ENVIRONMENTAL CRISIS- URBAN CRISIS

First of all, we consider the protection of the surrounding landscape as fundamental
priority of THIS project.
Looking at the project’s location, the first question which emerges is how to preserve an area at a time of an environment and modern urbanity crisis. Recently we have seen a change in real estate rollout and a move towards more sustainable development. The previous „catch-up” phase of urbanization growth – including greenfield development and mass construction – is now guided by policies that support local economies, service industries, and the re-purposing of sites. Nowadays, the modern city is examined for basic human qualities like humans/social relations, as well as human/nature relations; including light, air, water, and the acoustic environment.
We propose to question those relations in order to provide a real improvement for living in cities.

A PEDESTRIAN LINEAR TOWN/CITY MODELED ON A NATURAL LANDSCAPE

We remember how people enjoy life in small towns on Greek islands. Towns with no cars, a 24/7 connection to nature, spaces for contemplation and close relationships between inhabitants. This is why we propose a car-less city composed by a sequence of small localities with scale of linear towns surrounded by nature that we know from various exemples- from Tuscany to California. Our town/city is built above the existing road system and is organized along a bike cum pedestrian communication string. This way, the town/city emerges out of existing road infrastructure and is less invasive as compared to “patches” or urbanisation placed in the landscape.
The ribbon of town/city encompasses and protects a giant natural public park.

A COMMUNICATION ARTERY LOCATED UNDER THE TOWN/CITY

We propose to use existing road system as communication arteries for public transport, car communication and utilities. All piping, including santitation systems, would follow these arteries.
Our pedestrian linear town/city is plugged into this technical level with sewage, water, elevators, stairs, etc.
This way we can leave all necessary yet “dirty” aspects of modernity away from the inhabited space where social and interpersonal relationships will be shaped by the inhabitans, not by their cars.

URBANISM OF PROXIMITY
In order to avoid the trap of monumentalism and monotonous repetition of visionary linear cities of the past, it is essential to work on a flexible system that enables diversity of configurations, both when it comes to public spaces, buildings and their functions. This flexibility allows architecture to respond to human being’s need for identification, self-representation and intimacy.
This way our town/city will grow organically like a set of adjacent yet different neighborhoods.

MAIN CRITERIA OF THE LINEAR TOWN/CITY

1. Courtyard organization as an archaic, timeless model enabling high quality of living.
The characteristics of this model are stipulated either for the private spaces or for public spaces.
The courtyard as a natural sanctuary offers a unique :
• Quality of the light, sun protection, ventilation.
• Connection to the ground giving the advantage of dealing with vegetation and of water evacuation.
• Feeling of privacy / intimacy / silence.
2. All dwellings have access to landscape views through windows, patios, alleys, and courtyards.
3. The main street belongs to pedestrians and cyclists and has a changing profile with a width between 12 and 20 meters.
4. All public spaces connect the boulevards with the main street.
5. Buildings can be composed of various typologies, ranging from private to retail (offices, events, and micro-industries).
6. Vertical communication hubs placed every 80 meters link the road level and town level becoming important “place makers” for public spaces.
7. Public spaces can have a different character depending on their function within ”silent” or “loud” pockets.
8. Residential buildings are designed in reference to both public spaces (in order to encourage social interactions) and with intimate outdoor spaces (patios, balconies, loggias and roof terraces).