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ENBE | Final Project | Part A – Report | The Better Town Representation

IGNATIUS JEE SHAO IANG | 0320069 | Ms. Ida | FNBE AUGUST 2014 | Taylor’s University

Name: IGNATIUS JEE SHAO IANG

Student ID: 0320069

FNBE August 2014



CONTENT:

1. INTRODUCTION

2. A TOWN- Investigation on Better Township or Town or City

Guidelines and Issues

3. Investigation & Data Collection: The Ancient Town

4. Investigation & Data Collection: The Present Town

5. Investigation & Data Collection: The Future City

6. The New “X” Town – RADIALE

Overview

Master Plan

Zoning

Transportation

Town Enhancement & Sustainable Approaches

7. The Conclusion

8. Reference List



Introduction

After analysing and understanding the brief, I understand

that I am assigned to do research on the elements of Natural

and built environment in their basic unit, form and function such

as natural topography, landscape, space, buildings and

infrastructure. In this final project, I am required to investigate

about a past, a present and a future city. With all the

information I get, I need to propose a future town which focus

on the needs of the people, the facilities, infrastructures and

how the city sustain by itself in the future.

To propose a successful town, I understand that I need to

focus on its geometric shape, form, pattern, system and the

structure of town. Besides, I need to emphasis on the main

focus and the zoning, transportation, utility of the town. The

people, population, social issues, food distribution, culture and

religion also play a major role in maintaining the successful

operation of the town.



Town VS City

Definition of Town

A settlement in which includes residential districts, shops and

amenities with its own local government.

A town is larger than a village, but smaller than a city, which

means to say it has more populations than a village but not as

much as a city.

Definition of City

A city is a relatively large and permanent human settlement.

City normally has a particular administrative, legal, or historical

status based on local law.

City in general has more complex systems for sanitation, utilities,

land usage, housing, and transportation.

There are 4 eccentric differences between a town and a city.

(i) The demography/geography

(ii) The form of Government

(iii) The communities

(iv) Population

(i) Demography/Geography

Towns cover a smaller area than cities. As cities advance, they

merge with surrounding areas. As for towns, they do not

generally expand into other areas in the same way as the cities.



(ii) Form of Government

A town is rule by municipal bodies, which is leaded by a

chairman. On the other hand, governance of cities is handled by

corporate bodies and chairman is the head of corporation.

(iii) Communities

In terms of community, town has a complete community hinting

at one special community. However, cities can have different

communities usually categorized by race or religion.

(iv) Populations

Towns are smaller than cities and bigger than villages.

Therefore, cities are more densely populated than towns, which

mean to say that a city has more population as compared to

town. Most of a region’s administrative offices are situated in

the cities.



Investigation & Data Collection

Ancient City

Case Study 1: Athens, Greece

A view of the Acropolis in Athens, Greece The remains of the Parthenon

A brief history of Athens, Greece

It has been inhabited since before 3,000 B.C

During 1,200 B.C., the town is spread to south of the citadel on the

Acropolis and a long wall was built along the edge of rock.

In 480 B.C., the city is captured and ruined by the Persians. The

acropolis was burned. The Athenians after that spent 30 years but

only managed to build the fortifications and some secular buildings.

40 years after the peace with Persians at 449 B.C., buildings such

as Agora and Acropolis where the Parthenon sat is built.

At 404 B.C., Athens lost the Peloponnesian war.

During the Roman times, the long walls built were pulled down in

88 B.C.

During the Byzantine period after the city fell to the Crusaders in

1204, temples were converted into Christians churches.

In 1456, Athens was ruled by the Turks for 400 years. The

Parthenon was turned into a mosque and the other classical

buildings were occupied back then.



The Characteristics of Focus in Athens, Greece

- A city which emphasises on the management of water source.

Athens shows the importance of waterworks in a city. The

Aqueduct served as a main character in the city as it’s the

foremost way of conducting water to the whole area. Furthermore,

the city also emphasised on the zoning. The upper city is also the

focus of the city as it’s the zone where every main events being

held. It is situated at the centre of the city.

Significances and Details of Athens, Greece

(i) Geography

- Athens was in Attica, which is about 30 stadia (2.9 miles)

from the sea, located on the southwest slope of Mount

Lycabettus.

