Micro Urbanism

Urbanism has been strongly dictated by top down master planning strategies.
The urban network has been misrepresented when viewed from above; the aerial map has suppressed social relations, and burdened cities with rules based on poor site logic and lack of ecological understanding. A new strategy of data reading calls for a new method for data making. When examining the e ects of the earthquake in Christchurch, the conventional organisational strategies impose a process of urban in ll where the processed solution becomes a band aid over a larger urban issue. In top down planning the architect does not direct the building process but rather participates in it. The implementation of the internet and digitalization of information has meant the collection of vast amounts of data, which is stored and distrusted faster and more e ectively than ever before. This shift in media has allowed us to amalgamate data sets and shape them into an accessible whole. Access to information encourages novel methods of observation, interpretation and implementation. However, simply overlaying data will not produce new understanding greater than the obvious conclusions. Emergence cannot be seen by the eye alone, the observers perceptions dramatize the results to an illusionary extent. Unapparent alignments between data are still submerged behind a veil, which might only be uncovered through rigorous examination of data relationships. With such access to information, designer (planners) are able to engage and shape the built and wider ecological environments, encouraging shifts in the conventional strategies that govern architecture and urbanism alike. We have used data sets to establish explicit connections between built fabrics and external inputs, in order to reveal the increasing complexity of the constructed environment and its capacity for adaptation. Data exhibits a state of consciousness fuelled by the tiny decisions and considerations which in uence its condition. Whether these considerations are material or electronic, physical or virtual, the inherent ability to observe collected data sets allows us to visualize connections and explore their potential. Emergent phenomena are changing the quality and nature of designs. Di erent kinds of design sensibilities are emerging with many possible applications. The study of emergence, where individual agents are assigned attributes related to their host environment and work in collaboration with other simple agents towards higher order complexity, is leading new kinds of structural, organisational, spatial and aesthetic architecture. Discreet agents are interlinked by micro-transactions taking place over a vast territory while dealing with the emergent elds within ecological patterns and sub- programming.
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Micro-Urbanism | Introduction
The system is based on self-regulatory patterns already found in natural ecosystems, through the introduction of agents and their ability to self-organize urban matter and secondly encoding intelligence into urban elements and topologies, natural ecologies can be understood and integrated into the development of an urban strategy. Agents have the ability to react to data given a performative connection which can be traced and simulated. The urban fabric is then generated through individual transactions, and thus acknowledges the constant nature of change. This ability to be an accumulation of individual actions is the foundation of the bottom up approach. Emergent behavioural systems operate based on a collection of inclinations, this challenges the established notions of urban master planning. When one increases the material resolution and manages di erent sets of information through a coding of material, structural, and organisational behaviours, then one increases the ability for designed systems to respond, feedback, and learn to adapt to a host condition. Such an approach is narrowing the gap between the power of abstraction (computation) and materialization. Increased resolution allows for the programming of molecular transactions rather than conventional deterministic (totalitarian) design and planning approaches. Design decisions are broken into small packages that are locally implemented, allowing a ner grain of change without a disproportionate amount of time spent. Segmenting the decision making process frees the static outputs, and allows a greater involvement of conditions to assist change. The decentralized multi- agent, system changes the nature of hierarchy in urbanism. Agents are programmed from the bottom-up through simple interactions of alignment, cohesion and separation. Self-organizing populations of agents are interlaced through di erent relationships and their interactions are run through a simulation to observe and understand tendencies within the system. Each agent can be programmed to meet requirements of a city and interact as informed modules which negotiate through multiple ecological elds to generate an urban argument. Such elds may include site condition relationships such as the balance between wind ows and airborne pollution levels, or between soil acidity levels and plant aggregation. An application of self-organizing logic to urbanism enables a shift from notions of master-planning to that of master-algorithm as an urban design tool. Rather than designing an urban plan that meets a set of criteria, urban imperatives are programmed into a set of agents which are able to self-organize. Consequently this conception of urbanism generates systems that are exible and respond to the constantly changing political, economic and social pressures of urban development.
MICRO-URBANISM
Jordon Saunders, Yun Kong, Adrian Kumar
1.0 COMPOSITION Composition refers to built and static matter with structural rigidity and chemical properties. The main categories are built area, vegetative area, impermeable surfaces and permeable surfaces. These are further broken down into sub-categories. All categories are measured in square meters and can be directly compared .
Isolate
Pixelate
Generate 2D Map
Generate 3D Map
Mapping Compositional Data
Isolated Component (Scalar Shift)
Sample Grid 192 Units by 150 Units = 17km x 13km = 221sqkm

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Micro-Urbanism | Analysis
2D Mapping (Scalar Shift)

