“Urban Cell Model”
A strategy to improve the use of natural resources in existing cities
Yair Wolff
Urban Environmental Systems, M.S. Candidate
Programs for Sustainable Planning and Development
School of Architecture, Pratt Institute
Summer 2012
Statement
“I propose the creation of a cell model that functions as a cluster inside
cities. This strategy suggests the implementation of improved
environmental systems for sharing resources in order to enhance the use of
water, energy, food, and air”
Today’s example: Water
Location: Mexico City
Statement
“The goal is to find new resilient strategies to confront climate change,
population growth, scarcity, and other current issues that must be
addressed for the sake of future generations”
SOURCE: picture- blogs.dw.de
Outline
Anthropocene
World Wide Events
Current Infrastructure
Causes
Need of New Models
Urban Cell Model
Case Studies
General
Proposal
Approach to the Site
Site Analysis
Site Context
Development of the Project
Conclusions
Q&A
Application
Living in the Anthropocene
“This new age was defined by one creature – man –
who had become so dominant that he was capable of
altering the planet on a geological scale”
Paul Crutzen
SOURCE: The Climate of Man – III
Picture: GEO8
Climate Change
It’s real!
SOURCE: UNFCCC Climate Change Impacts, Vulnerabilities and Adaptation in
Developing Countries
Population
Growth
People´s necessity of resources, employment and quality
of life is causing huge migrations towards urban centers
2011 = 7 billion people
2050 = 9 billion people (Expected)
SOURCE: Getty Images
UN Projections
To the City we Go!
Shift population balance
between poor and rich
nations.
SOURCE: Global Change and the Ecology of Cities, 2008
Human Population Growths Up, 2005
Current Infrastructure
- Not sufficient
- Leakages
- Maintenance
- Pollution
SOURCE: http://adtechenviro.wordpress.com/
Need of New Models
- New Technologies
- New Improvements
- New ways of thinking
- New Human Behavior
leverage projects…..
SOURCE: Search
- Access to Natural Resources
- Property Clusters
- Share Expenses, Space,
New Tech, Human Capital
- Collaboration
- Promote Sustainability
- Holistic approach
Urban Cell Model
Zoom (example cell)
SOURCE: Google maps and Yair Wolff design
Why a Cell?
Definition:
“The cell is the basic structural and functional unit of all
known living organisms. It is the smallest unit of life that is
classified as a living thing, and is often called the building
block of life.”
SOURCE: http://medicalpicturesinfo.com/nerve-cell/
http://www.interventioninsights.com/patients/glossary.aspx/
-
City Block
Economic Strategy
New resilient Model
Confront Population Growth
Retrofit existing neighborhoods
Business Case / Energy Efficiency
Case Studies
SOURCE: Living City Block
Case Studies
Bo01 district
(Malmö)
“Swedish ecovillages to a urban
scale”
- Sustainable
District
- Technologies
and Built
Environment
- Green
Infrastructure
SOURCE: http://www.cyclifier.org/project/bo01/
-
Community Engagement
Sustainable Education
Critical Water Issues
Share the Process
Case Studies
SOURCE: http://www.treepeople.org/
Application
Methodology and
Framework for the
UCM in Mexico City:
Design Guidelines
1. Approach to the Site
Engage existing community
“Tell me and I will forget.
Show me and I may remember.
Involve me and I will understand.”
(Chinese Proverb)
My Client
SOURCE: http://www.stay.com/mexico-city/attractions/20707/fraccionamiento-hipodromo-condesa/
2. Needs and Issues of the Site
 Pollution Collected from rural toward the city
 Lack of education
 Not enough infrastructure
SOURCE: Picture by Francisco Olvera, La Jornada Newspaper
http://www.jornada.unam.mx
Establish a Goal
“Implement Water management best
practices inside the neighborhood of the
Hipódromo, Condesa, Mexico City ”
SOURCE: http://tristatewater.org/?page_id=10
3. Identify Stakeholders in the Site
Water Systems of Mexico City
National Water Commission
Department of Tourism
Department of Urban Development
Community
Department of Social Development
Department of Finance
Local Entity
Client – Non profit Community group
4. Site Location Zoom
México City
México
Hipódromo
Cuauhtémoc
SOURCE: Google Maps
Site Reference
Downtown
D.F.
Site
SOURCE: Google Maps
Neighborhood Hipódromo
SOURCE: Google Maps
5. Site Analysis
Neighborhood “Hipódromo”
in the area of la Condesa
55,900 sf
B3
B2
40,000 sf
B1
49,000 sf
100,000 sf
B4
75,000 sf
B5
Intervention Site
SOURCE: Google Maps
Hydrology and History of Mexico City
6. Site Context
- Built over water
- Center of Mesoamerica
- Water-based commerce
- 46 rivers - Today sewages
- 28 million population
Aztec city of Tenochtitlan
SOURCE: http://usmalesf.blogspot.com/2011/03/conquistadors-and-indians.html
Cutzamala Water supply system
SOURCE: Libro “Sistema Cutzamala, agua para millones de mexicanos, 2005”
Development of the Project
7. Operation and System
Interdisciplinary Team
Architects
Planners
Landscapers
Biologists
Scientists
Designers
Farmers
Academy
Policymakers
Engineers
Advertisers
Community Members
SOURCE: Getty Images
8. Methodology of Design
Influences:
-
Nature’s Wisdom
Biommimicry
Cradle to Cradle
Physical Cascade (Blue Economy)
Like UCM, designs that Mimic Nature
The model yields particular goals:
- Storm water into potable water
- Feasibility: Anual precipitation: 1,532
millions m3
Closed Loop Cell
SOURCE: Picture http://blog.lakos.com/default.aspx?Tag=closed%20loop%20system
- Short term 25% of stormwater into
potable water. Expecting 50% over time.
- Combination of systems: Green Inf.,
rainwater harvesting and reuse.
Conceptual Plans
rainwater capture
rainwater capture
residential
building
residential
building
conceptual floor plan
wetland
zoom
WTP
park
conceptual section
Stormwater Design
(Holistic approach adds Value)
- Swales
- Green Roof
- Pervious Paving
- Urban agriculture
- Stormwater Planter
- Stormwater Wetland
- Stormwater Tree Trench
- Rain Barrel or underground cistern
- Bump-out (use renewable energy tech)
- Natural waste water treatment system / habitat pool
SOURCE: Picture The City of Philadelphia's Program for Combined Sewer Overflow Control
Benefits
(green infrastructure)
Economic-
Social-
Promotes green jobs
Reduces Social cost
Increases property value
Promotes recreation
Community quality of life
Reduces effects of excessive heat
Environmental- Improves Air quality
Offsets climate change
Restores ecosystems
Avoid Scarcity of resources
SOURCE: Picture The City of Philadelphia's Program for Combined Sewer Overflow Control
Conclusions
The Urban Cell Model:
- Improves current management of resources
- Enhances community participation
- Serves as an example of sustainability
- Responds to future population in cities
- Attacks water scarcity in Mexico City
SOURCE: http://afpak.foreignpolicy.com/category/topic/development?page=1
Q&A
Thank You!