RIOS’ Post

Exploring Isobenefit Urbanism  I recently explored an article shedding light on Isobenefit Urbanism, a groundbreaking approach to city planning. As our cities brace for a population influx of 5 billion new inhabitants by 2050, this concept provides a visionary guide for the cities of tomorrow. Here’s a simple breakdown:  - Isobenefit-designed cities connect all points to natural areas, jobs, centralities, and amenities within walking or cycling distance, shaping an adaptable urban DNA.  - Isobenefit urbanism ensures a balanced setup with proximity to centralities, workplaces, amenities, and green spaces, creating a harmonious urban environment.  - It maintains a constant balance between built and green areas, enabling a walkable distance to centralities and green spaces within a mile, forming an interconnected meta 1-mile green city for economies of agglomeration. Here are some of the key learnings that I think housing community developers can derive from this:  - Designing communities that effortlessly connect residents to essential amenities, fosters a holistic sense of community. - It is crucial to weave green living into the neighborhood fabric, providing residents with access to well-maintained parks, landscaped areas, and sustainable practices for enhanced overall well-being.  - Resilient Infrastructure is the key for reliable services, efficient mobility, and a secure environment, contributing to the long-term satisfaction of residents. How do you envision Isobenefit Urbanism shaping the future of your community? #UrbanPlanning #IsobenefitUrbanism #SustainableCities #FutureOfUrbanism

Every 20 years, UN-HABITAT puts on a global meeting that essentially sets the agenda for urbanism at government level for the next generation. The first one happened in Canada in 1976, then Istanbul in 1996 and the last one was Habitat III, in Quito in 2016. The vision of the bureaucrats was to wall off a section of the city, stage it so the international delegates would not see any squalor, and create a sort of Potemkin village. Inside the secure citadel, they talked about being inclusive, while outside, Quito's citizens, earning in a month what was just spent on sushi, watched from behind a chain-link fence, guarded by armed men. It was kind of ironic for a global urbanism meeting that included pretty much everyone involved in creating inclusive urban policy. In any case, there were many people who tried to set an example of how to do things outside the compulsory, top-down, centralized efforts of the local government. The "La Mariscal Sustainable Urban Operation" or OPUS, was the response that several urbanists came up with to create an autonomous neighborhood that could take over most of the street-level operations from the City. Refuse collection, street cleaning, safety and patrolling, liquor licenses, tree planting, Placemaking and street lighting were some of the proposed items on the OPUS agenda. This little contraption you see in the picture is how, 8 years after the original idea, DALL•E imagines that a reading station with a little free library, and an operable robotic light would look like. This was our attempt at raising reading awareness among a population that reads barely a single book a year, and also elevating the use of public space, introducing smart technology for citizen interactions with public space, and, ultimately, creating landmarks that could aid with neighborhood identity and wayfinding. I'm currently digging on previous work in preparation for a super cool thing that we're cooking along Kate Giovambattista of Beyond Main and Jason Gleason of the Montclair Center Corporation, and thought this would be a cool toy to show you all. I love how DALL•E applied the clear line style of illustration for the reading station. How would you name this?

Because costs are driven by parking and fire code requirements. You can only go so dense and still meet municipal surface parking requirements and emergency vehicle access, egress and possibly turnaround. And then, to accommodate any more density, you have to jump to a higher number of units to get podium, subterranean or stacked parking to financially make sense, and that's if the rental or condo markets financially support this. And if you can accomplish this, then you have to have a traffic study to justify that you didn't just clog all of the streets. And then you have to increase your density further to meet the cost of additional fire code requirements. However, numerous municipalities have recently begun to reduce required parking or even eliminate it. A step in the right direction if supported by walkability, public transit, or other alternative modes of transportation. Where these alternatives are not offered, it will be interesting to see how these areas evolve.

I am happy to share our latest project! Check out the article to learn more about Gravity's unique characteristics🌟

In July 2023, extreme heat in Phoenix led to severe burns due to asphalt temperatures reaching 82°C. This alarming reality is signalling a critical need to rethink urban spaces in the face of climate change. 🌍 Architects and urban planners must urgently address this challenge. ArchDaily investigated strategies such as green spaces, traditional cooling methods and urban oases. Because we are threatened with a potential temperature rise of 3.7°C by 2100, the adaptation of our cities is of paramount importance. These are some global examples of resistant urban projects against the heat: 👇 👉 Gardens along Singapore's bay - iconic green spaces and sustainable technology. 👉 Great Park in Los Angeles - a refreshing recreation with shaded walkways and waterside elements. 👉 Superkilen in Copenhagen - celebrates diversity through green spaces and unique installations. You can find more examples here 👉 #architecture #buildings #sustainability