- The city is between the small river Cephissus to the west,

Ilissos to the south and Eridanos to the north.

- The walled city is measured 1.5km in diameter.

(ii) Systematic planning of city layout

- Athens is divided into two distinctive part: The Upper City

(Acropolis) and The Lower City.

- The Upper City (Acropolis) contains all the important

buildings such as the Parthenon, Propylaia and the Agora.



- The Agora of Ancient Athens is located to the northwest of

Acropolis. It is a public space for citizens to gather for the

military duty and even announcement of the king or council.

The Agora is later served as the market place.

- The port city of Athens, Piraeus is connected by the Long

Walls which is 40 stadia (7km) long with a narrow passage

between the two walls. The Long Walls provide a secure

connection to the sea even during times of siege.

(iii) Water Supply System

- At the very beginning time of Ancient Athens, it was supplied

with water from springs and local wells. One of the most

famous natural springs was the Spring of Caliroi, which is the

source of the Ilisos River. Water was also available within the

ancient city at local fountains, for instance the Fountain of

Pan.

- In year 540-530 B.C., Pisistratos constructed an

underground aqueduct, covering a total distance of 7.5 km

that collected additional water from the Hymettus Mountain.

After building the underground aqueduct, water is reportedly

flowed in abundance, meeting the needs of the city residents.

- Athens Persistratean Aqueduct

It is the first major hydraulic project in Athens.

It is mostly carved as a tunnel at depth reaching 14m

underground.

It has a ceramic pipeline at the ground of the tunnels.

The Long Walls secured Athens

from the invasion of Spartans in the

First Peloponnesian War (431-

432B.C.)



Greek hydraulic construction were mostly

subterranean for security reason, such as not to be

exposed in war.

The ends of the pipes were appropriately shaped, so

that each could be tightly fitted into the next pipe.

They were joined by cement or lead.

The pipe sections had elliptic openings covered by

ceramic covers, to ease cleaning and maintenance

work.

The cross sections of typical tunnels are half to one

metre high, the pipe lines or Terracotta is 20cm.

Conclusion about City

- The significances of Ancient Athens which made it a

sustainable city is the systematic planning of city layout and

its hydraulic system.

- The Athenians realized the importance of town planning,

especially the defence of a town. That’s the reason a Long

wall was built connecting Athens to its port city, that is

Piraeus to secure its connection to the sea.

- They also utilized the knowledge of zoning, where the agora

is the city’s commercial zone and also a political zone.

The technical details of the tunnels of

Persistratean Aqueduct.

The pipeline exhibited outside

the metro station of Syntagma.



- Athenians also acquires certain level of technology on

building hydraulic system which is used in the waterworks.

Athenians collect water from springs and local well at first.

From this we can know that they actually got the idea of

water collection.

- After the construction of Aqueducts, water streams are able

to be conducted across a hollow from a source to different

areas.

Information & Elements to implement in my Future Town

- The importance of town planning. Efficient and organized

urban planning is needed. From the research, I realized that

the main focus of the town such as the town council and the

commercial areas should be set in the middle of the town.

- The use of aqueducts such as canals, pipelines, inverted

siphons, reservoirs and tunnels can be installed in my future

town to conduct water stream to the other area. A water

storage system such as a dam should also be added in my

town to prevent water shortage.

This image shows a dam reservoir,

Hoover Dam at western Colorado

Plateau, United States.




Present City

Case Study 2: Venice, Italy

A brief history of Venice, Italy

The origins of Venice dates back to the mid 400, which is over

1500 years ago.

Around 200 A.D. with the Roman Empire being close to its end,

the Barbarians invasions were started. The Germanic barbarians

crossed the boundaries for destructive incursions. The foundation

of the city was the result of the escaping of peoples living in the

Eastern Veneto. Peoples were forced to flee to the Archipelago of

flat islands in a lagoon, known today as Lido di Venezia (Venice

Lido).

The Venice Republic was the biggest power of the Mediterranean

during 1300’s – 1500’s, having its territories embraced a big area

in the East Mediterranean sea, encompassing the Terra Firma

(current Veneto and Friuli), and the today’s Croatian Histria and

Dalmatia with their islands, and also part of the Greek islands.

A view of the Rialto Bridge in Venice,

Italy.

An aerial view of the Venice City,

Italy.



