Vertical cities

Chief architect and urban designer, Charlene Zha, from Chapman Taylor’s Shanghai Studio, outlines approaches to create vertical cities that are sustainable and focused on the needs of the people that inhabit them.

In recent decades China’s economy has developed quickly, leading to rapid urbanisation. The development of urban infrastructure has led to many problems such as uneven distribution of public services, cropland occupation and air and environmental pollution. Vertical city planning is a way to meet the increasing needs of the population whilst promoting land saving. In recent years a vertical city strategy has been used in the development of public transport hubs, commercial centres and even residential communities.

To build a vertical city it’s important to consider several urban elements such as buildings, roads, landscapes, municipal facilities, pedestrian lanes, public transport and open spaces. In addition to the three-dimensional planning of roads, pipelines, underground logistics systems and other urban facilities, the quality and efficiency of the city must be enhanced, for example with rail facilities. Most importantly, we need to conduct thorough research on how to arrange and stack three-dimensional spaces in order to improve the urban environment and to do so sustainably.

Diverse and well-proportioned urban space

The vertical city has a different pattern than traditional cities as it extends its spaces both above and below the ground. It uses corridors, sunken courtyards, laminated buildings and elevated levels to form well-organised spaces, strengthening connections between the city and the buildings. A mix of uses can be introduced to enliven these spaces and make the city feel truly vibrant.

Clear transport circulation

Cities that are experiencing rapid growth face a variety of challenges, such as traffic. The unified planning of the underground system can greatly improve the integration and efficiency of the urban transport road network.

Over the last few years, with the development of urbanisation and the construction of high-speed railway stations, building an integrated city, station and transport hub has become a key planning consideration. With the main transport facilities accessed via such a hub, a shared urban centre can be created and made easily accessible.

This centralisation requires a new circulation plan and a spatial form design that combines landscape, open space and commercial streets with the station building, to eliminate the fragmentation of the area.

Underground space

The development and utilisation of underground space are major challenges during the planning of a vertical city. The comfort of the underground space must be prioritised in terms of light, ventilation and openness. The management and ownership of the buildings above and below ground also need to be taken into account.

It is necessary to consider the underground space in a holistic manner at the early stage of planning, to determine the development principles of each site and how they interlock.

Underground pedestrian spaces should be connected to assist convenient urban living and create a pleasant environment that is resistant to weather changes. Microclimatic spaces can be created in underground shopping streets and sunken plazas. Creating open spaces in busy areas can also improve pedestrian safety. The experience of walking can be made more pleasurable, thus improving the quality and experience of the commercial space.

Vibrant street-shaped ground space

The three-dimensionality of the space is a significant means of achieving land use intensification, bringing pedestrians and public space above and below ground level. It frees up ground space for the increasing diversity of public transport and motor vehicles and increases the accessibility of the city.

However, it’s important to note that the large span structure, pedestrian footbridges and connected building functions inevitably cause visual disturbance to the ground space. The balance of layouts depends on the precise anticipation of urban functions. It is important that the three-dimensional space is appropriately restrained and effective in order to meet the needs of convenience and retain the maximum human scale of the urban street.

The most important element of a city is its people, so the walking experience and view of the landscape are the most intuitive expression of the city's image. In a vertical city, the landscape above and below ground should be an organic whole, which is not only reflected in green roofs or landscape platforms but should also include the properties of the plants and the direction of sunlight, to improve adaptability and sustainability.

In addition, working with the principle of the sponge city (link to article), rain gardens can be created using low depressions, stacked roof gardens can reduce indoor energy consumption and underground rainwater collection can be unified and centralised for grey water reuse.

The "vertical city" encompasses all of the functions of the city and is, in our opinion, the urban form of the future. With the rapid development of modern cities, the vertical city, with its emphasis on efficiency, intelligence, comfort, friendliness and sustainability, may lead to a new era of urban planning.

To build a vertical city it’s important to consider several urban elements such as buildings, roads, landscapes, municipal facilities, pedestrian lanes, public transport and open spaces. In addition to the three-dimensional planning of roads, pipelines, underground logistics systems and other urban facilities, the quality and efficiency of the city must be enhanced, for example with rail facilities. Most importantly, we need to conduct thorough research on how to arrange and stack three-dimensional spaces in order to improve the urban environment and to do so sustainably.

Diverse and well-proportioned urban space

The vertical city has a different pattern than traditional cities as it extends its spaces both above and below the ground. It uses corridors, sunken courtyards, laminated buildings and elevated levels to form well-organised spaces, strengthening connections between the city and the buildings. A mix of uses can be introduced to enliven these spaces and make the city feel truly vibrant.

Clear transport circulation

Cities that are experiencing rapid growth face a variety of challenges, such as traffic. The unified planning of the underground system can greatly improve the integration and efficiency of the urban transport road network.

Over the last few years, with the development of urbanisation and the construction of high-speed railway stations, building an integrated city, station and transport hub has become a key planning consideration. With the main transport facilities accessed via such a hub, a shared urban centre can be created and made easily accessible.