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1.1 BUILT ENVIRONMENT The built environment refers to human made surroundings which range from personal shelter and buildings to neighbourhoods and cities. The built environment is a material, spatial and cultural product of humans that combines physical elements and energy in forms necessary for living, working and playing. These artificial surroundings are extensive organisms that consume resources, dispose waste, and facilitate the production of enterprise. For the purpose of this analysis we developed ecological data sets for: supermarkets, industrial zones, residential zones, and cemeteries. 1.11 SUPERMARKET The supermarket provides fresh produce, meat, dairy, baked goods, and other household items. The supermarket occupies a large amount of space, and is usually situated at nodal points. 1.12 INDUSTRIAL ZONES Industrial zones refer to areas for the production of goods or services. There are four sectors: raw material extraction, material refining and manufacturing, service and distribution, and technological. Industry is important for the citys economy and for providing jobs. Industrial plants are located along major transportation routes for the ease of distributing materials and goods. 1.13 RESIDENTIAL ZONES A residential zone is where land use is predominantly housing. Zoning regulations determine land use, which often restrict businesses and industry from occupying a residential zone. 1.14 CEMETERIES A place where either dead bodies or cremated remains are buried; this may be a large public park. The sacred monuments and associated feelings for loved ones who have passed away means cemeteries are rather fixed and immune to major city planning changes.
1.2 IMPERVIOUS SURFACE Impervious surfaces are identified as artificial surface conditions; it includes pavements for roads, sidewalks, carparks, and driveways, which are covered by impenetrable materials such as asphalt, concrete, brick and stone. Soils compacted by urban development are also highly impervious. The sealed surfaces eliminate ground water infiltration and natural ground water recharge. The darker toned surfaces collect solar heat, which then raises the air temperature when the heat is released. This produces what is called the urban heat island effect, which results in increased energy consumption in buildings due to cooling. The warm runoff from impervious surfaces reduces oxygenation in stream water, and consequently reduces the habitability for aquatic ecosystems. Impervious pavements deprive tree roots of aeration, eliminating the conditions that would otherwise moderate urban climate. The displacement of living vegetation reduces ecological productivity, and impacts the vital atmospheric carbon cycles.
1.21 FOOTPATH A footpath is a path along the side of a road or pathway intended for pedestrians. It may accommodate moderate changes in grade (height) and may be separated from the vehicular section by a curb. There may be vegetation, trees, grass, bush between the pedestrian section and vehicular section.
1.22 ROADS Road surfaces are made with durable surface materials intended to sustain vehicular traffic. Roadway surfacing affects the intensity and spectrum of sound emanating from tire/surface interaction. Road pavements have limited lifespan and age due to surface abrasion. Centre lines are a form of road surface, providing separation between two flows of traffic. Roads vary in width, speed and use, often the wider the road the greater the use and or speed.
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1.3 PERMEABLE SURFACE Permeable surfaces allow fluid to pass through. The porosity and composition, along with water mass affects the permeability of a surface. Permeability is related to Darcys law which relates flow rate and viscosity to a pressure gradient. The porosity of a soils surface decreases as particle sizes increase. The aggregation of soil results in higher resistance to compaction, which allows less water through. In nonurban landscapes, rainwater falls onto permeable surfaces and slowly makes its way into groundwater reservoirs and aquifers which hold the citys drinking water. In urban conditions, the impermeable surfaces create large quantities of runoff which can overwhelm natural drainages, over-saturate the areas where water collects, and divert water away from groundwater reservoirs. For this analysis, permeable surfaces include: agricultural land, water basins, sand and grass.
1.31 AGRICULTURAL LAND Agricultural land is land suitable for farming for either livestock and crops. Agricultural land is divided into irrigated and non-irrigated land. Agricultural land includes orchards, vineyards, meadows, pastures, and arable land.
1.32 WATER BASINS A water basin is any body of water, and it includes rivers, lakes, seas, oceans and canals. Waterways are classed as permeable areas because water can penetrate into bodies of water. For example, the Avon River is a water way that flows through the centre of Christchurch and out to an estuary.
1.33 SAND A naturally occurring grain composed of rock and mineral particles. Sand is transported by wind and water, and is then deposited in the forms of beaches and dunes. Sandy soils are ideal for growing watermelons, peaches, peanuts. Their intensive draining properties make them suitable for intensive dairy farming. Sand is a principle material in concrete construction, and improves traction on icy roads.
1.34 GRASS Grasses are herbaceous plants with narrow leaves growing from the base. Cattle, sheep, horses, rabbits, and invertebrates eat grass as their main source of food.
1.4 PLANTED/ VEGETATION Vegetation refers to natural and artificial ground covering plants, for the sake of this analysis we selected four categories to map: shelterbelts, exotic forests, orchards, and shrubs. This is not a comprehensive selection, but rather an example of the possible vegetation data sets. Vegetation dynamism is defined as a change in a species composition and vegetation structure. Abrupt changes can be caused by wildfires,high winds, landslides, floods and avalanches. Temporal changes comprise the field of ecological succession. Vegetation self modifies over time based on availability of light, water, nutrient levels, and soil pH levels. Plant development stages are different across large regions due to different local histories, in particular the last major disturbance. Transpiration is the vaporization of water contained in plant tissue and the vapour removal to the air. Vegetation influences slope stability by removing water through transpiration, however the rate of stabilization is contingent on a greater mass of vegetation, such as trees.
