Where to refresh in summer? Examples of interesting city decisions

Summer is coming and inhabitants of big cities are brought up against intense and scorching heat. Fountains, parks and gardens became more popular, but city beaches are the most available and favorite places for people relax. You know the citizens of large megalopolises are deprived of that pleasure to swim in clean rivers or lakes because all water bodies are not only in pollution but often completely dangerous for bathing.

In New York City the problem of lack of relax places was and always will be urgent and topical. There are about 80 beaches in the city and every day 100 000 people go there. You can imagine how banks and coasts transform into rubbish heap during one day.

Neptune Foundation project's organizers created an interesting decision of the problem. In 20th century in the Hudson River there were more than twenty floating bathrooms which were located in populous city districts and where people could take bath regularly. Neptune Foundation architects took this idea from the past to create a modern floating swimming pool for citizens. And it was no necessary to build something new: they just re-equipped an old cargo barge.

In 2005 they bought an old 260 meters barge that worked on the Mississippi river early. Works were started in the Bolinger shipyard, New Orleans, and were finished in Brooklin. The new swimming pool can contain 100 000 liters of water that comes through special filters right from the gulf. The electricity system is completely autonomous and doesn't require communications from the city. Simultaneously 175 people can rest here, there are 7 swimming tracks, children' zone, shower, locker rooms, bar. The whole weight of this construction is 1830 tons. All expenses are $ 4 000 000.

On the opening ceremony this poll was called Floating Pool Lady. More than 50 thousand people visited this place during the first year. In 2008 Neptune Foundation handed over the pool to the New York City administration gratis. The pool is situated on the embankment in Brookline Bridge Park and every winter it returns to the dockyard till the next summer. Organizers want to move the object every summer for all inhabitants of different city district could enjoy bathing and swimming in open air.

City activists around the world realize such bold and extraordinary projects and their main aim is to do territory more attractive for residents and tourists. The problem of lack of bathing and swimming places was decided also in Portuguese city of Guimarães. Fountain Hackers project transformed city fountains into public swimming pools.

Architects and designers wanted to give people a possibility not only to admire the fountains but also to use them, make there places for swimming, rest, sun bathing, washing and even having a dinner. The Fountain Hackers project was created by Like Architects Studio and designer Ricardo Dorado.

Five fountains were remade and every one of them got a name, conception and design. Certainly some of them were re-equipped, for example, stairs and small hills like in swimming pools appeared. Very pretty yellow plank beds appeared in Beach Loung Fountain, where people rest after work. In Barbecue Fountain small tables and umbrellas stay right in water and people can meet each other and have a lunch sitting ankle-deep in fountain. Playroom Fountain are filled of plastic balls from children rooms and you can bath on inflatable mattresses in this colored pool.
The main idea of the project is to remind people that many years ago fountains were used like places for bathing and sources of drinking water but later transformed into decoration items. Like Architects organizers guessed right that their decision will refresh Guimarães life and make city territory more attractive for people rest. 

by Valentin Ivanov

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New life of old refuse bins

We get used to see refuse bins as simple and often muddy containers which don’t impress us by anything. Two students of London Economy School decided to change people attitude to the refuse containers. Now it is an innovation item which was created with new technologies. Henceforth the refuse bins are not only collecting waste but the information blocks also created by Renew company.

On the threshold of London Olympic Games near 100 containers appeared in the financial London centre – the City. This construction was made by the Renew. The container is a tank of middle sizes with very durable walls. Such construction makes it possible to secure people against probable explosives (after acts of terror in 2005 in London centre it is forbidden to put usual bins). The container walls have liquid-crystal displays showing different information from advertising and notices to information about quotes and situation on stock exchanges which is very actual for the London’s City residents.

All Renew containers network are fitted up by the system to exchange messages instantly if some emergency situation will be. But nevertheless the main function of the containers is advertising. The Renew specialist declared that more than about 3 million people saw displays’ advertising every day during the Olympic Games.

Besides the containers components are environmentally sound. The Renew company wants to donate some profits money to energy-efficient projects development in other territories all over the world.

The cost of one container is £ 25 000. The company installs these “smart” containers after the Olympic Games also and also it made a contract with the City for 21 years in future.

Today the Renew has agreements with other cities. It will install refuse bins in Manhattan and Singapore. In Japan these intellectual containers will also support security during earthquakes.

 

by Valentin Ivanov

 

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Territorial logos: good, better, the best!

Last time we started to view various territorial brandings, successful as a rule. At that time it was logos of Las Vegas and Melbourne cities. Today I’m going to tell you about logos of the New-York, Perm, Kazan cities and some countries such as Croatia, Estonia, France, Italy and Slovenia. Some of brands became better, some not so. 

New-York

The process of the New-York branding started in 80s and today we can say that its territorial branding is one of the most serious in XX century. City branding became an important strategy which has already proved its efficiency. In 1977 the New-York Commerce Department gave an order to Wells Rich Green agency to do an advertising campaign. Nobody knew that campaign will take longer than it was planned. Designer Milton Gleizer made a city logotype absolutely gratis. Suddenly it became the New York symbol. Logo is too simple and too successful that all New-Yorkers loved it and today a lot of territories try to copy this idea. But their attempts are unsuccessful: if people see “I love so-and-so” they remember about the New-York city immediately.

