Conceptualizing Conviviality in Urban Landscapes

The research described in this paper is part of an ongoing investigation on the relationship between design solutions and the level of conviviality among users of urban landscapes, particularly within the context of areas characterized by a diverse population. This specific paper summarizes a litera...

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Main Authors: Maria Beltran Rodriguez, Madlen Simon
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Athens Institute for Education and Research 2015-10-01
Series:Athens Journal of Architecture
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.athensjournals.gr/architecture/2015-1-4-4-Rodriguez.pdf
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author Maria Beltran Rodriguez
Madlen Simon
author_facet Maria Beltran Rodriguez
Madlen Simon
author_sort Maria Beltran Rodriguez
collection DOAJ
description The research described in this paper is part of an ongoing investigation on the relationship between design solutions and the level of conviviality among users of urban landscapes, particularly within the context of areas characterized by a diverse population. This specific paper summarizes a literature review conducted on conviviality and explains the findings gathered when theoretical concepts were tested in a real environment, Superkilen park, as part of a pilot study conducted in 2015. Three broad branches are identified in the literature as necessary conditions for convivial environments: physical spaces that are flexible, changing and adaptable; processes and outcomes based in equity, integrity and democracy; and urban uses and solutions that correspond to people’s needs and desires. These three conditions have been translated into three equivalent design qualities of urban landscapes that can be objectively observed: flexible, inclusive and useful. The design elements and parts of Superkilen that shared any of these attributes were documented and mapped. These first findings indicate that certain design attributes can have an effect on the conviviality performance of an urban landscape. A better understanding of the relationship between design and user´s conviviality can inform architects, landscape architects, urban designers and planners on how to improve the public realm at the scale of the street, the neighborhood and the city.
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spelling doaj.art-d1c4a5b8c05c40e1aeffe1f8d337dbd02022-12-22T01:06:38ZengAthens Institute for Education and ResearchAthens Journal of Architecture2407-94722015-10-0114311326https://doi.org/10.30958/aja.1-4-4Conceptualizing Conviviality in Urban LandscapesMaria Beltran Rodriguez0Madlen Simon1Graduate Student, University of Maryland, USAAssociate Professor, University of Maryland, USAThe research described in this paper is part of an ongoing investigation on the relationship between design solutions and the level of conviviality among users of urban landscapes, particularly within the context of areas characterized by a diverse population. This specific paper summarizes a literature review conducted on conviviality and explains the findings gathered when theoretical concepts were tested in a real environment, Superkilen park, as part of a pilot study conducted in 2015. Three broad branches are identified in the literature as necessary conditions for convivial environments: physical spaces that are flexible, changing and adaptable; processes and outcomes based in equity, integrity and democracy; and urban uses and solutions that correspond to people’s needs and desires. These three conditions have been translated into three equivalent design qualities of urban landscapes that can be objectively observed: flexible, inclusive and useful. The design elements and parts of Superkilen that shared any of these attributes were documented and mapped. These first findings indicate that certain design attributes can have an effect on the conviviality performance of an urban landscape. A better understanding of the relationship between design and user´s conviviality can inform architects, landscape architects, urban designers and planners on how to improve the public realm at the scale of the street, the neighborhood and the city.http://www.athensjournals.gr/architecture/2015-1-4-4-Rodriguez.pdfconvivialityurban landscape designuser performance
spellingShingle Maria Beltran Rodriguez
Madlen Simon
Conceptualizing Conviviality in Urban Landscapes
Athens Journal of Architecture
conviviality
urban landscape design
user performance
title Conceptualizing Conviviality in Urban Landscapes
title_full Conceptualizing Conviviality in Urban Landscapes
title_fullStr Conceptualizing Conviviality in Urban Landscapes
title_full_unstemmed Conceptualizing Conviviality in Urban Landscapes
title_short Conceptualizing Conviviality in Urban Landscapes
title_sort conceptualizing conviviality in urban landscapes
topic conviviality
urban landscape design
user performance
url http://www.athensjournals.gr/architecture/2015-1-4-4-Rodriguez.pdf
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