How Bridges Were Built in 14th-Century

Karlův most - Stavba pilíře a klenebního pole ve 14. století 

Incredible Animation Shows How Bridges Were Built in 14th-Century Prague

An animated video shows the building of Prague’s Charles Bridge in the 14th century: 45 years of construction in 3 minutes.

Source:

Praha-archeologicka.cz

How Singapore Solved Housing

There is no Social Stigma of Public Housing among Singaporeans

FutureBuilt 2016 - Self Made City

Kristien Ring, Architect, Professor at the University of South Florida, Principal of AA PROJECTS, Berlin

Explaining mindset, challenges and achievements when the people take over the process to build their housing, including the subdivision, rights and accessibilities within an Ad-hoc master planning

Makkah 2013

 

Naïve questions from an urban enthusiastic..!!

1.       Although how exhausted and stressed the Agency of Makkah Metropolis; why there is no an urban story-telling of The Holly City?

2.       It is obviously notable the absence of urban grading; why commerciality, favoritism and profitability rule the urban planning?

3.       There is no shortage of funds, why there is no soft landscape, trees and grass in the open public spaces and courts around The Holy Mosque?

4.       Referring to the ugly architectural beasts; why skyline is viciously provoked by high-rise trend; despite both religious and emotional contents advise humiliation, shyness and simplicity?

5.       Instead of flatting or removing mountains, why they are not used for low rise buildings and boutiques; which can be more profitable, yet less logistically stressful?

6.       For the 30-50 thousand new visitors per day, and double staying daily; where are the reachable public toilets to balance the incredible number of Zamzam taps?

7.       They already sunk some roads; avoiding complexity of LRT; why they can’t provide ring tram-routes around The Holy Mosque?

8.       There is a silent army of managers, engineers, technicians and labors behind the scene; yet, why some areas are ill-equipped, poorly fitted and architecturally downgraded?

9.       With the growing number of folding-seat-searches, what is the reference that Muslims should seat on the floors, apart from performing Salaat?

Affordable Housing

 

Designed by Minoru Yamasaki, Pruitt and Igoe consisted of the thirty-three buildings pictured. Dramatic images of its demolition made newspapers across the country.

I cordially believe that Affordable Housing is a pure architectural challenge, not engineering nor financial.. 

It is the dilemma that architectural designers often offer the world; either by ill-envisioned perspectives, or surfing high ones, unrelated to realities on the ground..

Civic and municipal bureaucracies are often short of intelligent and accredited capacities to guide or to procure the appropriate housing concepts that would last among our sights for 50-200 years.. Affecting our perception of beauty, coherence and rationales for generations..

In several countries, I had seen affordable housing schemes, which are dump, bad and dangerous.. Also, had enjoyed the scene of excellent examples that were an added urban value to their inhabitants..

أنا أؤمن بشدة أن الإسكان الميسور يمثل تحديًا معماريًا خالصًا ، وليس هندسيًا ولا ماليًا 

إنها المشكلة التي كثيرًا ما يقدمها المصممون المعماريون للعالم ؛ إما من خلال وجهات النظر غير عملية ، أو تطبيق وجهات نظر أكاديمية ، لا علاقة لها بالواقع على الأرض

غالبًا ما تفتقر البيروقراطيات المدنية والبلدية إلى القدرات الذكية لتوجيه أو دعم مفاهيم الإسكان المناسبة ، والتي ستستمر بين أنظارنا 50-200 سنة .. مما يؤثر على إدراكنا للجمال والقيمة والأسباب المنطقية

في عدة دول ، توجد مخططات إسكان ميسور التكلفة ، وهي عبارة عن مكبات وسيئة وخطيرة .. كماتوجد أمثلة ممتازة ذات قيمة حضرية مضافة لسكانها

Islam on Urban Public Spaces

This below article was a 2013 response to a discussion on Religion (Islam) in Urban Public Spaces; launched on Linked-in by Nadia Qureshi; Architect, Urban Planner and Urban Designer, Pakistan

I would like your comments on the said topic. You can look at it from any point of view. To guide the discussion, i have raised a few questions.

Do religious beliefs and practices change the way that public spaces are designed and used in Muslim countries?

How is the meaning of a public space interpreted in Religious countries?

Can public spaces remain inclusive (i.e. include people from other religions, male female, etc) and lively?

Does urbanization effect the construction of (sacred) places or religious practices in a city within a religious country?

