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studio ROOPRAI
architecture & urbanism
Urban Challenges
1. Rapid urban population growth
More than half of the population,
3.3 billion, live in urban areas, by 2030, this is expected to be 5 billion.
2. Rise of megacities
Urban centres are increasing in size and number. At the beginning of the last century, there were only 11 megacities by 2030, UN predicts that there will be more than 500 cities
3. Resources
Cities need resources such as water, food and energy to be viable.
Urban sprawl reduces available water catchment areas, agricultural lands and increases demand for energy,
Many cities will continue to struggle to provide these resources to an ever-growing urban population.
4. Environmental Threats
Rapid urbanization coupled with more frequent and extreme weather events linked to global climate change is exacerbating the impact of environmental threats; flooding, tropical cyclones , heat waves etc.
5. Infrastructure and Services
Growing cities require substantial investments in infrastructure if they are to continue expanding at their present rate
6. Inequality
The widening gap between the haves and have-nots will be accentuated
Inequalities will destabilize society and upend any benefits of urban development.
There is a critical need for policy-makers to ensure that the fruits of progress are shared equitably.
7. Housing
Housing is a particular and ubiquitous challenge in search of an innovative solution. From San Francisco to Addis Ababa, the pressure to supply affordable housing is reaching critical status.
8. Governance
Cities are global economic engines and the economic powerhouses of the global economy.
85% of global GDP was generated in cities. Increased competition between cities for talent, investment and firms.
Globally mobile world is making places where people really want and choose to live. While cities’ primary draw has traditionally been employment opportunities, people are now attracted by the quality of life a city offers
URBAN DESIGN FRAMEWORK - the eight C's
Strategy Level
Action Level
UN Sustainable Goals
Promote high density with mixed land uses based on an efficient public transport system which encourages walking and cycling
Ensure that the building form and intensity of development create diversity of attractions
Promote higher densities around TOD’s(Transport Orinated Development) with mixed land uses
Enrich and combine different networks with urban densities
11.3
11.6
11.2
11.3
11.6
11.A
9.1
9.3
15.9
Recognize how networks connect and support healthy neighbourhood
Encourages walking and cycling centred around local neighbourhood based within a 10-minute walk
Promote higher densities around TOD’s(Transport Orinated Development) with mixed land uses
Implement Smart City technology in urban settings to make cities work more efficiently
11.7
3.6
11.7
12.6
12.8
15.1
15.2
15.4
15.5
9.B
9.C
17.8
Recognize buildings, places and spaces as part of entire built environment
Acknowledge and build on cultural identity, landscape context and built form.
Maintain and enhance the public realm to provide a safe, high quality and inclusive places.
Consider the wellbeing of the people who live and work within and around the development
11.4
12.8
15.4
15.5
3.4
3.9
3.D
3.4
3.D
12.4
11.7
Guarantee variety and choice for citizens
Ensure that the building form and intensity of development create diversity of attractions
Ensure developments are flexible and adaptable and continue to be in demand over a long period of time
Guarantees the built environment are accessible to age groups and the disabilities
11.7
10.2
9.4
8.2
8.5
9.3
Reveal and enrich the distinguishing charm and culture of the place, making it function long during the day.
Reflect and enhance the distinctive character, heritage and identity of the urban environment
Create locally suitable and stimulating Town Centre and High Street
Creativity nurture the city to function 24/7; cultivate the night time economy
11.4
11.C
15.1
15.2
15.4
15.8
8.1
8.2
8.3
8.1
8.2
Foster creative and innovative approaches
Incorporate public art into buildings, spaces and places to enrich the experience of the urban environments
Explore, interpret and reinterpret the local heritage in dynamic ways.
Integrate diverse cultural viewpoints
6.6
11.4
11.C
12.6
14.2
14.5
15.1
15.2
15.4
11.4
12.B
Diminish the environmental impacts on the built environment through sustainable and responsive design
Mitigate the effects of climate change and man-made hazard and adapt to the changing environment
Safeguards character, cultural heritage and ensure sustainability using the Circular Economy
Integrates renewable energy sources, reduce CO2 emissions, increase biodiversity and exploit ‘green’ technology.
11.7
11.B
1.5
4.7
12.2
13.1
13.2
14.C
17.14
8.4
3.9
6.3
6.A
8.4
9.4
12.2
12.5
12.C
15.A
17.14
7.1
7.2
7.3
9.4
12.2
12.5
15.6
17.14
Maintain good communication and share information across different groups
Breakdown the silos of Planning, Landscape, Architecture, Construction and Engineering and share knowledge
Include the local community in the decision making processes
Acknowledge and develop further research and training in urban design at national, regional and local levels
5.B
8.2
9.5
9.B
17.6
12.8
13.B
14.3
15.C
16.6
16.7
16.A
16.B
17.6
17.9
17.16
17.17
2.A
4.4
4.C
7.A
9.5
13.3
13.B
14.3
14.4
14.A
