the process, but it also
presents challenges to managing urban growth.[3] A big city or metropolis usually
has associated suburbs and exurbs. Such cities are usually associated with
metropolitan areas and urban areas, creating numerous business commuters
traveling to urban centers for employment. Once a city expands far enough to
reach another city, this region can be deemed a conurbation or megalopolis. In
terms of population, the largest city proper is Shanghai, while the fastest growing is
Dubai.
What makes a good city
Every modern city contains an amazing array of pathways to carry flows of people,
goods, water, energy, and information. Transportation networks are the largest and
most visible of these.
Utilities
Modern cities rely on complex networks of utilities. When cities were small, obtaining
pure water and disposing of wastes was not a major problem, but cities with large
populations and high densities require expensive public infrastructure. During the
nineteenth century, rapid urban growth and industrialization caused overcrowding,
pollution, and disease in urban areas. Since the late nineteenth century, cities have
also been laced with wires and conduits carrying electricity, gas, and
communications signals.
Buildings
Buildings are the most visible elements of the city, the features that give each city its
unique character. Residential structures occupy almost half of all urban land, with
the building types ranging from scattered single-family homes to dense high-rise
apartments. Commercial buildings are clustered downtown and at various
subcenters, with skyscrapers packed into the central business district and low -rise
structures prevailing elsewhere, although tall buildings are becoming more common
in the suburbs. Industrial buildings come in many forms ranging from large factory
complexes in industrial districts to small workshops.
Land Use
City planners engage in a constant search for the proper arrangement of these
different types of land use, paying particular attention to the compatibility of
different activities, population densities, traffic generation, economic efficiency,
social relationships, and the height and bulk of buildings.

6
Open Spaces
Open space is sometimes treated as a leftover, but it contributes greatly to the
quality of urban life. "Hard" spaces such as plazas, malls, and courtyards provide
settings for public activities of all kinds. "Soft" spaces such as parks, gardens, lawns,
and nature preserves provide essential relief from harsh urban conditions and serve
as space for recreational activities. These "amenities" increasingly influence which
cities will be perceived as desirable places to live.
Zoning
Zoning is one the elements that gives a sense of the intent of the body politic. It is
driven in part by public realm interests. It provides guidelines for a good public realm
as determined for a specific district. Greater height and density are often allowed in
areas where new construction is encouraged (e.g. the North and South Station
areas), more restrictive heights and densities where the character of historic districts
are to be maintained or the infrastructure too delicate to support greater density
(e.g. the Leather District, Beacon Hill).
Residential, commercial, industrial/transportation, and public facility uses currently
occupy about 65 percent of the city’s total lot area. Another 10 percent is vacant or
occupied by parking or miscellaneous uses. The remaining lot area, about 25
percent, is parkland or other open space, most of which is not subject to zoning
regulations. (Lot area is exclusive of streets, which comprise about 21 percent of the
city’s gross land area.)

7
Investigation & Data Collection:
Ancient Cities / towns
Tenochtitlan, Mexico

8
History
Tenochtitlan was the capital city of the Aztec
civilization, founded in 1325 by the Mexica
people. The Aztecs, or Mexica as they called
themselves, were not originally from the Valley
of Mexico, but had migrated from the north
(from a mythical island called Aztlan, "The Place
of Herons") Historically, it is known that the
Mexica and other tribes located in northern
Mexico and the southwestern United States,
known as the Chichimeca, left their homes
because of a great drought. This story is told in several surviving codices, in which the
Mexica are shown carrying with them the idol of their patron deity Huitzilopochtli.
After two centuries of migration, at around AD 1250, the Mexica arrived in the Valley
of Mexico.
When the Mexica finally arrived in the Valley of Mexico, the earlier great cities of
Teotihuacan and Tula had been abandoned for centuries and other groups of
people were already settled on the best lands. Because of this the Mexica had a
troubled time and were forced to settle on inhospitable land. They became vassals
of the city of Culhuacan, a prestigious city whose rulers were considered the heirs of
the Toltecs. It is said that in acknowledgement for their assistance during battle, the
Mexica were given one of the daughters of the King of Culhuacan to be
worshipped as a goddess/priestess. When the king arrived to attend the ceremony,
he found one of the Mexica priests dressed in the flayed skin of his daughter: the
Mexica reported to the king that their God Hutzilopochtli had asked for the sacrifice
of the princess. The sacrifice and flaying of the Culhua Princess provoked a ferocious
battle, which the Mexica lost. After they were forced out of Chapultepec,
according to Mexica myth, the
Aztecs wandered for weeks,
searching for a place to settle.
Huitzilopochtli appeared to the
Mexica leaders and indicated a
place where a great eagle was
perched on a cactus killing a
snake. This place, in the middle of
a marsh with no ground-rock at all,
was where the Mexica founded
their capital city, Tenochtitlan. The
year was 2 Calli (Two House) in the

