July 4th, 2017 was the best summer of my life not having to battle a 46 deg Celsius heat wave like I used to India until 2016. I was in Chicago when the offices were empty, buildings were filled with nothing but non living objects, but the streets and roads were celebrating life. The crowd that I saw on this Independence day celebration is something I am not used to even in India even though we beat the US Population in billions. Biking from the Cloud Gate to the 31st beach, I saw crowds biking along, resting in hammocks, barbecuing, just simply being outside.
I also walked into the the flip side months later when the sun fights with the clouds to showcase its shiny rays, and face the reality that people belong in offices and buildings during winters. I embraced the fact that there are countries in the world who do not have the luxury of having greenery around them the entire year.
Most of the population is aware of the reports and data that are being released concerning effects of lack of green spaces on humans physically and mentally and the benefits of having greenery on human health. Several WHO reports like "Urban green spaces and health" produce evaluations on the impacts of lack of green spaces on Public health. Chicago has a considerable amount of green spaces that the city enjoys during summers but only yearns for them during winters.
Large open spaces that celebrate and support human activities stand alone during winters simply increasing the intensity of the wind. These Large open Urban spaces can be used to their utmost potential if they are designed as winter gardens under the ground and still remains a plaza on the ground level. This helps in efficient use of these open spaces during summers accommodating events on the ground and providing warmth and shelter during the harsh winters.
Especially open spaces around and adjacent to health care buildings such as the UIC Plaza in the picture, can be utilized for such purposes given the user crowd that requires such a year round space to be in. Winter Gardens are not the concept of the new year, but have been existing among us for centuries.
Winter Gardens could be used as community gardens, Urban food farming units and therefore can act as a resource for the community rather than a design solution. The combination of large open spaces and winter gardens in their subterranean spaces will allow Urban plazas to be multi functional with Chicago's population using these spaces even during winters without being chained to their office desks and gym equipment.
References:
Urban green spaces and health. Copenhagen: WHO Regional Office for Europe, 2016.
Comments