Following the 2008 "Re-imaging Cities: Urban Design After the Age of Oil symposium, Penn IUR solicited manuscripts on environmental and energy challenges and their effect on the redesign of urban environments.

1. Working
Paper
Planning
for
the
Return
of
Public
Space
Martin
Haas
[INSERT
FIGURE
1]
Increasing
energy
costs
and
the
growing
expense
of
personal
automobiles
have
led
to
a
renaissance
of
inner
cities.
Now
there
is
a
growing
demand
for
attractive,
animated,
beautiful
urban
settings
offering
a
variety
of
uses
and
lively
neighbourhoods.
Once
in
urban
settings,
people
who
used
to
live
in
car-­‐dependent
areas
re-­‐discover
the
advantages
of
direct
contact
and
interaction
with
others.
It
is
quite
likely
that
the
dramatic
technological
developments
in
recent
years,
instead
of
depleting
social
capital,
T
may
have
actually
spurred
people
to
engage
in
more
direct
communication
and
personal
AF
contact.
As
living
in
inner
cities
becomes
more
popular,
architects,
planners,
designers,
and
all
those
involved
with
city-­‐building
have
a
tremendous
opportunity
to
re-­‐imagine
cities
R
and
have
a
significant
impact
on
the
cultures
and
environment
of
the
world’s
metropolitan
areas.
D
[INSERT
FIGURE
2]
It
is
challenging
to
create
the
public
realms
that
people
are
once
again
demanding,
since
such
spaces
no
longer
occur
as
naturally
as
they
once
did.
Almost
a
century
ago,
public
life
and
public
spaces
were
created
automatically.
People
were
constantly
interacting
in
order
to
earn
a
living
and
survive.
Before
the
invention
of
the
refrigerator
there
were
no
sufficient
technical
means
to
store
food.
People
left
their
private
dwellings
to
go
shop
once
or
even
twice
a
day,
as
opposed
to
once
or
twice
a
week,
as
today.
People
also
lived
in
far
smaller
spaces
which

2. Working
Paper
forced
them
outside
to
complete
household
chores,
work,
and
engage
in
recreation.
Today,
roughly
the
average
private
dwelling
space
per
person
is
100
m²,
compared
to
10
m²
one
hundred
years
ago.
Back
then,
public
life
was
an
automatic
result
of
these
living
conditions
and
had
nothing
to
do
with
the
quality
of
the
public
space.
With
the
invention
of
the
car
and
other
technical
innovations
that
increased
the
availability
of
privacy
in
the
middle
of
the
twentieth
century,
this
hitherto
“automatic”
public
life
began
to
shrink.
But
because
many
of
those
technologies
continue
to
be
in
use
today,
and
because
their
long
usage
over
the
past
century
created
conditions
(e.g.
dispersed
settlement
patterns)
that
sustain
their
convenience,
restoring
that
public
life—making
it
T
the
sort
of
thing
that
happens
automatically,
virutally
without
thinking—is
not
so
simple.
AF
Today’s
urban
planners
and
architects
must
design
spaces
that
offer
activities
and
attractions
to
motivate
people
to
stay
and
use
the
public
realm.
[INSERT
FIGURE
3]
R
When
we
talk
about
animating
public
space,
we
have
to
consider
several
aspects
that
matter
in
the
planning
process.
It
is
essential
that
attractions
and
destinations
are
D
offered
that
compel
people
to
use
public
space
and
to
stay
longer
than
they
perhaps
orginally
intended.
There
must
be
a
variety
of
activities
addressing
different
user
groups
at
different
times
of
the
day.
The
objective
should
be
to
use
the
public
space
24
hours
per
day.
Spaces
need
to
be
designed
to
be
used
during
all
weather
conditions
to
ensure
its
use
year-­‐
round.
These
spaces
need
to
be
not
only
flexible
but
adapted
to
local
environmental
and
cultural
conditions.
These
spaces
need
to
be
at
home
in
the
places
they
are
located
if
the
public
is
to
feel
at
home
in
them.