9
Aztec calendar, which
translates to AD 1325.
The vision is immortalized in
Mexico's coat of arms and
the centre of the Mexican
flag.
A thriving culture developed,
and the Aztec civilization
came to dominate other
tribes all around Mexico. The
small natural island was
perpetually enlarged as
Tenochtitlan grew to become
the largest and most powerful
city in Mesoamerica. Commercial routes were developed that brought goods from
places as far as the Gulf of Mexico, the Pacific Ocean and even the Inca Empire.
Only 100 years after its conception, Tenochtitlan had become a city that rivalled
any of its European contemporaries and perhaps any in the world. Scholars estimate
that between 200,000 and 250,000 people lived in Tenochtitlan in 1500, more than
four times the population of London at that time.
Layout of Tenochtitlán
The Aztec capital of Tenochtitlán (at
modern Mexico City) was founded in
1325 on a muddy island in the lake
which at that time filled the Basin of
Mexico. A second group of Aztecs also
settled the nearby island of Tlatelolco in
1358. Both sites began as small
collections of reed huts but, with the
growth of Aztec power, quickly
developed into cities, eventually fusing
into a single unit. Tenochtitlán was
joined to the mainland by three
causeways. An aqueduct supplied
fresh water from Chapultepec. Along
with the many palaces and
marketplaces of the city the Tecpan, a central plaza contained the two principal
temples, built on a huge terraced pyramid (El Templo Mayor). By 1519, the year the
Spaniards arrived, Tenochtitlán had a population of more than 200,000. It was laid

10
out on a grid plan and covered more than 12 km2 (4.6 mi2), much of this consisting
of reclaimed swampland that formed a zone of fertile garden plots around the
edge of the city.
Linkage in the town
The Aztec city-states in the valley were an extremely proficient hydraulic society.
They used bridges, causeways, dikes, sluices, canals, aqueducts, terrace farming,
and chinampas (artificial, floating gardens) to sustain the population and allow for
navigation about the city. A 16-km (10-mi) dike sealed off part of the lake and
controlled flooding, so that Tenochtitlán, like a Mexican Venice, stood on an island
in an artificial lagoon. Causeways linked the island to the lakeshore, and canals
reached to all parts of the city. The Tenochtitlans used the aqueduct water from
Chapultepec for bathing and cleaning and they used mountain spring water for
drinking and cooking.
Floating Garden
The market district,
was estimated by
Spanish explorer
Bernal Diaz del
Castillo to be twice
the size of Seville and
bustling with over
60,000 shoppers and
traders. The produce
and goods for this
market and several
others in the city
came mostly from the
intricate and
efficiently irrigated gardens created by the Aztecs in the shallow lakes surrounding
the city. These gardens, called chinampas, were artificial island plots of 30 x 2.5-3
meters. These “floating gardens” produced 3 crops a year and grew at least a half
to two-thirds of the food consumed by the 200,000 residents of Tenochtitlan. Irrigated
by the surrounding lake water, the chinampas were fertilized by digging up the
nutrient-rich mud from the bottom of the canals and also by using human waste
from the city itself. In this way, Tenochtitlan was able to better fertilize its crops while
treating its wastewater― creating a healthier living environment for all. Mexico city is

11
currently trying to create a waste-water treatment system incorporating the use of
chinampas similar to the ones used by the Aztecs so long ago.
El Templo Mayor
At the centre of Tenochtitlán was a large walled precinct, the Teclan, presumed to
be the focus of ceremonial and sacred activity, containing the main temples
(dedicated to Huitzilopochtli, Tlaloc the Rain God, and Quetzalcóatl); also found
there were schools and priests' quarters, a court for the ritual ballgame, a wooden
rack holding the skulls of sacrificial victims, and many other commemorative
sculptures. The largest structure of the complex was the Templo Mayor, said to be
the very location of the fulfilment of the Aztec prophesy.
Conclusion
From this research I have extracted out a few points to implement in my future city,
which are,
 The layout and structure of the town
 The concept of the El Templo Tower as the focus of the town
The linkage of the zones