Kazan

This city is an example of how large-scale cultural and sport events can promote the branding starting. In fact this method proves its value: the city is in the centre of the events, all media watch it intently and all advantages and disadvantages are conspicuous. New Kazan logotype creation is connected with forthcoming World Students Games. New brand was placed even at the houses’ numbers. New motto “Thousands worlds of the New” is a symbol of interconnection of different cultures and religion living here together since the beginning of the time.

Perm

 

Well-known and one of the most expensive Russian designers offered a quite simple logotype for Perm (Пермь). By his opinion logo should be only the first letter of the city name – П. No decorations and ornaments. He offered to use this understandable and easy-to-read letter everywhere: from houses’ numbers to walls and benches. People were too amazed by Perm logo simplicity and clarity.

Estonia

 

Desire to become the European Union member made Estonia to brand actively. It was very necessary to create a proper image of this small Baltic country for Europeans, the EU members. Branding started in 2002, the project cost was about $1,000,000. The result is the logo and the motto “Welcome to ESTonia” or “Go to EST!”.

France

France is one of the most outstanding modern territorial brandings. This country endowed new logo with new images, filled it with a great number of means, and escaped of usual using of the state symbols. It is unique case in the territorial identification. New French logotype is airy, light, expressive and quite emotional. It correlates well with the idea of all country branding. That rebranding is very successful. It seems that the logo is drew by the hand, strive upwards and transforms into personal signature of France.

Croatia

 

Rebranding here was in 2006. I can’t say that restyling changed the composition a lot, rather the presentation style was transformed. New logo has more bright colours and sun cheer mood. The symbol became more attractive and pleasant visually, and doesn’t resemble those corporative red-blue colours more.

Slovenia

In contrast to the Croatian logo the Slovenian one underwent important changes. Besides the new type appeared it was worked out new image including three symbols: a lime leaf, a heart and the Slovenian mountain Triglav. But it was quite difficult for amateurs to identify all these symbols. Rather they make the logo like flame that correlates with the country branding in a strange way. And used colour decisions make it too dark and not such cheerful.

Italy

 

Italian logo had considerable changes. Old sign was rather dynamic in its composition and had a riot of colour. Traditional Italian flag colours are used in new logotype; it became more accurate and even ascetic but rich in meaning at the same time. Symbol supports the country motto “Italia leaves trace”

by Valentin Ivanov

 

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Abandoned railway or blooming park?

It is one of the New-York miracles. Nobody could imagine that an abandoned railway will transform and became an amazing park well-known as one of the USA sights. Today I’m going to tell you about this marvelous project.

So, imagine: 30-s, Manhattan. The Hudson riverside is enveloped by factories and enterprises. Three districts – Meatpacking District, West Chelsea и Hell’s Kitchen (Clinton) – are united by the High Line railway.

Its advantage is that its bed is situated in 30 foots above ground. It was too necessary because the first railway passed through asphalt and the 10th Avenue was called like “Death Avenue” because of frequent accidents. Freight trains were too dangerous for cars and pedestrians. “Air” railway was constructed through the buildings contrary to the real streets network. Such construction was absolutely safe.

In 1980s the last train went here. It had only three goods vans and took frozen turkeys. After that the railway was abandon. And then local landowners required to take down the construction. But a social activist Peter Obletz went to the law: he demanded to preserve the High Line and to renew traffic there. Five-years litigation was ineffectual.

In 1999 a community “Friends of the High Line” was founded by Robert Hammond and Joshua David. They didn’t know each other but united to preserve the railway. Actually it vexed city authorities and businessmen because Meatpacking and West Chelsea districts have changed their looks. There a lot of restaurants, galleries, boutiques appeared and the High Line was too old-fashioned. Just designers, architects and social activists protected this railway and wanted to create new public place in NYC.

After September, 11th act of terror David and Hammond were ready to their project will be forgotten and there will be other works which are more important than the old railway reconstruction. But thanking to great interest to urban design and planning people addressed to needs of idea again.

In 2002 “Friends of the High Line” proved cost efficiency of new public place. They fond out that tax dollars will be more than building costs. City Council said about necessity to renew this place and the NYC major Michael Blumberg offered financial support.

720 architects and designers from 32 countries presented their ideas how to create this territory attractive for NY citizens and tourists. The James Corner Field Operations (landscape designing), Diller Scofidio + Renfro (architect office), horticulturists, communication and safety engineers, artists became their work here. The park building there started in 2006 and all project had a cost about $ 50 million.

The South Park Section in Hanswurt district was opened on the 8th of July, 2009. Now the alley extends right up to the 20th St. at length 2.3 km. The works here are being continued to build alley along the whole railway, up to 30th St. at least. Now the section between the 30th St. and the 40th St. belongs to the railway company and the NYC administration is going to buy this territory and continue the park development.

High Line Park actually looks unusually. The old rails were preserved at some places, trees and bushes were planted here. As a result there is unique landscape between nature and industrial worlds. Also there is a fine view to the Hudson River, the New-Jersey and the Chelsea district which also transformed to modern art centre last years.

Besides there are a lot of installations here, you can see different artists or rehearsing theatre troupes here. There is an excellent infrastructure here: fountains, toilets, deck chairs. It is indeed amazing place even by standards of such multi-faceted city as the New-York.

The specialists from Rotterdam, Hong Kong, Jerusalem and Singapore go here to see this “urban miracle” and to be inspired by it. Alan Greenberg (economic development, Philadelphia) says: “Many people are convinced of impressive economic success of this project and want to have the same in their cities, but the question is about possibility to copy it”. But the fact is in any case talented architects and designers can renew abandoned territories in every city.


by Valentin Ivanov

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