1.41 SHELTERBELTS A shelterbelt is identified as a row of planting strategically located to provide shelter from wind and protect soil from erosion. They may also function to: keep snow from drifting onto roadways, provide screens from traffic; mitigate noise from traffic; provide a safe barrier between farm animals and roads; and can also be harvested for wood. Shelterbelts properly planted around a home could provide energy savings by reducing the need of artificial heating and cooling.
1.42 EXOTIC FORESTS An exotic forest is an area with a high density of non-native tree species. These forests have been transplanted and are living outside of their native ecologies. Some introduced species can damage
1.43 ORCHARDS Orchards are either trees or shrubs planted and maintained for food production. These can include both nut-producing trees and fruit trees which are both grown for commercial production. Orchards are
ecosystems while others have beneficial effects often concentrated near bodies of water to reduce to humans. For example, the timber industry extreme climatic conditions on a plantation. introduced the Pinus Radiata from California to New Zealand as a commercial crop, which is widely used in timber construction.
1.44 SHRUBS Shrubs are distinguished from a tree by shorter height and multiple stems, and often grow in a line or create a border. They may occur naturally or be the result of human introduction. Shrub land species have a wide range of adaptations to fire such as heavy seeding production from fire-induced germination.
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2.0 FIELDS A field is a three-dimensional map of data sets that affect spatial conditions. For the sake of our research we have selected to map wind intensity, pollution, road use, road noise, water table, watersheds, water absorption, erosion, potential rooting depth, soil pH, and sun shadow. Fields can be either products of artificial or natural processes, therefore they are closely related to urban and natural compositions. Their relationships are mathematically defined, therefore fields and compositions are malleable to causality. An event in the urban composition will have a consequence on one or more fields, which in turn has other rippling effects. The fields represented have a scalar function equivalence of a given dynamic force (t = f(x, y, z)). Therefore they are coordinate dependent, and can occupy an Euclidean space. Fields are often natural phenomena at the scales beyond immediate human perception, such as pollution, erosion, and soil pH. Each point in a field has a unit of measure associated with it, either energy in the instance of wind intensity or quantity in the instance of pollution particulates. A field is a collection of points, but for the purpose of spatial legibility it appears continuous.
Data Set
Site - Christchurch
Base Grid
Result - Field
Mapping Field Data
Section Lines
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Westerlies at 100m
Westerlies at 200m
Westerlies at 300m
wind direction height wind wind
North-Easterlies at 100m
2.1 WIND INTENSITY Wind is caused by pressure differences to equalize the pressure differential and the rotation of the planet. This differential is created by unequal heating of the planets surface. When a difference in pressure exists, the air is accelerated from the higher to lower pressure. Wind pressure can be approximated by: pressure = x (density of air) x (wind speed) 2 x (shape factor). Shape factor is the drag coefficient and it depends on the shape of the wind pressure. Winds are classified by their spatial scale, their speed, how long they last, and their effect. In Christchurch, the main northwesterly wind is a foehn type wind, hot and dry, it comes from the Southern Alps and can raise the temperature by 10 to 15 degrees within an
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hour. When wind is combined with cold temperatures, they have a negative impact on livestock by affecting their food stores, as well as natural hunting capabilities. Wind contributes to the spreading of wildfires. Wind disperses seeds from plants, which enables survival through propagation, as well as feeding flying insect species. Wind is one of the causes of soil erosion through deflation, which is the lifting and moving of small particles to another region. These suspended particles cause erosion by abrasion when they impact on other solid objects. Wind erosion occurs in regions with little vegetation, often associated with low rainfall.
North-Westerlies at 100m
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South-Westerlies at 100m
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2.2 POLLUTION Air pollutants are substances in the air that are harmful or discomforting to humans, and in extreme cases or prolonged exposure, pollution can damage the natural and built environment. Pollutants can be in the form of heavy particles, liquid droplets, or gaseous toxins. They can be naturally occurring or artificial. Eighty percent of Christchurchs air pollution comes from wood or coal burners and open fires. Ten percent comes from vehicle emissions and ten percent from the industrial sector. The burning of wood and coal produces fine particulates known as soot, the levels in Christchurch exceeds the Ministry of Environment guidelines. Pollutants are identified as responsible for respiratory problems,
cardiac illness, premature death, and damages the public image of the city. High exposure to air pollutants increase the possibility of children developing asthma, pneumonia, and a low initial birth rate. The Port Hills nearby create a warm layer of air that descends across Christchurch and traps the pollutants at street level. This is known as a temperature inversion. The trapped pollutants are most noticeable during twilight hours, either at sunset or sunrise, when smog is clearly visible and can create the effect of a colourful sky. The pollutants are reactive to natural atmospheric gas, and when pollutants are blown to higher altitudes this can lead to a depletion of the stratospheric ozone. Stratospheric ozone is essential in protecting humans from damaging radiation from the sun.
direction
height
Total Pollution
Total Pollution - Sections
Wood, Coal and Open Fire Pollution Daily
Wood, Coal and Open Fire Pollution 10-4pm
Wood, Coal and Open Fire Pollution 4-10pm
Vehicle Pollution Daily
Vehicle Pollution Morning
Vehicle Pollution Afternoon
Industrial Pollution Daily

