MOSCOW  URBAN  FORUM      4-­‐5  DEC  2012  Gert  Urhahn,  Spontaneous  City  InternaDonal  

     CONCEPT    AND    BEST  PRACTICES  

M o s c o w U r b a n F o r u m , D e c 2 0 1 2 | S p o n t a n e o u s C i t y | G e r t U r h a h n

What is Spontaneous City?

M o s c o w U r b a n F o r u m , D e c 2 0 1 2 | S p o n t a n e o u s C i t y | G e r t U r h a h n

Spontaneous City is: !

- focussing upon a vital relationship between people and city

M o s c o w U r b a n F o r u m , D e c 2 0 1 2 | S p o n t a n e o u s C i t y | G e r t U r h a h n

Spontaneous City is: !

- focussing upon a vital relationship between people and city - a plea for another practice according to a new set of rules

M o s c o w U r b a n F o r u m , D e c 2 0 1 2 | S p o n t a n e o u s C i t y | G e r t U r h a h n

Spontaneous City is: !

- focussing upon a vital relationship between people and city - a plea for another practice according to a new set of rules - shaped by its occupants, in a never-ending process of transformation

M o s c o w U r b a n F o r u m , D e c 2 0 1 2 | S p o n t a n e o u s C i t y | G e r t U r h a h n

- focussing upon a vital relationship between people and city - a plea for another practice according to a new set of rules - shaped by its occupants, in a never-ending process of transformation - a reaction to the tendency to view cities as ready made products

Spontaneous City is: ! !

M o s c o w U r b a n F o r u m , D e c 2 0 1 2 | S p o n t a n e o u s C i t y | G e r t U r h a h n

Shanghai! M o s c o w U r b a n F o r u m , D e c 2 0 1 2 | S p o n t a n e o u s C i t y | G e r t U r h a h n

Organic as well as planned

ULI European Trends Conference - Paris 9th Feb 2011 - Urhahn Urban Design, Gert Urhahn

Zoom in

Shi$  

Limited  number  of  big  players        >        plenty  of  (smaller)  ini7a7ves  

M o s c o w U r b a n F o r u m , D e c 2 0 1 2 | S p o n t a n e o u s C i t y | G e r t U r h a h n

Open developments

Shi$  

Fixed  masterplans  and  consor7a        >        open  end  planning  and  strategy  

M o s c o w U r b a n F o r u m , D e c 2 0 1 2 | S p o n t a n e o u s C i t y | G e r t U r h a h n

Collective values

Shi$  

More  focus  upon  collec7ve  values  such  as  nature,  sustainable  systems  

M o s c o w U r b a n F o r u m , D e c 2 0 1 2 | S p o n t a n e o u s C i t y | G e r t U r h a h n

User oriented

Shi$  

Room  for  par7cipa7on  and  civic  economy  

M o s c o w U r b a n F o r u m , D e c 2 0 1 2 | S p o n t a n e o u s C i t y | G e r t U r h a h n

S p o n t a n e o u s C i t y | V V G C o n g r e s s E d e | 1 4 N o v 2 0 1 2

S p o n t a n e o u s C i t y | V V G C o n g r e s s E d e | 1 4 N o v 2 0 1 2

S p o n t a n e o u s C i t y | V V G C o n g r e s s E d e | 1 4 N o v 2 0 1 2

S p o n t a n e o u s C i t y | V V G C o n g r e s s E d e | 1 4 N o v 2 0 1 2

S p o n t a n e o u s C i t y | V V G C o n g r e s s E d e | 1 4 N o v 2 0 1 2

     

 

S p o n t a n e o u s C i t y | V V G C o n g r e s s E d e | 1 4 N o v 2 0 1 2

Challenge Moscow: XL > S How can we allow for small scale, user-defined development in a planning system that traditionally favours certainty and control

     

 

Challenge Moscow: decentralisation

Turn the micro-rayons into places of belonging and liveable neighbourhoods. Key word is decentralization. For me, decentralization means a switch from closed to more open systems as a primer condition for changes, fresh ideas, more diversity, new initiatives.

M o s c o w U r b a n F o r u m , D e c 2 0 1 2 | S p o n t a n e o u s C i t y | G e r t U r h a h n

     

 

S p o n t a n e o u s C i t y | V V G C o n g r e s s E d e | 1 4 N o v 2 0 1 2

Challenge Moscow: Re-defining Public Space Public value is what is important for us all on long term: public space, accessibility, landscape, nature, water and cultural heritage. What about the quality of the grid pattern? En what about the public realm?

     

 

S p o n t a n e o u s C i t y | V V G C o n g r e s s E d e | 1 4 N o v 2 0 1 2

Challenge Moscow: relationship people < > city How can we strengthen the relationship between people and their city? Participation is quite under pressure, especially in those areas with high dynamics and high speed of urban growth. Why is it so important? - Social: coherence and empowerment, -  Spatial: quality of the working and living environments . -  Economic: entrepreneurship - Political: relationship

     

 

S p o n t a n e o u s C i t y | V V G C o n g r e s s E d e | 1 4 N o v 2 0 1 2

Challenge Moscow: Extension or transformation? After decades of never ending extension and growth, the transformation of the existing city becomes more and more obvious. Magacities should try to consolida. Although more complex, there are clear advantages: more urban, more divers, more sustainable.