MODULAR WATER SQUARES (MWS) in Poznan - people-friendly solutions for rainwater management D.Sc. Ph.D. Arch. Anna Januchta-Szostak, Assoc. Prof. Poznan University of Technology, Faculty of Architecture, POLAND
Water Sensitive Urban Design The pilot research and project applications conducted in Rataje district in Poznan covered the area of multi-family modern housing estates which required regeneration of built environment and greenery structures as well as individualization of the public space. Rataje Water Park in Poznan the concept of spatial of urban regeneration and development performed within the scope of Msc thesis written at the Faculty of Architecture at Poznan University of Technology in 2013/2014 under the academic supervision of dr hab. inż. arch. A. Januchta-Szostak. Authors: J. Grzelak, M. Małecka, K. Niewinowska, J. Nowowieska, S. Sobocińska, J. Stefańska
biologically active areas > 75% 3 challenges: Land cover in catchment areas 1. urban floods - climate changes & water management ; 2. demographic changes including the society ageing process and social exclusion phenomena; 3. city space degradation and the necessity of urban regeneration of blocks of flats housing estates dating back to the second half of the 20th cent. Rataje Water Park in Poznan the concept of spatial of urban regeneration and development performed within the scope of Msc thesis written at the Faculty of Architecture at Poznan University of Technology in 2013/2014 under the academic supervision of dr hab. inż. arch. A. Januchta-Szostak. Authors: J. Grzelak, M. Małecka, K. Niewinowska, J. Nowowieska, S. Sobocińska, J. Stefańska
Concepts of water squares A detailed inventory of impervious surfaces made it possible to select the locations for water squares and to calculate the capacity of the run-off from the particular catchment areas
Required features of modular water square: Adequate capacity Simple and repetitive Ecological and educative Selfcleaning Cheep maintenance
Required features of modular water square: Integrative Easily accessible Multifunctional Appealing in rainy days
total capacity = approx. 50 m3 total capacity = approx. 100 m3 The required capacity of the square was determined on the basis of the amount and frequency of daily rainfall The size of a basic researched pattern module of the MWS (12 x 12 m) resulted from the size of the space between the blocks of flats as well as from the volume of the surface runoff from the neighboring blocks and pavements. The squares interiors can be arranged in an unlimited and unique way. Phot. S. Sobocińska
The size of a basic researched pattern module of the MWS (12 x 12 m) resulted from the size of the space between the blocks of flats as well as from the volume of the surface runoff from the neighboring blocks and pavements. The squares interiors can be arranged in an unlimited and unique way.
Research by design
2 variants of internal arrangement: with a playground & with a lawn and tree
Small rainfall will reinforce reed biotopes, surrounding the square, while the bigger ones will allow to fill up the underground retention tanks and the open reservoir in the low level of the square. Water square consisting of two modules (average depth: 0.38 m) can receive rainfall of 50 mm/day from a catchment area of 2 000 m2.
Internal water circuit allows transporting water from the lowest pool upwards with the use of Archimedes screw. Then the water flows in open troughs along the ramps and again reaches the open bottom reservoir. Gravel passages also drain runoff from roofs of the rain shelters
a shallow, decorative reservoir changes depending on the water level The square is impervious to the level of -90 cm. Above this level the water can infiltrate to the ground through the sandpit or to the circle with a tree.
A1 A1 A2 A2
key features of good public space: I integrity, D availability & continuity, E edutainment, K usage comfort & safety W image of the place A functional attractiveness http://www.richterspielgeraete.de/tl_system/content/en/03_references_and_examples/photos/wa ter_play/
I integrity the arrangement and facilities of the place fostering interpersonal contacts opportunities of inter-generational integration in small and bigger groups providing visual integration (to see the whole square interior) integration with the surroundings (arrangement, landscape, functional) elements fostering coordination and sharing responsibility for functioning of the small retention (interactivity) the arrangement flexibility and possibility of changes D availability and continuity physical availability of different square s levels for all the users including children the elderly and the disabled (ramps) availability and continuity of the routes on different water levels following the water flow - visibility of the flow, the continuity of water arrang. visual and physical contact with water (also for people in the wheelchairs) using water to manage the access (moats, curtains, partitions etc.) convenience of availability and easy maintenance
E edutainment symbolism of water elements to convey a cultural message fostering the space exploration (adventure with water) using water toys, the possibility of modification by users the opportunity to observe (edu-paths) visibility of the processes of transportation, retention, infiltration and purification of water the possibility to organise educational games or cultural events K usage comfort and safety safe use at different water levels, userfriendly form of the rims and the bottom (steps), the kind of ground surface arrangement for different users groups (children, the elderly and the disabled), the comfort of use, the seats good visibility and illumination using water to enhance microclimate of the place and reduce the negative influence of urban environment the simplicity, easiness of maintenance, damage resilience, energy saving protection from rain, wind and heat
W image of the place water purity effectiveness purification composition & coherence of the arrangement with water and greenery variability of forms and water, multisensory aesthetic effects; changeability and the dynamics of water prestige raising the rank of the place, representativeness, highlighting the identity of the place and its cultural meaning (genius loci) adequacy of forms and functions in relation to the significance and character of the place A functional attractiveness multi-functionality of the square and the water arrangements connecting the blue and green infrastructure with recreation and education (edutainment) diversification of recreation forms, wide spectrum of activity for different groups various possibilities of use in different seasons the attractiveness of use during the rain zoning of the activity areas (stimulating/ calming, integration/ isolation)
MODULAR WATER SQUARES water-efficient and people-friendly Thank you for attention anna.januchta-szostak@put.poznan.pl