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Industrial Pollution Morning
Pollution Afternoon
Domestic Pollution Daily
Domestic Pollution Morning
Domestic Pollution Afternoon

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2.3 ROAD USE Vehicle traffic on roads is either for the transportation of goods or the transportation of people; licensing requirements and safety regulations ensure a separation between the two. The transportation of goods depends on the degree of development of the local infrastructure, the distance the goods are transported, the weight, the volume and the type of goods transported. Traffic is formally organized with marked lanes, junctions, intersections, interchanges, traffic signals, or signs. Traffic is classified by type: heavy motor vehicles, other vehicles, and pedestrians. Different classes may share speed limits and easements, or may be segregated. Traffic monitoring information is fundamental to the management of road networks. Different hierarchies of roads are important in overall efficiency and safety on the road. The traffic volume count for this study was sourced from City Council Traffic System Unit and NZ Transport Agency. Traffic counts were taken from multiple points on each road, the values are a seven day average over a range of different times in a year. Traffic monitoring equipment includes weigh-in-motion, telemetry and simple portable tube traffic counters.
Road Use - Sections
2.4 ROAD NOISE Roadway noise is the collective sound emanating from motor vehicles and their surroundings. The basic noise level could be generated from the flow of traffic, the speed of the traffic, composition of the traffic, gradient of the road and the road surface. Sound approximately doubles for each increment of ten miles per hour, except at low speeds when the sound of breaking and accelerating dominates over aerodynamic noise. The road surface texture determines the generation and reflection of noise; whether it is composed of randomly distributed chipping or horizontally aligned surfaces. Road geometry and surrounding terrain is interrelated, they effect the propagation, diffraction, reflection, ground wave attenuation, spreading loss and refraction of sound. The presence of buildings or walls can block sound or can reflect it to augment sound at other locations.
distance
Road Noise - Sections
Noise has a detrimental effect on animals, they change the balance in predator or prey detection and avoidance, and they interfere with the use of sound in communication especially in relation to reproduction and navigation. A noisy area harms and reduces the effective habitat of animals. Elevated noise can have negative health effects on humans, causing hypertension annoyance and sleep disturbance. A variety of strategies are available to mitigate roadway noise: use of noise barriers, limitation of vehicle speeds, alteration of roadway surface texture, limitation of heavy vehicles, use of traffic controls for smoothing traffic flow and tire design.
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pressure
ground
water table
ground
2.5 WATER TABLE The water table is the upper surface of a saturated layer of an unconfined aquifer. The water table separates the subsurface region of rocks where pores are normally filled with air, to a zone where rocks pores are saturated with water. These regions are affected by porosity and permeability of the soil substrate. The water table does not exactly resemble the topography due to geological variations in the subterranean structure. The water table is closely related to groundwater, which is naturally replenished by surface water from precipitation, streams, and rivers.
ground material will absorb moisture to some extent resulting in a swelling, dissolving, leaching, or plasticizing of the ground, which results in a deformation in the form of discolouration, embrittlement, change in mechanical and electrical properties, and heating capacities. When soil is unsaturated with water, plant transpiration drops because water is increasingly bound to the soil particles through suction. When the plants are no longer able to extract water, they wilt and cease to transpire; this is termed the wilting point. Ground water absorbed will flow 2.7 WATER ABSORPTION Water absorption is the ability for surface water to into natural reservoirs and remain there for either days or millennia. Substrate with low porosity be absorbed into the ground; it is affected by the top soil composition and permeability. It includes will permit less movement of groundwater, while both natural and built environments and is further substrates with high porosity will contain more groundwater. Groundwater moving through the effected by the subterranean composition. The substrate will have insulating effects on soil and water absorption coefficient is the ratio of the rock, and will be able to maintain a relatively steady weight of water absorbed by a material relative temperature due to the high heat capacity of water. to the weight of the material when it is dry. All
Water table levels are important for vegetation growth and animal habitation. When the water table collects below the ground surface, this is termed an aquifer. An aquifer allows water to flow directly between the porous saturated ground and the ground surface. The water table has less pressure than deeper in the saturated ground, because gravity causes water to flow downwards. The amount of water it takes to produce 1 ton of grain is 1000 tons of water. 70% of the worlds water is used for irrigation, 20% is used for industry, and 10% is used for residential.
(Source: Outgrowing the Earth: the food security Challenge in an age of Falling Water Lester Russel Brown)
water table
wind
wind wind
2.6 WATERSHED A watershed refers to an area of land defined by a drainage basin. Watersheds are affected by wind intensity and land composition. On hilly topography, the divide lies along peaks and ridges. On flatter topography, the divide is more subtle, it is determined by the direction a raindrop will fall when it is on the ground surface. Drainage divides are either: a continental divide in which water flows to different oceans; a major drainage divide in which water never meets again but flows into the same ocean; or minor drainage divide in which water separates but eventually joins again at a river confluence. The drainage basin is where
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surface water and melting snow or ice converge before it exits to another body of water, such as a river, lake, sea, or ocean. The catchment depends on the topography, soil type and land use (paved or roofed areas). The topography determines the speed at which water flows while the catchment size and porosity determine the amount of water that reaches the basin. Land use contributes to the volume of water reaching a basin.
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wind height wind

