P1 presentationyuye

Exploring Potentials of Chinese New Towns

Analysis & Strategy to Promote Spatial integration and Socio-economic diversity; the case of Songjiang new town, Shanghai

Yu Ye4119177

[email protected][email protected]

Mentorship:Spatial Planning and StrategyAkkelies van Nes, 1st mentor

[email protected]

Urban DesignMeta Berghauser Pont , 2nd mentor

[email protected]

CHAPTER 1: CONTEXT INTRODUCTION

Chapter 1/4

CONTEXT INTRODUCTION

Since Deng Xiaoping reopened China and Open-Policy was implemented in 1978 cities have been experiencing unprecedented growth. The urbanization rate is tripled from 17.92% in 1978 to 46.59% in the past twentity years (National Bureau of Statistics of China, 2010).

To handle the urgent demand from work migrants and reduce the problems caused by congestion in mega cities, decentralization and new towns are widely accepted for Chinese urban planners. Since 1990s, over one hundred new towns were planned and emerged in China

New towns in China since 1990s, Source: Zhou, J. Searching for good urban form from utopian cities to Chinese new towns, 2008

I t seems l ike modernism urban planning and strict zonings did not create high quality built environment

Social fragmentation and the lack of urban life become common characteristics in Chinese new towns

Chapter 1/7


When new towns in China are still trying to search their own identity, most European new towns built between the fifties and seventies are regards as dull, monotonous places and even the planning debacle made by ideal modernist planning (Duivesteijn, 2010 cited in Provoost, 2010, p. 11).

Nowadays, no matter European new towns need regeneration or Chinese new towns under construction, the main aim of them is transforming to complete cities (Reijndorp, 2006).

The diagram illustrating the social characters differences between new town and complete city. Rijndorp, A. source: Vernieuwing van de nieuwe stad. INTI, 2009

Here, new towns are defined as human settlements which are built according to a master plan, including satellite cities and large urban extensions (Provoost, 2010). While complete city is shaped by a variety of plans, ideologies, economic and political situations, etc. through a longer course of time.

Chapter 1/8


This research dwells on the interacted relationships among spatial and socio-economic dimensions. Just as Hiller (1984, p. 6) pointed out that: “By giving shape and form to our materialized world, architecture structures the system of space in which we live and move. In that it does so, it has a direct relation – rather than a merely symbolic one – to social life…”Therefore, understanding the key spatial compositions which can provide conditions for urban complexity in such a way can promotes the transformation of new town into a complete, multi-layered and varied city.

And because of the interacted spatial and socio-economic dimensions, the analyses need to integrate the spatial and socio-economic analysis together, which are uncommon in previous researches. But with the progress of computer technology, GIS-related analysis is drawing out a new research direction to integrate spatial and social-economic analyses together.

The diagram about social, economic and physcial relationships

CHAPTER 2: DESCRIPTION OF THE CASE STUDY, SONGJIANG NEW TOWN

DESCRIPTION OF SONGJIANG NEW TOWN

Chapter 2/10

CITY CENTER OF SHANGHAI

CITY CENTER OF Hangzhou

CITY CENTER OF JIAXING

CITY CENTER OF SUZHOU

CITY CENTER OF WUXI

CITY CENTER OF CHANGZHOU

SONGJIANG DISTRICT

Songjiang new town is a large satellite town locating in the southeast part of Shanghai municipality and on the regional development corridor from Shanghai to Hangzhou


Chapter 2/11

The time distance from Songjiang new town to Shanghai is nearly 1 hour by metro and 50 min by car. Now Metro Line 9 is connected this new town with city center of Shanghai.


Chapter 2/12

SONGJIANG NEW TOWN

New Town

METRO LINE 9TO CENTER 1h

HU-NING RAILWAY

TO HONGQIAO AIRPORT 25km

HIGHWAY A9TO CENTER 39kmTO PUDONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT 68km

TO HANGZHOU 112KM

Construction area

Industry

Hihgway

Railway

SONGJIANG OLD CITY

Metro

The historically-grown old Songjiang city is located between Highway A9 and Hu-ning railway, while the Songjiang new town is developed across of Highway A9.


Chapter 2/13

The development of Songjiang new town is divided into two steps. Infrastructures, key projects and economic sectors were finished in the first development phase (2000-2003), including the universities and central green belt city hall.