3. Working
Paper
[INSERT
FIGURE
4]
Architects
and
planners
need
to
create
public
spaces
that
are
themselves
active
participants
in
developing
the
cultural
and
aesthetic
character
of
a
place.
Aside
from
program
mandates,
“soft”
factors
such
as
beauty,
emotional
experience,
and
variety
of
setting
are
essential
in
creating
a
high-­‐quality
urban
space.
In
our
society
we
often
talk
about
quantities,
time-­‐lines,
and
budgets,
but
the
task
of
the
architect
and
planner
goes
beyond
metrics.
Is
it
a
beautiful
place?
Does
the
place
address
the
senses?
Does
it
offer
an
experience?
Does
it
surprise
the
user?
Does
it
offer
the
individual
person
something
special
in
his
daily
life?
Are
there
nice
vistas?
Does
daylight
T
play
a
role?
Can
nature
be
experienced?
Does
the
place
have
a
special
character
and
AF
ambience
making
it
unique
from
other
places?
Often
such
non-­‐metric
items
can
be
small
interventions,
but
they
are
critical
in
creating
viable
spaces,
spaces
that
encourage
interaction
and
exploration.
R
[INSERT
FIGURE
5]
Sustainability
is
often
defined
by
numerical
statistics.
But
while
energy
consumption
D
per
square
metre
per
year
provides
an
important
measurement,
it
is
also
the
qualitative
aspects
of
sustainability
that
determine
the
success
of
a
sustainable
building.
No
building
that
is
going
underused
is
sustainable;
no
building
that
is
going
to
waste
is
sustainable.
So
while
ensuring
that
our
spaces
conserve
energy,
we
also
need
to
ensure
that
our
buildings
also
conserve
use.
Are
there
operable
windows?
Are
there
niches,
places
for
a
few
quiet
minutes?
Are
there
outdoor
spaces
which
he
can
use?
Does
the
building
afford
nice
views?
Were
pleasant

4. Working
Paper
materials
used?
These
features,
along
with
others,
affect
how
a
building
is
used
and
therefore,
its
efficiency.
Another
important
factor
to
consider
when
developing
sustainable
buildings
is
flexibility.
When
we
plan
a
building
today,
it
must
be
flexible
enough
to
adapt
to
our
rapidly
changing
society.
Flexibility,
high-­‐quality
public
spaces,
sequences
of
spatial
solutions,
exposure
to
daylight,
and
the
ability
to
individually
control
temperature
are
the
aspects
of
sustainability.
The
IBN
Institute
for
Forestry
and
Nature
Research
(pictured)
was
designed
to
be
a
building
whose
operations
would
work
in
concert
with
nature.
This
is
true
not
simply
in
T
terms
of
its
exterior
design,
which
embraces
the
landscape
by
putting
all
putting
all
AF
perimeter
spaces
in
contact
with
the
outdoors,
but
in
terms
of
its
interior
design
and
even
its
building
function.
The
indoor
gardens
function
as
successful
public
places,
focusing
daily
activities
and
providing
informal
meeting
areas,
but
they
are
also
an
integral
component
of
R
the
building’s
energy
concept,
improving
the
performance
of
its
external
enveolope.
The
project
was
realized
within
a
standard
budget
demonstrating
that
durable
and
sustainable
D
building
techniques
can
be
applied
without
additional
costs.
[INSERT
FIGURE
6]
Having
outlined
a
few
general
ideas
advocated
by
our
practice
on
the
topic
of
quality,
city,
and
sustainability,
I
would
like
to
explain
our
approach
in
more
detail
in
the
context
of
one
of
our
projects.
In
2006,
Behnish
Architekten,
created
an
urban
redevelopment
plan
for
a
formerly
industrial
area
within
Pittsburgh’s
city
center.
The
Cultural
Trust
had
asked
for
a
plan
to
repurpose
existing
buildings
and
build
new
structures
into
a
vibrant
residential
and
commercial
district.