How can urbanization and the design of good public spaces be used as a tool to fight extremism in religious countries?

http://www.linkedin.com/groupItem?view=&srchtype=discussedNews&gid=69691&item=235094718&type=member&trk=eml-anet_dig-b-pop_ttl-hdp&ut=1D_aa1f7LjGlI1

• أنا أحب تعليقاتك على الموضوع المذكور. ولتوجيه المناقشة ، أطرح بعض الأسئلة
• هل تغير المعتقدات والممارسات الدينية الطريقة التي يتم بها تصميم واستخدام الأماكن العامة في البلدان الإسلامية؟
• كيف يتم تفسير معنى الفضاء العام في الدول الدينية؟
• هل يمكن أن تظل الأماكن العامة شاملة (أي تشمل أشخاصًا من ديانات أخرى ، ذكور ، إلخ) وحيوية؟
• هل يؤثر التحضر على بناء الأماكن (المقدسة) أو الممارسات الدينية في مدينة داخل بلد ديني؟
• كيف يمكن استخدام التحضر وتصميم الأماكن العامة الجيدة كأداة لمحاربة التطرف في الدول الدينية؟

The Capital Region

 

This is a creation of Capital Region.. despite the failed Megapolis..

Unfortunately, Egyptian Planners did not adhere to the decentralization concepts, which had made many nations, wealthier, healthier and mightier.. Adding 30% to existing urban land is not a solution.. Threats of Eastern-Invasion are not valid anymore..! However, threats of urban poverty are more likely and further destructive..

Egyptian "Urban Lobbyists" had created a distinct culture, which many middle-eastern nations had copied, and further excel.. Property is a market known for secrecy, which enables monetary greed to grow.. Urbanity is synonymous for the Excellence of Living.. Urban poverty is not measured by building quality, but by Tenants Quality, which is not only the GDP share, but scores at MGDs.. Egypt sharply slumps, despite the generous donations and loans.. despite the fantasy homes on the desert..!!

Most officials of Egyptian urban developments are known for their corrupt processing, which had wasted tens of billions during the last 50 years.. Many tycoons had merged from ordinary businesses, construction related or otherwise..

On parallel, Egyptian civic bodies are "discretionally" short of empowerment to stand guarding the codes of practice and standards.. They had evolved their professional roles into politics and transformed into ladders for public offices.. Academics have no feet on the Egyptian development arena, unless needed for cosmetics and decorations.. It is a noisy question about scientific seriousness, integrity and efficiency..!

Land Pooling

 

The brilliant design for ancient water viaduct in Cairo by Mu'ez Abu Zaid

Land Pooling is an urban planning tool to collect, re-design and re-distribute plots and commercial benefits among owner of unplanned parcels; which are usually old districts, slums and outskirts of the city.

We face such situation in attempts to upgrade urban settlements and provide modern urban infrastructure and utilities. it was much practiced in Europe and Asia. Lately started to rule in Africa. Many Arab cities had the limited experience, due to tribal and customarily issues.

Latest Cairo project to revive the 700 years historical 5km Al-O'yoon aqueduct and surrounding (90 acres and US$ 400 mln) is an example. No clear figures on affected inhabitants, compensations, investment plans or urban impact are available.

Land Pooling should be associated with transparent and audited plans and data on purpose, legal rights, urban solutions, investment and implications on existing inhabitants (landlords) and business. Apparently, the authoritarian tools are usually used to enforce the urban development; which are questioned despite the practical justifications..

Urban Excellence

 

It Only Costs Integrated Brilliance..

Degrees Compliment to Natural Brilliance, but not Justifications..

Urban Excellence brings, Land management, City Management, Architecture, Economy, Demographics and Entertainment in One Operational Basket..

A Brilliant Architect will do nothing-worth-living without a Brilliant Zoning Manager..

Therefore, subdividing the communities into counties and districts allow to concentrate on innovation, incubate excellence and elevate livelihood..

How many Towns and Neighborhoods are ruined by Selfish mindset and Immature Professionals.. Mostly in the confused 3rd world..

Zoning Mgmt Flow

 

The actual dilemma is not the rapid and massive urbanization of the world, but typical mindset to make cities larger and wealthier.. 

Only Japan, Scandinavia and North America have successfully transformed both functionality and likeliness of towns to be successful urban centers..

That was the great 1950th Suburban Transformation..

Correction and Remodeling inevitably starts with Zoning Management