The second phase (2003-2005) aims to accept the population transfer from the ‘central city’ of Shanghai and focuses on residential projects (Wang, 2004). Overall, in ten years, a new town covering an area of 22.4 km2 has been built.

In order to attract residents from crowded city center of Shanghai, the main function in Songjiang new town is living. Not only apartments for middle-class people, luxury villa is built in this new town as well. The ‘new-town concept’ is based on independently functional nodes, in contrast to old dormitory towns. However, because of the strict zoning, oversimplified function is still a feature in Songjiang new town.

CHAPTER 3: PRELIMINARY COMPARISON RESEARCH SONGJIANG NEW TOWN v.s. OLD SONGJIANG CITY

COMPARISON : OLD CITY & NEW TOWN

Chapter 3/15

An instant city making (22.4 km2 in 10 years) guided by strict zoning and was fermented in the Chinese middle class dream: gated community and private cars finally forgot urban vitality.

The image is urban, but the atmosphere is unanimated and suburban. Ironically, the population density in Songjiang new town is similar to its more successful old Songjiang city.

A comparison between old Songjiang new town and the old city can help us to set the preliminary research direction in the future deeper study.


Chapter 3/16

3.1 Applying three quantitative methods for the study of new towns

Space Syntax is a set of theories and techniques for the analysis of spatial configuration. In this method, urban structure is abstracted and mapped with a network of axes representing the movement in the city.


Chapter 3/17


Mixed-use Index is conceived as a quantitative planning tool to measure the functional composition and the mix of uses, which is initiated by Van den Hoek in 2008.

MXI = (%HOUSING / %WORKING / %AMENITIES). Housing includes various buildings for living, such as apartments, condominium and town houses etc. Working means a place to work; office, factory and laboratory for instance. Amenities contain all commercial, retail, societal, universities, cultural amenities.

AMENITIES

20

20

40

60

80

60

80

40

WORKING HOUSING

MIXED

MONOFUNCTIONAL

BIFUNCTIONAL

Ternary diagram: monofunctional, bifunctional, Source: Van den Hoek , The Mixed Use Index (Mixed-use Index) as Planning Tool for (New) Towns in the 21st Century.


Chapter 3/18


Spacematrix uses the following measures: floor space index (FSI), ground space index (GSI), and network density (N). These three measures are represented in a three-dimensional diagram, the Spacematrix.

FSI on the y-axis gives an indication of the built intensity in an area and GSI on the x-axis reflects the coverage, or compactness, of the development. And L represents the average number of floors.

The N on y-axis denotes the network density of the urban layout, and b on the x-axis the profile width of the street. The tare space (Tf) as a percentage of public space.

The relationships between FSI, GSI,OSP,L and N, b, Tf, source: Berghauser Pont & Haupt, Spacematrix: Space, Density and Urban form


Chapter 3/19

3.2 Spatial comparison study between Songjiang new town and its historically developed old town based on Space Syntax

Spatial accessibility analysis of old Songjiang city with high metrical radius

Spatial accessibility analysis of old Songjiang city with low metrical radius


Chapter 3/20


Commercial amenities of old Songjiang city

The most typical feature in historically-evolved Songjiang city is the highly integrated area (shown in dark red and orange) coincides with the town centre.

It is a walkable environment for both locals and visitors to support the overlapping of different place of flows and the creating of a “thick urban social space”

The high density of connections and relations provide strong centrality and unique characteristics for old Songjiang city.


Chapter 3/21


In contrast to the old city, Songjiang new town shows totally different characteristics. In high metrical radius analysis, the most integrated area is main vehicular roads and the new town centre do not well link with the highest integration streets.

Spatial accessibility analysis of Songjiang new town with high metrical radius


Chapter 3/22


While in low metrical radius analysis, no highly integrated area can be found in new town centre. Actually, most integrated areas are in the superblocks and far from the main street.

Spatial accessibility analysis of Songjiang new town with low metrical radius


Chapter 3/23


Commercial function tends to no mix in Songjiang new town. The superblock pattern developing in this failure structure separates the whole town into fragmented, isolated residential islands.

Therefore, the planned town centre does not have high integration in urban structure and becomes a relatively segregated area in spatial accessibility pattern.

Commercial amenities of Songjiang new town


Chapter 3/24

3.3 Comparison study between Songjiang new town and its historically developed old town based on Mixed-used Index

The data measured in this research is floor space in the units of m2. The specific functional data is collected and counted through zoning maps from the municipality of Songjiang and filed work. The total amount of floor space within buildings and different functions on different floors are taken into consideration.

