Digital calligraphies : Drawing urban fabrics through innovation

A recent engaging conversation among our team at NAME, brought us to the exploration of a question:

In the ever-evolving tapestry of urban developments, what is the defining force of the symbiotic correlation between technological innovation and city planning?

From the planning of Machu Picchu, through the ingenious engineering of the Venetian Canals, to planning the neighbourhood of the future - history bears witness to how specific innovations have not only shaped cityscapes but have become intrinsic to the very essence of urban life. As we embark on this journey across eras and innovations around the world, we want to open a conversation questioning what innovative technology will influence the city of the near future? and what impact will this have on the way the city is shaped and lived? We have tried to answer to this through a recently developed concept for a competition, initiated through the analysis of other chapters in the global narrative of urban planning: the strategic urban design of the Roman Empire cities, the ethereal beauty of Venice, the ancient mysteries cradled within the walls of Machu Picchu and the resilient canals of the Netherlands — all bearing testament to the profound impact of driving innovations on the evolution of urban landscapes.

 

1. Digital calligraphy

Our exploration of the urban fabric and its generating forces was initiated by one of NAME’s recent concepts for a competition on a UAE Government Housing development. The concept is called Digital Calligraphy, here, the transformative power of 3D printing

takes centre stage, not merely as a construction method but as the core concept shaping the very essence of housing development. This technology, with its precision and efficiency, not only constructs buildings but intricately weaves the urban fabric, creating a layout that serves both technological needs and urban functionality.

Digital Calligraphy wants to symbolize how the “digital” – the 3d printing technology, as an innovative force of construction - can shape the “calligraphy”: a tailored language of constructing and conceiving living. Central to this is understanding that the planning of the neighbourhood is meticulously aligned with the installation prerequisites of the 3D printer, accommodating its movements and basic setup. The usual plot sizing requirement is adapted to the technology’s needs: its installation, its maintenance and working framework (i.e. dimensions, spaces, etc...). This results in a plot size dictated by the technology standards of 15x30m. The inherently established 3d printing framework allows for a future extension of the building within the plot - enabling any expansions due to residents' future generations. Similarly to what we can observe in the Shabi urban plans that developed in the UAE of the 1970s, our concept allows for different generations to live around the same courtyard with a low impact of construction works.

From the implementation of this concept, the neighbourhood structure results in a more pedestrian friendly layout, with tree shaded alleyways - the sikkas - in between residential plots. Natural ventilation and underground water-cooling systems are implemented in the sikkas to allow residents to live neighbourhood throughout the day.

Our visionary approach, represents the future of housing in Dubai, marking the dawn of a new era of citizen engagement in creating sustainably tailored homes. This groundbreaking concept empowers residents to actively shape the planning and construction of their own dwellings enabling them to select the variables that best suit their preferences, like number of bedrooms, open plan layout, level of privacy, potential of expansion, flexibility etc. The system ensures that each home is a unique reflection of its inhabitants while maintaining essential quality and functionality standards. Drawing inspiration from research into Bedouin settlements and the 1970s Shabi house model, our approach maintains the core values of community such as privacy, hospitality, adaptability, and transformation.




2. Dutch cities – transportation as the driving force

The urban fabric of the Netherlands has long been intricately connected to its transportation systems, including waterways and brick transportation, as well as the later development of the railway network. Historically, waterways were the primary mode of transportation, crucial for the movement of goods and people. This reliance on rivers significantly influenced the spatial and economic development of medieval towns.

The 11th through the 14th centuries were a time of Dutch town formation, based on the general principles of medieval and subsequent urbanization. These principles included strategic location, trade and commerce, charters and privileges, defensive structures, religious and civic buildings, guilds and craftsmanship, social stratification, and infrastructure development. A town's ability to be reached by water, its place in the commerce network, and its ability to serve as a local or global market all had a significant impact on its success. Both populations and economies grew rapidly during this period, with the nation seeing the emergence of more than 130 towns. When these towns formed, they were typically intimately associated with changes in the terrain, such as reclaimed areas and water management initiatives.

With the availability of clay in certain regions, brick became a predominant building material, shaping the architectural style of Dutch cities. Dutch cities are renowned for their old brick buildings, particularly those from the Golden Age. The architectural style of Dutch cities was thus significantly impacted by the availability of clay for brick manufacture in specific regions, resulting in the widespread use of brick as a building material.

Water transportation remained the most important mode of transportation until far into the 19th century. However, the advent of the railway network in the second half of the 19th century brought significant changes. Railways enabled faster transportation and connectivity, leading to the emergence of new industrial and residential towns, and shifting the urban landscape from its traditional dependence on waterways. Many of the medieval towns in the Netherlands experienced significant spatial alterations and shifts when the railway network was built. New industrial towns and the first residential towns emerged largely because of the railways.

The development of Dutch towns over time was influenced by several elements, including the economy, population, and the critical infrastructure of roads, railroads, and rivers. From 1870 to 1950, the railway network replaced the role of waterways as the primary mode of transportation, marking a new era in the urban development of the Netherlands.

