Urban Isolation

Multi-enclave regions across scales

RoleDesigner, Researcher.

Team and Partners

Luxlakes Development Inc., Chengdu

Project DescriptionUrban isolation is a pervasive issue in many cities, characterized by disconnected neighborhoods and programs that operate within their own boundaries, oblivious to external conditions. This phenomenon was particularly noticeable during our visit to Chengdu, where various factors such as wide streets, water bodies, fences, walls, and high-rises contributed to this disconnection. The isolation observed in Chengdu is not limited to a block scale but is systemic and multi-scalar, resulting from the city's urban development policies and patterns.

Our project, based on these initial observations, investigates the Luxelakes development within its boundaries and within the broader context of Chinese urban development. We aim to understand the factors that lead to multi-enclave, isolated regions and explore strategies to mitigate urban isolation and exclusion.

To conduct this study, we selected three second-tier cities: Chengdu, Hangzhou, and Zhengzhou. These cities share similar characteristics: populations between 10 and 15 million people, grid systems introduced in the early twentieth century, and rapid urbanization over the past 35 years. By analyzing these cities, we identified common patterns of urban isolation and their implications.

Key findings from our morphological study reveal that urban isolation in these cities is driven by several factors, including the density within blocks, the typology and land uses, the average street width and number of lanes, and the distance between buildings. For instance, the average block size in Hangzhou is smaller due to its historic core, while Zhengzhou's larger blocks reflect rapid urban expansion. Chengdu's blocks are shaped by concentric highway rings, resulting in intermediate block sizes.

We also found that public spaces are often isolated and lack interconnectivity, contributing to a sense of disconnection. The study identified eight constant patterns of urbanization, including consistent density within studied areas, land use dictated by road hierarchy, and the relation between city structure and building distances.

To address these issues, we propose a set of twelve strategies based on good urban design practices, including promoting legible public spaces, creating more activity nodes, and developing flexible open master plans. By implementing these strategies, we aim to transform isolated urban areas into vibrant, inclusive neighborhoods.

The Luxelakes development, with its current state and potential for improved connectivity, serves as an ideal testing ground for these strategies. By integrating connectivity, inclusion, and diversity into its design, Luxelakes can become a model for rethinking and redesigning isolated urban developments in China.

Our project highlights the importance of addressing urban isolation through comprehensive and systemic urban design policies, ensuring that cities are not only functional but also inclusive and connected.

Urban Design Project Download Report

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