1. Urban Open Space Design in Boston and Taipei
Jesse Regnier & Pei-Yu Chen

2. Overview What is Open Space? Benefits of Open Space
A Brief History of Open Space
Case Study - Taipei, Taiwan
Case Study - Boston, USA
Warp up

3. What is Open Space? According to the US EPA
Open space is any open piece of land that is undeveloped (has no buildings or other built structures) and is accessible to the public.
Typology of Urban Open Space
Public parks, Squares and plaza, Memorials, Markets, Streets, Playgrounds, Community open space, Greenways and linear parkways, Urban wilderness, Atrium/Indoor marketplaces , Found/Neighborhood spaces, Waterfronts.

4. Benefits of Open Space Social Benefits Environmental Benefits
Economic Benefits
Public Health
Open space serves as a boundary between incompatible uses and breaks from continuous development.
Social benefits: recreation, historical preservation, reduce youth crime through parks’ programs
Environmental benefits: preserve habitats, stormwater management, reduce greenhouse gas emission
Economic benefits: enhance real estate values, bring business/tourism/revenue
Public Health: reduce mental and physical illnesses
*Open space serves as a boundary between incompatible uses and breaks from continuous development.

5. A Brief History of Open Space
Agora: in ancient Greek cities, an open space that served as a meeting ground for various activities of the citizens since the 5th century BC.
Space for daily religious, political, judicial, social, and commercial activity.
Located either in the middle of the city or near the harbor, which was surrounded by public buildings and by temples.

6. Jump to Medieval Cities
Plazas similar to the agora
Located in the middle of the city almost always accompanied by a church

7. Taipei City, Taiwan

8. Where is Taiwan?

9. East Asia

10. Background of Taipei City
Located in East Asia
Capital of Taiwan
Area: sq miles (Boston: sq miles)
Population: >3,000,000 (Boston: 636,479)
City
Taipei City
Boston
New York
Density (square miles)
25,000
12,200
27,550

11. History of Parks Development in Taipei I. 1683~1895: Qing Dynasty
No parks but private gardens

12. History of Parks Development in Taipei II
History of Parks Development in Taipei II. 1895~1945: Japanese Colonial Period
1896: First park in Taipei, Taiwan- Yuanshan Park
1913: Beitou Park (Convergent Plate Boundary)

13. History of Parks Development in Taipei
III. 1945~Current: Taiwan(R.O.C)
Removed Japanese building/temples/status in parks
1980: Started to build parks with professional planning and design techniques.
2009: “Taipei City is pretty” project

14. Types of Parks in Taipei City
I. Nature Park
Preserve nature resources.
II. Multifunctional Park
Gym, outdoor courts, swimming pool.

15. Types of Parks in Taipei City
III. Community Park (<2.5 acres)
Imbuing a sense of community.
IV. Riverside Park (Flooding prevention)
Courts, roller-skating pool, bike paths.

16. The Goal of Creating More Open Spaces
Improve air quality
Provide playground/green space

17. The Goal of Creating More Open Spaces
Mitigate Heat Island Effect
Geographical feature: Basin
Taipei City has urbanized rapidly since 1967, and urban warming appeared from 1985.

18. Achievement of Open Space in Taipei City
Open space 7.7 sq miles
55 sq foot/ per citizen
Riverside  Parks
Blighted land  Gardens
Arterials/sidewalks /medians
Parks Distribution Map

19. Achievement of Open Space in Taipei City
Blighted land  Gardens
Arterials/sidewalks

20. Design challenges? Limited land for creating more open space.
Accessibility issue (Complete Streets/Public Transportation)
Weather issue (pavilion)

21. Daan Forest Park --- The “Lungs of Taipei City”
Area: 65 acres
Created in 1994

22. Metro Rapid Transit(MRT) System
Before
After

23. Boston, Massachusetts

24. History of Parks Development
1634: Boston Common
Oldest public open space in the nation
1838: The Public Garden
Boston had far less designated parkland than other comparable cities by the latter part of the 19th century

25. View of the water celebration on October 25, 1848

26. The FLO Era 1875: Creation of the Boston Parks Commission
1878: Boston Hires FLO Sr.
Develops comprehensive parks system
: Emerald Necklace
Boston Common
Commonwealth Avenue Mall
Back Bay Fens (filled brackish swamp)
The Riverway
Olmsted Park
Jamaica Pond
Arnold Arboretum
Franklin Park
1892: Creation of the Metropolitan Parks Commission

27. The Emerald Necklace

28. 41 playgrounds constructed in 22 wards
1950: The majority of the open spaces are in place
: Parks deterioration
Parks budget slashed in half
1987-present: Reinvestment
Boston now has over 7,000 acres of public and private parkland
Monuments, fountains, statues, footbridges, flower gardens, trees, athletic fields, squares, playgrounds, golf courses, and malls
Emerald Necklace of larger parks

29. Open Space Types Malls, Squares, Plazas
Parkways, Reservations, and Beaches
Parks, Playgrounds, and Athletic Fields
Cemeteries
Community Gardens
Urban Wilds and Natural Areas
Protected Open Space

30. How to Protect Open Spaces
Open Space Plans-5 year action plans
Article 97-An amendment to the Massachusetts Constitution passed in 1972
Open Space Zoning
Historical designation
Environmental regulations
Conservation restrictions
Conservation land trusts
The “100-foot rule”

31. Wrap Up
Open Spaces have been important to humans all over the world for thousands of years
Open Spaces serve a variety of functions
Creation, funding, and maintenance are all have there challenges
Must find creative solutions to these challenges

32. References
Photograph of Boston, Massachusetts
United States Environmental Protection Agency
Boston Parks and Recreation Department, Open Space Plan for Boston
Urban Geography, Stanley Et Al. pp “Urban Open Spaces in Historical Perspective: A Transdisciplinary Typology and Analysis” Bellwether Publishing, Ltd
Encyclopedia Britannica
The Boston Common and Public Garden Map
The Emerald Necklace Map
The Emerald Necklace Map
City of Boston Parks and Recreation Department
National Association for Olmsted Parks

33. References
Urban Warming and Urban Heat Islands in Taipei, Taiwan
Gardens
Vehicles

34. References
Taipei City Government - Parks and Street Lights Office
Taipei City Government – Department of Urban Development