ParkUrbia proposes public “livable parks” within suburban voids and new forest infills along the peripheral greenbelt to reorient the dynamics generated by the suburban sprawl within metropolitan limits. The objective is to reconcile the interaction between existing residual and vacant spaces and the surrounding subdivisions, and between outer fringe areas and their adjoining suburbs. It resolves the lack of public space and reorients the fragmentation of space by introducing a mesh of green connections throughout the entire metropolis.
As a unique alternative to the vanishing city, suburban sprawl, in spite of its generalization throughout North America, should not be seen as the only choice in residential development. The suburban model leaves us without alternatives or the potential for evolution beyond more land consumption. However, the ParkUrbia model, by allowing for the convergence of the blighted residual fringe areas and their transformation into habitable public parkland, attempts to impact suburbia in the same way suburbia challenged the city by framing its expansion and by shaping the limits of a new frontier.
ParkUrbia relies on “Infrastructure Architecture” to satisfy the primary needs for mass transit and mass consumption. “Infrastructure Architecture” redefines highways by providing commercial and public transportation network facilities within the linear spine of the highway system.
The landscape does not appeal to me as a place where I would like to live, but the buildings are gorgeous, and the renderings are beautifully done. I also do not like the cookie cutter mentality of all the houses having the same design. I like it when every structure reflects the personality of the owner, and the vision of the designer.
why wasn’t this a finalist?
fantastic design it would allow for larger green areas in the suburbs which is lacking the world today
simply great
dont understand why this is not among the finalists. amazing work Philippe!
So do I—wishing it was among the finalists; but this is great, as your body of work is, Philippe. Best of luck with the book, and the relations of the book with other architects, students, and cultivated people around the world.
this really should have been a finalist.
using the idea of a national park to heal the leap frogging suburbs simply great. This is the only original entry in the whole competition. Ive seen windturbine, stacked cube housing, and multiple floating airships…. this entry has wit, brains and originality.
Nicely done!
Great idea and good presentation.
I’m now going to vote on some other proposal in the hope that the mediocre zepplin doesn’t win.
How did this not win? There are a couple more renderings of this project on our website (studio2a created the blue renderings). http://parkurbia.studio2a.net/