Over 2 weeks from 19 June to 3 July 2024, the Society and Urban Form (SURF) research lab hosted the first TWIN2EXPAND intensive summer on the topic “Enhancing the connectivity of neighbourhoods. The application of evidence-based design in master planning of linear parks”, in Nicosia, Cyprus.
Fifteen participants, including doctoral researchers, young researchers and professionals, took part in the school, which comprised a series of seminars, practical training sessions on GIS and spatial analysis, field work, keynote lectures and research presentations from the 14th Space Syntax Symposium. Eleven team members from the TWIN2EXPAND partner institutions contributed to teaching and tutoring during different phases of the school.
The school focused a local case study: the Pedieos Linear Park in Nicosia, which is currently undergoing master planning efforts aimed at enhancing access to and across the park, as well as improving its infrastructure and facilities. Linear parks have a long history and have grown in popularity in urban areas. They may offer many benefits, such as providing more access to green spaces, lengthy protected routes for cyclists and pedestrians, opportunities for businesses and continuous greenery for biodiversity. However, they may also carry negative trade-offs, such as acting as barriers between communities if difficult to cross, or reinforcing separation between different road users, thus diminishing efforts to make the urban environment more widely human-centered.
Participants were asked to apply evidence-based design and planning (EBDP) methodologies to the case study and proposed masterplan to develop their own understanding of the park, evaluate the potential impact of the masterplan, consider and test alternative solutions. Their work provided an understanding of the potential impacts of the proposed plan and interventions to initiate a dialogue about the vision for the park and the city, the methods through which intervention proposals are developed and assessed, consideration for alternative solutions and the understanding of the social, economic and environmental impacts of design.
A variety of local stakeholders were involved in the activities: the Pedieos Linear Park master plan was presented by the Nicosia Intermunicipality Development Company (DAEL), and participants presented their results to representatives of organisations including Thiasos Architecture Studio, the parents’ association of the Agioi Omologites Elementary School, Strovolos Municipality, the Cyprus Institute and DAEL. This resulted in establishing a conversation with engaged stakeholders tackling the current understanding of how the park performs as green infrastructure in relation to its surrounding neighbourhoods and the whole city.
An exhibition ensuing from the work of the participants was displayed at the Department of Architecture of the University of Cyprus on the final day of the school. The exhibition will be enhanced and displayed in a public venue in the fall of 2024.
Synopsis of the school programme:
Week 1: 19 – 22 June 2024: Introductory sessions on Nicosia, the case study, site visits, manipulation of Nicosia’s spatial model, analysis of the existing situation, analysis of the proposed masterplan, field work and initial proposals.
Week 2: 24 – 29 June 2024: Workshops, plenary sessions and research papers at the 14th Space Syntax Symposium; participants worked in teams to further develop the assessment of the masterplan and their proposals.
Week 3: 1 -3 July 2024: Participants finalized their work through targeted tutorials, prepared their outputs into a specified format to be included in a public exhibition, and present their work to stakeholders.
Click here to view details and full programme of the summer school.
Group presentations by the participants:
Area06: Strovolos Municipality
Full report of the summer school coming soon.
