Utilizing newer technologies, scholars are now able to objectively measure urban human scale forms; however, the field of anthropometrics remains plagued with unanswered questions.
However, it is imperative to acknowledge the role human scale plays in building and designing cities. This approach creates a comfortable, accessible city environment while encouraging inclusivity. Furthermore, such designs improve functionality while decreasing environmental impact through reduced energy usage and pollution levels.
1. Sense of Belonging
There’s an old saying that says: a place is only home until you make it yours.” Integrating human scale into urban architecture ensures cities welcome both newcomers and longstanding residents equally, creating vibrant public spaces essential to creating a sense of belonging for everyone who resides there.
Neighborhoods designed for human scale place destinations within walking distance, eliminating the need for cars that may become costly burdens for those without enough funds to afford one.
An atmosphere of belonging is essential to city stability and sustainability and can be fostered through initiatives such as prioritizing community spaces like parks and playgrounds, supporting cultural institutions, hosting street fairs, etc. Such initiatives provide city dwellers with a sense of belonging in their neighborhood or city which leads to positive perceptions of it – thus strengthening the reputation and competitiveness of cities worldwide.
2. Accessibility
Urban planning initiatives that prioritize accessibility are necessary to address the needs of individuals with disabilities and older adults, children, or anyone requiring extra consideration when traversing city streets and sidewalks. Promoting micro-accessibility and macro-accessibility conditions makes it easier for these individuals to board public transport vehicles, move around their neighborhood or enjoy public spaces within their city.
Reframing urban transport policies away from mobility towards accessibility (Banister 2018) is essential for sustainable and social inclusion principles, opening up a range of possibilities that align more closely with sustainability and social inclusion principles. Integrating urban form with transport systems better will reduce car use while simultaneously drawing activities closer together and engaging local communities more actively in decision-making processes.
3. Functionality
Urban architecture can have a direct influence on citizens. From hospitals dedicated to healing and schools that foster education, architectural spaces play a vital role in improving both their well-being and that of their surrounding residents.
The functionality of city buildings can also be affected by their cultural heritage and natural environment, so adaptive reuse and urban regeneration projects that preserve historical structures while modernizing them into functional spaces are crucial in revitalizing neighborhoods, attracting investments, and contributing to economic development in any region.
One such park in New York City is the High Line Park, designed as a means to preserve a historic railway line while breathing new life into an otherwise neglected section of New York. Furthermore, research conducted at Essex University by psychologists revealed that repetitive straight lines and railings found in modern buildings may cause migraines for their inhabitants; hence why more contextual approaches must be integrated in design projects.
4. Sustainability
As opposed to our bodies where nothing happens in isolation, cities are living organisms in which every policy affecting transport, climate change mitigation, parkland planning and parkland development affects all others. Therefore, sustainable urban architecture refers to designing buildings that take less energy for their construction while using advanced sustainable solutions and creating specific social cohesion functions.
Sustainable city systems designed to enhance citizens’ quality of life also include urban design elements that enhance building design, sidewalks, roadways and transportation – along with nature areas such as green roofs or vertical gardens. Rehumanizing urban centers through cultural facilities or events promotes diversity and inclusion at the community level.
Urban design that incorporates water management and renewable energy generation helps reduce environmental footprint and costs by decreasing energy consumption and waste production, such as prefab/modular construction using recycled materials or prefabricated/modular methods like those provided by Sika. Such trends have driven an increase in demand for sustainable building solutions like those provided by Sika.
