December 2018 – ECOURBANHUB

Dutch architects MVRDV are the winner of the design competition for the new headquarters of the real estate developer Vanke Group in Shenzhen, China. Unofficially called ‘Vanke 3D city’ by MVRDV, it is the latest of architecture of the future. Built on two plots of land on either side of a road, the Vanke Group’s headquarters building will be a dynamic, mixed-use development, composed of eight blocks that bridge the road and connect to each other. The tallest tower counts 250 meters. The 167,000 square meter development will house office and retail space, parks, restaurants and a hotel.

The concept of the ‘three-dimensional city’ evolved from MVRDV’s Vertical Village project of 2009, which examined how cluster developments can contribute to sustainable social dynamics in dense urban environments.

Several Gardens And Green Roofs for Locale Recreation

Each block will be designed to correspond to one of Vanke’s core values: ‘health’, ‘energy’, ‘open’, ‘team’, ‘green’, ‘nature’, ‘future’, and ‘creative’. In addition to the large amount of green and open spaces that will be incorporated, the design includes systems for water collection and recycling.

Stacked blocks Vanke 3d City from MVRDV in Shenzhen - China — Stacked blocks, different façades and alternating orientations create more visual variety (© ATCHAIN)

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Four of the blocks will be indented either on one façade, or all the way through the block, creating ‘windows’ that will house atriums, parks and plazas. The roofs of each block will also feature green spaces to be used as recreational areas. With all of the gardens and halls connected by stairs and elevators, the linked blocks will create an entirely new kind of urban cohesion and continuity. The network of shaded, airy spaces will be open 24 hours a day, giving Shenzhen residents a welcome respite from the tropical climate and access to the commercial and restaurant levels at the base of the four corner blocks.

A sunken, multi-level green space at the base of Vanke City also forms part of the network, and in accordance with Shenzhen’s ‘sponge city’ program, it will help to facilitate water drainage to prevent flooding, thereby lessening the city’s effect on ecosystems.

Types of use of blocks from Vanke 3D City designed by MVRDV in Shenzhen China — The mixed-use complex offers not only optical variety (© ATCHAIN)

Greenery Vanke 3D City designed by MVRDV - image Atchain — Greenery at Vanke 3D City (© ATCHAIN)

Connections in Vanke 3D City designed by MVRDV in Shenzhen — Connections in and around Vanke 3D City (© ATCHAIN)

Skyline Shenzhen with Vanke 3D City designed by MVRDV - bird's-eye view — Vanke 3D City from a bird’s-eye view (© ATCHAIN)

Greenery at Vanke 3D City designed by MVRDV - image Atchain — Green places for local recreation (© ATCHAIN)

Luxembourg will celebrate a world first when it makes all forms of public transport a free service. The city experiences some of the worst traffic problems in the world and hopes to relieve traffic congestion by making all bus, train, and tram trips free of charge.

Next Step: To Abolish Fares Completely

The plan for free public transport was put forward in the election platform of coalition government leader, Xavier Bettel who is serving his second term as Luxembourg’s leader. His Democratic Party has teamed up with the Socialist Worker’s Party, and the Greens with promises to prioritize an environmentally-friendly agenda.

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Luxembourg City has a population of 110,000, but an estimated 400,000 commute to work in the city. The resulting gridlock means that motorists have spent 33 hours on average stuck in traffic jams since 2016. Commuting plays a big role in Luxembourg’s economy. The Grand Duchy hosts approximately 200,000 commuters from neighboring France, Belgium, and Germany every day.

Progress towards free public transport has already been made, with the government introducing free rides for all children and young people under twenty years of age. Free shuttles ferry secondary school students between school and home, and although other commuters do pay a fare, just €2 covers a trip on most commuter routes.

The next step will be to abolish fares completely, and there will be some cost saving realized since tickets need no longer be sold and purchase compliance need no longer be policed.

Luxembourg plans to implement its plan in 2020, but some details must still be settled. For example, there are questions on what to do about first and second class train seats. However, it seems that free public transport in Luxembourg isn’t a political hot potato – instead, controversy is centered on government plans to legalize recreational cannabis use.

Archives for December 2018

Vanke 3D City From MVRDV With Plenty of Variety And Relaxation

Eight Blocks - Eight Different Facades and Orientations, Several Green Places, Water Collection and Recycling

Several Gardens And Green Roofs for Locale Recreation

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Luxembourg to Offer Free Public Transport in a Bid to End Congestion

The next step will be to abolish fares completely

Next Step: To Abolish Fares Completely

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