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Wherever you live in the world, the likelihood is you’ve become a lot more aware of your local neighbourhood this year. Pandemic-fuelled rules and regulations have confined millions to a few local streets for periods of time, exposing the limitations of a life spent in or near your own four walls. For those in countries across the Middle East, particular conclusions are beginning to be drawn after this strange year. I want to explore what we might learn about the future shape of our towns and cities, to make them more resilient to such events in future.
As a crisis, Covid-19 has been a universal experience with local dimensions depending on where you are. Access to open space, places for recreation and fitness and children’s play, have all become new priorities for many. It follows a sustained yet subdued discussion in countries like the UAE on how to improve the well-being of the citizens and residents. In the past few months we’ve seen communities start to reconsider whether their lifestyle needs and preferences are being met in this testing time.
A crisis is often a good time to pause and reflect. Indeed, some of my colleagues discuss their own personal experiences and responses to the urban design challenges of a pandemic in a new Arup report. Here are some of our conclusions.
Use 'left-over' spaces
Physical distancing rules have brought into focus the amount of space pedestrians need, not only to move around but also for social interaction, exercise and play. This has highlighted the importance of left-over open spaces between and around buildings. Many people are already informally utilising these spaces as ad-hoc play and exercise spaces. As cities in the Middle East continue to develop there’s a strong case to turn some of the undeveloped plots spread across the city into parks, especially in areas which have very limited open spaces. This investment in local quality of life would benefit both the residents and developers, making communities more attractive for owners and tenants.
Create connected and comfortable outdoor spaces
Comfort, safety and a pleasing experience play a huge role in outdoor spaces’ popularity. Too often however, poor design choices lead to a lack of safety, comfort and engagement for users, leaving places underused. The harsh summer weather in the Gulf is another factor, and consideration of climate must shape design of streets and leisure spaces. Streets don’t have to be entirely for movement and transition – if well-planned, they can become social centres in their own right.
Integrate private outdoor spaces into building designs
Middle Eastern cities often feature mid/high rise buildings that do not have balconies or even windows that open further than a crack. Private and semi-private outdoor spaces such as balconies, courtyards, and podiums not only provide a breather from the confines of our internal spaces but also provide options for people to socialise with their neighbours, reinforcing a sense of community.
Design places for children to play
As parents all over the planet are all too aware, children need outside spaces to play and run around. They need open spaces and safe streets to be active and exert their independence even when they are as young as toddlers. These are places where they develop and learn socially, by playing with their peers. The challenges posed by the current pandemic have highlighted how important the public realm around our homes is in facilitating play, exercise and informal learning.
Start with an open space strategy
Beyond formally designated open spaces like parks and playgrounds, it’s valuable to plan for and maximise informal open spaces such as spaces between buildings, sikkak, podiums and terraces. As we start to consider how to design resilient cities, we should look to these private and semi-private spaces such as balconies, podiums and courtyards to provide additional options for outdoor activity.
Community wellbeing in future depends on our taking a joined-up approach to the use of space. A well thought-through Open Space Strategy at a city or master plan level can be an important tool in identifying and providing an appropriate mix of open spaces to meet a community’s needs, catering for a variety in size, public access, and function.
Change is in the air
Beyond formally designated open spaces like parks and playgrounds, it’s valuable to plan for and maximise informal open spaces such as spaces between buildings, sikkak, podiums and terraces. As we start to consider how to design resilient cities, we should look to these private and semi-private spaces such as balconies, podiums and courtyards to provide additional options for outdoor activity.
Community wellbeing in future depends on our taking a joined-up approach to the use of space. A well thought-through Open Space Strategy at a city or master plan level can be an important tool in identifying and providing an appropriate mix of open spaces to meet a community’s needs, catering for a variety in size, public access, and function.