12
Present Towns / township
Venice, Italy

13
History
According to tradition, Venice was founded in 421
AD on March 25th. The most important village in the
lagoon by that time is not Venice but Torcello,
where in 639 the gorgeous Cathedral was built, and
where many people are seeking refuge from
barbarian invasions. Step by step, Venice was built
on several islands of a lagoon, then linked by bridges.
In Venice the Doges' government is established:
the first historically known doge is Orso Ipato (in 726).
The year 814 is the starting date of the construction
of Palazzo Ducale (Doges' Palace) in what is today
St. Mark's Square. The Basilica St. Mark's instead was
began in 834, but this first basilica went burnt down
Venice is spreading its commercial boundaries: in
1000 its fleet defeats the pirates of the Adriatic sea.
Then Venice takes part to the Crusades, the war
campaigns aimed to free Jerusalem. For Venice this
is a business opportunity and expansion chance as
well. Many works of art are taken to Venice as a booty: for instance, the four bronze
horses of St. Mark's. The original bronzes can now be seen in St.Mark's museum, whilst
the four horses on the Basilica's facade are perfect copies.
At the beginning of the XIV century, Venice
started to rapidly expand toward the interior
part of the Veneto, Friuli, and the Lombard
cities of Brescia and Bergamo.Due to the
attacks moved by other European countries,
between the end of the 14th Century and the
beginning of the 15th century, Venice started
its decline and expansionism either in Italy
and in East while the discovery of the
American turned the attention of many
merchants to the new world. But we have to
wait till 1866 to see Venice jointed together
with Italy after the 3rd independence war.

14
Venice is a city in northeastern Italy sited on a group of 118 small islands separated
by canals and linked by bridges.It is located in the marshy Venetian Lagoon which
stretches along the shoreline, between the mouths of the Po and the Piave Rivers.
Venice is renowned for the beauty of its setting, its architecture and its artworks.
Architecture
Venice has a rich and diverse
architectural style, the most famous of
which is the Gothic style. Venetian
Gothic architecture is a term given to
a Venetian building style combining
use of the Gothic lancet arch with
Byzantine and Ottoman influences.
The style originated in 14th-century
Venice, where the confluence of
Byzantine style from Constantinople
met Arab influence from Moorish
Spain. Chief examples of the style are the Doge's Palace and the Ca' d'Oro in the
city. The city also has several Renaissance and Baroque buildings, including the Ca'
Pesaro and the Ca' Rezzonico.

15
Interior Design
It can be argued that Venice produced the best and most refined Rococo designs.
At the time, Venice was in a state of trouble. It had lost most of its maritime power,
was lagging behind its rivals in political importance, and society had become
decadent, with nobles wasting their money in gambling and partying. But Venice
remained Italy's fashion capital, and was a serious contender to Paris in terms of
wealth, architecture, luxury, taste, sophistication, trade, decoration, style, and
design.[62] Venetian Rococo was well known for being rich and luxurious, with
usually very extravagant designs. Unique Venetian furniture, such as the divani da
portego, or long Rococo couches and pozzetti, objects meant to be placed against
the wall. Venetian bedrooms were usually sumptuous and grand, with rich damask,
velvet, and silk drapery and curtains, a beautifully carved Rococo beds with statues
of putti, flowers and angels.[62] Venice was especially famous for its beautiful
girandole mirrors, which remained among, if not, the finest in Europe. Chandeliers
were usually very colourful, using Murano glass to make them look more vibrant and
stand out from others, and precious stones and materials from abroad were used,
since Venice still held a vast trade empire. Lacquer was very common, and many
items of furniture were covered with it, the most famous being lacca povera (poor
lacuqer), in which allegories and images of social life were painted. Lacquerwork
and Chinoiserie wereparticularly common in bureau cabinets.
St Mark's Basilic
Creating Venice’s architectural wonder took nearly 800 years and one saintly barrel
of lard. In AD 828, wily Venetian merchants allegedly smuggled St Mark’s corpse out
of Egypt in a barrel of pork fat to avoid inspection by Muslim customs authorities.
Venice built a golden basilica around its stolen saint, whose bones were misplaced
twice during construction
Exterior Design
Church authorities in Rome took a dim
view of Venice’s tendency to glorify
itself and God in the same breath, but
Venice defiantly created the official
doge’s chapel in its own cosmopolitan
image, with Byzantine onion-bulb
domes, Greek cross layout and Egyptian

16
marble walls. The brick basilica is clad in patchworks of marbles and reliefs from Syria,
Egypt and Palestine – priceless trophies from Crusades conquests and battles with
Genoa. At the southwestern corner is the Four Tetrarchs , an Egyptian porphyry
statue supposedly representing four emperors of ancient Rome looted from
Constantinople.
Interior Design
The interior is based on a Greek cross, with each arm divided into three naves with a
dome of its own as well as the main dome above the crossing. The dome above the
crossing and the western dome are bigger than the other three. This is based on
Constantine's Church of the Holy Apostles in Constantinople. The marble floor (12th
century, but underwent many restorations) is entirely tessellated in geometric
patterns and animal designs. One particular panel in the pavement shows two
cocks carrying a trussed-up fox
has been interpreted politically by
some, as a reference to the
French conquest of Milan in the
Italian Wars. Others see it as a
sacred symbol of the faithful wish
for immortality, with the victory of
the cock and "analogous to the
hope of resurrection, the victory of
the soul over death". The
techniques used were opus sectile
and opus tessellatum. The lower register of walls and pillars is completely covered
with polychrome marble slabs. The transition between the lower and the upper
register is delimited all around the basilica by passageways which largely substituted
the former galleries.
Rialto Bridge
The Rialto Bridge (Ponte
di Rialto) opened in 1591.
For nearly three hundred
years, it was the only way
to cross the Grand Canal
on foot. The bridge
replaced various wooden
bridges that had
occupied the same

