PRIORITIES AND DISADVANTAGES OF CITY BLOCK DEVELOPMENT

Authors

  • T. Apatenko O.M. Beketov National University of Urban Economy in Kharkiv
  • O. Bezliubchenko O.M. Beketov National University of Urban Economy in Kharkiv

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.33042/2522-1809-2024-1-182-35-42

Keywords:

city block development, residential environment, residential complex, planning methods, planning structure

Abstract

The study aims to find ways to improve the efficiency of urban areas by introducing the planning structure of urban residential areas – the block type of development, taking into account the basic principles of its formation. The authors carry out an analysis of scientific and theoretical materials on etymology and historical experience of the formation of city block buildings in the context of typology of buildings according to planning and spatial characteristics with examples of the planning organisation of the cities of New York, Mexico City, Los Angeles, and Barcelona. We consider the formation of residential blocks through simple geometric shapes, such as a rectangle or a square, and concluded that using such shapes emphasises the uniformity of planning. The main principles and factors of developing city blocks are defined to identify the priorities and shortcomings of this type of building. We establish that city block development contributes to comfortable public spaces and strengthens social ties between residents. The study proves the advantages of transport accessibility in block development by placing essential infrastructure facilities within walking and cycling distance. The presence of closed yards, safety, and the absence of traffic jams form a high level of amenity and social connections; these principles contribute to creating an efficient, functional, and aesthetic urban area. City block development is a promising approach for the development of modern cities, providing residents with comfort and a quality standard of urban life. The article also analyses the main disadvantages of using block buildings, one of which is an increase in the density of buildings, which affects the distribution of sunlight and the shading of space. Despite its shortcomings, city block development remains attractive for developing high-quality and sustainable urban environments. The proposal to use city block development in the post-war reconstruction of residential areas and the use of underground space for shelter is relevant and promising for sustainable urban development in Ukraine.

Author Biographies

T. Apatenko, O.M. Beketov National University of Urban Economy in Kharkiv

Senior Lecturer at the Department of Urban Construction

O. Bezliubchenko, O.M. Beketov National University of Urban Economy in Kharkiv

Candidate of Technical Sciences, Associate Professor, Associate Professor at the Department of Urban Construction

References

Diomin, M., Viatkin, K., & Synhayivska, O. (2022). Projection of the development trends of the Kharkiv regional population settlement system in the conditions of post-war reconstruction. Urban Development and Spatial Planning, (81), 3–12. https://doi.org/10.32347/2076-815x.2022.81.3-12 [in Ukrainian]

Lisunov, V. V. (2019). Modern approaches to the formation of residential development in large cities. In Proceedings of the XII All-Ukrainian Student Scientific and Technical Conference ‘Sustainable Urban Development’ (84th Student Scientific and Technical Conference of the O. M. Beketov NUUE) (pp. 64–65). O. M. Beketov NUUE. https://eprints.kname.edu.ua/52265/1/%D1%871-65-66.pdf [in Ukrainian]

Vitvytska, Yu. (2023). Building density in urban design and reconstruction. In Proceedings of the scientific and practical conference ‘Structural, spatial, technical, organisational and economic factors of innovative development of the construction industry of Ukraine in modern conditions’ (pp. 13–15). KNUBA. https://repositary.knuba.edu.ua/server/api/core/bitstreams/a5ec3bff-da45-460f-a919-2ffbc6abcef3/content [in Ukrainian]

Vecherskyi, V. V. (2023, January 10). Quarter (urban planning). Electronic version of the Great Ukrainian Encyclopaedia (e-GUE). https://vue.gov.ua/Квартал_(містобудування) [in Ukrainian]

Zozulya, Yu. (2009). The basic types of inhabited environment in the quarters of the multifamily housing development (for example the city Kyiv). Urban Development and Spatial Planning, (33), 165–178. https://repositary.knuba.edu.ua/server/api/core/bitstreams/0ce22cf7-51ba-4746-a7bb-ec3df38b0f92/content [in Ukrainian]

Polsson, K. (2023). The European Way of Rebuilding Cities. Quarterly Cities: A Practical Guide (Vol. 2, L. Shvets, & H. Shostak, Trans.). Osnovy [in Ukrainian]

Idak, Yu. V. (2006). Compositional Aspects of the Formation of Lviv’s Quarterly Development (late XVIII – early XX centuries) [Candidate of Architecture dissertation]. Lviv Polytechnic National University [in Ukrainian]

Kryzhantovska, O. A., Rumilets, T. S., & Morozova, T. T. (2020). Historical background of the formation of high-density low-storey residential building. Regional Problems of Architecture and Urban Planning, (14), 136–142. https://doi.org/10.31650/2707-403X-2020-14-136-142 [in Ukrainian]

Lipianin, V. A., & Milash, T. O. (2018). Principles of planning residential development in modern urban environments (on the example of the ‘Pivnichnyi’ micro-district in Rivne). Scientific News of Dahl University, (14). http://nvdu.snu.edu.ua/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/2018_14_9.pdf [in Ukrainian]

Ariella, S. (2024, March 31). My Favorite New York City Neighborhoods. Travel Lemming. https://travellemming.com/new-york-city-neighborhoods/

badmin. (2022, November 17). Colonia Del Valle vs Colonia Narvarte. Homie Blog. https://blog.homie.mx/dondevivir/colonia-del-valle-vs-colonia-narvarte/ [in Spanish]

City of Los Angeles. (2024). Official website of the city of Los Angeles. https://lacity.gov/

Fleischer, J. (Ed.). (2024). Best Things to Do in Barcelona. Time Out Barcelona. https://www.timeout.com/barcelona/things-to-do

RYBALSKY. (2017, April 11). Super-quarter as an urban innovation in Barcelona. https://rybalsky.com.ua/superkvartali/ [in Ukrainian]

Abrantes, V., Abrantes, N., & Brandão Alves, F. (2018). Architectural engineering in rehabilitation at social housing quarters. In M.-A. Abdul-Malak, H. Khoury, A. Singh, & S. Yazdani (Eds.), Proceedings of the Second European and Mediterranean Structural Engineering and Construction Conference ‘Responsible Design and Delivery of the Constructed Project’ (Vol. 5, Issue 1, Article AAE-04). ISEC Press. https://doi.org/10.14455/ISEC.res.2018.9

Local Housing Solutions. (2024). The pros and cons of large scale small scale and scattered site development. https://localhousingsolutions.org/refine/the-pros-and-cons-of-large-scale-small-scale-and-scattered-site-development/

Mousavi, S. N., & Mousavi, S. S. (2016). The Role of New Development in Enhancing the Livability of Historic Urban Quarters, Case Study the Walled City of Famagusta, North Cyprus. In P. Dasic, & M. El-Hawary (Eds.), Proceedings of the International Conference on Civil, Architecture and Sustainable Development (CASD-2016) (pp. 82–87). International Institute of Chemical, Biological and Environmental Engineering (IICBEE). https://doi.org/10.15242/IICBE.DIR1216414

Bezliubchenko, O. S., Hordiienko, S. M., & Zavalnyi, O. V. (2021). Urban planning and transport: a study guide. O. M. Beketov NUUE. https://eprints.kname.edu.ua/58505/1/2019%20посібник%20ПМиТР%20сборка.pdf [in Ukrainian]

Published

2024-04-05

How to Cite

Apatenko, T., & Bezliubchenko, O. (2024). PRIORITIES AND DISADVANTAGES OF CITY BLOCK DEVELOPMENT. Municipal Economy of Cities, 1(182), 35–42. https://doi.org/10.33042/2522-1809-2024-1-182-35-42