English for Urban Planning

BRIDGES ALL OVER THE WORLD

2005-07-05T07:35:00.000-07:00

It has been a very nice experience to learn a lot more about bridges. I really enjoyed the presentations given by the guests at our English class, Barbara, Susane and Elizabeth. After watching the presentations and reading more information about bridges, I have realized how important they are to connect cities, and even countries. The connection established by a bridge between cities or countries bring a lot of benefits to the areas involved. For example, it would incentive new trades, economical growth, educational growth and cultural expansion, as Susane expressed in her presentation.

The Oresundsbron Bridge, opened in 2000, and it was presented by Susanne, is a Bridge-tunnel that connects Denmark and Sweeden. This bridge introduced changes in transportation models in a cheaper, faster and most pleasant way. What I like the most about this bridge is the different sceneries that it shows, because it consists of a 3.5km of tunnel, a transitional 4km artificial island and 7.8km bridge. These changes of sceneries should make the trip more enjoyable. The bridge-tunnel goes under the main channel between the Baltic Sea and the North Sea. I think it is a very modern bridge, and I love the way it connects the two countries in economical, cultural and educative ways.

In the other hand, I am amazed by the Akashi bridge opened in 1998 and presented by Elizabeth. It is the world the longest suspension bridge. I really loved this bridge, and I was surprised because it was design over three themes: the first one is reliance, the second one is future: “There's no limit to the possibilities in the future”. And the third theme is light and shadow: “A special feature of the inland sea is the dramatic changes between light and shadow” . ( http://www.hsba.go.jp/bridge/akdesign.htm). It is also called the pearl bridge because of the lights that are turned on everynight. They change every few minutes and they also change for different seasons. It is very impressive that the designers of the bridge thought very well about the effect that the bridge would produce to the cities. The greenish-gray paint used for the Akashi bridge. It was selected because it is a modern color that gives an impression of harmony with the urban landscape and looks vivid, and it also beautify the colors of the sea and sky in the Strait.

The last, but not for this less important, is the Eiserner Steg in Germany. I think Barbara presentation was just great because the images, and the music. I felt for a moment as if I was in Frankfurt, the only think that I was missing was the strongest beer in the world. I really enjoyed listening about Frankfurt and its history that seems to be very interesting. There is something that called my attention, and it was how the German Army destroyed all the bridges for protection of the enemies. I couldn’t stand it. Bridges are master pieces; and you would have a complete reliquary of all times there. But I am glad that the bridge was reconstructed and it has a very interesting dynamic, not only through it, but next to it with the cafes around it and over the river, the cruise ships that arrives/leaves from there. Also, It is like a separator, but at the same time a combiner of the oldest and the newest part of the city. It is a marvelous combination.

Inhabiting the World: Building the sustainable city?

2005-07-03T21:47:00.000-07:00

Unit 4: The sustainable city

Introduction:

“A sustainable society meets the needs of the present without sacrificing the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”. (http://www.sustainable-city.org/Plan/Intro/intro.htm)

The nineteenth century saw the industrial revolution, at least in the West. This phenomenon brought new values and skills inspired in an aristocratic society based on the primary industry and agriculture. The abuse made to the land and the environment in the research of higher production or people’s daily activities generated an extended ecological footprint all over the world.

The Twenty First century seems to be a reflective period. People are working forward to see the “Sustainable Revolution”. Our values are no longer those of the smoky industrial era where the most affected agent was the earth. Our new values are oriented to sustainability, and they are guiding a globalize world which is looking for cities that offer a better quality of life to their inhabitant. Things can be different, and we can design and build more sustainable cities. Changing people’s mind (government, inhabitant, business people) about their actions and their consequences over earth, and designing with sustainability criteria is a big challenge for Urban Planners who ask to everyone of us: “Shall we go on like this or find a sustainable way to live in a global world?

Objectives:

At the end of this unit students will have learned and discussed about:

o different definitions, elements and values related to Sustainable Cities

o Criteria for designing a sustainable city

o Review of successful experiences of sustainable cities all over the world

o Link between Urban Planners and the construction of sustainable cities

Content:

· Sustainable cities: Definitions, elements and values

· Models: Social, Political, Economical and Urban planning models to build consensus toward a sustainable global world

· Containment of the Ecological Footprint: Sustainable Campaigns to reduce and contain the ecological footprint produced by our daily actions

· Successful Experiences: Politics, processes, values, elements, design and dynamic of sustainable experiences all over the world (European Urbanism)

· Our future and the making of things: how can urban planners contribute to build a sustainable city

References and Resources:

Sustainable City: http://www.sustainable-city.org/
Urban Environnent: http://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/urban/home_en.htm
International Centre for Sustainable Cities: http://www.icsc.ca/
Stockholm Partnership for Sustainable Cities : http://www.partnerships.stockholm.se/
UN-HABITAT – The Sustainable cities program (SCP): http://www.unchs.org/programmes/sustainablecities/
Sustainable Cities – Environmentally Sustainable Urban Development: http://www.rec.org/REC/Programs/SustainableCities/

Going further than Nature´s Obstacles: Bridges

2005-07-03T20:54:00.000-07:00

There are more than a million bridges all over the world, and people go through them everyday to cross nature obstacles such as lakes, rivers, valleys, streams, etc; but people don’t realized the beauty, functionality and the big amount of considerations and elements that are enclosed in a bridge. I think that bridges are perfect structures that combine all the elements to create part of cities´ identity, a symbol. When an engineer or an architect is designing a bridge, he must consider a lot of variables like distance, materials, shape, direction, location that make the design complicated and very creative.