The geological factors are the sediment or rock type, its porosity and permeability, the slope of the land, and the physical positions of the rocks. Biological factors are type of ground cover, the types of organisms living in that area and land use. High levels of precipitation and more wind are expected 2.8 EROSION Soil erosion is the process in which sediment, soil, to have more erosion. Sediments with loose porosity rock and other particles are relocated from an area like sand and silt and areas with steep slopes erode due to weathering and deposited elsewhere. It can more easily. Porosity and permeability determines how easily water can percolate into the ground. The occur due to transportation by wind, or ice, the downward slope creep of soil due to gravity, or by water could move underground, which generates less living organisms (bio erosion), such as burrowing runoff, and reduces the amount of surface erosion. Sediments with high clay contents tend to erode animals. The rate of erosion depends on the less. Roads increase the rate of erosion due to the amount and intensity of precipitation, average temperature, temperature range, seasonality, wind reduction of natural ground cover and increasing drainage runoff. speed and storm frequency.
wind
2.10 SOIL pH Soil pH is the measure of the acidity or basicity of the soil, where pH is defined as the negative logarithm of the activity of hydrogen ions (H+) in a solution. It ranges from 0 to 14, with 7 being neutral. A pH below 7 is acidic whereas a pH above 7 is basic. Pure water at 25 degrees Celsius has a pH of near 7. Soil pH is a master variable in soil as it controls chemical processes in biology. It specifically affects the plant nutrient availability by controlling the chemical forms of nutrients. The optimum pH ranges for plants is between 6 and 7.5, however plants can adapt to pH outside this range. Plants grown in nutrient deficient soil will experience symptoms including Al, H, and/or Mn toxicity. Nutrients most essential to plants are referred to as macro-nutrients and include nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium and sulphur. In addition to macro-nutrients, plants need trace
amounts of other nutrients. Trace nutrients are not major components of plant tissue, but are essential for growth. These are mostly metals and include iron, manganese, zinc, copper, cobalt, molybdenum and boron. Both macro and trace nutrient availability is controlled by soil pH.
wind pressure
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2.9 POTENTIAL ROOTING DEPTH The potential rooting depth refers to the potential for a plants roots to distribute into the ground; it depends on the plant form, the spatial availability of water and nutrients, and physical properties of the soil.
The functions of the plant roots are to absorb water and nutrients, anchor the plant body to the ground, store food and nutrients, and prevent soil erosion. The majority of a plants roots are relatively close to the surface where nutrient availability and aeration are more favourable for growth. Rooting depth will be physically restricted by impermeable substrate or compacted soil, or by anaerobic soil conditions. The pattern of development of a root system is termed rooting architecture. The rooting architecture varies between fine and coarse roots, depending on the topology and distribution of biomass within and between the roots. A plant with fine roots can extract nutrients from soil efficiently; while coarse roots and evenly distributed roots provide support. Roots on one side of the tree normally provide nutrients for the foliage on the same side of the tree.
Sep
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Mar
June
water table
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2.11 SUN SHADOW Sun shadow is an area where direct sunlight cannot reach due to obstruction by an object. Therefore the absence of shadow is sunlight. A daily shadow calculation represents the accumulated shadow path for 24 hours at summer solstice. The above diagram shows that the accumulative shadow length changes throughout the year; the length of the shadow is proportional to the suns angle to the horizon. The actual brightness of the sunlight at the surface is dependent on the atmospheric composition. The rotation and tilt of the earth determines the time of day and seasonal variation. The sun in Christchurch has a latitude of 43.5
degrees, with altitude of 70 degrees in the summer solstice and 23 degrees in the winter solstice. Green plants absorb sunlight to produce sugars through photosynthesis, and transpire, producing a cooling effect. Different plant species require varying amounts of sunlight exposure to survive, they range from 6 hours to less than 2 hours of sun light a day.
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repulsion to field
attraction to field
composition
field
agents
logic
organization
feedback field field composition field attractor field attractors agent behaviors
Urban Strategy
Responsive Systems
existing field
composition
reorganisation
field shift
simulated field
alignment
cohesion
flee
repel
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existing field
composition
reorganisation
field shift
simulated field
AGENTS Agents refer to artificial life simulations, their complexity arises from the interaction of individual agents reacting to behaviors that allows them to shift and reorganize not only in relation to one another but also to the wider environment. Agent behavior can perhaps be best illustrated by the example of iron fillings and the way in which they organize when placed under a magnetic field. Agent systems are not new to architecture, but where we see our system differing to others is in the ability to organize in relation to ecological or field conditions that are geographically informed. Our system also operates on the exchange between both static and dynamic relationships in the built and natural environment.
emitter
seek pheromone
separate
seek angle
seek all directions
Feedback Loop
URBAN STRATEGY feedback loop data sets, we developed an experimental approach to creating an urban strategy, Using environmental one with an architecture-less response to trends, fashions, and politics. Instead we developed a system governed by the environment, where the aim of the design is to optimize relationships inherent in the surrounding ecosystem. The system has three stages of development: the first stage was an analysis of existing environmental conditions, the second we introduced organizational agents, and lastly we created a feedback loop. Each of these stages can be applied across different scales of design, from the large urban, to the regional and the suburban. In the first stage, the analysis, we took the existing composition of the built environment
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Micro-Urbanism | Design Introduction
and the surrounding ecological field to generate maps of the current makeup of the site. This quickly allowed us to see relationships between the built environment and that of the surrounding ecology. In the second stage, the design, we introduced agents, which in essence are actions on the existing built environment. The agents are assigned an inherent logic that provokes them to move given a significant ecologic benefit. This new organization is one of an emergent relationship between the built environment and the natural ecology of the site. Lastly, we created a feedback loop to allow for an informed adjustment of the system. The feedback loop also provides evidence to make a justified decision, not based on the irrational trends of aesthetics and personal preference, but on the basis of a fine tuned and balanced ecology.
repulsion type
attraction type
perch
wander
splice
Agent Behaviors
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wind intensity pollution road use road noise water table water absorption water shed erosion minimum soil pH potential rooting depth daily shadowing soil stability
green network
built
circulation
City Logic
wind intensity pollution road use road noise water table water absorption water shed erosion minimum soil pH potential rooting depth daily shadowing soil stability wind intensity pollution road use road noise water table water absorption water shed erosion minimum soil pH potential rooting depth daily shadowing soil stability wind intensity pollution road use road noise water table water absorption water shed erosion minimum soil pH potential rooting depth daily shadowing soil stability wind intensity pollution road use road noise water table water absorption water shed erosion minimum soil pH potential rooting depth daily shadowing soil stability
right to light
clustering
cohesion
stacking
gravity
ground limit
thickness of road in relation to adjacent program
green network
commercial
industrial
domestic
separation
maximum cantilever
unobstructed residential view
unobstructed commercial view
ground coverage ratios
minimum volume
maximum volume
public amenities
major pedestrian
major public transport
major cycleways
Regional Logic
green network
parks and gardens
agriculture
positive taper to road noise
negative taper to greenery
repel from road
green network attraction
green network offset
road offset
Massing Logic
green corridors
commercial
retail
domestic
public amenities
industrial
public amenities
major pedestrian
major public transport
major cycleways
EDUCATION
neutral
repulsion domestic > 500
attraction
distance > 2km
TRANSIT BUILDING
distance between bus stops
road collision avoidance
Suburban Logic
LOGIC The relationship between agent types (program) and the ecological fields consists of a simple behavioral trait of either attraction or deflection- each agent is given a positive or negative magnitude towards each type of ecological field. These positive and negative magnitudes can be tweaked depending on what type of field conditions are being tested.
estimated total floor area in Christchurch number of building agents area per building agent 53,849,512sqm 85,000 633.52sqm
ALLOTMENTS
1 per domestic unit
sunlight exposure
CARPARK
one carpark per two domestic unit
two carpark per commercial unit
one carpark per domestic unit
domestic agent = 25 @ 25sqm per agent
commercial agent = 18 @ 36sqm per agent
industrial agent = 12 @ 49sqm per agent