The fall of Venice Republic occurred in 1797, when Serenissima

yielded to the military campaigns of Napoleon in Italy.

The Characteristics of focus in Venice, Italy

- Venice is a city which emphasises on its aesthetical beauty. It is

sited on a group of 118 small islands and is separated by canals

but linked by bridges. The city waterways play an important role as

the heart of both its defence and its eerie beauty. The

architectures and the artworks of the city. The Republic of Venice

was a major maritime power in the past as well as an important

centre of commerce, which made the city a wealthy city throughout

most of its history.

Significances and Details of Venice, Italy

Systematic city planning

- Venice is a city built on top of 118 small islands which is

separated by canals. The whole area is linked by bridges,

which ease the access to different parts of the city. The

plan of Venice developed around its principal waterway,

the Grand Canal.

- Being a Baroque city, the emergence of its strong city-state

is associated with its own city layout. Venice emphasise on

strict zoning, the land use is also divided into several

functions, such as to separate public space from the

private space.

-The Baroque layout is to display power, strength and

wealth of the city. The centre of a baroque city is always

public and commercial zones. The centre of Venice city is

the Piazza San Marco, which is where the sacred space of

the San Marco church and is also where the governmental

offices are located.



Architecture of City

(i) Wooden Pilings

Venice is supported by wooden pilings as its foundation. The

piles go deep into the soil, passing through layer of weak silt

and dirt to the portion of ground that was hard clay which could

hold the weight of buildings built on top of the pilings. The

woods are very water resistant such as Oak and Larch, they are

not exposed to oxygen and as a result they do not rot.

Meanwhile, the wood absorbed the sediment of silt and dirt and

quickly petrified into basically stone.

(ii) Modulo Sperimental Elettromeccanico (MoSE)

It is a project intended to protect the city of Venice, Italy, and the

Venetian Lagoon from flooding. The design plan for Project

MoSE includes 78 hinged steel box gates placed throughout the

inlets at Lido, Malamocco, and Chioggia. When the tides reach

110 centimetres air will flow through the hinged gates, emptying

the water, and allow the gates to pivot upward. The 300-ton

gates will be 4m to 5m thick, 22m to 30m in length, and 20m

wide. Hinges in the gate will have a spherical shape and will be

made up of ducts for air compression. The Caissons will be

placed on piles in trenches with dimensions of up to 60 meters in

length, 10 meters in depth, and 45 meters in width. The soil at

each inlet will be strengthened with jet grouting and the ground

around the caissons will be secured with rock mattresses. For

A night view of the Piazza San

Marco which is at the centre of

Venice city, Italy

Location of Piazza San

Marco at the centre of the

Venice, Italy



the construction of the caissons a craft harbour and 16 hectare

casting yard will be used in the lagoon. Caissons will be built on

platforms which will include trolley-mounted jacks. This will allow

the caissons to be rolled to ship lifts, which will lower the

caissons into the water.

(iii) Transportation

- Lagoon Area

- The canals in city provide a waterway for the water-based

transport. These water-based transportations provide the

means for transport of goods and people in the city. The

public transport used includes the water buses (Vaporetti)

and Gondolas.

- Lido & Palestrina Island

- Road traffic is allowed in Lido & Palestrina Island. There are

buses services on islands and waterbuses services linking

the islands with the other islands (Venice, Murano, Burano)

and the peninsula of Cavallino-Treporti.

- Mainland

- There is a road bridge connecting the group of islands to

the Mainland. The Marco Polo International Airport is

located on the mainland.

An overview of the Flood

Barriers in Venice, Italy

which the purpose is to

protect the city from

sinking as the result of

steadily rising sea levels.



Conclusion about City

- The canals in the city are fully utilized and it is the key of

transportation in it. This is because without it, the city would

goes into congestion and this strongly affects the operation and

also economy of the city.

- The City also fully utilized its aesthetical beauty by converting it

into a city of tourism. This provides high chances of commercial

activities in the city, which enhances the economy of the city.


- The zoning of areas in a city. I realized that the main focus of a

city is situated at the centre of it. For example, the political and

commercial areas of Venice, Italy.

- Utilize the purpose of canals or rivers in a city which can

contribute to the local community. Transportation should be

emphasised as it’s the key for the operation of a city.

