The urban map of the cities where intertwine different facades , streets, blocks and their spaces does not always have a coherent meaning from a social perspective, that is, there are spaces less and more
Although the concept of “boring urbanism” Initially it may seem more like an extract of our madness, there are a number of indications that demonstrate the existence of that idea within the urban cartography of cities and that presents a close relationship in the design of façades and their roads .
Colin Ellard is a psychologist from the University of Waterloo in Canada who gives us highlight a case study you conducted. Us We moved to New York:
It is considered a traditional neighborhood, with small shops and restaurants, and the use is residential . The psychologist chose to take to small groups of people between two streets concrete but a few steps away to assess their emotions (Everyone had a questionnaire to fill out and a system for measuring heart rate).
Calle A. On one side of the sidewalk, throughout, is fully occupied by a ground and first floor of a supermarket with a long façade without contrasts and white.
Calle B. It had small restaurants and shops with lots of doors and windows open. People eating and drinking at the tables of the restaurants.
As a conclusion of the study: The pedestrian from street A no presents "emotion", rather people are calm, hunched over, boring or passive, facing a road that does not present reliefs, openings, incoming or different colors , not there is interest. In the liveliest place (Calle B), they are talkative, active, or curious. So We have two questions… What happens if a street is boring or uninteresting? and How do you achieve the opposite effect, how to make the pedestrian feel interest or feel comfortable going through a street?
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A psychological level, we are biologically disposed to favor complexity, interest or curiosity . The opposite translates into boredom, A street. Some of the signs are well known: a sense of passing time slow; a kind of restlessness that in many cases manifests with an internal state of mind unpleasant and adversity. (See also of interest design of modern houses and buildings healthy)
The surveys among people with addictions, including substances and gambling, suggest that their levels of boredom are generally higher , and that the bouts of boredom are one of the strongest indicators common relapse or risk behaviors.
It might seem extreme to say that a brief encounter with a boring building or street would be dangerous for health, but… What about the effects cumulative immersion, day after day, in the same environment oppressive with boring constructions?
The Danish urban planner Jan Gehl observed that people walk faster in front of the white facades; in comparison with an open facade, with different colors or reliefs. People are less likely to make a pause or even turn your head in this type of places. They just try to emerge in the other hand, presumably… “find something else interesting» .
In an article by Gehl and some classmates, Close encounters with buildings (Close Encounters with Buildings) states that the facades in plan low provide an important link between buildings and people. That they should be treated together since the facades of the ground floor must have a special and cozy design . One good city street should be so designed that the average pedestrian walker, moving at a speed of about 5 km/h, he sees a new and interesting place every five seconds.
Based on measurements, Gehl has been able to identify a handful of design attributes within the map urbanization that may either attract or discourage pedestrians by creating what he called…
On average, pedestrians experience the urban scene at 5 km/h (from 1.3 to 1.5 meters/second). Little units that form shops offer a wide range of experiences, and a large number of doors provide points of exchange between the exterior and the interior. Is a street rich in sensory experience.
The chance to be inside looking out – and on the outside looking in – expand significantly the range of experiences in their own buildings and in urban space . Yes we walked through the city, close to the facades, the opportunity to share what is happening in the buildings, considerably enrich the experience of the passerby . And the people inside the buildings they can follow what is happening in the urban space surrounding. Life inside and outside buildings can thus interact for the benefit of both.
We can use all our senses when we are near the buildings, and we don't have enough time to look, listen, smell or touch things. A lot of sensory impressions await us. On the contrary, a series of orange posters is a poor substitute.
Good materials and fine details are an eye-catcher for people who walk around the city . appears the opportunity to touch and examine the smallest detail. Ground level facades should offer texture, good materials and carefully crafted details.
The design of narrow units and many doors in the facade offers a desire for functional variation. The result there are many units, many exchange points between the exterior and interior, and a large number of different events and experiences for the pedestrian. The department stores with their “ten great shop windows” they are less interesting.
Facades with vertical elements ago make the walk much more interesting and striking . We go from
Although we have been talking about the importance of facade design and its features more unique, the road itself is another point of interest that presents at the same time a significant game before the pedestrian and his health within the map of a city .
A study published in Nature suggests that people living in neighborhoods with a higher density of trees in its streets significantly has a better health and fewer heart problems . So urbanizing the road coherently is another subject pending on health. (Of interest the ecological Urbanism and sustainable development in cities)
Address the theme of urban planning of the streets and their benefits literally represents a book. But the Internet us offers the possibility of learning online.
From Nacto (National Association of City Transportation Officials) offer us a web page that really presents a high interest because it is formed as a urban planning tool for learning about the urban profile. Where they teach the "before and after» of an urban performance in graphic format and on different maps, guidelines, forms, advantages and disadvantages of applying techniques of road planning . Highly recommended!
Many cities around the world have already carefully designed building codes that set and set the pace of a healthy and social city, although there is still a long way to go re-order. By the way… Do you live in a neighborhood bored?