Old Songjiang city and the new town are mapped together and divided into 275 spatial entities on neighborhood scale based on zoning plan in order to facilitate the collection of data

Spatial entiites of old Songjiang city and new town


Chapter 3/25


AMENITIES

WORKING HOUSING

20

20

40

60

80

60

80

40

9

8

14

53

32

28

52

8283 84

85

5960

87

88

91

89

33

11 10

19

39

65

24

2057

4740

46

4476

45

51

565442

67

43

944195

13

58

29

3836

14

9748

9669

100

90

7799

989293

3537 71

74

70

22

73

475

5

1

2

3

72

81

50

80

63

79

6 7

23

30

80

79

15

6149

55

21

62

16

17

27

25

68

31

66

Ternary diagram: Functioanl mixture of old Songjiang city


Chapter 3/26


AMENITIES

WORKING HOUSING

20

20

40

60

80

60

80

40

Industrail area

Town centre

Residential area

In the old centre of Songjiang, balanced mixture can be found. The averaged mix-balance is MXI=28/33/39. Housing, working and amenities are balanced around each other.

Ternary diagram: Urban typologies and their MXI positions in old city


Chapter 3/27


AMENITIES

WORKING HOUSING

20

20

40

60

80

60

80

40

101

198

104

136

137

161

150

152

237

234

232233

212

211

220230

229

251

238

153133

185188

154

165

252

253

166254260

231

244250

267270272

261

264275186

175176190269

189

182

178179

155

239

224

225

241243

263

197

135

149

156

214

219

157158

134

235236

255

168

242

266

194

265

228

227

226

167

146

202

111

200

123

273

245

112

172173

141

159

103106

108

110107

256257

109181222221

138

139247

248

249

259

215

218

217

216258

201

268

274

147

113

164

122

199163

164

109

110

165

142

140121167

168124

102170

174177

184

187180

209

162126

207

131205

213

246

116

196115

204

118

117

192191

203

169

223

132

208

206

271

120

119

125147

130127196

143

114

105

148

129128

Mono-functional residential units are dominant in new town. In old Songjiang city, most entities are gathering in the right corner of the triangle with 75 percent of housing.

However, in the new town, most of them are focused on the extreme right block with more than 90 percent of housing. They are built to follow the zoning restrictions of functionalist separation.

Ternary diagram: Functioanl mixture of Songjiang new town


Chapter 3/28


AMENITIES

WORKING HOUSING

20

20

40

60

80

60

80

40

Universities

Town centre

Industrail areaResidential area

Universities show an excessively mono-functional characteristic. Those campuses located in the middle of this new town, which ought to become the core to enrich diversity, are unattractive areas.. Huge block size, low population density and simplified function make this area unsafe during vacations.

Ternary diagram: Urban typologies and their MXI positions in new town


Chapter 3/29


More interesting is the analysis of the functional sections. The functional section of old city in West-East II clearly shows the increase of mixture from periphery towards the city center. It looks like there is a strong correlation between centrality and functional mixture in Chinese historically-grown towns as well.

While in the new town, no relationship between centrality and mixture can be found in West-East I. Functional compositions show a causeless fluctuation. Amenities are dominated in new town centre. It seems like new town planners in China did not consider this correlation; therefore, flourishing town centre cannot be created.

Functional sections of Songjiang according to the MXI


Chapter 3/30

3.4 Comparison study between Songjiang new town and its historically developed old city based on Spacematrix

From the perspective of block type compositions, we can find that main block types in this city are mid-rise stripe and block types (61.0%), while low-rise block type is an important composition as well (13.0%). Furthermore, the city also consists of many of high-rise developments, located in the periphery areas (12.0%).

From the perspective of geometric locations, in general, low-rise block type mainly located in the historical core and surrounded by middle-rise block type. Then, from center to periphery, the types tend to change from middle-rise stripe type, low-rise stripe to high-rise types. A clear clue about block types and geometric locations can be found in this old city.

FSI-GSI of Spacematrix with 9 different environmental types in Songjiang old city


Chapter 3/31


However, this analysis shows totally different features in Songjiang new town . The high-rise point and stripe types play dominant role (52.0%) in it, while low-rise block types (28.0%) are common as well. But the number of middle-rise blocks makes a great fall down, from 61% decreases to 19.9%.

