Send Orders for Reprints to [email protected] 62 Open Urban Studies and Demography Journal, 2015, 1, (Supple 1-M7) 62-71 Open Access Multimodal Nodes: Multimodal Nodes as a Potential for Multilevel Inter- connectivity and Sustainable Development Sanja Gaparovi, Lea Petrovi Krajnik* and Tamara Hladki Department of Urban Planning, Spatial Planning and Landscape Architecture, Faculty of Architecture, University of Zagreb, Kaieva 26, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia Abstract: The research is based on studying trends that can be read as models of behavior of a contemporary city. The overall area of a city is characterized by a complex dynamics of physical and non-physical space, manifested through networks on different levels. For the purpose of this research, the places of overlapping and/or connecting of two prevail- ing urban dynamics - dynamics of structurally functional changes (transformation of Brownfield sites) and dynamics of mobility (railway infrastructure), are chosen, which are followed by all other aspects of identified trends (dynamics of space using, dynamics of social interaction, dynamics of environmental networks and flows, dynamics of virtual mobility - information and dynamics of financial investments). The aim of this study is to highlight trends of urban space dynamics and possible benefits of their superposition, as well as to identify possible areas where multiple space benefits can be achieved while summing the effects of specific space dynamics changes. Using comparative analysis, two specific points of convergence – Gare do Oriente and Parque das Nações in Lisbon and a planned Multimodal node Sesvete in Zagreb – are examined in order to determine the possible models of dynamic city development. The results show that, with com- prehensive and systematic multi-use planning, such locations can gradually become generators of development of the area in which they are located, and have the potential of generating the development of the surrounding areas while achieving multidimensional interconnectivity of urban space. Keywords: Brownfields, Dynamics, Lisbon, Multimodal Node, Mobility, Multilevel Interconnectivity, Zagreb - Sesvete, Transformation. 1. INTRODUCTION - DYNAMICS AS ONE OF THE often set requirements for designing their multifunctionality BASIC FEATURES OF CONTEMPORANEITY [2] and identity [3] and they are recognized by numerous studies [4] as the most important generative public spaces. The research is based on studying trends that can be read This omnipresent urban environment, often considered and as models of behavior of a contemporary city. The dynamics evaluated solely through technical criteria, now is considered of space and the dynamics of life became some of the most also through new functions - social, environmental and aes- prominent features of contemporaneity. The overall area of thetic [5]. the city is characterized by a complex dynamics of physical and non-physical space, manifested through networks. Ac- Dynamics of structural and functional changes in the cording to Manuel Castells (2002), today's society is a "net- city are visible, among other things, through numerous ex- worked society" and the most important term for understand- amples of Brownfield transformations. For the purpose of ing the information age is "network" [1]. Therefore, the sustainable planning, cities are built and developed from the complex dynamics of physical and non-physical space is inside, by infilling voids or by transforming specific areas considered on the following levels: within the already established city boundaries. As the results of that specific development, Brownfield transformations are Mobility dynamics can be identified through demands 1 one of the main features of many contemporary cities . They for an increasing transport efficiency and speed. The space is generate changes in urban areas at different levels (regional, ever more densely cross-linked with various forms of trans- city and local), instigating a number of positive development port infrastructure - physical routes which together form a processes with multiple impacts on the wider spatial context. system and intersect at different spatial levels. Because of their dimensions, traffic-technical requirements and longitu- Dynamics of space using is manifested through setting dinality, infrastructure corridors often represent structural the requirements for multifunctional intensive land use. To and functional barriers in space. Modern times ever more optimize the built environment and contribute to sustainable development it is necessary to combine land uses in time and space. The social ecology of places is thus improved while *Address correspondence to this author at the Department of Urban Plan- minimizing their ecological footprint [6]. ning, Spatial Planning and Landscape Architecture, Faculty of Architecture, University of Zagreb, Kaieva 26, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia; Tel: +385 1 46 39 197; E-mail: [email protected] 1 Sometimes it is about entire regions, such as the project for the Emscher Park or the development strategies for cities like London, Seville, Hanover, Lisbon and others. 2352-6319/15 2015 Bentham Open Multimodal Nodes Open Urban Studies and Demography Journal, 2015, Volume 1 63 The establishment of dynamics of social interaction is sence of preconditions for realizing the desired urban dy- crucial for successful planning of urban life. It is necessary namics. here to point out open public spaces as physical networks One of the positive examples of a large city and govern- that significantly stimulate the dynamics of movement [7] ment project implemented in the 1980s in the city of Zagreb, and enable the manifestation of social connectivity in space, which prompted various forms of urban dynamics, was the thus representing one of the very important elements of the Summer Universiade in 1987. The Universiade, although city image. primarily a sporting event, had multiple significances for the Respecting the dynamics of environmental networks city, the region and the country. Despite the crisis and infla- and flows, as one of the segments of sustainable develop- tion, it brought Zagreb and its wider surroundings numerous ment, is becoming the standard of a contemporary city. realizations. In the preparatory period, there were numerous Therefore, aspects such as the use of alternative energy individual and group interventions in the urban structure sources and environmental protection are some of the pri- (construction of new and modernization of existing sports mary starting points of modern sustainable planning. facilities, infrastructural interventions in the railway and road transport system, construction of new accommodation ca- The dynamics of virtual mobility - information and pacities and other supporting facilities, renovation of public the dynamics of financial investments, although non- physical forms, are among the most prominent features of spaces and refurbishing of facades in the Downtown). In addition to the newly built or modernized infrastructural contemporaneity. They significantly determine the dynamics network and suprastructure, a very significant benefit for the of life of individuals and the society, change habits and cus- city, the region and the country was the promotion on the toms, influence social and economic aspects of life and indi- national and international levels and the establishment of rectly influence all other aspects of the physical manifesta- recognition and new identity [9]. tion of the city and the region. The mobilization of substan- tial dynamics of financial resources around a single goal - a This study primarily aims at pointing out the potential particular city or state strategy - enables a large-scale inter- places of urban dynamics and stimulating the finding of the vention in a much shorter period than usual, as well as the optimal model of their implementation, based on the com- implementation of projects that otherwise would not be real- parative analysis of European examples. ized [8]. One of the most significant development features of the The aim of this study is to highlight trends of urban space city of Zagreb was the construction of the railway in the sec- dynamics and possible benefits of their superposition, and to ond half of the 19th century. Besides the undeniable eco- identify possible areas where multiple space benefits can be nomic impulse, the city also got a strong infrastructural bar- achieved while summing the effects of specific space dy- rier extending in the east – west direction. It conditions the namics changes. longitudinal expansion of the city, and in many urban areas For the purpose of this research, the places of overlap- becomes a place of separation of certain developmental stages of the city and separate allocations. At the time of its ping and/or connecting of two prevailing urban dynamics - construction, the industrial zone was usually located south to dynamics of structurally functional changes (transformation it whereas the “city” was on its northern side. of Brownfield sites) and dynamics of mobility (railway in- frastructure) - are chosen, followed by all other aspects of The beginning of the 21st century was marked by a num- identified trends. ber of proposals for developing and improving the railway. Such specific points of convergence are examined City authorities in collaboration with experts in the field of through different examples to determine the possible models railway transport planned to expand the railway system