17
location since the 12th century.
Design
The Rialto Bridge is formed by two inclined ramps covered by a portico with shops
on either side. (This area has long been a market place for Venetians.) There are
three walkways that cross the bridge - two along the outer balustrades and a wider
one in the center. Because galley ships passed under the bridge in days gone by,
the bridge's arch is higher than many - reaching about 7.5 meters (24 feet). About
12,000 wooden pilings support this bridge with a single span of 48 meters (158 feet).
As a top tourist attraction, the Rialto Bridge is generally included on most tours of the
city and is easily photographed while riding a vaporetto (water bus) along the
Grand Canal.
Transportation
Vaporetto
A vaporetto (plural: vaporetti) is a
water bus that takes both locals
and visitors to the places they want
and need to go throughout Venice.
Because traveling the canals is the
easiest way to get around the city,
the vaporetto have long been the
most efficient and cost-effective
modes of transportation, aside from
walking. Like a bus, vaporetti hold a number of passengers and it's not unusual to
see travelers carrying their luggage on board in order to get to or from their hotel.
The water bus system will take you up and down the Grand Canal, to the islands,
and around the lagoon.
Gondola
The gondola is a traditional, flat-
bottomed Venetian rowing boat, well
suited to the conditions of the Venetian
lagoon. The gondola is propelled like
punting, except an oar is used instead of
a pole. For centuries gondolas were the
chief means of transportation and most
common watercraft within Venice. It is

18
driven by a gondolier. In modern times the iconic boats still have a role in public
transport in the city, serving as traghetti (ferries) over the Grand Canal. They are also
used in special regattas (rowing races) held amongst gondoliers. Their primary role
today, however, is to carry tourists on rides at fixed rates
People Mover
The Venice People Mover is a people
mover-type public transit system in
Venice, Italy opened in 2010. It
connects Piazzale Roma with the
city's Tronchetto island car parking
facility, via a stop above the
Marittima cruise terminal. The
transport system started operating on
April 19, 2010. The two vehicles of the
system are pulled by a cable similar
to a funicular. The basic idea of
funicular operation is that two cars
are always attached to each other
by a cable, which runs through a
pulley at the top of the slope. Counterbalancing of the two cars, with one going up
and one going down, minimizes the energy needed to lift the car going up. The
whole 853-metre-long (0.5 mi) journey takes three minutes.
Conclusion
which are,
 The architecture valueof the buildings
 Tourism as the major sector in the city
 Transportation systemand bridges

19
New York City, United States of America
History
The first person to visit the area which is now known as New York City was Giovanni
da Verrazano who discovered the area in 1524, when he sailed into the area and
landed there. The discovery and first settlement of the area occurred in 1609 by
Henry Hudson, who found the location while searching for a new route to Asia. The
settlement was called New Amsterdam and established as a Dutch trading colony.
The name of the settlement would eventually become New York in 1664, when the
British took control of the colonies.
New York City became an important city during the Revolutionary War period and
for a brief time period, it was Capital of the new United States after the colonies
declared their independence. In the 1800's, with the opening of the Erie Canal
providing passage to the Great Lakes, New York became one of the most important
sea ports on the Atlantic Ocean, and became a center of trade. This lead to a
substantial population growth into the largest city in the United States.
New York City also became a destination for immigrants coming in to the country to
begin a new life. In the early 1900's millions of people came though Ellis Island
seeking citizenship in the United States. A vast majority of these immigrants settled in
New York City, which today is still one of the most diversepopulations in the world.
Over time the city has grown to be a population center in the United States as well
as a center for various activities. New York City is known for Broadway, the fabulous
skyline, Central Park, Times Square, the Statue of Liberty, top sports venues and
teams, and is one of the top destinations for tourists around the world.

