THESIS:
Working alongside Irina Balan, we have used our thesis project to develop a computational response to our clients vision of a possible zero carbon development for Victoria North, Manchester. Manchester envisons becoming carbon zero by 2038, thus our approach centres on the implementation and evaluation of compact cities, and how a public transport oriented development (TOD) could reduce the need for private vehicles. By encouraging more walking and cycling for everyday activities, our project shows that the chance of reaching zero carbon status is vastly improved.
Our tool, once the designer has entered their preferences, such as residential requirements, amenities, transportation types, and the catchment zones of each, will iteratively generate multiple urban forms. These forms, along with the grain of the cities urban morphology is further evaluated. The tool scores each city design based on studying solar radiation, the city network—using a shortest path algorithm, and energy consumption/ generation. Our cities, in the bid to become carbon free, must turn to clean energy. The results of the evaluation step, help the designer paired with the tool, find an optimal solution for Victoria North. A solution that both meets the requirements of the client, but also the future of our environment.
