Humanizing the High-Rise City : Podiums, Plazas, Parks, Pedestrian Networks, and Public Art

The transformative power of urban design in shaping our experiences within high-rise cities takes center stage in Humanizing the High-Rise City: Podiums, Plazas, Parks, Pedestrian Networks, and Public Art. This captivating exploration delves into the art of turning towering skyscraper cities into vibrant havens that foster human connection, celebrate culture, and build communities. Unveiling the secrets behind the creation of urban spaces, from dynamic plazas that encourage social interaction to tranquil parks that infuse life into steel and glass, the book unfolds a narrative that resonates with the innate rhythms of humanity. Examining 20 major high-rise cities worldwide (including Chicago, New York City, Dubai, Shanghai, Hong Kong, and Singapore, among others), synthesizing extensive literature, and enriched with over 200 photographs, this book showcases projects seamlessly weaving nature, art, and connectivity into the urban fabric. These endeavors craft environments that enhance well-being and instill a profound sense of belonging amid the challenges of urban density. As the global landscape increasingly tilts toward vertical living, this book serves as a guiding light, illuminating the path to a heightened and enriched experience of high-rise urban living. This book will be useful to practitioners and students of architecture, urban planning, and urban design interested in improving high-rise cities. Cover Half Title Title Copyright Table of Contents About the Author 1 Introduction Background Book Overview Book Outline: Traversing the Manuscript Chapter 2: Podiums Chapter 3: Public Plazas Chapter 4: Streets as Plazas Chapter 5: Public Parks Chapter 6: City-Wide Parks Chapter 7: Urban-Rooms Parks Chapter 8: Sculpture Parks Chapter 9: Waterfront Parks Chapter 10: Elevated Parks Chapter 11: Sky Parks and Gardens Chapter 12: Greenery-Covered Tall Buildings Chapter 13: Pedestrian Networks, Promenades, and Streetscapes Chapter 14: Public Art Chapter 15: Conclusions References Further Readings 2 Podiums The Problem Westin Bonaventure Hotel, Los Angeles [1976] Renaissance Center, Detroit [1977] PNC Center, Indianapolis [1977] One Detroit Center, Detroit [1993] One World Trade Center, New York City [2014] Best Practice Tribune Tower, Chicago [1925] Richard J. Daley Center, Chicago [1965] 101 California Street, San Francisco [1982] Thompson Center, Chicago [1985] 500 West Madison, Chicago [1987] Lippo Center, Hong Kong [1988] Heller International Building, Chicago [1992] Concourse Building, Singapore [1994] Jin Mao Tower, Shanghai [1999] Westin Bund Center Shanghai, Shanghai [2002] One North Wacker, Chicago [2002] 111 South Wacker, Chicago [2005] Bentley Bay South Tower, Miami [2005] Shimao International Plaza, Shanghai [2006] One Lujiazui, Shanghai [2008] Shanghai World Financial Center, Shanghai [2008] 155 North Wacker Drive, Chicago [2009] Trump International Hotel & Tower (Trump Tower), Chicago [2009] China World Trade Tower, Beijing [2010] International Commerce Center, Hong Kong [2010] Henderson Metropolitan, Shanghai [2011] KK100, Shenzhen [2011] Gate of the Orient, Suzhou [2013] PARKROYAL COLLECTION Pickering, Singapore [2013] CapitaLand Building, Hangzhou [2017] River Point Tower, Chicago [2017] Key Takeaways: Planning and Design Principles References 3 Public Plazas Richard J. Daley Plaza, Chicago Highlights Positive Aspects Areas for Improvement Chase Tower Plaza, Chicago Highlights Positive Aspects Areas for Improvement John Hancock Center Plaza, Chicago Highlights Positive Aspects Areas for Improvement 311 South Wacker Drive, Chicago Highlights Positive Aspects Areas for Improvement Rockefeller Center Plaza, New York City Highlights Positive Aspects Areas for Improvement 9/11 Memorial Plaza, New York City Highlights Positive Aspects Areas for Improvement Union Square, San Francisco Highlights Positive Aspects Areas for Improvement Shanghai International Financial Center Plaza, Shanghai Highlights Positive Aspects Areas for Improvement Jing’an Temple Plaza, Shanghai Highlights Positive Aspects Areas for Improvement Burj Khalifa Plaza, Dubai Highlights Positive Aspects Areas for Improvement Key Takeaways: Planning and Design Principles References 4 Streets as Plazas Times Square, New York City Highlights Positive Aspects Areas for Improvement East Nanjing Road, Shanghai Highlights Positive Aspects Areas for Improvement Key Takeaways: Lessons