20
Landmarks
The Empire State Building is generally thought of
as an American cultural icon. It is designed in
the distinctive Art Deco style and has been
named as one of the Seven Wonders of the
Modern World by the American Society of Civil
Engineers. The building and its street floor
interior are designated landmarks of the New
York City Landmarks Preservation Commission,
and confirmed by the New York City Board of
Estimate.[15] It was designated as a National
Historic Landmark in 1986.[11][16][17] In 2007, it
was ranked number one on the AIA's List of
America's FavoriteArchitecture.
The Brooklyn Bridge is a hybrid cable-
stayed/suspension bridge in New York
City and is one of the oldest bridges of
either type in the United States.
Completed in 1883, it connects the
boroughs of Manhattan and Brooklyn by
spanning the East River. It has a main
span of 1,595.5 feet (486.3 m), and was
the first steel-wire suspension bridge
constructed. Since its opening, it has become an icon of New York City, and was
designated a National Historic Landmark in 1964 and a National Historic Civil
Engineering Landmark in 1972.
"The Statue of Liberty Enlightening the World" was a gift of
friendship from the people of France to the United States
and is recognized as a universal symbol of freedom and
democracy. The Statue of Liberty was dedicated on
October 28, 1886. It was designated as a National
Monument in 1924. Employees of the National Park
Service have been caring for the colossal copper statue
since 1933.

21
Zoning of New York City
New York City is recognized for its iconic landmarks, but it is also at the forefront of
continual reinvention and
architectural exploration.
Today’s zoning has been
designed to reshape the
city by embodying smart
growth and sustainable
principles while addressing a
range of goals as diverse as
New York City’s
neighborhoods. Over the
past nine years, over 9,400
blocks - equal to roughly
one-fifth of the city - have
been rezoned. Increases in
density are found in transit-
oriented locations within
walkable communities that
offer a variety of retail,
service, community facility
and employment destinations that can be comfortably reached without having to
use an automobile. In a city where housing is always in short supply, new
opportunities for housing development, market-rate and affordable, have been
created in former industrial areas and in established neighborhoods with good transit
connections that can sustain increased density. Contextual zoning districts have
been refined and expanded to better preserve the character of the city’s
neighborhoods. In the outlying and more auto-dependent lower-density areas
distant from mass transit, new growth management techniques have been
developed to better address issues arising fromrapid growth.
Conclusion
which are,
 Zoning of the city
 Landmarks of the city

22
The future of towns and Better Towns
Lilypad
The Floating ecopolis, otherwise known as the Lilypad, is a model designed by
Belgian architect Vincent Callebaut for future climatic refugees. He proposed this
model as a long-term solution to rising water level as per the GIEC
(Intergovernmental group on the evolution of the climate) forecast. It is a self-
sufficient amphibious city and satisfies the four challenges laid down by the OECD
(Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) in March 2008 namely,
climate, biodiversity, water and health.

23
Design
With a shape inspired by the highly ribbed leaf of Victoria water lilies, the double skin
of the floating “ecopolis” would be made of polyester fibers covered by a layer of
titanium dioxide (TiO2), which would react with ultraviolet rays and absorb
atmospheric pollution via a photocatalytic effect in the same way as the air-
purifying concrete and paving stones.
Three marinas and three mountains would surround a centrally located artificial
lagoon that is totally immersed below the water line to act as ballast for the city. The
three mountains and marinas would be dedicated to work, shopping and
entertainment, respectively, while suspended gardens and aquaculture farms
located below the water line would be used to grow food and biomass.

24
Energy
The floating city would also include the full complement of renewable energy
technologies, including solar, thermal, wind, tidal, and biomass to produce more
energy than it consumes. The Lilypads could be located close to land or set free to
follow the ocean currents wherever they may lead.

25
The New “X” Town
Aspire Town
Concept : Grid System Zoning
History
New Haven Colony, one of the earliest colonies in America, was designed with a tiny
9-square grid at its founding in 1638. On a grander scale, Philadelphia was designed
on a rectilinear street grid in 1682; one of the first cities in North America to use a grid
system.At the urging of city founder William Penn, surveyor Thomas Holme designed
a system of wide streets intersecting at right angles between the Schuylkill River to
the west and Delaware River to the east, including five squares of dedicated

26
parkland. Penn advertised this orderly design as a safeguard against overcrowding,
fire, and disease, which plagued European cities. Holme drafted an ideal version of
the grid but alleyways sprouted within and between larger blocks as the city took
shape. Arguably the most famous grid plan in history is the plan for New York City
formulated in the Commissioners' Plan of 1811, a visionary proposal by the state
legislature of New York for the development of most of Manhattan above Houston
Street.
Commissioners’ Plan of 1811
This design established Manhattan’s street grid. The plan, once called
“the single most important document in New York City’s development,”
is widely considered to be visionary and far-reaching. Described by the
commission as a blend “beauty, order and convenience,” the grid was
adopted in 1811 to facilitate the sale and development of land north of
14th Street to Washington Heights.
Benefits of Street Grid
 it’s cheaper to build rectangular buildings, in a
rectangular block
 there are significantly fewer disputes over property
lines between owners of rectangular lots compared
to irregular lots
 a grid system promotes greater social
interconnection and interaction
 The grid is inherently walkable. By its very
geometry, the grid provides the connectivity
necessary for good urbanism.
 It is Navigatable as the grid gives you an immediate
sense of where you are in the world: left-right, east-west,
uptown-downtown.
 The grid is adaptable as land uses change
constantly. With rectilinear lots and blocks, old land
uses can move out and new land uses can simply
plug in.

