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PROJECT 1 PART A:
REPORT
BY: Zoe Low Li Mien
STUDENT ID: 0319444
TUTOR: Ms Renee
Contents:
1. My Research: The Town 3
1.1 What is a town?
1.2 Brief History of a town
1.3 What makes a town?
1.4 What makes a good town?
1.5 How a town is built?
2. Ancient Town Case Study: Carthage, Tunisia 5
2.1 Brief History:
2.2 What makes it a town?
2.3 Conclusion about this town
2.4 What elements can I use for my new future town?
3. Present Town Case Study: Stratford Upon Avon,
England 6
3.1 Brief History:
3.2 What makes it a town?
3.3 Conclusion about this town
3.4 What elements can I use for my new future town?
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4. Future Town Case Study: Seaside, Florida 8
4.1 Brief History:
4.2 What makes it a town?
4.3 Conclusion about this town
4.4 What elements can I use for my new future town?
5. My Town 9
5.1 Setting of my town
5.2 Why I named it Fishville?
5.3 Elements I learned from my case studies:
5.4 What kind of town will I focus on?
5.5 What resort town should usually have?
5.6 What am I aiming for?
5.7 Zoning of my town
5.8 Transportation of my town:
5.9 Plan Massing of my town:
6. References 17
3. 3
My Research: The Town
1.1 What is a town?:
A town is an area consist of a combination of housing and other facilities. It is also a
community, smaller than a city, bigger than a neighbourhood. And it is where people
live, do their activities and work.
1.2 Brief History of a town:
Every town is created in many different ways based on their history no matter what
kind of place they come from. Mostly, a town is created due to an impact affected on
a community.
However, below this paragraph shows a basic way of how a town is created.
A town is created through a hierarchy of a built environment. It all starts from a room
to a house to a neighbourhood then it creates a town. The reason for this is the
population in the area is increasing which people need more resources. It is created
as a neighbourhood surrounded with facilities ( like: shops, schools, clinics and etcâŚ)
Some towns grow organically, as more and more people gather, it forms a town. But
some towns are planned from day 1 (beginning), slot the new into the old.
1.3 What makes a town?
A town must provide social and economic benefits to the locals. It should be a place
where it has commercial activities for people to work on. The place should have
shops around the markets. It consists of main roads and other smaller roads
connected to the main street. It must have important public buildings around the
town centre such as police station, town halls, government buildings. It has
residential houses, farmlands, a main road that cut across the town centre, radiating
from the town centre.
A town should also consist of a town centre and a town or market square. In a
shopping perspective, there will be too many shops built around, a town centre is
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built as a small piece of land. Itâs built to give comfort for shoppers by giving them a
safe space for them to move on.
1.4 What makes a good town?
To make a good town, it must be an excellent place for people to live. It is where
people can live, work and travel comfortably there. People can be able to have their
own privacy in their homes and use the townâs transportation.
A town must be accessible for people to live in. People from overseas, other regions,
urban and local places can able to enter this area. They must also be able to know
the distance, time and safety of this town in order to get there.
The area should have a good appearance. For example, once they visit the town, they
will smell, hear and see the area around. When people enter this area, the
environment should be suitable for them to experience it especially through their
senses. They must be comfortable with the environment.
The town must have space standards. It must have certain spaces that can be fit and
used for other specific purposes. Purposes such as housing for people to live in,
education like schools or universities, shops, clubs and etc⌠People should be able to
use those spaces to their own social benefits.
The place needs to have topography that is effective. People can be able to use
certain types of topography especially the areasâ soil to their benefits for
environmental, economic and social uses. The topography should have specific types
of sizes and shapes that can be useable. For instance, people can use the soil for
economic benefits like creating farmlands or use hills for creating beautiful sceneries.
Also for the environment, the area must have certain types of topography that can
prevent the town from being flooded. As for social uses, an example would be a
steep land where people can use it a soccer field to play sports.
The town should have incompatible uses that should be separated. Naturally, a town
usually have spaces where people can make noises or cause pollutions in area. These
parts must be separated in order to maintain the areaâs environment such as like
placing pubs on other locations rather than near residential areas.
It must be a place where it can create an economy. People can able to work and earn
money there through jobs.
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1.5 How a town is built?
A town can be built in two different ways. It can be built naturally or can be created
by using town planning methods.
Based on the hierarchy of a built environment, an area can be turned into a town
when it becomes popular. By gaining attention, more people will come and stay
there, which more resources will be built there.
Town planning is a decision of what a town should look like before it is built. A
planned or modern town is planned by government authorities, town planner or
engaged developer. Authorities control development of town, they are also in charge
of making it sustainable and liberal.
