To: Jeffrey Sterr Subject: Approval of research topic I submit for your approval my chosen research topic: The effects living in a densely populated environment has on human populations and architectural techniques to overcome them. The negative effects of living in densely populated areas can be reduced through careful design solutions that create healthy living spaces. The first point of my research will focus on the specific physical and psychological issues created by living in a heavily populated urban environment, those issues consisting of stress, anxiety, lack of contact with nature, isolation, and loneliness. The second point of research will focus on the design solutions architects and interior designers use to overcome, reduce or eliminate issues through open and spacious design, utilizing public areas of building to create social and friendly spaces, and ensure parks and public spaces are incorporated into city neighbourhoods and life. Health issues that arise in living in an urban environment can lead to severe degradation in the quality of life of those dwelling in those areas, if designers do not acknowledge and strive to overcome them. Stress and anxiety are the most prominent issues facing those living in dense city areas. These issues tend to rise from living in the loud, busy, intense and complex machines that cities tend to be, and if people dont have comfortable and relaxing space to return to as a home, then it only amplifies these issues and can lead to more serious issues. Cities often lack a connection to the natural world, with a lack in public parks and greenery incorporated into public spaces and living areas contribute to feelings of stress and anxiety. If left unchecked, these issues can spiral into isolation, loneliness, and eventually depression, which is not only detrimental to the individual, but to the overall health of the city. Architects study and learn how to create living spaces that provide the necessary comfort and amenities for those who occupy them, and with the realization that urban living can come with extra complications and issues, they strive to create design solutions that will overcome these new issues. Creating open and large feeling living spaces is integral to combating these issues, even when there is limited space, careful planning and clever design techniques such as loft sleeping areas, hide-able storage and keeping living spaces unobstructed and accessible reduce stress for occupants significantly. The utilization of public spaces in buildings, can help residents feel more social and alleviate the isolation and loneliness that comes with urban living, and in the case of rooftop gardens or parks, can help provide a reconnection with nature. As with rooftop gardens, open public spaces can be immensely Josiah Lindner ARCT 2340 X03 Word count: 274
helpful in alleviating urban sickness, by giving people an excuse and place to
exercise, socialize, and relax. The more prominent the issues of urban sickness become, the more individuals and firms turn to creating design solutions to combat these rising issues. One of the most prominent groups dedicated to redesigning cities to be more friendly for the people dwelling in them, is Gehl Architects, a collective dedicated to redesigning public spaces in cities all across the world, with more than a dozen projects completed or in progress. Gehl works on and provides consultation on many projects across the globe, in one particular case, Gehl consulted with the City of Carlsberg on redesigning an old industrial complex into a new urban neighbourhood, the difficulty being the heritage of the site, Gehl strived to create open and welcoming concepts in order to make the new neighbourhood into a thriving and healthy urban centre. In 2011, Gehl had gained a reputation worldwide for their work, and was hired by the city of San-Francisco to redesign the cities iconic market street, the proposed plans involve decreasing the amount of vehicle traffic, while making ample space for cyclists and pedestrians to explore the street at their leisure, also in the plan is the inclusion of many public spaces to provide relaxation for the residents and visitors. Through the careful design and thought put into new urban developments, and the redesign of existing ones, the issues of stress, anxiety, isolation and disconnection with nature can be overcome. Through the implementation of open and free design, use of public spaces, and providing a way to interact and experience the natural environment, as architects and designers have started to show, go a long way to alleviating urban detriments. I look forward to your approval of my topic, and await your response. Sincerely Josiah Lindner Josiah Lindner ARCT 2340 X03 Word count: 274
APA CITATIONS REFERNCE LIST
Benedictus, L. (2014, February 25). Sick cities: Why urban living can be bad for your mental health. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2014/feb/25/city-stress-mental-health- rural-kind Derringer, J. (2015, April 22). The Art Of Tranquility In Modern City Design - Design Milk. Retrieved from http://design-milk.com/art-tranquility-modern- city-design/ Gehl Architects (2006) Carlsberg Denmark: Asking the Right Questions. Retrieved from http://gehlpeople.com/cases/carlsberg-city-denmark/ Stamp, E. (2016, March 18). A Small Space in New York Gets a Major Makeover. Retrieved from http://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/home- tour-small-space-new-york-makeover Stone, D. (2014, November 04). How Architects Minimize Urban Stress. Retrieved from http://km-architects.co.uk/architects-minimize-urban-stress/