27
New York city before and after grid system
Zoning of New York City
New York City is recognized
for its iconic landmarks, but it
is also at the forefront of
continual reinvention and
architectural exploration.
Today’s zoning has been
designed to reshape the city
by embodying smart growth
and sustainable principles
while addressing a range of
goals as diverse as New York
City’s neighborhoods. Over
the past nine years, over
9,400 blocks - equal to
roughly one-fifth of the city -

28
have been rezoned. Increases in density are found in transit-oriented locations within
walkable communities that offer a variety of retail, service, community facility and
employment destinations that can be comfortably reached without having to use
an automobile. In a city where housing is always in short supply, new opportunities
for housing development, market-rate and affordable, have been created in former
industrial areas and in established neighborhoods with good transit connections that
can sustain increased density. Contextual zoning districts have been refined and
expanded to better preserve the character of the city’s neighborhoods. In the
outlying and more auto-dependent lower-density areas distant from mass transit,
new growth management techniques have been developed to better address
issues arising fromrapid growth.
Mixed use zoning
The Zoning Resolution has been revised to achieve planning objectives across
neighborhoods throughout the city. Affordable housing incentives have been made
more widely applicable, and mixed use zoning has been used to help create vibrant,
active neighborhoods, particularly in areas where residential uses were previously
prohibited. Special incentives have been created to promote fresh food stores in
underserved areas, and a range of zoning amendments have been adopted to
ensure a more sustainable city through requirements for bicycle parking, mandatory
street trees, improved streetscapes with more green space in front yards, and
landscaping in parking lots. New rules have also been adopted to assure a more
open, accessible and inviting waterfront.

29
Residential Zoning
LOWER DENSITY DISTRICTS (R1-R5)
Lower-density residence districts are usually found far from central business districts in
areas with limited access to mass transit. These areas are characterized by low
building heights, landscaped yards and high automobile ownership. Some lower-
density neighborhoods are comprised entirely of single-family detached homes on
large lots, others have one- and two-family detached homes on smaller lots, and still
other neighborhoods have detached, semi-detached and attached buildings all
mixed together.
MODERATE- AND HIGHER-DENSITY DISTRICTS
(R6-R10)
Moderate- and higher-density residence
districts are generally found close to central
and regional business districts and are usually
mapped in proximity to mass transit. These
areas are characterized by bulkier buildings,
a greater range of building heights and less
automobile ownership than lower-density
areas.
 Non-Contextual
Non-contextual districts are generally
mapped where there is a diverse mix
of building types and no predominant context.
 Contextual Districts
Contextual districts are designed to
maintain the scale and form of the
city’s traditional moderate- and higher-
density neighborhoods. These districts
are mapped where buildings of similar
size and shape form a strong
neighborhood context, or where
redevelopment would create a
uniformcontext

30
Commercial zoning
Commercial activities in the city are permitted in eight commercial districts based
on their functional similarities and locational requirements.
 Small retail and service shops in C1 and C2 districts serve the immediate
needs of surrounding residential communities.
 Larger stores with more goods and services are found in C4 districts, borough-
wide regional retail centers like Main Street in Flushing and Fordham Road in
the Bronx.
 C5 and C6 districts, central business districts that serve the city, the region and
the nation, are mapped in Midtown, Lower Manhattan, Downtown Brooklyn
and Long Island City.
 Three districts serve specific purposes: C3 for waterfront recreation, C7 for
amusement parks and C8 for heavy repair shops and automotiveuses.
Manufacturing Zoning
Industrial uses are permitted in the three manu-facturing districts-—M1, M2 and M3—
according to the characteristics of their operations.
 M1 districts are often buffers between
M2 or M3 districts and adjacent
residential or commercial districts. M1
districts typically include light industrial
uses, such as woodworking shops,
repair shops, and wholesale service
and storage facilities.
 M2 districts occupy the middle ground
between light and heavy industrial
areas. The four M2 districts, with
different floor area ratios (FAR) and
parking requirements, are mapped
mainly in the city’s older industrial
areas along the waterfront.
 M3 districts are designated for areas
with heavy industries that generate
noise, traffic or pollutants. Typical uses
include power plants, solid waste
transfer facilities and recycling plants,
and fuel supply depots.

