Academic Project: Urban Design

Duration: August 2021 - October 2021
Location: Qinhuai District, Nanjing City, China
Instructor: Hongfei Ji
Type: Individual Work
Skills: Rhino, Indesign, Photoshop, Illustrator

In response to the industrial revolution’s impact on climate change and ecological crises, carbon neutrality has emerged as a global imperative. Road traffic contributes 16% of greenhouse gas emissions, while building heating and cooling add 7%.

This project, conducted at regional and plot scales, aims to optimize green spaces, transportation, and buildings to reduce carbon emissions, enhance absorption, and achieve carbon neutrality.

1. Regional Scale:

• Urban Interface and Ecological Interface Expansion: Enlarging the intersection of urban and ecological interfaces.
• Traffic Optimization: Overhauling road layouts, implementing a slow-moving system, and minimizing motorized traffic trips.
• Land Use Planning: Creating a multi-center network with a primary center and two sub-centers.

2. Plot Scale:

• Mixed-Use Development: Incorporating moderately high-density mixed-use land with three types of composite small blocks: residential + commercial, residential + commercial + industrial, and residential + commercial + industrial + agricultural.
• Building Design: Advocating high-rise development to reduce carbon emissions per capita, with high-rise residential areas of moderate density identified as having the lowest carbon emissions.
• Carbon Reduction Technologies: Implementing green roof systems, vertical greening initiatives, and integrating photovoltaic roofing.
• Carbon Sink Integration: Creating an ecological network seamlessly connected to the urban carbon sink system within the plot.

This project adopts a holistic approach to sustainable urban design, addressing climate challenges through thoughtful planning and innovative technologies.