The geometric locations of various urban forms are different as well. Middle-rise types are mainly close to old Songjiang city. And low-rise point block type is located in the geometric center of Songjiang new town, surrounded by high-rise blocks.

FSI-GSI diagram with 9 different environmental types in Songjiang new town


Chapter 3/32


The analyses in network density and profile width also reveal a different feature between old Songjiang city and its new counterpart . In the old city, an obvious transforming trend from historical core to the periphery can be found. There is high network density and profile width in the historical core, nevertheless, both two indicators decrease from the center to the periphery. It means that the urban form is transforming from small blocks mixed with narrow streets to big blocks mixed with wide streets.

Nf(b) diagram showing network density and profile width in Songjiang old city


Chapter 3/33


In contrast with the clear changing trend, no clue about geometric location and network density can be found in Songjiang new town. The clutters scattered within a certain range, which

generally has lower network density and higher profile width. What is meant by this is that big blocks and wide streets are the main mainstream in new town area.

To sum up, it seems like the historically-evolved old city has its own growth logic in urban form, while the newly built counterpart did not follow this hidden logic line. The comparison between new and old city demonstrates that middle-rise or low-rise block types and small block, dense network urban form may create positive influence on urban quality.

Nf(b) diagram showing network density and profile width in Songjiang new town


Chapter 3/34

3.5 Comparison study between Songjiang new town and its historically developed old town from social-economic perspectives

Obviously, inhabitants in Songjiang new town are extremely depending on the city center of Shanghai while residents from Songjiang old city are working locally.

And the personal income fit in with the monotonous compositions of people in Songjiang new town: the mainstream residents in Songjiang new town are middle class and upper class people (nearly 190,000). College students also occupy a high portion in it (100,000).

Real estate price in Songjiang new town is unafforable for most bull-collar people.The average age reveals homogeneous population compositions in Songjiang new town as well.

Overall, as a newly-birthed town, the population structure in Songjiang new town is oversimplified and most residents have to suffer a long commute to city center of Shanghai. While old Songjiang city has more accomplished population structure.


Chapter 3/35

3.6 Conclusion of comparison study

To sum up, based on the analyses above, several spatial and socio-economic differences can be found between the new town and old city. Specifically, the old city has a spatial structure providing centrality, mixed functional distributions, clear development logic in urban form and diverse population compositions, which are lacking in the new town.

Nevertheless, all those results are separated and cannot be integrated together to get a concrete conclusion.

Whether those factors are the whole reasons leading to higher spatial integration and socio-economic diversity is uncertain.

In order to make a deep understanding in this subject, a quantitative research method integrating spatial and social aspects is needed. Therefore, applying GIS method into further research is the road one must follow.

In addition, transformation process from the newly birthed town to a more attractive city is still unknown. Whether it is merely related with time, with spatial structure, with functional mixture, or with other spatial compositions in regional or local level? In what sense the socio composition of the people working and living play a role in this transformation? How to accelerate this transformation process and left space for complexity?

Making a reivew for Dutch new town developments in the past half-century will be a meaningful research direction.

CHAPTER 4: PROBLEM STATEMENT

PROBLEM STATEMENT

Chapter 4/37

Spatial and socio-economic problems leading to the lack of urbanity

Songjiang new town as a research example has demonstrated its isolated spatial structure, disordered urban form and oversimplified socio-economic constructions in preliminary study. Apparently, higher spatial integration and socio-economic diversity are needed for building an attractive city. In this sense, it requires a complementary research on regional, urban and local scales to seek key compositions which can promote this transformation.

Unexplored potential of Songjiang new town: transforming to a complete city

As it stated above, the transforming process from new town to complete city is the main trend of new town developments. Therefore, a special look should be given to the evolution potential of Songjiang new town. Thus, there is a need to study the Dutch new town evolutions in past fifty years in order to define a transforming model.

CHAPTER 5: RESEARCH QUESTION & DESIGN

Chapter 5/39

RESEARCH QUESTION & DESIGN

5.1 Research questions

The main research question is: How to promote spatial integration and socio-economic diversity in Songjiang new town while accelerate its transformation towards a complete city?

Based on the preliminary research, the further study will begin with analyses in the Netherlands, and then convert the conclusions into Chinese context to guide Chinese new town developments. Newly birthed towns in China do not have enough references in historical development, nevertheless, through reviewing the development process of Dutch post-war new towns in both spatial and socio-economic dimensions, a transformation model can be raised.