Bridges can have two important functions in a city. The first one is related to the communication or interaction between cities (different areas), and the second one is more related to transport or distribute energy and support viaducts for example. Bridges can be classified not only for the purpose it was built for, but for its shape. They can be classified as Beam Bridge, arch bridge, suspension bridge, cable-stayed bridge and cantilever bridges. Each one of them has their advantages and disadvantages that depend on the different variables of each city.

I think Teresa and Rita’s presentations about bridges in their countries were very interesting. I love both bridges The Vasco Da Gama Bridge in Portugal (Teresa) and the Parana Bridge in Argentina. Both bridges are very representative pieces of modernity. The Vasco Da Gama bridge is located in Lisboan, Portugal. It is a cable-stayed bridge. It was constructed using the cantilever method, and it was officially opened on March 31^st, 1998, and it is the newest bridge in Lisboan. It is one of the longest bridges in the world and it crosses the Tagus River, at least in Europe (10 miles), what I like the best is that people can’t see it end from the opposite side. Besides, it makes a perfect entry to the city at the Nation´s Park. It structure is marvelous specially the pylons that are conceived as sculpted elements. I really like this bridge I hope I can go to Lisboan some day and see it myself. (http://www.strawberryworld-lisbon.com/lisbon/places/ponte-vasco.html)

On the other hand, the Paranás Bridge is located in Argentina, and it is a cable-stayed bridge too. It connects the city called Rosario ( (Province of Santa Fe) and Victoria (Province of Entre Rios). The bridge is more recent than the Vasco Da Gama bridge, and it is a great example of modernity. It was build not only to connect cities and the whole nation, but to contribute with the interactions between the countries involved in MERCOSUR. Besides its important purpose, it was designed with a very interesting perception of the urban transport because they considered two-lane roadway canals, which include viaducts, earth filled sections that is not very common in the street section of bridges. I think Argentina made an important, but very justified inversion that not only offer a traffic and communication solution, but it also gives a new identity to the urban space.

English for Urban Planning

2005-05-05T05:13:00.000-07:00

The blog is an assignment of the English for architecture and Urban Planning course. I will be using this tool to write things about Urban Planning most of the time. This first blog subject talks about this English course specially about the advantages of it, as well as, some of my expectations about this English course.

English for Urban Planning is a course designed to learn new things about English needed by Architects and Urban Planners, but it has been also designed to learn about webtools that students like me are not familiar with. Eventhough I am kind of having a hard time to start using the internet tools because this is a new thing for me, I think this English course is a great opportunity to learn about it.

I am willing to go further on the use of webtools because I think we are in a time and a society were the internet is a basic tool to be informed, to work, to learn, to interact, and to be part of the global changes.

My Perception about "Rhythm and Ritual: Motive for Design"
I think that the article called "Rhythm and Ritual: Motive for Design" is very interesting because it is kind of a review of the spatial conception that gives nature´s rhythm to design. The article makes emphasis on the rhythm that nature´s cycles can create, and it also expresses how the use of machines, sometimes, hide these nature´s effects. I totally agree with the autor.
One of the ideas that I liked the most of the article is the one that says that "The Connection between Rhythm and Ritual can be found in modest circunstances". It is interesting because we usually become part of the nature´s cycle in a space and we don´t realize so. For example, when we go to class depending the hour of the day (morning or evening) we sit in different spots of the classroom. Most of the time, unconsciously, we create a ritual that depends on nature and the way we identified ourselves with it.
It is important for modern architects to realize the meaning and value of nature in their designs. Trying to find a sense of harmony between the space, the nature and the people is a challenge, and a complex art that architects should always try to reach.

MONTREAL: The Cosmopolitan Island

Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the biggest city of the providence of Quebec. I had not had any information about Montreal, but in my English class for Architecture and Urban Plannig we watched a video about the city. That very same day I started reading some information about Montreal because I think It is an amazing and interesting city, so I'll take this opportunity to describe this incredible city that I am discovering...

Montreal is a cosmopolitan city that has about one and a half millions of inhabitants. This city is well known not only for its famous architecture and cuisine, but for being a city inspired by innovations such as expositions, events, festivals, etc. I think that two of the most interesting events that were held in Montreal were Expo67 that also celebrated the 325th anniversary of the city, and the Olympic Games of 1976.

