With Live Square architect Povilas Čepaitis (Unitectus) we agree that it is important to talk about the quality of the living environment, architecture, and urban planning so that people strive for these values in their daily lives, professional environments, and even while relaxing. We are talking not only about the “Live Square” project, but also about what a good city is, good architecture, and what it gives to a person. Meanwhile, “Live Square” will soon invite Vilnius residents and city guests to a new public and lively urban space.
A GOOD CITY: COMPLETE, GREEN AND FRIENDLY FOR PEOPLE
What city do you think is a good city?
As an architect, it may sound paradoxical, but I think that architecture is the least important thing for a city. First of all, a complete urban fabric is important for a good, high-quality city. This means that the city should not have unfinished, unformed or unformed structures, unfinished construction, poorly planned streets, pedestrians, or transport connections. Secondly, greenery and recreational spaces are of great importance. Vilnius is often presented as a green city. And yes, it is green when viewed from above. But what does that greenery consist of? Most often, it is abandoned, unused territories. When such a part of the city is redeveloped, for example, Bernardinų sodas, people flock to it because there is a desire to be in high-quality, recreationally adapted green spaces, and there are few of them. And although Kalnų Park is right next door, it is relatively empty because it is a disorderly, undeveloped space. Thirdly, it is important that people can travel comfortably in the city, that is, that the city is not too fragmented, that they do not have to spend too much time in traffic jams, that there are green areas in the immediate vicinity where people can go for a walk with their children and pets. Therefore, social cohesion and legal regulation that allows it to be achieved are important for the city.
However, the best way to achieve this is public education on the topics of architecture, urban planning, and the quality of the living environment. Often, legal regulation is not enough, because if people do not need quality, they find ways to bypass various regulations. Meanwhile, if people themselves want a good, high-quality living environment, they will demand it from the city municipality, from designers, from builders, and the result will definitely be good.
Read more here.