New towns, no matter in the Netherlands or China, most of them are built up in a short time with a particular spatial structure and clear social-economic paradigm. They can be seen as a kind of mass producing goods. Therefore, new towns in China are also applicable in this model in a long course of time.

Then, many strategies in regional and urban level can be identified to promote urban vitality in Chinese new towns.

In addition, on the local level, several spatial compositions influence urbanity as well. Thus, investigations in several sections of historically-grown cities can lead to a deeper understanding about sensitive points in built environment, which can encourage the grow of vitality. Integrating the conclusions with Chinese context, several design guidelines for new towns in China can be proposed to improve its vitality as well.

Chapter 5/40


In order to better understand the elements contained in the main research question, four sub-questions are formulated:

The Netherlands:

1) What is the transforming process of Dutch new towns in spatial and socio-economic dimensions through time? How to define and measure this transformation model?

2) How to define various spatial compositions promoting urban vitality in local level?

China:

3) What is Songjiang new town’s position in this transformation model and how to accelerate its transformation by strategy?

4) How to apply spatial compositions to guide Songjiang new town’s development.

Chapter 5/41


5.2 Research design and approach

In order to answer the questions, the research will be divided into four parts:

The Netherlands:

Step 1 Identifying the transforming process of Dutch new towns in spatial and social-economic aspects aims to set a transformation model to understand the normalization process of new town.

1) Literature review to categorize the standards.2)Research the changing Dutch post-war new towns to understand the transformation during course of time.3)roviding a measurable transformation model.

Methods: Literature review; Historical research of transformation in post-war new town; Space Synatx; GIS-related simulation methods: Mixed-use Index; Spacemate, Comparison study among Lelystad, Almere and Zoetermeer;

Step 2 Analyzing the potential compositions of urban vitality on local levels to identify the key compositions.

1)Literature review to choose the potential compositions on local level.2)Surveying urban sections in popular historically grown cities to examine those potential compostions through the help of space syntax and GIS-related simulation models.3)Identifying the key elements on local level.

Methods: Literature review of urban centrality and vitality; Space Synatx; GIS-related simulation methods: Mixed-use Index; Spacemate, Comparing several urban sections of Rotterdam and Amsterdam;

Chapter 5/42


5.2 Research design and approach

China:

Step 3 Overview of Songjiang new town and old town to find their positions in the transformation model in order to improve urban vitality by strategy and policy.

1)Researching current Songjiang new town and old town through literature review and GIS-related simulation methods.2)Providing the strategy and policy to promote its development.

Methods: Historical review of Songjiang new town and old town; Historical statistics; Space Synatx; GIS-related simulation methods: Mixed-use Index; Spacemate, Comparison study between Songjiang new town and old town;

Step 4 Converting conclusions in step 2 to Chinese context in order to identify design guidelines for Songjiang new town.

1)Converting key compositions into Chinese context2)Providing the guidelines to encourage urban vitality

Methods: Literature review of comparison research about new towns in Europe and China, interview of key actors;

Chapter 5/43


5.3 Research structure and timetable

CHAPTER 6: RELEVANCE

Chapter 6/45

RELEVANCE

6.1 Scientific relevance

The proposed research takes on qualitative issues such as urban vitality and street life from an angle of quantitative research. It is mainly related to the department of Urbanism, TU Delft’s studies focusing on the socio-economic performance of urban form through spatial analysis with a quantitative approach, including the works of Meta Berghauser Pont, Bardia Mashhoodi, Birgit Hausleitner, Akkelies van Nes, etc.

The investigation will allow for the better understanding of hidden urban orders in new town development. It is also contribute to the former studies of International New Town Institution (INTI), e.g. Model Town: Using Urban Simulation Models in New Town Planning, Vernieuwing van de nieuwe stad, New Towns for the 21st century: Planned versus Unplanned, New Town Roots: Geboren en getogen Zoetermeerders over hun stad.

6.2 Urban character wanted

Nowadays, Songjiang new town is not an attractive place but its ambition to become a complete city is high. The latest comprehensive plan will make the city as one of three biggest sub centers in Shanghai’s periphery. The future performance of the city is thus very dependent on how to promote its spatial and economic-social structure.

Any Questions?

P1 presentationyuye

Design

Transcript of P1 presentationyuye