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Pitch

Urban DNA for a Sustainable Future


Description

Summary

Fractal Planning Solu­tions Ltd. have recently completed the full articulation of The Fractal Matrix Planning System (FMPS), a new spatial planning tool which has the potential to play a significant role in our efforts to establish smart & sustainable patterns of urban development over the coming decades.

The FMPS is underpinned by a precisely defined geometric algorithm which utilises the principles of eccentric growth characteristic of cellular division in the Natural World to generate a fractal spatial framework of potentially infinite scale and complexity (Fig. a).

The spatial fabric of this matrix comprises distinct zonal categories which manifest across all levels of its fractal hierarchy (Fig b), with a clear network of pathways emerging in parallel with this zonal structure (Fig. c). Furthermore, due to the inherent redundancy in potential connections between nodal points, it is also possible to adapt this framework to suit a wide range of site specific configuration requirements (Fig d).

By utilising this polycentric matrix to target the delivery of social, economic, and transport infrastructure at all required scales, the FMPS is capable of generating healthy, efficient and sustainable patterns of urban development at all stages of settlement growth.

SYSTEM FEATURES

  • Capable of structuring settlements of any scale
  • Applicable within any environmental, cultural, or economic context
  • Generates efficient patterns of infrastructure at all stages of development
  • Provides a framework for effective administration & resource management
  • Self similar organisation facilitates rapid modular forms of construction
  • Supports the formation of vibrant and healthy communities
  • Creates a symbiotic relationship between our natural and built environments


Category of the action

Mitigation/Adaptation, Changing public attitudes about climate change


What actions do you propose?

This proposal outlines a strategy for implementation of the FMPS which seeks to harness current trends in Smart City technology and patterns of population growth & migration to create a new model for development; a model which is capable of deliv­ering smart and sustainable urban fabric on a global scale.

CONTEXT

SMART CITIES

Despite the promise which smart technology holds, the extended time scales associ­ated with traditional models of property development have undermined attempts to establish a new model of urban fabric which would clearly demonstrate its potential benefits and provide an arena for its further development.

Large scale mixed-use developments typically take many years from inception to completion, leaving projects vulnerable to shifting market trends, deteriorating mac­ro-economic conditions, and changes in political environment. As a result, a purpose built “proof of concept” Smart City has yet to be realized.

EMERGENCY RELIEF

The increasing scale and frequency of population displacement is straining current encampment planning methodologies to breaking point. The linear, or grid layout, with square or rectangular areas separated by parallel streets, has often been used for its simplicity of design and speed of implementation. However this framework has been found to be highly unsatisfactory as it does not account for community layout and interaction, and presents difficulties in identifying proper community-based locations for services such as latrines, water points, show­ers etc.

This dysfunctionality is further exacerbated by the prevailing tendency for these settlements to be occupied for many years longer than initially envisaged, leading to appalling living conditions for populations already under extreme stress.

IMPLEMENTATION

A NEW SYNERGY

As outlined above, progress in area of Smart City design is being under­mined by the extended time scales associated with traditional models of urban devel­opment. Simultaneously, established methodologies in the planning and management of emergency relief encampments are being overwhelmed by the ever increasing num­bers of people being displaced due to the effects of Climate Change.

The Fractal Matrix Planning System can not only address the individual issues fac­ing these two disparate branches of settlement design, but can in fact create a new synergy between them which is capable of transforming our future.

In order to realise the potential benefits which the FMPS can deliver, partnerships should be formed between NGO’s with experience in the provision of emergency relief accommodation and some of the many major technology companies currently investing in research and development in the field of Smart City Design.

Working together they can use the Fractal Matrix Planning System to develop a detailed design template for the planning of emergency relief encampments which will be capable of delivering improved living conditions to those in desperate need, whilst simultaneously facilitating ongoing infrastructural upgrade and settlement growth into the future.

Once crystallised, this design template shall be presented to regional, national and internation­al governmental agencies with an interest in providing improved conditions for the many millions of people currently living in emergency relief encampments. By taking advantage of the modular framework provided by the FMPS new settlements can then be rapidly developed in partnership with these agencies, providing a better future for displaced populations whilst establishing a new model for efficient and economically sustainable smart urban development.

As outlined above, the FMPS has the potential to successfully ac­commodate the large scale population migration and growth expected to unfold over the coming years, whilst becoming a key driver in the emergence of a new wave of Smart and Sustainable cities across the globe.


Who will take these actions?

  • NGO’s with experience in the delivery of emergency relief accommodation
  • Tech companies with R&D programmes in the area of “Smart City” technology
  • Regional/National/International governmental agencies


Where will these actions be taken?

One of the key merits if the proposed planning system is that it is not inherently site specific, but allows for adaptation to a variety of location specific conditions.

Whilst site selection for initial implementation will be dependent on partnerships and stakeholder relationships established during design development and design template presentation phase, the system could be trialed in partnership with the Jordanian Government and the UNHCR at Zaawari Refugee Camp.


What are other key benefits?

The Fractal Matrix;

  • Provides a stable & healthy environment within which community relationships can evolve and grow over time.
  • Generates a variegated public realm which is capable of supporting a rich community & public life.
  • Resolves the conflict between new and existing layers of urban development, allowing us to establish more sustainable levels of resource consumption whilst simultaneously achieving improved standards of living.
  • May be used to structure a highly responsive and efficient system of civic administration.
  • Allows commuting distances to be reduced and self sufficiency to be encouraged at the most local cellular level practicable.
  • Reduces consumption of energy and raw materials by extending the life-cycle of our built environment.


What are the proposal’s costs?

Initial costs will be limited to resourcing a small team of people who will be tasked with establishing connections with suitable NGO’s & Tech Companies, and communicating in detail the nature of the proposed system.

Once partnerships have been established, the costs associated with the development of the detailed design template for emergency relief encampments should be borne by the partnering technology company, with subsequent implementation phases being financed on a commercial basis.


Time line

Initial phase of establishing partnerships with NGO’s / Tech Companies should be completed within a six month period.


Related proposals


References

THE FRACTAL MATRIX PLANNING SYSTEM - Further Info

FMPS Presentation Documents

Fractal Planning Solutions Ltd.

Padhraic Moneley (Managing Director @ FPS Ltd.)

POPULATION GROWTH & CLIMATE CHANGE - Data

World Health Organisation – Urban Population Growth

International Organisation for Migration – Climate Change, Environmental Degradation & Migration

EMERGENCY RELIEF ENCAMPMENTS- Precedent

Dadaab Refugee Camps

Corail-Cesselesse Emergency Relief Camp

Muzarrafabad Refugee Camp

SMART CITY – R&D Programmes

IBM – Smarter Cities

Cisco - Smart+Connected Communities

Microsoft - CityNext

SMART CITY - Precedent

Dongtan Eco-City

Masadar City

PlanIT Valley