neutral repulsion attraction
Agent Relationships
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Micro-Urbanism | Design Introduction
Agent Area Calculation
The introduction of the third dimension happens in the scalar shift from the regional to the suburban strategy. Each agent type is assigned a floor area: the residential agent equals 25sqm, the commercial agent equals 36sqm, and the industrial agent equals 49sqm. To arrive at this calculation we took the total floor area of Christchurch before the earthquake and the total proportion of different programs and divided it among the agents, therefore the examples of rationalized cities represent the same floor area and proportionally the same program as preearthquake Christchurch. Given a floor area, the next task is to 3dimensionalize the organizational diagrams. We developed a logic where the agents assemble to create a massing envelope based on relationships such as access to sunlight. The system sets up a suggested envelop inside of which buildings can be designed.
PLAYGROUNDS
high density green network
proximity
GREEN NETWORK TRANSIT HUBS
distance between < 5km
Emergent Agents
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SUBURBAN ORGANIZATION - LOW DENSITY These are a series of images taken from an interactive model, depicting the assembly of building volumes relative to program at the suburb scale. The low density suburb has the least building blocks so building formations do not exceed two stories once the system is stabilized. The collection of buildings have a low floor area ratio; compared to the other densities, residential and industrial buildings are far apart, and mixed programmatic spaces are rare.
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SUBURBAN ORGANIZATION - MEDIUM DENSITY The medium density suburb has a moderate amount of building blocks, buildings do not exceed four stories. Larger amounts of commercial and retail blocks are deployed, some of which are part of mixed use buildings. There is evidence of taller buildings deviating away from green space to allow access to sunlight at the ground level, and small open spaces in between residential blocks for recreational functions.
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SUBURBAN ORGANIZATION - HIGH DENSITY The high density suburb is fully saturated with blocks, buildings naturally stack to a maximum of eight stories in some areas. Curvilinear forms emerge in residential buildings that result from sunlight penetration, wind reduction, and separation from industrial areas. Deep light wells emerge in large residential blocks to allow sunlight to each unit. As well, there are several roof gardens that connect to pathways at the ground level.
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Micro-Urbanism | Design
Industrial
Commercial
Residential
Road Network (Physically Linked)
Green Network (Visually Linked)