3. Roman Empire Cities – the Centuriato

In the establishment of new cities in the Roman Empire, a recurring pattern emerged, exemplified by the city of Timgad, where an orthogonal grid plan was systematically adopted. Such an urban layout, defined by the Roman system of land measurement known as centuriatio, became integral for efficient transportation and fostering trade. The inherent geometric rigor of this grid system proved instrumental not only in orientation but also in optimizing the selection of routes to desired destinations. The perpendicular lines (decumani and cardines) defined squared plots, each of which was inhabited by one hundred families – hence why Centuriato (cento meaning one hundred).

This Roman city grid, characterized by its orthogonal layout, contributed significantly to the rational distribution of vital resources such as water and the removal of waste materials. This, in turn, underpinned the effective functioning of Roman cities.

Roman engineers, equipped with a profound understanding of surveying and measurement, brought forth a host of advanced tools for this purpose. Among these, the groma, a precision surveying instrument, played a pivotal role. Its application empowered the engineers to meticulously craft linear, parallel streets, and intersections marked by precise right angles. The accuracy afforded by such surveying tools emerged as an essential element in the consistent regularity characterizing the Roman grid system, thereby elevating its efficiency and functionality within urban contexts successfully.

In conclusion, building techniques had a significant role in Roman urban planning, influencing the structure, amenities, and architectural style of Roman cities. Roman engineering contributed to the creation of some of history's most recognizable and resilient urban environments.

4. Venice – the lagoon pillars

Venice's urban development is intricately linked to its lagoon setting and innovative construction techniques used to create and sustain this unique city of islands. The network of canals has been a central force in shaping Venice's urban planning, impacting its layout, architecture, and transportation system. Venice’s urban planning is strictly influenced by waterfront orientation. The city’s architecture evolved to embrace the canals, with buildings’ entrances situated at water level, establishing a strong connection between structures and waterways. This allowed for the historic colourful facades to appear, with their balconies and intricate motifs, serving as displays of inhabitants' prosperity and status over the canal. As a matter of fact, the canals functioned as the primary transportation and trade routes, with gondolas, water taxis, and water buses serving as essential modes of transport. Moreover, the city's limited space and the need for efficient land use prompted a vertical architectural approach, prioritizing height over horizontal expansion.

Thus, what is the technology which made this fascinating urban fabric a possibility?

The major technology that made this urban development possible are the wooden pilings, which acted as foundation system and support structure on the canals. They were meticulously designed by excavating marshy areas. Abundant timber in the region made wood the primary material for building foundations. To adapt to the marshy environment, structures were designed to endure changing tides, making oak, larch, and pine the preferred piling materials due to their water-resistant and durable qualities. In addition, locally available materials like bricks and terrazzo were used in construction.

5. Machu Picchu – the terraces

Machu Picchu, the ancient Inca citadel perched high in the Andes mountains, boasts a remarkable terraced layout that integrates seamlessly with its awe-inspiring natural surroundings. The city's construction technology and design have left a lasting impact on its urban planning and architecture.

Machu Picchu's terraced layout and construction technology profoundly influenced its urban planning. Terraces allowed diverse crop cultivation at various altitudes, ensuring a steady food supply. Proximity to the urban area facilitated easy access to fresh produce. Their alignment with the landscape efficiently managed rainwater, preventing erosion and preserving the city's structure. Buildings were strategically situated on the terraced platforms, which served as level foundations for construction, optimizing space and organizing residential and ceremonial areas while creating a unique architectural style. Moreover, Machu Picchu's terraces helped separate agricultural, urban, and ceremonial sectors, enhancing city function management. Finally, their symmetrical design blended beautifully with the landscape, creating a visually striking urban landscape.

other: PLUG-IN CITY Concept - Archigram 1960s

A utopian concept that comes to mind when thinking of how innovation can drive the structure of a city is the Plug-In City by Archigram. Here, the crane becomes protagonist, it controls the built environment, placing and removing pieces as needed, and delivering goods and materials. The plug-in city is in fact not a city, but a constantly evolving megastructure that incorporates residences, transportation, and other essential services

– all movable by giant cranes. The crane way principle was devised to promote the circulation and accelerate the city in-flux. Similarly to the 3d-printed planning in Dubai, the Plug-In method promoted architecture as an event that could be realized by the active involvement of its inhabitants. Persistent precedents and values of modernism lay at the heart of Plug IN City theoretical impulse, not limited to the concept of collective living, integration of transportation and the accommodation of rapid change in the urban environment.

Final thoughts and key takeaways

In reflecting upon these diverse examples spanning different eras, we questioned the trajectory of future urban development in light of the technological requisites of 3D printing as a construction tool. What new urban fabric will emerge if 3D printing is to become the next major driving force in urban planning? By drawing inspiration from Digital Calligraphy's 3D printing precision, the dynamic Plug-In City concept, the transformative impact of transportation on Dutch cities, the innovative construction techniques of Venice, the geometric rigor of Roman grid systems, and the terraced layout of Machu Picchu, we are left to wonder: What groundbreaking technology will shape the cities of tomorrow, and what unique characteristics will define the urban landscapes it will create? As we stand at the threshold of a new era, this open question invites us to envision the cities of the future and the transformative role technology will play in shaping the way we live, work, and thrive in these evolving urban environments.

If you’d like to know more about this subject, listen to our podcast Designing Futures,

Episode 4, with Mohammed Almahmood The Human City: Urban Design in the AI Era”.

 
Nathalie Rozencwajg