5. Working
Paper
[INSERT
FIGURE
7]
Prior
to
developing
the
master
plan,
we
conducted
comprehensive
micro-­‐climatic
studies
and
explored
the
specific
local
conditions.
Our
team
consisted
of
Behnisch
Architekten,
Gehl
Architects
from
Copenhagen,
WTW
from
Pittsburgh
and
Transsolar.
We
spent
months
surveying
existing
conditions
to
help
us
generate
the
master
plan.
These
climatic
analyses
enabled
us
generate
building
massing
that
capitalized
on
natural
ventilation,
thereby
limiting
the
need
for
mechanical
ventilation
and
air
conditioning.
The
left-­‐hand
diagram
shows
the
building
massing
when
the
sun
is
directly
overhead.
Sun
and
shadow
studies
helped
us
determine
what
time
of
day
and
in
which
season
buildings
are
T
exposed
to
the
sun.
AF
These
analyses
helped
us
to
understand
the
site
before
designing
the
urban
space.
There
are
numerous
examples
of
public
spaces
that
may
have
been
well
designed
in
and
of
themselves
but
have
suffered
from
inattention
to
the
micro-­‐climactic
aspects
of
their
R
particular
site.
One
example
is
the
Arche
de
la
Défense
in
Paris,
a
well-­‐designed
urban
space
in
the
abstract,
but
one
obviously
designed
without
knowledge
of
the
winds
crossing
D
through
the
site.
The
result
is
a
place
which
is
very
difficult
to
use
throughout
much
of
the
year
because
of
the
strong
prevailing
winds.
Town
planning
must
take
such
micro-­‐climatic
conditions
into
account.
[INSERT
FIGURE
8]
The
site
is
located
right
next
to
the
Allegheny
River.
We
immediately
saw
a
great
opportunity
to
re-­‐knit
the
citizens
of
Pittsburgh
with
the
river.
Right
now,
the
city
is
separated
from
the
water
by
a
highway.
The
river,
once
used
as
a
vital
industrial
transit
route,
has
not
been
used
in
decades.
We
proposed
connecting
the
site
to
the
river
with
a

6. Working
Paper
grand
staircase
and
a
large
bridge
crossing
the
highway.
Once
the
city
is
reconnected
to
the
river,
there
are
several
options
for
recreational
activities,
attractions,
and
transportation
alternatives.
For
example,
a
water
taxi
service
could
be
offered
to
transport
sports
fans
to
the
Pittsburgh
Steelers
Stadium
across
the
river.
Aside
from
incorporating
several
sports
and
recreation
areas,
we
also
proposed
a
floating
stage
that
could
be
used
for
performances
throughout
the
summer.
[INSERT
FIGURE
9]
When
we
talk
about
an
active,
usable
outdoor
space,
we
talk
about
integrating
many
different
attractions
on
a
small
space.
We
avoid
creating
mono-­‐structures
with
long,
T
uninterrupted
façades.
Human
generally
only
perceive
the
first
ten
meters
of
a
façade
and
AF
the
higher
parts
of
the
façades
are
irrelevant
for
most
users.
Therefore
we
sought
to
vary
the
façades
with
several
entrances
and
differentiated
materials,
streetscaping,
and
street
furniture.
Aside
from
a
new
boulevard
leading
from
the
city
center
to
the
water,
the
entire
R
riverfront
is
a
pedestrian
zone.
[INSERT
FIGURE
10]
D
We
had
to
reuse
old
industrial
buildings
within
our
plan
for
the
city
block.
The
Union
Building,
a
wonderful
old
brick
building,
will
be
redeveloped
as
a
theater
and
serve
as
the
center
of
the
proposed
development.
The
urban
space
between
the
buildings
is
designed
to
attract
a
variety
of
uses.
The
spaces
are
designed
with
a
keen
sense
of
human
comfort.
The
buildings
will
provide
minimal
shade
in
spring
and
autumn,
season
when
many
people
enjoy
being
outside
in
the
sun.
Water
features
will
cool
the
area,
creating
a
micro-­‐climate,
during
hot
summer
months.
[INSERT
FIGURE
11]

