This paper presents study of the effects of urban morphology changes on ventilation dynamics through a comparative study between blocks of Copacabana and Ipanema neighborhoods, located in Rio de Janciro City, Brazil. ...This paper presents study of the effects of urban morphology changes on ventilation dynamics through a comparative study between blocks of Copacabana and Ipanema neighborhoods, located in Rio de Janciro City, Brazil. The study was developed with the aid of experimental simulations in a wind tunnel, taking into account the urban morphology and its relations to open spaces. A diagnosis was produced through the exam of the wind effects in relation to the volume of built and non-built spaces. The effects were classified as positive or negative, in relation to the tropical climate. At first, both blocks studied, one in Ipanema and one in Copacabana, were selected according to common characteristics, which establish a relation between the two regions, such as the distance to the beach and the presence of a public square. The results confirmed our expectations showing Ipanema as a more ventilated area.展开更多
The paper analyzes the current trends of urban transformation and delineates an underlying rationale which enables the comprehension of the current character of Arab city with particular reference to Al-Khobar. The ci...The paper analyzes the current trends of urban transformation and delineates an underlying rationale which enables the comprehension of the current character of Arab city with particular reference to Al-Khobar. The city form is subjected to a re-reading arguments of which are based on critical interpretation of the mechaitisms of urban morphology in relation not only to the impacts of global economy and building boom but also to the means of perception of urban space by different strata of the urban realm. Thus, urban morphology of the city is studied as a medium which manifests a dissociation, and thus duality, between social structure and its physical container. The paper further argues that uncritical import of urban and architectural typologies seem to create a peculiar type of urban-architectural forgery that is usually reduced to skin-deep facade mimicry. Particularly, solo performances of shiny high-rise buildings and sharp contrasts of street fronts between main arteries and back streets depict impressions of fragmentation and segregation. The emerging urban-scape that can be associated with the cultural and economic leap in Arab regions today is critically evaluated. Thus, the paper proposes judicious and critical planning policy instead of direct import of global urban-architectural typologies.展开更多
The research on the architecture and urbanism of the former Portuguese Africa allows us to consider and to establish the real intrinsic value, typological and morphological diversity, and the lengthy duration of the l...The research on the architecture and urbanism of the former Portuguese Africa allows us to consider and to establish the real intrinsic value, typological and morphological diversity, and the lengthy duration of the legacy of this architectural/urban heritage. Portuguese colonization in Africa produced more recently, mostly in the period 1950-1975, some vast and great material values, of which seven or eight main cities, including the vast contents of their modern architecture, are striking examples. We can evaluate the most positive aspects with future impact represented by this Portuguese architects＇ practice （cultural ethics, use of modern technology, and service to society） and the architectonic work produced during that era. Although these cities and its architecture were created within a late colonial context of indisputable discrimination, they have prevailed despite wars and circumstantial abandonment. Now they represent a consistent material basis for the modernization and/or revitalization of urban life in these countries. Architects that are at present working and intervening in these countries should understand this ambivalence and complementary nature between the ex-colonial ＂concrete city＂ and the ＂informal city＂ pre- and post-colonial, so that their performance is socially and culturally informed, correct, and positive.展开更多
Cities＇ urban morphology is the result of historic, cultural, political and social processes. The historical cores in Mexican cities have high cultural diversity, which also intermingle pre-Hispanic cultures with col...Cities＇ urban morphology is the result of historic, cultural, political and social processes. The historical cores in Mexican cities have high cultural diversity, which also intermingle pre-Hispanic cultures with colonial forms, as well with modernity and post-modernity irruption. The case study is Santa Barbara＇s neighborhood in Toluca City, which was founded in 1524, and the case study was the first neighborhood in Toluca＇s historical core. At present time, this neighborhood is considered as one of the most dangerous places in the city＇s historical core, therefore, it has been abandoned. This paper will display the changes in urban morphology of the neighborhood through the years from 1877 to 2010. For site evaluation, the methodologies of Ashihara （1982） and Lynch＇s （1961） were used in order to analyze positive and negative spaces, as well as main street visual features, street and avenue directions, street circulation and street circulation path configuration. The results show that the focal nodes are a key factor for economic and social reactivation, with which, through urban activation of vacant lots and the traditional use of the streets as public space, is possible to generate centripetal development to restructure the neighborhood.展开更多
文摘This paper presents study of the effects of urban morphology changes on ventilation dynamics through a comparative study between blocks of Copacabana and Ipanema neighborhoods, located in Rio de Janciro City, Brazil. The study was developed with the aid of experimental simulations in a wind tunnel, taking into account the urban morphology and its relations to open spaces. A diagnosis was produced through the exam of the wind effects in relation to the volume of built and non-built spaces. The effects were classified as positive or negative, in relation to the tropical climate. At first, both blocks studied, one in Ipanema and one in Copacabana, were selected according to common characteristics, which establish a relation between the two regions, such as the distance to the beach and the presence of a public square. The results confirmed our expectations showing Ipanema as a more ventilated area.
