Strategies for Urban Renewal: Utilizing Doughnut Models in Urban Planning
Let's dive into the world of urban development without all the fluff. Today, we're gonna chat about revitalizing abandoned city districts like a boss, inspired by Caren Ohrhallinger, the boss lady of Architecture at nonconform.
Suppose you think doughnuts are dope and krapfen are even better—we hear you! These two treats are a pretty accurate metaphor for urban development. Let's call 'em Doughnut and Krapfen Towns, shall we?
Are you ready for it? Here comes Doughnut Town. Imagine a city that's all modern and shiny, but the core's just empty or abandoned. There are a few reasons why this isn't great, according to Caren, our urban dev guru.
First of all, Doughnut Town's infrastructure SUCKS. Transportation systems end up being inefficient, forcing folks to travel far from the center to access basic amenities. For those who can't drive or rely on public transportation, this becomes a significant problem.
Land use efficiency is another issue. In Doughnut Town, shops, supermarkets, and other resources tend to be built far from the center, consuming a HUGE amount of land. It's wasteful, unsustainable, and not a good long-term solution, especially since 70% of the world's population is expected to live in urban areas by 2050.
Now, let's dive into Krapfen Town—yeah, baby! This city center is jam-packed with all the good stuff like shops, offices, and residential areas, creating an awesome social scene. It's efficient, space-saving, and the perfect model for revitalizing abandoned districts!
But how do you turn Doughnut Town into Krapfen Town? Glad you asked! Caren shared some tips from her experience at nonconform, focusing on three key projects in Austria.
First up, we have Leoben, Styria. Located in the heart of a decaying city with plenty of empty buildings, they recognized the urgent need to act and started small with a simple idea: hosting an outdoor movie night! From there, the revitalization started to take shape.
Next, we head to Kardinalviertel in Klagenfurt, Carinthia. The key events here were taking action, raising awareness, working with what you've got, networking, and sharing information. The caretaker initiative is a great example of bringing everyone together to breathe life back into the district.
Our final stop is Fließ, Tirol, where locals, architects, and nonconform teamed up to create a multi-functional village center. The project, which includes living, working, recreational, and shopping spaces, was achieved through heavy citizen participation.
The bottom line? Take action, connect with others, and share ideas and resources – that's how you transform a Doughnut Town into a Krapfen Town!
Transforming a lifeless urban core into a thriving center is the goal we should strive for. By following the examples set in Leoben, Styria, Kardinalviertel in Klagenfurt, Carinthia, and Fließ, Tirol, we can create a home-and-garden-like environment within our cities where life, work, and leisure seamlessly blend, fostering a strong community and efficient land use.