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RATIONALIZED CITY TO MANAGE SURFACE WATER These are a series of images taken from an urban scale simulation where surface water is managed by using information such as surface flooding levels and water basin gradients to organize building locations. It is evident that a higher density of vegetation emerges along major flood plains and buildings avoid water basins. Conventional circulation networks diminish and green pathways become the primary circulation.
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RATIONALIZED CITY TO MITIGATE WIND These are a series of images taken from an urban scale simulation where high wind zones repel large clustering of buildings. An uneven building distribution emerges and greenery forms perpendicular rows to defend buildings from wind similar to shelter belts. Circulation is curvilinear to avoid straight pathways which further deters uncomfortably high wind speeds. The large void in the center of Christchurch suggests a strong wind pattern is present, thus it has repelled buildings.
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RATIONALIZED CITY TO MANAGE AIR POLLUTION These are a series of images taken from an urban scale simulation where pollution is reduced to a minimum given the scale of the city. Building areas are densified to allow a shorter distance of travel, thus reducing pollution caused by vehicular emissions. Circulation paths are more direct and wider to allow a faster flow and reduce travel time. Wind becomes a component to manage the inversion effect which traps smog at the street level. Buildings are attracted to medium wind zones as this has a rate of air exchange that naturally allows street level smog to be blown away. Vegetation is attracted to the buildings which are still in higher polluted areas, as a compromise to offset pollution levels.
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Building
Circulation
Vegetation
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vegetation
wind intensity pollution road use road noise water table water absorption water shed erosion minimum soil pH potential rooting depth
building
circulation
water table
daily shadowing soil stability
Magnitude of Field Relationships - Urban Scale
potential rooting depths
water absorption
soil acidity
Low Density
pollution
Medium Density
Urban Scale
wind intensity
acoustic noise
Buildings
Circulation
Open Space
Feedback Loop - Ecological Fields
RATIONALIZED CITY TO MANAGE SURFACE WATER - URBAN SCALE Buildings are organized to repel from flood plains zones; the result is a stratification of the built environment. The circulation is also programmed to repel from floodplain zones, but because the floodplain is so prevalent, the main road circumnavigates Christchurch, with only secondary roads negotiating in between. The green network tends to populate the floodplain zones which has the
226
effect of reducing soil erosion and creating soil stability. The result of this is a tendency for the water absorption ecological field to increase in green areas.
High Density
RATIONALIZED CITY TO MANAGE SURFACE WATER - REGIONAL SCALE Flooding is a natural occurrence with ecological benefits, such as supporting the growth of certain plant species. In this scenario we saw flooding as a necessary natural phenomenon, and instead of preventing it we allowed for it to occur naturally. To create an integrated built environment the vegetation clustered along major waterways and flood prone plains. This also prevented soil erosion and water absorption. Buildings were repelled from water basins to avoid water pooling; this created a stratified pattern of vegetation and building organization. As a design decision, circulation routes are proposed as green pathways made with semi-permeable surfaces to increase water absorption.
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vegetation
building
circulation
water table
water absorption
soil acidity
Low Density
pollution
Medium Density
Urban Scale
wind intensity
acoustic noise
Buildings
Circulation
Open Space
RATIONALIZED CITY ACCORDING TO WIND PATTERNS - REGIONAL SCALE Pockets of residential, commercial, and industrial agents organize in clusters sheltered from wind, creating courtyard type spaces. For low density areas this open space may become a park, whereas in high density areas these spaces may become a square. In the high density suburbs, dwellings tend toward perimeters of green networks. Circulation agents rationalize themselves as diffusing, creating a spaghetti of pedestrian paths, public transport, and cycleway systems. In low density areas, routes curve and wind to avoid wind tunneling, whereas in higher density areas there are straighter more efficient routes assisted by shelter belts.
RATIONALIZED CITY ACCORDING TO WIND PATTERNS- URBAN SCALE The buildings are organized to populate areas with low wind currents, while the other agents create pockets of green networks to reduce wind. The circulation is programmed to minimize effects of wind tunneling by methods such as reducing the length of linear routes. The simulated effect is a winding and dispersed road system with three main nodal intersections. The green network agents are programmed
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with high attraction to high wind zones, this creates a strong geometry of defined spaces or pockets similar to shelter belts which also mitigate harsh wind. Ecological feedback from the system shows a downward trend for wind around buildings.
High Density
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vegetation
building
circulation
water table
water absorption
soil acidity
Low Density
pollution
Medium Density
Urban Scale
wind intensity
acoustic noise
Buildings
Circulation
Open Space
RATIONALIZED CITY TO MINIMIZE AIR POLLUTION - URBAN SCALE The buildings are organized primarily to repel away from the pollution ecological field. Building agents are also given a high cohesion or densification, thus reducing reliance on vehicle transportation and fossil fuel emissions and promoting walking and cycling. The circulation along main roads repels away from high pollution zones to avoid densification of pollution in one area. High pollution zones and
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main circulation routes are also attracted to high wind zones to allow for natural wind currents to move pollution away from the city. Dense green networks occur around areas which have high pollution in order to improve the air condition through plant matter pollution absorption.
High Density
RATIONALIZED CITY TO MINIMIZE AIR POLLUTION - REGIONAL SCALE In order to minimize pollution, densification as the planning strategy was inherent in the building organization. The high density region shows the juxtaposition of dense urban dwellings and the dense green network. The relationship between building and green become more integrated as a result of the mutual balance between C02 producers and consumers. Integrating vegetation with the built environment creates a balanced ecology between the organic and inorganic.
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Micro Urbanism

