Metric Metropolis

Is there an ideal way our neighborhoods can be built to provide us with the highest quality of life? The project aims to initiate a strategic foresight over what is and could needed in our neighborhoods. What is the minimal required development needed in an area to create a high quality of life? This project attempts to understand our existing environment through adapting theory into a methodology where we can understand, compare and adapt our current environments.

Selecting cities The project started by using ranking systems from banks, magazines, and organizations to determine which cities provided the highest quality of life. A list of 23 cities was created, and a neighborhood was selected for each based on average rent prices per sq/m. Parameters – Gathering theory Theories from Kevin Lynch, Jane Jacobs, and Jan Gehl were used to create seven parameters: Orientation, Transit, Sound, Civic, Mix-use, Variety, and Eyes on the Street. Each parameter includes different urban elements and principles for a successful neighborhood. Urban order – methodology The neighborhood’s followed similar principles indicating an underlying urban order. This was rationalized into fractal order, linear and non-linear orders. Linear order compares elements based on desired outcomes, while non-linear order is based on elements’ interdependence. Urban structure types Urban drivers from all neighborhoods provide a guideline to identify different typologies: high mix-use (type 1), high infrastructure (type 2), or high civic space (type 3). These types can be compared to neighborhood, finding a compatible catalyst for urban change. Finding urban pressure point To initiate change, we identify urban attraction points where behaviors are expressed, and habits influenced. Theories from Jan Gehl, Jane Jacobs, and Stuart Brand help measure urban elements’ ability to provide attraction, identifying pressure points for change. Application The project tested three neighborhoods: Jessheim, Romsås in Oslo, and Nyhavna in Trondheim. The urban analysis provides a driver list to find compatible neighborhoods for development. The pressure points show where to start, highlighting existing attractive qualities and development needs.