7. Working
Paper
We
intended
to
create
a
three-­‐dimensional
garden
town.
All
south-­‐facing
facades
have
sun
collectors
and
photovoltaic
cells.
We
proposed
green
roofs
which
reduce
the
heat
island
effect.
The
apartments
and
offices
have
thermally
active
floors
powered
by
a
geothermal
heat
pump.
[INSERT
FIGURE
12]
The
Pittsburgh
example
shows
that
one
of
the
important
tasks
of
the
future
is
integrating
and
reusing
existing
buildings
in
urban
redevelopment
plans.
In
general,
the
superstructures,
the
shells
of
existing
buildings,
are
in
good
condition,
so
it
is
only
necessary
to
renew
the
facades
and
the
interiors.
These
tasks
can
often
trigger
a
process
of
T
technical
innovation.
AF
The
benefits
of
reuse
can
be
seen
in
a
project
in
Hamburg
where
we
had
the
opportunity
to
deal
with
such
a
situation
in
great
detail.
Hamburg’s
Chamber
of
Commerce,
an
institution
with
a
long
tradition,
owns
a
classical
building
with
three
large
halls.
One
of
R
these
halls,
the
former
stock
exchange,
has
not
been
used
since
2003.
The
competition
brief
called
for
a
concept
providing
for
the
re-­‐use
of
this
hall
and
the
accommodation
of
several
D
new
functions
within
the
Chamber
of
Commerce.
We
proposed
a
very
light,
very
transparent,
very
immaterial
architectural
sculpture
which,
by
contrasting
with
the
existing
classicist
hall
made
of
stone,
made
a
fascinating
appearance.
[INSERT
FIGURE
13]
Since
natural
daylight
does
not
adequately
illuminate
the
hall,
a
key
element
of
the
redesign
of
the
Hamburg
Chamber
of
Commerce
was
artificial
lighting.
Together
with
Nimbus
Design,
we
had
the
opportunity
to
develop
new
SMD-­‐LED
technology-­‐based
luminaires
which
are
90%
more
efficient
than
usual
luminaires.

8. Working
Paper
To
create
vibrant,
sustainable
cities
and
neighborhoods,
we
will
have
to
develop
high-­‐quality
buildings
in
urban
environments
with
state-­‐of-­‐the-­‐art
environmental
technology,
while
considering
the
human
scale
and
creating
viable
spaces
for
future
generations
to
play
in
and
to
adapt
to
their
future
uses.
T
AF
R
D

9. Working
Paper
13.
Planning
for
the
Return
of
Public
Space
Martin
Haas
Figures
T
Figure
1.
A
lively
urban
neigborhood.
AF
R
D
Figure
2.
The
challenge
to
create
high
quality
urban
spaces.
Source:
Gehl
Architects

10. Working
Paper
Figure
3.
Animating
the
public
realm
by
creating
attractions,
activities,
protection
from
T
weather,
density,
spaces
for
diverse
user
groups,
and
urban
living
rooms.
AF
R
D
Figure
4.
When
it
comes
to
the
well-­‐being
of
the
user,
the
quality
of
the
space
is
key.

11. Working
Paper
T
Figure
5.
IBN
Institute
for
Forestry
and
Nature
Research
AF
R
D
Figure
6.
A
vision
for
Pittsburgh

12. Working
Paper
T
AF
Figure
7.
Tools
for
conducting
mirco-­‐climatic
studies
of
the
site
R
D
Figure
8.
Features
of
the
waterfront
park

13. Working
Paper
T
Figure
9.
Each
circle
above
represents
the
size
and
importance
of
a
building
entrance.
Many
entrances
used
by
different
users,
ensure
a
critical
mass
of
people
throughout
the
day
AF
R
D
Figure
10.
Schematic
plan
of
the
public
spaces
shows
a
variety
of
destinations
and
attractions.

14. Working
Paper
T
Figure
11.
Rendering
showing
the
various
surfaces
that
will
have
vegetation.
AF
R
D
Figure
12.
Interior
of
the
Hamburg
Chamber
of
Commerce

15. Working
Paper
T
AF
Figure
13.
Interior
of
Hamburg’s
Chamber
of
Commerce
showing
SMD-­‐LED
technology
R
D

16. Working
Paper
T
AF
R
D