Challenges and Opportunities in the Reuse of Abandoned Urban Space. Robert Gordon University [Online], Phd Thesis

ZECCA, C. 2019. Challenges and opportunities in the reuse of abandoned urban space. Robert Gordon University [online], PhD thesis. Available from: https://openair.rgu.ac.uk Challenges and opportunities in the reuse of abandoned urban space. ZECCA, C. 2019 The author of this thesis retains the right to be identified as such on any occasion in which content from this thesis is referenced or re-used. The licence under which this thesis is distributed applies to the text and any original images only – re-use of any third-party content must still be cleared with the original copyright holder. This document was downloaded from https://openair.rgu.ac.uk Challenges and opportunities in the reuse of abandoned urban space Cecilia Zecca PhD 2019 Challenges and opportunities in the reuse of abandoned urban space Cecilia Zecca A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements of the Roberg Gordon University for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy September 2019 ii ABSTRACT Contemporary cities have emerged as a result of diverse urban and architectural transformations, new interventions and redevelopment as well as through a cycle of abandonment and regeneration. New categories of resulting spaces are generated through these processes. Simultaneously, generic spaces are becoming new urban centralities, arguably to the detriment of local identity. City centre malls, for instance, are flattening the uniqueness of the cities by re-proposing similar characters across various locations and contexts. Non-places, empty spaces and urban voids are cases in point that deserve and require further investigation. Nowadays, in a period of economic recession, developments based on demolitions and reconstructions, are not always suitable. Against this context, areas of abandonment appear to offer potential for development which is at one creative and sensitive to local contexts. This research explored the urban and architectural phenomenon of abandonment and investigated the discrepancy between academic expected qualitative design of re-use and real solutions often adopted during projects of regeneration. The study took Aberdeen city as its concrete focus, exploring methods to connect more strongly the environment of cultural challenges (the academy) and the environment of the urban and social priorities (the local government), in an effort to define a network of reciprocal collaborations. iii Typo-morphology and rhythmic urban analysis, together with sites observation utilising mental maps, were the main methods used to investigate specific abandoned spaces in Aberdeen. Furthermore, through three urban workshops delivered in collaboration with Aberdeen City Council, Robert Gordon University, International College RGU and the University of South of Florida, the research explored collaborative ways to expand the knowledge of urban and architectural re-use to the practice. This work represents an original contribution to knowledge through the presentation of a conceptual system of mutual collaboration between the main authorities and institutions within the city of Aberdeen, and proposes a framework for delivering workshops in partnership. On the one hand the school of Architecture may significantly influence the urban evolution through cultural and creative input. On the other, the city council may consider the cognitive process of academic analysis of the city, developing strategies to improve the quality of the city spaces in terms of liveability and valuable social environment. Key words: Abandoned spaces, non-places, empty space, urban voids, architectural re-use, collaborative design process, urban and architectural workshop, Aberdeen urban system. iv Acknowledgements I had the pleasure to work on my PhD in an exiting environment at Scott Southerland School, surrounded by great people who shared their knowledge and supported me in different ways. Throughout my journey I had the occasion to collaborate with external professionals and academics, so my thanks go to all participants from the planning department of Aberdeen City Council, especially Sepideh Hajisoltani; to Josué Robles Caraballo from University of South of Florida and his students; to RGU and ICRGU architecture students who took part to the workshops. I would like to thank my supervisory team, Prof Richard Laing, Prof David McClean, Dr Christopher Thorpe and Dr Fiona Smith, for their patience and availability every time I needed clarifications and advices. They all challenged my thinking, posing constructive questions but at the same time giving me the freedom to choose the direction of my work. Now, I would also like to thank my Italian supervisor Dr Donato Lobefaro, switching the language for a moment: Professore, I suoi insegnamenti sono sempre stati di ispirazione ed hanno contribuito a rendermi piú consapevole professionalmente. Ricordo sempre con grande affetto e stima le sue lezioni di architettura e le giornate passate a lavorare insieme in studio. A big thank to my lovely husband who always supported my initiatives and life changes; to my fabulous family for their constant happy attitude, help and supporting words. I am lucky to have a family who always listen to me and try to understand my work and thoughts; you are all in my heart. v To my dad, Roberto Zecca (1950-2017) A mio padre, Roberto Zecca (1950-2017) Con sensibilitá e sottile ironia mi hai fatto conoscere l’immenso mondo dell’arte. vi Table of content Abstract ..................................................................................................iii Acknowledgements ...................................................................................v List of tables ..........................................................................................xii List of figures……………..............................................................................xiii List of figures sources..............................................................................xix List of abbreviations ..............................................................................xxvi Chapter 1. The research path ............................................................. 1 1.1 Introduction ................................................................................ 2 1.2 Research background ................................................................... 5 1.3 Aims and objectives ..................................................................... 6 1.4 Structure of the thesis .................................................................. 7 1.5 Original contribution of the thesis .................................................. 10 Chapter 2. Methodology ..................................................................... 13 2.1 Introduction to the methodology .................................................... 13 2.2 Overview of the methodology ........................................................ 18 2.3 The literature review and precedents study ..................................... 20 2.4 A semantic path ........................................................................... 24 2.5 Information exchange, knowledge exchange ................................... 28 2.6 Reading the city. Observations ...................................................... 33 2.6.1 Observation of the areas ...................................................... 34 2.6.2 Mapping ............................................................................ 34 2.6.3 Typo-morphological analysis ................................................ 35 2.6.4 Rhythm analysis ................................................................. 38 2.6.5 Tour observation................................................................. 40 2.6.6 Mental map ........................................................................ 40 vii 2.7 Classification and taxonomy of the areas ........................................ 41 2.8 Ethical consideration and evaluation of risks .................................... 42 2.9 Validity of the research ................................................................. 44 Chapter 3. The city system. Literature review and conceptual explanations ..................................................................................... 45 3.1 Introduction ................................................................................ 45 3.2 City as a system .......................................................................... 46 3.3 Research focus and background ..................................................... 53 3.4 The idea of the city today ............................................................. 56 3.5 The significance of words in the context of this research ................... 61 3.6 Places, non-places, empty places ................................................... 64 3.6.1 The place ............................................................................ 65 3.6.2 The non-place ..................................................................... 67 3.6.3 The empty place .................................................................. 74 3.6.4 The roles of the buildings within place, non-place, empty place . 76 3.7 Urban voids ................................................................................. 77 3.8 Logic of the fragment and loss of place ........................................... 82 3.9 Reflections between perception and belonging. Concept of beauty ..... 83 3.10 Cases of regenerations ................................................................. 89 3.10.1

Load more