Browsing by Author "Underhill, Michael"

Now showing 1 - 4 of 4
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    A critical application of traditional urban patterns and housing typologies in a desert urban town: the case of Majes City, Peru
    (1985) Torres Soto, Miguel A.; Underhill, Michael; Waldman, Peter; Wittenberg, Gordon
    This thesis deals with a critical application of urban patterns and housing typologies through an urban design study for a new town in a desert region.The effects of an arid climate on urban life and the functional organization of a new town are examined together with the impact of cultural traditions of city building. Majes City is to be a component of the Majes Irrigational Project planned for the coastal desert of Peru. The climatic conditions and the geographic situation of the site are seen to be major factors in defining criteria for the spatial configuration of this town. Peruvian urban traditions and urban traditions common in other desert regions in terms of urban patterns are also studied in order to define further criteria for the design proposal. In addition, the design is based on a grid-block system which is an urban pattern with specific housing types in developing Peruvian cities. Hence, the design seeks to simultaneously respond to several contextual issues including: the site, the climate, people's culture and needs, Peruvian urban traditions and modern attempts to improve the urban environment.
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    An investigation of problems and opportunities in the provision of urban housing in Iraq
    (1981) Al-Izzi, Zuhair Hatim Attia; Santos, Tony; Rowe, Peter G.; Underhill, Michael
    The quality and quantity of housing available to the population are issues of governmental and public concern in Iraq. The government's recent policy is to provide public housing to fulfill the demand. However, because of the problems that arise from the implementation of these housing projects, there is general concern about the success of these projects in dealing with local urban problems and answering the needs of the individual family. Also, the application of this policy does not seem to deal with the rapid growth of the city, compounding the already existing urban problems. Consequently, a deep understanding of the nature of the local situation and its problems is very necessary and important, in order to outline a comprehensive plan to deal with housing problems. This work presents an exploration of the local situation in Iraq, focusing on the capital, Baghdad, as an example of a rapidly developing city. This exploration covers the country's background, emphasizing its location, history, housing policy, type of urban dwellings, economy, climate, demography, social structure, socio-economic groups, and city growth. Three urban case studies are presented as example of different social groups and layouts of localities. The first deals with traditional low-income settlements; the second deals with low-income public housing projects; and the third with middle-income public housing projects. A comparison between these case studies enables us to clearly see the differences between them and to identify the local situation. This study addresses some of the problems of the individual family, and the problems of the urban community, such as utilities, building industry, community facilities, accessibility, and the quality of the environment. Finally, as a result of this study, three levels of recommendations are advanced covering the city, site, and unit levels. These recommendations are based on understanding of the local situation, the problems identified above, and strategy discussions in dealing with reducing the demand. This work offers a reference for understanding and dealing realistically with low- and middle-income public housing, by exploring the problems of existing housing and the local community. It can also enable decision-makers to comprehend these serious problems and- to suggest more adequate solutions.
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    Housing for the urban poor
    (1983) Barot, Anandkumar A.; Rowe, Peter G.; Mitchell, O. Jack; Underhill, Michael
    This study, encompassing examples from the complete range of existing dwelling environments in Ahmedabad, India, emphasizes physical aspects of housing and attempts to provide an understanding of existing housing conditions for lower income groups. Several issues emerge from the case study material. Looking at population data, the urgency of the dwelling needs of this large section of the population demands a substantial increase in housing supply. However, with the limited financial resources of the public sector, traditional modes of low-income mass housing seem impossible. Other alternatives, such as site and services projects for squatters, have also usually failed due to their poor location away from employment centers. A partial solution to the problem of housing provision seems to lie in proper development of infrastructure facilities, design of more efficient physical layouts for communities, and comprehensive planning that supports indigenous settlement patterns. Furthermore, efforts to reduce rural-urban migration must be continually emphasized.
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    Streetwise Planning: Rx for a Downtown Hospital
    (Rice Design Alliance, 1982-08) Underhill, Michael