This centralisation requires a new circulation plan and a spatial form design that combines landscape, open space and commercial streets with the station building, to eliminate the fragmentation of the area.

Underground space

The development and utilisation of underground space are major challenges during the planning of a vertical city. The comfort of the underground space must be prioritised in terms of light, ventilation and openness. The management and ownership of the buildings above and below ground also need to be taken into account.

It is necessary to consider the underground space in a holistic manner at the early stage of planning, to determine the development principles of each site and how they interlock.

Underground pedestrian spaces should be connected to assist convenient urban living and create a pleasant environment that is resistant to weather changes. Microclimatic spaces can be created in underground shopping streets and sunken plazas. Creating open spaces in busy areas can also improve pedestrian safety. The experience of walking can be made more pleasurable, thus improving the quality and experience of the commercial space.

Vibrant street-shaped ground space

The three-dimensionality of the space is a significant means of achieving land use intensification, bringing pedestrians and public space above and below ground level. It frees up ground space for the increasing diversity of public transport and motor vehicles and increases the accessibility of the city.

However, it’s important to note that the large span structure, pedestrian footbridges and connected building functions inevitably cause visual disturbance to the ground space. The balance of layouts depends on the precise anticipation of urban functions. It is important that the three-dimensional space is appropriately restrained and effective in order to meet the needs of convenience and retain the maximum human scale of the urban street.

The most important element of a city is its people, so the walking experience and view of the landscape are the most intuitive expression of the city's image. In a vertical city, the landscape above and below ground should be an organic whole, which is not only reflected in green roofs or landscape platforms but should also include the properties of the plants and the direction of sunlight, to improve adaptability and sustainability.

In addition, working with the principle of the sponge city (link to article), rain gardens can be created using low depressions, stacked roof gardens can reduce indoor energy consumption and underground rainwater collection can be unified and centralised for grey water reuse.

The "vertical city" encompasses all of the functions of the city and is, in our opinion, the urban form of the future. With the rapid development of modern cities, the vertical city, with its emphasis on efficiency, intelligence, comfort, friendliness and sustainability, may lead to a new era of urban planning.

Clear transport circulation

Cities that are experiencing rapid growth face a variety of challenges, such as traffic. The unified planning of the underground system can greatly improve the integration and efficiency of the urban transport road network.

Over the last few years, with the development of urbanisation and the construction of high-speed railway stations, building an integrated city, station and transport hub has become a key planning consideration. With the main transport facilities accessed via such a hub, a shared urban centre can be created and made easily accessible.

This centralisation requires a new circulation plan and a spatial form design that combines landscape, open space and commercial streets with the station building, to eliminate the fragmentation of the area.

Underground space

The development and utilisation of underground space are major challenges during the planning of a vertical city. The comfort of the underground space must be prioritised in terms of light, ventilation and openness. The management and ownership of the buildings above and below ground also need to be taken into account.

It is necessary to consider the underground space in a holistic manner at the early stage of planning, to determine the development principles of each site and how they interlock.

Underground pedestrian spaces should be connected to assist convenient urban living and create a pleasant environment that is resistant to weather changes. Microclimatic spaces can be created in underground shopping streets and sunken plazas. Creating open spaces in busy areas can also improve pedestrian safety. The experience of walking can be made more pleasurable, thus improving the quality and experience of the commercial space.

Vibrant street-shaped ground space

The three-dimensionality of the space is a significant means of achieving land use intensification, bringing pedestrians and public space above and below ground level. It frees up ground space for the increasing diversity of public transport and motor vehicles and increases the accessibility of the city.

However, it’s important to note that the large span structure, pedestrian footbridges and connected building functions inevitably cause visual disturbance to the ground space. The balance of layouts depends on the precise anticipation of urban functions. It is important that the three-dimensional space is appropriately restrained and effective in order to meet the needs of convenience and retain the maximum human scale of the urban street.

The most important element of a city is its people, so the walking experience and view of the landscape are the most intuitive expression of the city's image. In a vertical city, the landscape above and below ground should be an organic whole, which is not only reflected in green roofs or landscape platforms but should also include the properties of the plants and the direction of sunlight, to improve adaptability and sustainability.

In addition, working with the principle of the sponge city (link to article), rain gardens can be created using low depressions, stacked roof gardens can reduce indoor energy consumption and underground rainwater collection can be unified and centralised for grey water reuse.

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The "vertical city" encompasses all of the functions of the city and is, in our opinion, the urban form of the future. With the rapid development of modern cities, the vertical city, with its emphasis on efficiency, intelligence, comfort, friendliness and sustainability, may lead to a new era of urban planning.

--

The "vertical city" encompasses all of the functions of the city and is, in our opinion, the urban form of the future Chinese city. With the rapid development of modern cities, the vertical city, with its emphasis on efficiency, intelligence, comfort, connection and sustainability, may lead to a new era of urban planning.