- A colossal dam can also be constructed around the city to

protect the city from sinking as it can prevent floats in the city

especially when the sea level rises.

- The aesthetical appearance is also important as it served as the

main attraction of tourism to the city. Natural elements such as

canals, rivers and even greenery should be emphasised to

enhance eco-friendliness and also to beautify the environment of

city.




The Future of Towns and Better Towns

LILYPAD, A Floating City of The Future

LILYPAD is a completely self-sufficient floating city designed by Belgian

architect Vincent Callebaut for future climatic refugees. The model is

proposed as a long-term solution to rising water level as per the

Intergovernmental group on the evolution of the climate forecast (GIEC).

It is a self-sufficient amphibious city and satisfies the four challenges laid

down by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development

(OECD) in March 2008 namely, climate, biodiversity, water and health.

The floating structure is directly inspired by the highly dibbled leave of

the Great Lilypad of Amazonia Victoria Regia. The double skin of the city

is made of polyester fibres covered by a layer of titanium dioxide (TiO2)

which by reacting to the ultraviolet rays then enable to absorb the

atmospheric pollution by photocatalytic effect.

LILYPAD has a capacity to shelter 50,000 individuals. It consists of 3

mountains and 3 marinas, which are meant for entertainment purposes,

surrounding a centrally located artificial lagoon that collects and purifies

water.

An aerial view of the floating future city,

Lilypad City.

The elevation view of the floating city




(i) The idea of a self-sufficient floating city.

- The Lilypad would have three marinas, and three mountains to

surround a centrally-located artificial lagoon that is totally

immersed below the water line to act as ballast for the city.

The three mountains and marinas will house venues for work,

shopping and entertainment. There are also suspended

gardens and aquaculture farms which would be located below

the tideline would be used to grow food and biomass.

Renewable energy technologies including thermal, solar, tidal,

wind and biomass would be available in the floating city and

so designed to produce more energy than what is consumed.

(ii) The Floating Mechanism of Lilypad City

- The floating structure, which is the ‘branches’ under the city is

inspired by the highly ribbed leave of the great lily pad of

Amazonia Victoria Regia.

The floating structure is "branches" of the Ecopolis inspired of the

highly ribbed leave of the giant lilypad of the Amazonia Victoria Regia.



The New “X” Town – The newly proposed town will be situated 5km outside the coast of

Pahang. It is a floating town which have an approximate land area of

30km2 and an existing lake at the centre of the town. There is also a

man-made linear lake in the high cost residential area. A radial grid

system will be used to design the geometric shape of the town. The

proposed town can accommodate an approximate number of 200,000

people.

(i) Land Area: Approximate 30km2

(ii) Existing Lake: Approximate 4km2

(iii) Man-made linear lake: Approximate 4km2

(iv) Population: Approximate 180,000 – 200,000

The floating town will be named Radiale, which is an Italian word for

Radial. The idea came from the geometric shape of the proposed town,

which is a circular man-made island. Besides, the word Radiale brings

the meaning of unites, hoping to propose a peaceful and unite township.

The Concept

The design concept of the proposed town is sustainable, smart and

utilization of space.

(i) Sustainability Healthy ecosystems and environments are necessary to the

survival of humans and other organisms. The ecosystems

and environments of the town are being focused to ensure

healthy lifestyle of citizens.

(ii) Smart

The proposed town comprises energy saving features which

helps in reducing the usage of non-renewable resources

such as fossil fuels. The energy saving features includes the

use of solar energy and wind energy in the town.



(iii) Space Utilizations

The Utilization of space in the town is focused as it results in

the user friendliness of the town.

The AIM

The aim is to create a living space for Malaysian as the as the result of

increasing population. The proposed town acts as a solution for the

issue of overpopulation.

The main purpose of the town is to serve as a commercial and a

residential based town. The main source of economy is based on the

business activity of the town. The commercial zone of the town is divided

into 2 zones, that is the high range commercial area and the typical

commercial areas.

The town is designed to accommodate approximately 200,000 residents.

Having a high cost residential area and also 2 typical residential areas,

the town is believed to accommodate the huge amount of citizens and

yet provide a comfortable living space.



Master Plan of the Proposed Town - RADIALE

As shown as the above illustrated the overall master plan of the newly

proposed floating town – RADIALE. The town is designed based on the

radial grid system. The town has its point which is considered the centre

of the town. As you can see, the centre of the town is a lake and the

buildings and structures are plotted outwards from the centre point of the

city.



