The Ark_Space reconstruction under variable density
Density affects the quality of our urban life.
According to the UN, 70% of the world's population will live in cities by 2050. Taichung, where I live, has become the second-largest city in Taiwan. Through the lens of urban development and density change, the growth and development of Taichung city can be traced back to Taichung train station, which was established during the construction of the National Western Railway system. The city grid plan system was able to provide comprehensive urban functions at that time. Fast forward to modern times, the old central district is unable to provide essential urban functions as population grows. Thus, a new city district was developed. Population migrated to the new city district as commercial districts, public transit, and roadways were developed. The population shifted to aggregate alongside the ring radial road system at the new urban center. The new city district became the new urban center whereas the old city center was then emptied, losing its urban density.
The density of Taichung's central district was homogeneous, and open spaces were only located at the endpoints of the district. However, as the volume increases, the quality of life decreases since the amount of open spaces does not change. Later developmental projects of apartment buildings were required to give back a certain percentage as public open space, even so, the areas returned were limited. Public open spaces can only be seen next to houses, under office buildings or outside art galleries. What’s left is the estranged and unitary relationship between urban life and open space.
The future of the central district is no longer pursuing higher volume through high-rise buildings, but to create an urban environment that conforms to the density of the central city life and space. I think in the future, public space is the most important place of a city, it is also core to urban density changes. I believe the central district acts as a base to readjust urban density. In my design, I try to implant a new type of relationship between urban life and open space and create a vision of future city life.
According to the UN, 70% of the world's population will live in cities by 2050. Taichung, where I live, has become the second-largest city in Taiwan. Through the lens of urban development and density change, the growth and development of Taichung city can be traced back to Taichung train station, which was established during the construction of the National Western Railway system. The city grid plan system was able to provide comprehensive urban functions at that time. Fast forward to modern times, the old central district is unable to provide essential urban functions as population grows. Thus, a new city district was developed. Population migrated to the new city district as commercial districts, public transit, and roadways were developed. The population shifted to aggregate alongside the ring radial road system at the new urban center. The new city district became the new urban center whereas the old city center was then emptied, losing its urban density.
The density of Taichung's central district was homogeneous, and open spaces were only located at the endpoints of the district. However, as the volume increases, the quality of life decreases since the amount of open spaces does not change. Later developmental projects of apartment buildings were required to give back a certain percentage as public open space, even so, the areas returned were limited. Public open spaces can only be seen next to houses, under office buildings or outside art galleries. What’s left is the estranged and unitary relationship between urban life and open space.
The future of the central district is no longer pursuing higher volume through high-rise buildings, but to create an urban environment that conforms to the density of the central city life and space. I think in the future, public space is the most important place of a city, it is also core to urban density changes. I believe the central district acts as a base to readjust urban density. In my design, I try to implant a new type of relationship between urban life and open space and create a vision of future city life.
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