31
The Name : Aspire
The definition of aspire is to have a great ambition or ultimate goal or to strive
toward an end
My town is inspired by the ideal grid system which was populated in New York City
and the goal of building this town in for strive for a better, livable and sustainable
town in the future.
Site Location
I chose to build my future town in this location because;
1. There are a few islands near my town and citizens of my town can easily
access to other islands.
2. It is near Kuala Lumpur which takes about an hour drive frommy town.
3. There is a port near my town where shipping is easy and convinient

32
Green Area
Greenery surrounds the residential area to create a more calming view for the
residence and also to beautify the area.
-Parks are located at every sub zone so that pedestrians can rest on the bench after
walking for approximately 5 minutes. The parks are also for citizens to take a stroll or
relax after work or school.

33
Zoning
Commercial area
- Main commercial centres are located at the
heart of the city with larger retail shops because it
is near the business and service centre. It is easily
accessed by bus and near walking distance.
- Each residential area has small retial shops so that
residence of that particular area can walk or
cycle to the shops without taking the public
transport of the their area.
Residential Area
- Mid rise residential area consist of town houses,
terrace houses and semi detached houses.
Each house is equipped with a underwater
basement wherethey can enjoy the
underwater world and it’s calming effect with
cooling temperature.
- High-rise residential area consist of apartments
and condominiums. Each building is equipped
with public facilities such as a gym, movie theater, underwater lounge,
swimming pool and rooftop garden with water features
Energy source

34
Industrial area
Manufacturing factories are located near the train
stations so that it is easily accessed.
Education
Primary and Secondary schools are located at the North
side of town while Universitiesare located at the South
side of town. A park/field is located beside the campus
for students to carry out sports or activities.
Government and service
centre
This building is in the core of
the town because a
government is essential to
maintain the sustainability of
the town. It is easily located
when citizen face any
problems or ask for enquiries.
The structure of the building is
inspired by the core of the lily
pad floating city which is underwater.
Business area
The office buidings are located at different zone near
the heart of the town. It is located beside the railways
for easy access for citizens and shorther walking
distance.
Medical and Research centre
The hospital and research
centres are located next to
each other so that scientist and
doctors can work together to
improve on the latest medical
techonology.
Research centre is also important
to improve and maintain the town to benefit the
citizens more in the future.

35
Energy source
Energy source plants are located at
different areas so that the town can
sustain on it’s own by producing
renewable energy. This includes
renewable energy source
technologies such as Biomass,
Osmotic power, Solar thermal, Tidal
power and Wind energy.

36
Transportation
1. Light Rail Transit
LRTs were favoured over buses because trains run on dedicated elevated
guideways, bypassing any traffic congestion and traffic lights on the roads,
and do not add to road traffic. Train arrival and departure times are also
almost guaranteed this way. It is also cleaner as the trains are electrically
powered, and thereforelessensthe effectsof air pollution
2. Solar Bus
Solar buses are battery electric vehicles or (in the case of hybrid solar buses)
hybrid vehicles equipped with batteries which are recharged fromsolar.
3. Bicyle Path
Bicycle paths are located beside the pedestrian walkways and bus lanes
where citizens are encouraged to cycle to improve on their health and will
not cause traffic congestion.
4. Pedestrian Walkway
Pedestrian walkways are located around the residential area and heart of
the town next to the bicycle path and near the train stations so that citizens
only have to walk at a maximum of 10 minutes per stop.
Station

37
Pedestrian Walking Radius
-The walking radius starts fromevery LRTtransit and bus stops in the town.
-The transportation is designed as near as possible for the convenience of the
citizens to walk fromone place to another at a maximum time of 10 minutes.

38
Conclusion
From this project, I’ve learnt the requirements of building a town by considering the structure
of the layout, zoning of the areas, walkability, sustainability with a balance of open spaces
and greenery. I’ve learnt that a sensible city is organized so that its residents can perceive and
understand the city's form and function.
A city with good fit provides the buildings, spaces, and networks required for its residents to
pursue their projects successfully. An accessible city allows people of all ages and
background to gain the activities, resources, services, and information that they need. A city
with good control is arranged so that its citizens have a say in the management of the spaces
in which they work and reside.