Windmill Power Station

Monorail Railway

Road

Monorail Station

Windmill

Port

Shop Lot

Agriculture Area

Hospital

Fire Brigade

Police Station

High Range Megamall

Shopping Mall

House (High Cost Residential)

House

Condominium/Apartment

Institution/School

Religious Building

Factories

Airport

Government Building

Community Hall



Zoning of RADIALE

Recreational Area

Lake

High-Range Commercial Zone

Mid-Range Commercial Zone

High Cost Residential Zone

Residential Zone

Agriculture Zone

Industrial Zone

Wind farm Zone

Airport

Port



The Overview of Town Zoning of Radiale

The town is generally divided into 11 zones, that is the recreational

ground, the lakes, the high-range commercial zone, the mid-range

commercial zone, high cost residential zone, residential zone, industrial

zone, Agriculture zone, the windmill power station zone, airport zone and

the port.

Recreational Ground

The recreational ground is located at the centre of RADIALE. It will

feature a huge lake sounded by a ring of beautiful landscape which

consists green plants, trees and also sculpture. There will be a bridge

linking the decks at the lakeside which enable access to the other side of

the lake and also serve as a spot to overview the beautiful scenery of

lake and also the landscape. Recreational activities can be organised

around the lake such as canoeing, hawker stalls can also be set up to

attracts the attention of peoples. Meanwhile, the lake also served as a

habitat to the animals which may help in maintaining the biodiversity.

An Impression view of the recreational ground which is designed to be located at

the centre of the town.



High-Range Commercial Zone

This zone is the most advance and also the busiest area in the town as it

has the highiest technology in the whole town. This means to say that it

has the most working opportunities in town. The zone consists of hihgh-

ranged mega malls which comprise the world’s premier retail shops. At

the heart of the trendy town lies the perfect reason to indulge fashions,

dining and also urban leisure. The zone is attached to represent the

modernity of the town but at the same time also focusing on the

sustainability of the town.

Mid-Range Commercial Zone

This is the typical commercial zone you can find in every city and town. It

serves as a commercial zone which sells things at a reasonable price. In

this newly proposed town, the mid-range commercial zone is devided

into two, which is attached to the both side of the High-range commercial

zone. The reason why so is to ease the citizens on buying things. By

locating these 2 areas attaching to the typical mid-range residential zone,

the residents might find it practical to shop around as the price is

reasonable and wouldn’t cause a burden.

The Pavilion is used as an

example of High Ranged

commercial zone.



High Cost Residential Zone

The high cost residential zone is located adjacent to the High Range

Commercial Zone. The zone is located this way as it is more nearer to

the High Range Commercial Zone, which may ease the access of the

residents to shop around for branded goods and also living appliances.

Besides, the location of the zone is the best in the town as it can access

to the whole commercial zone in the town. That is because it is located

at the centre adjacent to the High-range commercial zone with both the

mid range commercial zone attaching the High Range Commercial Zone.

Residential Zone

The typical residential zone is seperated into two parts which is basically

segerated by the lake and also the recreational ground. It is located at

the South West and the North East of the town. The Land area for the

residential zone is the largest among the all zones. This is to ensure

there is abundant affordable houses for the local community.

An example of house in the High

Cost Residential Zone

An impression view of the high cost

Apartment situated in the high cost

residential area.



Agriculture Zone

The agriculture in the town is served to provide enough food supply to

the residents. The agriculture zone is approximately the same size as

the industrial zone which is located at the opposite area of the town. The

reason why the zone is positioned this way is to ensure it is far away

from the industrial zone as well as the commercial zone to reduce

contimination which will leak to illness. It is situated this way so that the

public wouldn’t need to access through this zone to get to other places

of the town.

Industrial Zone

The industrial zone is located at the edge of the town which is adjacent

to the windfarm zone. It is located far away from the towncentral as to

avoid effecting the beautiness and also the comfortable view of the town.

Besides, the industrial one is situated that far to avoid polluting the

environment in the town central. The location of the industrial zone also

helps in avoiding the agriculture from being polluted.

