Friendly Neighborhood Boundary Space Design

Headnote

Abstract Residential area mode of China originates from "neighborhood unit" and "unit compound", they are isolated from the city and known as "islet" and "fragment". The isolation of residence from city breaks the urban structure, increases scale of blocks, and aggravates urban traffic and other problems. In view of this, it is imperative to explore the ways of designing "friendly neighborhood boundary spaces" between residential areas and the city, for example, by extending urban street spaces inward, opening boundary spaces of residential quarters to the city, constructing a boundary space network of residential areas harmoniously integrated into street life.

Keywords Friendly boundary. Boundary space of residential area, Design strategy

Evolution of residential areas has great impact on urban structure and spatial form, and plays a fundamental role in the sustainable development of the city. Predominant residential area mode in China originating from "neighborhood unit" and "unit compound" is facing the city in an isolated state, and always entitled as "islet" in cultural sense, and "fragment" from the perspective of city. The isolation of residence from city brings many problems such as destroyed urban structure, increasing scale of blocks, shortage of networked public space system, and traffic jam. In view of this, the authors explored the strategies of designing "friendly neighborhood boundary spaces" that well interact with the city.

1 From boundary space of residential area to friendly neighborhood boundary

1.1 Boundary space of residential area

Boundary refers to the borderline of both districts, the screen separates one from another but maintains certain permeability, and also the linear organization element linking different districts. Boundary of residential area defines relatively private living spaces and connects them with urban public spaces. The boundary has numerous material forms such as railing, street-front building, green belt and river with strong isolating capacity. Boundary space of residential area is the space influenced by boundaries of residential area, the transitional space between residential area and urban space, and it bears the responsibility of a media connecting residential area and urban space.

1 .2 Design concept evolution of residential boundary space

In the 1920s, Clarence Perry proposed "neighborhood unit", and the concept influenced residential area planning of China greatly As a systematic way of organizing and developing residential areas, neighborhood unit...