Besides higher authorities, town councils approve towns. For an empty land, the
town council would evaluate the design that is designed by the town planner and
decide whether it is for the greater good for the people. They comment on form and
type of development.
2. Ancient Town Case Study: Carthage, Tunisia
2.1 Brief History:
Carthage known as Carthago is located at the African north coast. It is one of the
most famous historic towns of the Roman Empire. It was founded by the Phoenicians
at 9th
Century B.C. at the Gulf of Tunis. It was built during the 6th
century, which it
grew into a trading empire. The civilisation cover most of the Mediterranean which it
occupied the Roman territories.
Carthage was a town of mixed different cultures such as Phoenico-Punic, Roman,
Paleochristian and Arab. This was due to the fact that it became a famous trading
port as itâs known for building for strong ships. As centuries pass by, it started to
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build more components such as the Punic ports, amphitheatre, circus, residential
areas, basilicas, Antonin baths and an acropolis of Byrsa.
As for now, the remains of this town are still preserved and under protection.
2.2 What makes it a town?
Carthage has known to be a famous town as itâs known for its Roman design. Itâs
structural architecture and town planning was influenced from the Romans, making
Carthage was one of the well known Roman towns. It helps the town to create a
testimony of the Punic history, representing the townâs culture
Besides, having it cultural impact, it is also known to have a large number of
residential and commercial areas. This builts up the place which increase its
development as more people will come and stay there even working there as well.
It also have a big port where ships are built, as well as the best place for trading ships
to stop by. This builds up the townâs economy by becoming a trading centre of the
Mediterranean sea.
2.3 Conclusion about this town
Carthage develops rapidly through its environment. Since the town became a famous port
for overseas ships to stop by, it helps the area to build up its economy. Not only through this
main factor, but due to its historical background, Carthage has built up its cultural
environment. This attracts people to come by and rest.
2.4 What elements can I use for my new future town?
From learning this case study, I will make a marina for my town to create more
transportation through boats. People living in my town can also make money by trading fish
using fishing boats at the marina.
3. Present Town Case Study: Stratford-upon-
Avon, England
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3.1 Brief History
It all started back at 1196, there was a Bishop of Worcester named John de Coutances who
decided to build a town. He started to build it by creating a town plan on a grid system and
made a few businesses. While doing this, he became the first landlord of the new town,
naming it Stratford upon Avon based on the Roman road and the river Avon. Later on, the
town became a market town as it held a weekly market as ordered by King Richard I and it
attracted a lot of merchants to come and trade. Not only that, the town also became a good
place for industrial purposes as a lot of different types of craftsmen (bakers, brewers,
blacksmiths, carpenters and etcâŚ.) work there.
As centuries pass by, the town become more developedas its population increases, creating
more educational and religious communities. Not only that, it has also started to form its
own governance
Until the 19th
Century, a lot of major improvements have occurred upon the town. A canal
was opened in 1816 along with a railway at 1859. This made it easier for tourists to come and
visit the town.
Now it became a cultural town to visit due to the fact that it is the home of a famous writer,
William Shakespeare. As always, it still retains as a market town which markets are held there
every week like its tradition.
3.2 What makes it a town?
Stratford upon Avon has a town centre along with a town hall, main streets and government
buildings. It consist of a community. It has many facilities including shops, tourist attractions.
It has a lot of industrial areas due to the fact that itâs trade centre and merchants always
come there to make businesses.
3.3 Conclusion about the town
Based on this present town, it is shown that it can be developed by creating industries and
businesses. It helps the town to grow as the government of the place can earn money to
improve facilities including transportation and the welfare of the town.
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Not only does the industry have impacted the growth of the town but its cultural impact as
well. This builds up the tourism of a town which makes it become more famous therefore it
increases the population and its development as well.
3.4 What elements can I use for my new future town?
From learning through this present town, I will put some commercial buildings surrounding
the square. Therefore people can be able to access the shops easily and they will have a
space where they can meet and hangout.
4.Future Town Case Study: Seaside, Florida
4.1 Brief History
This town was built and started from scratch.
It all started with a man named J.S. Smolian who have always felt a strong connection
with a part of the Gulf Coast. He learned that the beachesâ environment is beautiful,
consisting of white sand and turquoise water. From seeing that his family loves to
come there often, he decided to buy an 80 acre land of it at 1946. Recognising that
the land has no development due to its large amount of wild plants, J.S. decided to
create a summer camp. However the idea didnât turn out well as the plan of it never
materialised.