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Micro Urbanism

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Urbanism has been strongly dictated by top down master planning strategies.

Mapping Compositional Data

Isolated Component (Scalar Shift)

Sample Grid 192 Units by 150 Units = 17km x 13km = 221sqkm

2D Mapping (Scalar Shift)

Jordon Saunders, Yun Kong, Adrian Kumar

Jordon Saunders, Yun Kong, Adrian Kumar

Mapping Field Data

Jordon Saunders, Yun Kong, Adrian Kumar

wind direction height wind wind

Jordon Saunders, Yun Kong, Adrian Kumar

Total Pollution - Sections

Wood, Coal and Open Fire Pollution Daily

Wood, Coal and Open Fire Pollution 10-4pm

Wood, Coal and Open Fire Pollution 4-10pm

Vehicle Pollution Daily

Vehicle Pollution Morning

Vehicle Pollution Afternoon

Industrial Pollution Daily

Industrial Pollution Morning

Domestic Pollution Daily

Domestic Pollution Morning

Domestic Pollution Afternoon

Road Use - Sections

Road Noise - Sections

Jordon Saunders, Yun Kong, Adrian Kumar

wind height wind

Jordon Saunders, Yun Kong, Adrian Kumar

seek all directions

Jordon Saunders, Yun Kong, Adrian Kumar

thickness of road in relation to adjacent program

unobstructed residential view

unobstructed commercial view

ground coverage ratios

major public transport

parks and gardens

positive taper to road noise

negative taper to greenery

repel from road

green network attraction

green network offset

major public transport

repulsion domestic > 500

distance > 2km

distance between bus stops

road collision avoidance

1 per domestic unit

one carpark per two domestic unit

two carpark per commercial unit

one carpark per domestic unit

domestic agent = 25 @ 25sqm per agent

commercial agent = 18 @ 36sqm per agent

industrial agent = 12 @ 49sqm per agent

Agent Area Calculation

high density green network

GREEN NETWORK TRANSIT HUBS

distance between < 5km

Road Network (Physically Linked)

Green Network (Visually Linked)

daily shadowing soil stability

Magnitude of Field Relationships - Urban Scale

potential rooting depths

Feedback Loop - Ecological Fields