39
Reference Links
1. Whitaker, (2014). Tenochtitlan, Mexcio.. [online] Ancient-wisdom.co.uk.
Available at: http://www.ancient-wisdom.co.uk/mexicotenochtitlan.htm
2. Ancient Origins, (2014). Chinampas, The Floating Gardens of Mexico. [online]
Available at: http://www.ancient-origins.net/ancient-places-
americas/chinampas-floating-gardens-mexico-001537
3. Europeforvisitors.com, (2014). Venice Transportation and Parking. [online]
Available at: http://europeforvisitors.com/venice/articles/vi-transport.htm
4. Buildings/Structures, V., Marciana, B., House, B., d'Oro, C., Rezzonico, C.,
Maggiore, C., Venice, H., South, H., Redentore, I., House, L., Grassi, Bridge, R.,
Salute, B., Malibran, T., Inn, T., Arcade, V., Depot, V., House, Regina, and
Venezia, (2014). Venice Buildings/Structures. [online] Ranker. Available at:
http://www.ranker.com/list/venice-buildings-and-structures/reference
5. Ermengem, K. (2014). St. Mark's Basilica, Venice. [online] Aviewoncities.com.
Available at: http://www.aviewoncities.com/venice/basilicadisanmarco.htm
6. Art.net, (2014). History Of Cities And City Planning. [online] Available at:
http://www.art.net/~hopkins/Don/simcity/manual/history.html
7. Bettercities.net, (2014). Benefits of the grid. [online] Available at:
http://bettercities.net/news-opinion/blogs/paul-knight/20235/benefits-grid
8. Tatasteelconstruction.com, (2014). The advantages and disadvantages of
using space grids | Tata Steel Construction. [online] Available at:
http://www.tatasteelconstruction.com/en/reference/teaching-
resources/architectural-teaching-resource/design/space-grid-structures/the-
advantages-and-disadvantages-of-using-space-grids
9. Humantransit.org, (2014). Human Transit: basics: walking distance to transit.
[online] Available at: http://www.humantransit.org/2011/04/basics-walking-
distance-to-transit.html
10. EVstudio, Architect Engineer Denver Evergreen Colorado, Austin Texas
Architect, (2010). The Five Minute Walk: Calibrated to the Pedestrian. [online]
Available at: http://evstudio.com/the-five-minute-walk-calibrated-to-the-
pedestrian/
11. About, (2014). Venice Transportation - Getting Around and To Venice Italy.
[online] Available at: http://goitaly.about.com/od/transportation/
12. Encyclopedia Britannica, (2014). Venice (Italy). [online] Available at:
http://global.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/625298/Venice
13. Geography.parkfieldprimary.com, (2014). Venice - Primary School Geography
Encyclopedia. [online] Available at:
http://geography.parkfieldprimary.com/the-european-union/italy/venice
14. Empire State Building, (2014). Empire State Building. [online] Available at:
http://www.esbnyc.com/ [Accessed 6 Nov. 2014].

40
15. Curbed National, (2014). Bob in the Sea in This Untethered 'Lily Pad' City of the
Future. [online] Available at: http://curbed.com/archives/2012/11/05/bob-in-
the-sea-in-this-untethered-lily-pad-city-of-the-future.php
16. http://www.netplan.it, N. (2014). Venice history - Venice culture - Venice -
attractions in Venice - art Venice - Serenissima Republic Venice. [online]
Veniceworld.com.Availableat:http://www.veniceworld.com/venice_guide_hi
story_culture.htm
17. Venicehistorical.org, (2014). Venice Historical Society - Venice, California.
[online] Available at: http://www.venicehistorical.org/[
18. Geography.parkfieldprimary.com, (2014). Venice - Primary School Geography
Encyclopedia. [online] Available at:
http://geography.parkfieldprimary.com/the-european-union/italy/venice
19. hapa, J. (2014). LILYPAD: Floating City for Climate Change Refugees. [online]
Inhabitat.com. Available at: http://inhabitat.com/lilypad-floating-cities-in-the-
age-of-global-warming/
20. HISTORY.com, (2014). New York City - Facts & Summary - HISTORY.com. [online]
Available at: http://www.history.com/topics/new-york-city
21. Ny.com, (2014). NYC Information: Geography and Origins. [online] Available
at: http://www.ny.com/histfacts/geography.html
22. Nyc.gov, (2014). NYC Zoning - About New York City Zoning. [online] Available
at: http://www.nyc.gov/html/dcp/html/zone/zonehis.shtml
23. Nyc-grid.com, (2014). NYC Grid - Map. [online] Available at: http://www.nyc-
grid.com/map/
24. Mta.info, (2014). MTA Home. [online] Available at: http://www.mta.info/
25. nycgo.com, (2014). New York City Transportation: Getting to NYC and Getting
Around NYC. [online] Available at: http://www.nycgo.com/transportation/

Enbe report

Recommended

Recommended

More Related Content

What's hot

What's hot (20)

Viewers also liked

Viewers also liked (16)

Similar to Enbe report

Similar to Enbe report (20)

Enbe report