from Times Square and East Nanjing Road as Streets as Plazas References 5 Public Parks Bryant Park, New York City Highlights Positive Aspects Areas for Improvement Lakeshore East Park, Chicago Highlights Positive Aspects Areas for Improvement Yerba Buena Gardens, San Francisco Highlights Positive Aspects Areas for Improvement Pershing Square, Los Angeles Highlights Positive Aspects Areas for Improvement Lujiazui Central Green Space, Shanghai Highlights Positive Aspects Areas for Improvement People’s Park, Shanghai Highlights Positive Aspects Areas for Improvement Petronas Towers Park, Kuala Lumpur Highlights Positive Aspects Areas for Improvement Key Takeaways: Planning and Design Principles References Further Reading 6 City-Wide Parks Central Park, New York City Highlights Positive Aspects Areas for Improvement Shenzhen Central Park, Shenzhen Highlights Positive Aspects Areas for Improvement Gardens by the Bay, Singapore Supertrees Flower Dome Cloud Forest Highlights Positive Aspects Areas for Improvement Key Takeaways: Planning and Design Principles References 7 Urban-Room Parks Millennium Park, Chicago Master Plan The Jay Pritzker Pavilion The Cloud Gate The Crown Fountain Wrigley Square Lurie Garden McCormick Tribune Plaza and Ice Rink Key Takeaways: Planning and Design Principles References 8 Sculpture Parks Citygarden Sculpture Park, Saint Louis Saint Louis, Missouri Citygarden Components Sculptures Highlights Positive Aspects Areas for Improvement Hangzhou Qianjiang CBD Sculpture Park, Hangzhou Hangzhou Qianjiang CBD Sculpture Park Hangzhou Civic Center InterContinental Hangzhou (The Sun) Hangzhou Grand Theater (The Moon) The Park Highlights Positive Aspects Areas for Improvement Key Takeaways: Planning and Design Principles References 9 Waterfront Parks The Chicago Riverwalk Recreational Trail Phase 1 Phase 2 Phase 3 Under-Bridge Crossings LED Lighting The Chicago Riverwalk: Sustainability Perspective Economic Environmental Social Economic Environmental Key Takeaways: Planning and Design Principles References 10 Elevated Parks The High Line, New York City Background and History Key Dates Park Features Garden Zones Access Ephemeral Art Hours Park’s Rules Membership Highlights Positive Aspects Areas for Improvement Key Takeaways: Planning and Design Principles References 11 Sky Parks, Gardens, and Green Walls Sky Parks and Gardens Marina Bay Sands, Singapore Salesforce Transit Center, San Francisco 20 Fenchurch Street, London Sky Garden Shanghai Tower, Shanghai Green Walls Key Takeaways: Planning and Design Principles References 12 Greenery-Covered Tall Buildings Bosco Verticale, Milan Architectural Design Plant and Tree Integration Awards and Recognition ACROS Fukuoka Prefectural International Hall, Fukuoka Architectural Design Plant and Tree Integration Awards and Recognition Oasia Downtown, Singapore Architectural Design Plant and Tree Integration Awards and Recognition PARKROYAL COLLECTION Pickering, Singapore Architectural Design Plant and Tree Integration Awards and Recognition Key Takeaways: Planning and Design Principles References 13 Promenades, Pedestrian Networks, and Streetscapes Promenades The Bund, Shanghai Marina Bay, Singapore Dubai Marina, Dubai Pedestrian Networks Chicago Riverwalk, Chicago Chicago Pedway, Chicago Sky Ring and Elevated Walkways, Lujiazui, Shanghai Shenzhen Pedestrian’s Network, Shenzhen Streetscapes Lujiazui, Shanghai Hangzhou CBD Suzhou CBD Parklets Key Takeaways: Planning and Design Principles References 14 Public Art The Bridgehouses’ Sculptures, Chicago The Heald Square Monument, Chicago Statue of Irv Kupcinet, Chicago Flamingo Sculpture, Chicago Monument with Standing Beast Sculpture, Chicago Jean Baptiste Pointe DuSable Statue, Chicago Deer Sculpture, Chicago Real Fake Sculpture, Chicago The Love Sculpture, New York City Mother and a Baby Statue in East Nanjing Road, Shanghai Mother with Son Statue in East Nanjing Road Bund Bull, Shanghai Terra Natura Angels Sculpture, Lujiazui Park, Shanghai Tourists Sculpture, Lujiazui Park, Shanghai Man Riding a Dolphin, Beijing Key Takeaways: Planning and Design Principles References 15 Conclusions Nature in the Vertical Realm: Parks and Green Spaces Reimagining Urban Connectivity: Pedestrian Networks and Public Spaces Aesthetic Identity and Cultural Resonance: Public Art The Power of Collaborative Urban Vision A Vision of Harmony: High-Rise Design Integration Planning and Design Principles for Humanizing the High-Rise City Future Research References Index