ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY VERTICAL URBANISM

Abstract

India like any other country is crippled by so many problems everyday like traffic congestion, Land acquisition, population pressure etc. India accounts 2.4 % of the world's surface and ac-commodates 16.7 % world's population while the existing chaotic urban scenario in most Indian cities seems to make strong case in favor of going vertical, it also distinctly poses the challenge of sustainability as high rise vertical developments tends to use a far greater amount of energy than conventional buildings, these structures behave like refrigerators and pancakes by using elec-tromechanical methods in order to achieve comfort zone, therefore the idea of going vertical is still unaccepted at some points especially when our environment is the most vital issue that has to be addressed. To develop vertical structures sustainably first we have to analyze the require-ments of vertical urbanism, second we have to understand what elements we require to make these structures workas environmentally sensitive mechanism. This thesis aims to draw a se-quential set of steps (design methodology) for ecological sustainable vertical urbanism, the out-lines of chapters are provided below to achieve the aim- Chapter 1- enlists the identification of problems, aims, objectives, scope and limitations of this thesis outlining a methodology in which study was conducted. Chapter 2- points out the traces of futuristic ideal cities like "Cite de Circulation" (1924-29), "A colony in the sky" (1908) proposed by Avante Garde architects and also illustrate the problems arises in these developments due to which there ideas remains a plan on paper. Chapter 3- analyze the concept of vertical city as a most modern trend in the development of modern cities through an example of Tokyo- Shimizu mega city Pyramid and poses it as solution for all contemporary problems like- traffic congestion, urban sprawl, destruction of nature etc. on the contrary this chapter also identifies the problems arises in vertical developments like- non availability of materials, environmental sustainability of these structures, absence of public spac-es etc. Chapters 4- focus on the environmental sustainability of vertical developments and analyze among all the building types vertical development as most unecological. This chapter also em-phasized on the need of ecology in vertical developments. Chapter 5- identify the ecoinfrastructure such as ecocells, vertical landscaping, terrace gardens, sky parks & landscaped Ramps etc. which helps in embedding nature (ecology) to sky (vertical city) to make these structure ecologically sustainable. Chapter 6- presents two set of case-studies to demonstrate the approach of achieving environ-mental sustainable vertical urbanism. Set-1 contains Solaris, Spire edge, BIDV Tower to understand the innovative techniques and ecoinfrastructure. Kanika Singh, M.ARCH., II Yr. I Executive Summary I Environmental Sustainability & Vertical Urbanism. 2011 Set- 2 contains Tokyo Nara Tower, BATC Tower to explain sustainable vertical urbanism. Chapter 7- explains the various design development theories proposed by ecologist architect Ken Yeang and Vidhur Bhardwaj these theories demonstrate their research to design vertical build-ings and green spaces. Chapter 8- analyze the conventional and sustainable building design methodology, this chapter also frames the existing design methodology with their advantages and disadvantages adopted by the architects based on their design processes and case studies in previous chapters. Chapter 9- describes the methodology proposed to achieve the aim of the thesis on the basis of primary and secondary data; this was to ensure the development goes in sustainable direction throughout the process with the help of sequential steps. Chapter 10- concludes the thesis with a review of research contribution and recommendations for designing vertical urbanism, for accommodating green spaces in vertical developments and to formulate design methodology..............