Research

Small research into the possibilities for Molenwijk

When considering people, a social field of view must be taken into account. This means that we can recognize people over a horizontal distance of 100 meters, but actual contact can only be made within a distance of approximately 10 meters. Therefore, it is important to tailor the public space to human needs and make the areas manageable. The original plan was created from the drawing board, an impressive plan from above, but it lacks human scale and vitality.

The social field of view in the vertical direction must also be considered. It reaches a shorter distance due to the angle one must look upward. Contact with people on a balcony or gallery is present up to the fifth floor. Above that, other forms of interaction, namely animals, need to be sought.

This ecological perspective on the built environment means that a neighborhood like Molenwijk must be flexible enough to constantly change, ensuring a healthy urban fabric. Green spaces are crucial for the experience and quality of the place. Light, air, and space should be central according to Raymond Unwin. Filling remaining spaces with greenery will not achieve the desired quality. These spaces need to be designed to become places for people to meet.

Designing as a whole will give a place its identity and maintain its existing quality. "A place should be built from scale and proportion, a succession of places and beauty," as stated by Camillo Sitte. Ensuring the human scale is preserved is crucial. By seeing urban planning as a form of art, a character can be defined for the place. Attention to details that will characterize the place is essential, and these details will depend on the specific location.

The value of a city lies largely in its future-proofing. The design should look beyond the present day. It should respond to current trends while also experimenting with a future-oriented approach. Innovation, progressiveness, and sustainability provide a framework for the future-proof city.