This research and methodology develop a set of statistical measurements to evaluate sustainability – in terms of desired high urban density,... Show moreThis research and methodology develop a set of statistical measurements to evaluate sustainability – in terms of desired high urban density, walkability for community amenity and convenience for everyday life – at the level of urban design for the cities of Chicago, USA and Taipei, Taiwan. The method, based upon GIS (Geographical Information System) technology, is used at this spatial level and for this type of academic study for the first time. The research analyzes and compares the percentage of each city’s population living within the “Quarter Mile Radius Sphere of Influence” (QMSI) for three classes of community amenities: parks, public elementary schools, and subway stations. The new and unique statistical data obtained in this thesis show a great disparity between the two cities. 1. Chicago has 31.98% of its population living within the QMSI of public elementary schools. Taipei has 49.64% of its population living within the QMSI of public elementary schools. 2. For subway stations, Chicago has only 8.09% of its population living in the QMSI, while Taipei has 25.99%. 3. For urban parks, Chicago has 44.06% of its population living in the QMSI, while Taipei has 88.80%. Further, based upon comparison, this research also discovers that the “sweet spot” areas – intersection of the QMSIs of all three community amenities – are mostly distributed along subway lines. With this indication, the research visualizes and supports the objective of improved public transit and walkability as key factors for sustainability in urban design in this case. The research also demonstrates the usefulness of GIS April 16, 2013 p.0B-xi PDD TF 0 20130416-13.doc xi technology’s new application in urban design studies for the future. The research shows that this new method has applicability for academic studies in other urban contexts, and for future international urban design and planning. PH.D in Architecture, May 2013 Show less
It is said that the contemporary Chinese city is a global model of future urban development, in terms of superblocks’ development, advanced... Show moreIt is said that the contemporary Chinese city is a global model of future urban development, in terms of superblocks’ development, advanced technological applications and accelerated expansion. However, this model’s characteristics can be perceived as its own challenges; this mono-functional gated community is built on a blank slate without taking into consideration culture, transportation and socio-ecological infrastructure, creating bedroom communities that lack social cohesion, and ecological sensitivity and awareness. A hybrid typology is a potential adaptive prototype that generates community stability, public benefit and sustainable practices. Chinese authorities proposed the "Sponge City" initiative to ensure healthy urban expansion, control water flooding and diminish pollution. By proposing a “Garden System” as a solution that responds to the "Sponge City" objectives, quality of life of the block's users can be enhanced by juxtaposing contemporary garden applications that would directly target the current superblock conditions in China, and produce a superblock model that balances the socio-ecological infrastructure with density, culture, program and context. M.S. in Architecture, December 2016 Show less
This research explores the process of assessment within the arena of architectural education by questioning traditional assessment practices... Show moreThis research explores the process of assessment within the arena of architectural education by questioning traditional assessment practices and probing into the conditions that necessitate change. As architectural educators we have opened our studios to digital technologies for the purposes of design and representation, but how do we measure and judge new approaches to design process now that the tools students are using to solve problems have changed? New tools are available that allow us to examine the design process, but now that there are these new tools, how do we exploit them without completely uprooting our traditional assessment practices? Researchers have learned a great deal about how we learn, but how can this new understanding help to improve the learning that occurs in the architectural design studio? These are the questions that this research has investigated, and with an understanding of the conditions that surround architectural education, a model for assessment has been proposed. That model integrates the technology used for design and representation with the available tools of technology for the purpose of assessment and a growing body of knowledge about the way that we learn. This model is specific to the study of architecture and the teaching and learning of design process. Ph.D. in Architecture, May 2012 Show less
The study of long-span structures developed from a design problem for an aircraft hangar. The problem of the aircraft hangar was concerned... Show moreThe study of long-span structures developed from a design problem for an aircraft hangar. The problem of the aircraft hangar was concerned with the development of a reasonable structurtal type into an architectural solution. Several types were considered; the truss, the arch, a rigid frame system in prestressed concrete. These were discarded in favor of a rigid frame system of steel that seemed to give the best visual solution. Show less
This compressed collection of map files constitutes data used in "Analysis on the Persisting Effects of Redlining on Green Infrastructure in... Show moreThis compressed collection of map files constitutes data used in "Analysis on the Persisting Effects of Redlining on Green Infrastructure in Chicago Neighborhoods", published in SoReMo, March 2023 (DOI: https://doi.org/10.18409/soremojournal.v3i1.221). The report looks at “redlining” maps produced by the Home Owners’ Loan Corporation (HOLC) to analyze the current green infrastructure levels in various neighborhoods of Chicago. Show less