Introduction to permeability

3. PERMEABILITY
Mahmud Zaman
Jan 04, 2018 CE

4. Introduction
■ Places which are accessible to people can offer them choices;
■ The quality of Permeability – the number of alternative ways through an environment;
■ Visual and Physical;
■ Accessibility α Choices α Permeability;
■ Must be considered early in design:
- how many routes,
- how they should link together,
- where they should go and end,
- how to establish rough boundaries for blocks.

7. Introduction (contd.)
■ Key measure of Responsiveness
(n. the quality of reacting quickly and positively);
■ A must quality to achieve for an urban designer.

8. Permeability: Public vs. Private
■ Public Domain/Space and Private Domain/Space;
■ Privacy.

10. Permeability: Public vs. Private (contd.)
■ Complementary not Rivalry;
■ You shall create an interface through smooth transition;
■ Harmony α Choices α Richness.

11. ■ Visual
■ Auditory
■ Tactile
■ Olfactory

12. Permeability: Public Space
■ Offer Alternate routes;
■ Routes should be visible (Visual permeability);
■ Present unknown spaces to urban dweller;
■ Choices α Awareness.

15. Victoria Harbor,
Hong Kong

17. Advantages of Small Blocks
■ Smaller blocks gives more choices (Alternate routes);
■ Smaller blocks α Physical and Visual Permeability.

18. City Blocks

20. Decline in Public Permeability
■ Scale of development;
■ Hierarchical street network;
■ Segregation of Public space;

22. ■ Monolithic
■ Large blocks
■ Segregated

24. References
McGlynn, S., Smith, G., Alcock, A., Murrain, P., & Bentley, I.
(1985). Responsive Environments: A Manual for Designers.
London, UK: The Architectural Press.