Windfarm Zone

The Wind farm zones is located at the very edge of the floating town,

which is at the north east and the south west of the town. The town is

designed to comprise 2 windfarms as to ensure the sufficiency of

electrical energy provided. The wind farms play an essential role as the

town is totally self-sufficient and doesn’t obtain any form of energy from

the city on the mainland.



Airport and ports

The airport is situated at the north west of the town, which is located

between the 2 ports of the town. Air transportation is not really being

emphasised as the main transport for the residents to get to the city in

the mainland is the coastal boats and also the seagoing commercial

vessels. As a result, the water transport plays an important role in terms

of transportation , that is why the newly proposed floating town consists

4 ports in different areas. The town have 2 ports at the nort west of it,

which serve as a transportation to the city in the mainland. The other two

ports is set adjacently to the industrial zone and agriculture zone each.

The port at the agriculture zone serves as an import and export channel

for the algriculture and food products. Whereas for the port at the

industrial zone plays its part in exporting and importing industrial good

outwards and into the town.

Types of Transportation Being Used in Radiale

(i) Monorail

- Able to accommodate large amount of residents

- Able to transport passengers back and forth to different areas

of the town without consuming too much time.

- Serves as a solution to solve road congestions and yet is

environmental friendly as it does not release any pollutants.

(ii) Roads and private cars

- The roads which link to every area of the town. This ease the

access of residents to different par of the town.

- Private cars allow the residents to drive around the local

community freely.

(iii) Airplanes and Public Boats

- The airplanes serve as an air transport for local flight. It serves

as a transport for the residents to get themselves into the city

or even other city or state in the Country.



- The public Boats serve as a public transport for the citizens to

get back and forth from the floating town, RADIALE to the

mainland.

Town Enhancements & Sustainable Approaches

The town enhancements & sustainable approaches to be include in the

proposal of RADIALE is the wind farm and the solar transportation and

also the. These ways enable the town to be self sufficient and

independent from the mainland.

Wind Farm

Wind farms are created when multiple wind turbines are placed in the

same location for the purpose of generating large amounts of electric

power. Wind energy has huge potential to generate power for the town

as the town is having 2 wind farms in both the sides of the town.

An Impression view of the

Wind Farm zone in RADIALE



Solar Transportation

Designed Solar Panel would be installed onto transportation in the newly

proposed town. The use of renewable energy, solar thermal energy on

transport might be able to enhance the sustainability of the town. The

solar panel will absorb UV rays and convert it into kinetic energy which

enable the transport to move. Meanwhile, the excess solar energy obtain

can be store inside the storage and be used when the sunlight is not

reachable.

An impression view of private transport installed with solar

panel which can be used in RADIALE.

An impression view of public transport, monorail installed with solar

panel which can be used in RADIALE.



Conclusion

After completing this assignment, I obtained a deeper understanding on

the importance of systematic and efficient urban planning. These

elements are required in orther to build an efficient and sustainable

future town. In order for me to get a deeper undrstanding of the town, I

carried out refine researches based on the topic that is the ancient,

present and future cities. After doing so, I am required to carry out an

analysis about the pros and cons of the city planning in which lead to the

success or the failure of the city. Thus, I need to apply all the knowledge

obtained onto my proposed town to make it a better town.



Reference List:

1. http://www.livius.org/place/athens/athens-long-walls/

2. http://www.hydriaproject.net/en/cases/athens/peisistratid_aqueduct

/setting.html

3. http://www.veneto-explorer.com/facts-about-venice.html

4. https://sites.google.com/site/engineeringvenice/

5. http://archinect.com/features/article/76244/showcase-lilypad-a-

floating-ecopolis-for-ecological-refugees

6. http://vincent.callebaut.org/page1-img-lilypad2.html

http://www.livius.org/place/athens/athens-long-walls/

http://www.hydriaproject.net/en/cases/athens/peisistratid_aqueduct/setting.html

http://www.hydriaproject.net/en/cases/athens/peisistratid_aqueduct/setting.html

http://www.veneto-explorer.com/facts-about-venice.html

https://sites.google.com/site/engineeringvenice/

http://archinect.com/features/article/76244/showcase-lilypad-a-floating-ecopolis-for-ecological-refugees

http://archinect.com/features/article/76244/showcase-lilypad-a-floating-ecopolis-for-ecological-refugees

http://vincent.callebaut.org/page1-img-lilypad2.html