Epsilon Archive for Student Projects

Abstract

During Soviet times, many cities were built to utilize the space in an economically efficient way. Such things as landscape architecture did not exist, and people’s needs and preferences were not taken into consideration while planning cities. Some of these cities are still facing problems of low quality public space.
The purpose of this master project is to explore the topic of human needs in urban environment, and to present a proposal for public spaces in Olaine that aims to improve the quality of recreation areas.
To approach this matter, a theoretical background is based on a literature study. The thesis discusses the importance of outdoor recreation in general, and particularly for city dwellers, it discovers human needs in different types of urban settings, and it draws the guidelines for development of urban public spaces. A case study of the context area gives an understanding of the existing recreation possibilities, and describes the conditions of the area, its values, and its weaknesses. The findings from the obtained knowledge and analysis of the study area formed the basis of design guidelines for the proposed development of the area.

The suggested proposal for the ‘green corridor’ demonstrates possibilities for improvement of green areas in Olaine with regard to human needs, promotion of outdoor recreation, and revival of neglected places. The design solutions aim to provide new public space for people to socialize and interact with urban nature.

This project is not intended to be a final solution for all post-Soviet cities, but rather raises a discussion of how to approach the design of urban places, and how general guidelines can be used as basic principles and implemented in various situations.