At 1978, J.S. passed the 80 acre land to his grandson, Robert Davis. Robert also have
the same vision as his grandfather so he decided to create his own plan of making
this land into a town.
At 1981, the town was finished constructing and opened.
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The town became one of the most popular tourist attractions to stay and visit in
Florida.
4.2 What makes it a town?
It has a town centre along with shops, restaurants, residential areas, offices and
walking distances. The area also have pedestrian streets and town squares. It has
tourist attractions like Grayton Beach State Park and Topsail Hill Preserve State Park
that provides activities for tourists. Seaside has hotels for tourists.
The houses in this town have Florida cracker architecture. They have wood frame
houses with big porches. These houses have windows that open and give ventilation
from the sea breezes for us to feel. The roofs are wide to provide shade and
protection from the Florida sun and summer rains.
The town is known for its âNew Urbanismâ design concept. This design concept
provides empathy on walkable neighbourhoods, along with neighbourhoods and a
large range of residential commercials uses.
Besides this, it also have a good and oceanside community for us to feel about it.
4.3 Conclusion about the town
It is shown that a coastal town can be developed from scratch. While being placed
near the sea, it creates a very beautiful environment for the town which attracts
tourists. This enables the community to earn more through tourism, building up the
placeâs economy. Not only does the townâs environment help its economy but it
provides a soothing place for people to live. Itâs also more sustainable as there is less
transportation occurring by creating more footpaths.
4.4 What elements can I use for my new town?
From learning this town, I decided to learn about their âNew Urbanismâ concept and
apply similar elements from it. By doing so, I will create more greenery to make the
town more eco friendly and add some urbanism designs to it,
5.My Town: Fishville
5.1 Setting of my town: On land near the sea
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I chose this setting because I felt it is easier for me to research a town that has this
environment. It enables me to create more ideas for my new town using this
atmosphere.
5.2 Why I named it Fishville?
I used this name because since it has this setting, it will be a perfect place for fishing
and for people to experience the coast.
5.3 Elements I learned from my case studies:
Comparison of my case studies:
Similarities:
- They have a lot of commercial areas and residential areas.
- They attract people through tourism and environments.
- They are set near the water based areas.
- Carthage and Seaside have the same settings of a sea.
- Stratford Upon Avon and Seaside have a town centre
- Carthage and Stratford Upon Avon are trading centres.
Differences:
Carthage Stratford Upon Avon Seaside
ďˇ It has a port where
ships from many
overseas drop by
to stop.
ďˇ It consist of Roman
architecture that
represents the
townâs culture.
ďˇ It is set near a large
lake called Avon.
ďˇ It has a traditional
market square.
ďˇ It consist of old
English
architectural
buildings.
ďˇ It has a smaller
community.
ďˇ It has more
pedestrian paths.
ďˇ It consist of Florida
cracker
architectural
buildings.
5.4 What kind of town will I focus on?
A resort town. I wanted to do this because since it sets near the seaside, it can help
the town to build up its economy through its tourism and beautiful environment. By
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doing so, my town will consist of more residential areas along with beaches that will
attract people to come and stay. It also add to its beautiful appearance which makes
its environment more peaceful and comfortable.
5.5 What resort town should usually have?
For a town that sets near the sea, I would definitely want to include resorts, beaches
and a marina.
5.6 What am I aiming for?
In this project, I am aiming to make my town more sustainable, eco friendly and
beautiful. With this way, it will make people take inspiration of my townâs
sustainability which they may apply to their future projects. As this might happen,
people will decide to make their lands cleaner and less polluted. Therefore we might
create a better future to our planet, where we wonât have to disrupt the environment
further.
5.7 Zoning of my town
IMAGE: Drawing of m zoning
Below this section consist of a list of buildings that will be added onto each zone
along with my reasons for it.
Residential: Houses
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I decided to add more residential so people might come there and stay if they want
to visit the town again. It satisfies them as they can reach the coast and beaches.
Design concepts of the housing:
IMAGE: Conceptual sketches of the housing
The housing at the left side of town will have one storey which are cheaper for
people to afford.
As for the right side of town, the housing will have two storeys for people who might
have families to live in.
Recreational: Pocket Parks (Left and right)
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IMAGE: Conceptual sketches of the pocket parks
To add some recreation for my town, I made pocket parks at the centres of the
residential areas. I did this so residents especially families can enjoy themselves on a
space to spend their family time. It also helps them to experience another different
type of environment for them to enjoy.
Educational: School
I add the school near the residential area on the right to make it accessible. Families
who are living in that area nearby can be able to drop their children off at the school
easily. With the cultural buildings nearby, students from the school can also take a
short trip to these building for educational purposes.
