Urban Design from the Perspective of Economic Vitality：The Warm Road from Data to Community Happiness
Introduction
In ‘Making a city: Urbanity, vitality and urban design’, it is mentioned that urban designers should consider people’s emotional interactions in space beyond structure and function (Montgomery, 1998). Designers are not only interpreters of data, but also translators of people’s needs. How to combine economic value and social warmth in the process of modern urban design? We may find the answer from Professor Danny Oswell’s lecture.
The economic assessment toolkit
Professor Oswell’s “Economic Assessment Toolkit” mainly includes six areas: Demographics, Income and Wealth, Culture and Heritage, Site and Location, Resources, and Market Potential. Here are the key points in six areas:
1.Demographics:Statistically analyze the population structure of the community, such as age, gender, race, etc. Understanding this information can help designers design spaces that meet the needs of different groups.
2.Income and Wealth: Analyzing income and wealth is not only an economic consideration, but also a reflection of fairness. Appropriate design can meet the living needs of both high-income and low-income groups, narrowing the wealth gap.
3.Culture and Heritage: Respect local culture and historical heritage, give residents a sense of belonging, and enhance community identity. The article ‘Cultural and economic vitality–the role of place quality’ proposes that the integration of culture and economy can enhance the competitiveness of cities, especially in the face of the homogenization trend brought about by globalization. The uniqueness of culture is an indispensable part of urban design (Pugalis, 2009).
4.Venue and location: Geographical and economic conditions have a direct impact on the choice of design. Understanding the advantages and limitations of the site can help designers develop more realistic development plans. In ‘Understanding Urban Vitality from the Economic and Human Activities Perspective: A Case Study of Chongqing, China’ , it is written that in some projects in Chongqing, geographical limitations have actually stimulated more innovative designs, enhancing local residents’ dependence and identification with the place. The article demonstrates how to utilize the mountainous terrain features of Chongqing for innovative design, integrating architecture with the terrain. For example, the design of the Liziba Light Rail Station passing through buildings not only solves transportation problems, but also becomes a landmark landscape of the city, attracting a large number of tourists and enhancing the economic and cultural value of the community.
Figure 1：A train going out from Liziba Station, Line 2（David, 2019）
5.Resources: The initiation and maintenance of the project require support from capital and revenue resources. Finding reliable sources of resources is key to the sustainable development of a project.
6.Market potential: Design should not only achieve material construction, but also drive economic development. Market potential analysis can help designers identify development opportunities and potential risks, providing long-term value to the community.
‘Making a city: Urbanity, vitality and urban design’ points out that there is an inseparable relationship between urban spatial design and community vitality. A successful design should not only meet the needs of existing residents, but also anticipate future trends and provide possibilities for future use through spatial flexibility and inclusivity (Montgomery, 1998). Urban design is dynamic and should be synchronized with the constantly evolving social demands. The economic assessment toolkit proposed by Professor Oswell provides designers with a tool for predicting and adapting to this dynamic demand.
Conclusion
Economic feasibility in urban design is not only a consideration of cost, but also the cornerstone of building community identity and happiness. Based on the six major fields discussed in the lecture , we have found that urban design can serve as a platform for realizing dual economic and social values. Designers can inject warmth and vitality into urban spaces through the organic combination of innovation and community needs, whether it is cultural exploration, response to geographical limitations, or rational integration of resources.
As a student majoring in urban design, this lecture has allowed me to think about urban design from a completely new perspective. Previously, my understanding of economic feasibility was mostly limited to budgeting, cost control, and fund balancing. However, the lecture made me realize the social responsibility behind economic feasibility: not just pursuing digital returns, but creating a better living environment for local communities and residents. I personally believe that this design approach that focuses on the interaction between people and space can not only bring about tangible improvements in daily life, but also effectively promote the long-term development of the community.
Reference
- Montgomery, J. (1998). Making a city: Urbanity, vitality and urban design. Journal of Urban Design, 3(1), 93–116.
- Pugalis, L., 2009. Cultural and economic vitality–the role of place quality.Town and Country Planning, 78(6), pp.281-286.
- Yang, F.F., Lin, G., Lei, Y., Wang, Y. and Yi, Z., 2024. Understanding Urban Vitality from the Economic and Human Activities Perspective: A Case Study of Chongqing, China. Chinese Geographical Science, 34(1), pp.52-66.