In July 2023, extreme heat in Phoenix led to severe burns due to asphalt temperatures reaching 82°C. This alarming reality is signalling a critical need to rethink urban spaces in the face of climate change. 🌍 Architects and urban planners must urgently address this challenge. ArchDaily investigated strategies such as green spaces, traditional cooling methods and urban oases. Because we are threatened with a potential temperature rise of 3.7°C by 2100, the adaptation of our cities is of paramount importance. These are some global examples of resistant urban projects against the heat: 👇 👉 Gardens along Singapore's bay - iconic green spaces and sustainable technology. 👉 Great Park in Los Angeles - a refreshing recreation with shaded walkways and waterside elements. 👉 Superkilen in Copenhagen - celebrates diversity through green spaces and unique installations. You can find more examples here 👉 #architecture #buildings #sustainability

The economic and social payoff of green urban design

Great type of planning for sprawl or infill…

In July 2023, extreme heat in Phoenix led to severe burns due to asphalt temperatures reaching 82°C. This alarming reality is signalling a critical need to rethink urban spaces in the face of climate change. 🌍 Architects and urban planners must urgently address this challenge. ArchDaily investigated strategies such as green spaces, traditional cooling methods and urban oases. Because we are threatened with a potential temperature rise of 3.7°C by 2100, the adaptation of our cities is of paramount importance. These are some global examples of resistant urban projects against the heat: 👇 👉 Gardens along Singapore's bay - iconic green spaces and sustainable technology. 👉 Great Park in Los Angeles - a refreshing recreation with shaded walkways and waterside elements. 👉 Superkilen in Copenhagen - celebrates diversity through green spaces and unique installations. You can find more examples here 👉 #architecture #buildings #sustainability

A Vision Unveiled: Thessaloniki's Urban Transformation through the NGUP 🏛️ Leadership in Action: Mayor Konstantinos Zervas Guides Thessaloniki's New General Urban Plan Mayor Zervas spearheads the NGUP, charting a dynamic course for the city's next fifteen years. Innovative Strategies: Zervas' leadership introduces novel approaches to urban development, ensuring Thessaloniki's prosperity. 🏙️ Beyond City Limits: The NGUP's Impact on Thessaloniki's Future A strategic urban blueprint poised to reshape Thessaloniki's landscape and prospects. Urban Renaissance Unveiled: NGUP promises a thriving future by redefining Thessaloniki's urban identity. 🏗️ Modernizing Urban Fabric: NGUP's Comprehensive Approach to Revitalize Thessaloniki A forward-looking plan addressing outdated structures, fostering growth, and nurturing community spaces. Urban Revival Redefined: NGUP breathes new life into Thessaloniki's neighborhoods, blending tradition with modernity. 🌆 Pathways to Progress: NGUP's Key Goals for Thessaloniki's Renewed Urban Identity Flexible land use, density retention, and economic growth converge in the NGUP's objectives. Navigating Urban Evolution: NGUP's multi-faceted goals pave the way for a vibrant, sustainable Thessaloniki. 🌳 Parks and Pathways: Greening Thessaloniki's Future through NGUP's Vision Metropolitan parks and pedestrian networks at the heart of Thessaloniki's sustainable transformation. Nature's Embrace: NGUP turns Thessaloniki into a lush, interconnected urban oasis through parks and pathways. 🏞️ Expanding Horizons: NGUP's Integration of New Urban Areas for a Flourishing Thessaloniki Lachanokipoi's potential and Trochodromikon's revitalization enhance Thessaloniki's urban fabric. Urban Horizons Enlarged: NGUP stretches Thessaloniki's limits, infusing new energy into previously uncharted areas. 🏗️ Guiding Growth Responsibly: NGUP's Strategic Designation for Thessaloniki's Natural Assets Balancing development with nature preservation: NGUP's approach to suburban forests and streams. Nature-Centric Urbanity: NGUP harmonizes growth and greenery, elevating Thessaloniki's quality of life. 🏙️ Empowering Urban Renewal: NGUP's Tools for Enhancing Thessaloniki's Urban Landscape Integrated Urban Intervention Plans and revitalization projects set the stage for urban revival. Urban Renaissance Toolbox: NGUP equips Thessaloniki with strategies to rejuvenate its urban essence. #thessaloniki #realestate #residential #commercial #urbanmobility #communities #futureisnow #greece #natur #tradition #modernwork