文摘The paper analyzes the current trends of urban transformation and delineates an underlying rationale which enables the comprehension of the current character of Arab city with particular reference to Al-Khobar. The city form is subjected to a re-reading arguments of which are based on critical interpretation of the mechaitisms of urban morphology in relation not only to the impacts of global economy and building boom but also to the means of perception of urban space by different strata of the urban realm. Thus, urban morphology of the city is studied as a medium which manifests a dissociation, and thus duality, between social structure and its physical container. The paper further argues that uncritical import of urban and architectural typologies seem to create a peculiar type of urban-architectural forgery that is usually reduced to skin-deep facade mimicry. Particularly, solo performances of shiny high-rise buildings and sharp contrasts of street fronts between main arteries and back streets depict impressions of fragmentation and segregation. The emerging urban-scape that can be associated with the cultural and economic leap in Arab regions today is critically evaluated. Thus, the paper proposes judicious and critical planning policy instead of direct import of global urban-architectural typologies.
文摘The research on the architecture and urbanism of the former Portuguese Africa allows us to consider and to establish the real intrinsic value, typological and morphological diversity, and the lengthy duration of the legacy of this architectural/urban heritage. Portuguese colonization in Africa produced more recently, mostly in the period 1950-1975, some vast and great material values, of which seven or eight main cities, including the vast contents of their modern architecture, are striking examples. We can evaluate the most positive aspects with future impact represented by this Portuguese architects＇ practice （cultural ethics, use of modern technology, and service to society） and the architectonic work produced during that era. Although these cities and its architecture were created within a late colonial context of indisputable discrimination, they have prevailed despite wars and circumstantial abandonment. Now they represent a consistent material basis for the modernization and/or revitalization of urban life in these countries. Architects that are at present working and intervening in these countries should understand this ambivalence and complementary nature between the ex-colonial ＂concrete city＂ and the ＂informal city＂ pre- and post-colonial, so that their performance is socially and culturally informed, correct, and positive.
文摘Cities＇ urban morphology is the result of historic, cultural, political and social processes. The historical cores in Mexican cities have high cultural diversity, which also intermingle pre-Hispanic cultures with colonial forms, as well with modernity and post-modernity irruption. The case study is Santa Barbara＇s neighborhood in Toluca City, which was founded in 1524, and the case study was the first neighborhood in Toluca＇s historical core. At present time, this neighborhood is considered as one of the most dangerous places in the city＇s historical core, therefore, it has been abandoned. This paper will display the changes in urban morphology of the neighborhood through the years from 1877 to 2010. For site evaluation, the methodologies of Ashihara （1982） and Lynch＇s （1961） were used in order to analyze positive and negative spaces, as well as main street visual features, street and avenue directions, street circulation and street circulation path configuration. The results show that the focal nodes are a key factor for economic and social reactivation, with which, through urban activation of vacant lots and the traditional use of the streets as public space, is possible to generate centripetal development to restructure the neighborhood.