"Shopping is an art and a pleasure". Montreal is a commercial center. The city was designed to offer facilities to tourists and shoppers at any season. The extented underground passageways, the architecture, the variety of stores makes Montreal a perfect place for shopping lovers.

What I like the most about Montreal is the harmonious way that the city combined its traditional (old part if the city) and its modern part. This perfect combination is an important and valuable gift of the city to its dwelers and visitors. I am really willing to meet Montreal and walk throw its streets, enjoy its parks, monuments, architecture, ride bike, and the best meeting its people. I know that the "Third World Urban Forum" will be held in Canada next year. I really hope that it is held in Montreal because I am plannig to go to the Forum and it would be a great opportunity to see the city, and enjoy its dynamic. I am starting lo like Montreal a lot. and I hope all of you like it too...

For more pictures: http://flickr.com/photos/79451220@N00/saved=1

Cora´s Presentation: Rhythm and Acoustic in Architecture

Acoustic is the science of sound. It is the art of design to carry sound or to aid in hearing, but why is it so important acoustic for architects or interior designers? The importance is related to the control of sound in a space. It is essential to conserve the desired sound and to eliminate disturbing sounds. Acoustic is an important fact that affects us everyday. For example, the classrooms at Simon Bolivar University have several problems of acoustic, students inside a classroom can hear the sound of other classrooms, the voice of people talking outside, but we usually can hardly listen to our teacher. It is a major problem for concentration and understanding in class. It is one of the cases, but imagine a concern hall or space where acoustic is important, even your house. In other words, acoustic is everywhere and that’s why I think it is a subject that architects and interior design should be concern about, and it is very interesting to learn about.

Cora presentation is very motivating because she shows successful experiences on how rhythm and acoustics can be perfectly combined to create a stunning architecture design with a perfect sound control. The three concert hall that she presented, the Walt Disney Concert Hall, the Davis Symphony Hall and the Sydney Opera House, are three architectural master pieces in terms of the fusion of form and function. All of them are characterized for the use of technology and innovation in their modern designs.

The Sydney Opera House is the concert hall that I liked the most. It is considered one of the architectural wonder of the world as Cora says. I would like to share other important facts about this architectural wonder. It is the most famous buildings of contemporary architecture in Australia, the construction of the building last 14 years, and it was finished in 1973. The center was officially opened by the Queen Elizabeth II in October, 20th, and it first inaugural performance was the Australian Opera’s production: “War and Peace”. (http://www.anzac.com/aust/nsw/soh.htm)
This building besides the opera hall is a complex of theaters and halls all together under the famous shells, and there are about 1000 rooms including 5 main auditoriums. The most important hall, the concert hall has the highest roof vault, and its high is 67 meters above the sea. The roof materials are precast concrete sections held together by steel cables. Some people say that the acoustic of this hall is highly regarded internationally.

Concern Hall

It is busiest performance center in the world, and it is the most important place for the performance of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, the Australian Ballet and the Australian Opera. Some people say that the in average for year this center presents about 3000 events with more than two millions of audience.

I hope that the information that I presented about the Sydney Opera House was as impress full for you as it was for me. I think that this center is a challenge and a motivation for architects to create and design buildings as marvelous as this one where form and function are perfectly combined to generate a master piece.

Sydney Opera House Drama Theater

Sydney Opera House Opera Theater

Inhabiting the world: building the sustainable city?

Inhabiting the world: building the sustainable city? It is tha title of the introductory course we are designing. It is a course that will motivate students into the Urban Planning field. The content of this course is related to the socienvaromental problems we have in our world, most of them produced for our daily activities, and how urban planners can disminish them and build a sustainable world.

I would like to show you all some web pages that are related to the content of the course. I hope you find them interesting, and if you have some suggestions about some other web pages please let me now.

EARTH DAY NETWORK: http://www.earthday.net/ This page is related to the Ecological footprint that human being generates to their environment. It has quizzes to measure the impact of our daily activities on the earth’s resource, concepts about environment, campaigns, and news about the environmental problems of our world. It is a page related to environmental problems, hazards and solutions. GLOBAL CHANGE MASTER DIRECTORY: http://gcmd.nasa.gov/ This page is related to the global change set by NASA. It explains the consequences of productive activities to earth, atmosphere, hydrosphere, land surfaces, etc. It also explains all the terms and cycles related to the environment. GLOBAL VISION: http://www.global-vision.org/index2.html This page is a page for urban management. It explains all the movements, discussions and documents set lately to achieve sustainable cities. It also explains the global vision project as well as the programs ad objectives for the new millennium set by UNICEF, UNDP, UNEP, UNFPA, UNESCO and WHO. It is a page related to urban planning and sustainable cities. WORLD WATCH INSTIUTE: http://www.worldwatch.org/about/ This page shows an interdisciplinary research about the interaction of environmental, social and economical trends to reach a sustainable society and social justice. It contains recent publications and news that can help students to get involve with the sustainable world.