Cultural: Tourist centre, Small Arts centre and Community centre
Since this is a resort town, I put these buildings near the town square for tourists to
visit them nearby. It helps them to get to know the town more as it is at the opposite
of the town hall.
Governmental: Town Hall
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To make the area a town, I made the town hall placed closer to the square and at the
centre of the area. People including other higher authorities can see it clearly and
access it.
Commercial: Shops and a hotel
IMAGE: Perspective Drawing and sketch of the commercial building
Based on Stratford Upon Avon, I decided to build the commercial buildings and
surround them around the square. Tourists and people will be able to know where
they can access the shops. These buildings will make the square more popular and as
the best place for citizens to meet together.
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Town square:
IMAGE: Conceptual Sketch of the town square along with commercial buildings and a
town hall.
I placed the town square near beach to make the environment beautiful. Citizens will
be able to access and see the beach easily. Not only that, it creates more public
spaces besides the coast for them to gather around. I added the lake on this square
to create an attractive atmosphere for shoppers to hang out.
Services:
I made the services near the residential areas for everyone to access them. In case if
there is an emergency nearby, it will be easier for them to go there in need.
Marina:
I decided to make a Marina to add more transportation. With this way, tourists can
be able to travel to the town using private boats. Not only that, it helps the town to
build up its economy by creating a fishing industry. The townâs citizens will be able to
earn jobs by becoming fishermen to trade and sell fish.
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5.8 Transportation of my town:
For this townâs transportation, I have added roads for people to drive around the
town. Even for people who are coming to visit the place can drive all the way to the
place by accessing the roads.
This area also have a marina for tourists and people to travel to the town through
private boats.
5.9 Plan of my town:
This is a coloured detailed plan of my town. I put a lot of trees in my town to make it eco
friendly. I also make black and grey garden paths within the commercial, services, residential
and cultural buildings for people to walk. Therefore it makes the town square more
accessible for people to go to rather than driving all the way there.
5.10 Plan Massing of my town:
These images below contains a sketch of a plan massing of my town and 3D digital
image of it using Sketchup. I did this massing to provide an understanding and a feel
of my town may look like. It doesnât show the town completely, it shows the town
square the buildings surrounding it and other buildings nearby.
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6. References
The Town:
What is a town?
ENBE Lecture: Shelter for inhabitation. 25th
September 2014.
Brief history of a town:
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About.com. (2014). Genealogy of a town. [webpage]. Retrieved from
http://genealogy.about.com/od/history_research/tp/local_history.htm
Moreton Bay Regional Council. (2014). Town Planning. [webpage]. Retrieved from
https://www.moretonbay.qld.gov.au/general.aspx?id=2242
What makes a town?
Municiple Council of Penang Island. (2014). Town planning and development.
[webpage]. Retrieved from http://www.mppp.gov.my/en/perancangan-
pembangunan
What makes a good town and how a town is built?
Keeble, L. (1983). Town Planning Made Plain. New York. United States.
Case Study: Ancient Town:
UNESCO World Heritage Centre. (2014). Archaeological site of Carthage. [webpage].
Retrieved from http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/37
Encyclopedia Britannia. (2014). Kart-hadasht (ancient city, Tunisia). [webapge].
Retrieved from http://global.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/97373/Carthage
Case Study: Present Town
Tim Lambert. (n.d.). A history of Stratford Upon Avon. [webpage]. Retrieved from
http://www.localhistories.org/stratford.html
Visit Stratford Upon Avon. (2014). Official Website for Visit Stratford Upon Avon.
[webpage]. Retrieved from http://www.visitstratforduponavon.co.uk/
Quinsolve. (2000). Stratford-upon-Avon 800th Anniversary Guide. [webpage].
Retrieved from http://www.stratford-upon-avon.co.uk/soa800.htm#800yrst&c
Stratford-upon-Avon Town Council. (2014). Town Hall History. [webpage]. Retrieved
from http://www.stratforduponavontowncouncil.com/content/town-hall-history
Case Study: Future Town
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Seaside. (n.d.). History- Seaside, Florida. [webpage]. Retrieved from
http://www.seasidefl.com/history/
Seaside. (n.d.) About Seaside|Seaside Florida. [webpage]. Retrieved from
http://www.seasidefl.com/about-seaside/
Florida Backroads Travel. (n.d.). Seaside Florida. Retrieved from: http://www.florida-
backroads-travel.com/seaside-florida.html
Peter Katz. (1994). The New Urbanism Toward an Architecture of Community. United
States.