DomusAir’s latest issue (No. 13) investigates innovative urban projects redefining connectivity, logistics, and public spaces. Through expert articles and interviews, this edition explores visionary strategies and real-world applications shaping the future of our cities.

Mobility redesigns the city

How does mobility shape urban life and drive city planning? Does it have an emphasising role in fostering accessibility, efficiency and social cohesion? How about its potential to drive sustainable urban reform? Diego Deponte from Systematica presents mobility as a city’s operational core, reveals how cities function and foster accessibility by managing key resources such as space, time, energy, and money. While distance once defined urban structures, today, time is the critical factor reshaping how people access opportunities. The article identifies a paradigm shift, the “mobility turn,” driven by three interlinked forces: advancements in technology like autonomous vehicles and AI; ecological transitions such as electric and hydrogen mobility; and the rise of shared mobility services like car-sharing and ride-hailing. 

In parallel; A Disco for Europe 

Coordinated by FIT Consulting, the DISCO project aims to revolutionise urban logistics through a networked, data-optimised platform that promotes collaborative and eco-friendly goods movement. The project’s approach mimics the evolution of the discographic industry, where music was once distributed physically, and now is dematerialised and accessed via music platforms. DISCO digitalises urban logistics via Sustainable Urban Logistics Plans (SULPs) and enables stakeholders to securely share real-time data through its data space ecosystem. The project is already being tested in eight European cities with pilot initiatives such as shared micro-hubs in Helsinki, underutilised space optimisation in Thessaloniki, access control systems in Ghent, and digital twin simulations in Copenhagen.  

Connectivity Case Studies 

1. Five-Star Melbourne: Metro Tunnel Project (completion 2025)  

Led by Hassell, WW+P Architects, and RSHP, this green infrastructure initiative aims to enhance Melbourne’s public transport network. It includes twin 9km long tunnels and 5 new underground stations: Arden, Parkville, State Library, Town Hall, and ANZAC. The project promises to improve connectivity, reduce congestion with a grand capacity to move 80,000 passengers per peak, and generate 34,000 new jobs.

2. A walk in the forest: Portland International Airport Main Terminal Expansion 

Designed by ZGF, the new PDX terminal, with an expanded capacity for 35M passengers, sets benchmarks in functionality, biophilic design and sustainability. First of its kind in the US, its mass timber roof spans 9 acres with prefabricated, carbon-efficient construction inspired by indigenous weaving. The terminal includes 72 trees, 5000 plants, and 49 skylights, creating a nature-inspired space reducing the carbon emission by 70%.  

3. Erasing boundaries: Saint-Denis-Pleyel Station 

Realized by Kengo Kuma & Associates, the Saint-Denis Pleyel Station is a visionary part of the Grand Paris Express (GPE) network that redefines connectivity, design and urban renewal. It acts as a catalyst for revitalising the surrounding Pleyel district, elevating the urban landscape and uniting previously fragmented areas. Anticipated to handle 250,000 travelers daily, the station is built for the demands of a rapidly growing metropolitan area. 

4. A bridge to the future: Robert Poujade Pedestrian Bridge 

Designed by Grimshaw and PPA Architectures, this bridge connects Toulouse to the Île du Ramier, supporting the Grand Parc Garonne project. Its design features a 60m cable-stayed structure and a 5-meter-wide deck that accommodates both pedestrians and cyclists. The bridge is part of a broader initiative to transform the Île du Ramier into a “green lung” for Toulouse, promoting biodiversity, leisure, and sport, all while linking city pathways, trams, and promenades to the island. 

Urban development requires symmetry: Interview with Julio Paulos 

Urban development requires achieving balance, or “symmetry,” as Julio Paulos of ETH Zurich‘s Future Cities Laboratory (FCL) describes it. This means moving beyond generic “smart city” models to develop context-specific solutions that prioritize both growth and livability. Paulos emphasizes people-centric mobility, pointing to Copenhagen and Amsterdam as prime examples of cities that prioritize accessibility over automobile-centric design. He cautions against over-relying on digital tools like digital twins as means of control, rather than understanding. Instead, he advocates for interdisciplinary collaboration, highlighting how FCL’s approach involves 20 different disciplines to address urban challenges that extend far beyond traditional design and architecture.

Long-sighted waterfront : A quick sustainability pill

The Huangpu River Waterfront Strategy, co-developed by Gehl and Shanghai authorities, revitalises 45 km of riverfront to prioritize accessibility, connectivity, and quality public spaces. Previously hindered by industrial sites and limited pedestrian access, the redevelopment integrates 92% of flood barriers into the area, creating an inviting waterfront. The redevelopment adds 82 hectares of greenery, cultural venues, and recreational areas, making the space accessible to 4.8 million people within a 15-minute walk. 

Lastly, Giulio De Carli, Scientific Director of DomusAir, discusses the need for greater synergy between the physical and digital realms in urban development and regeneration. Challenges often arise from the disconnect between infrastructure and digital systems, particularly during planning and early development stages. To address these issues, multidisciplinary collaboration and meticulous, slow-paced planning are essential to deliver sustainable, high-performing urban solutions. 

Pick up your copy with the latest edition of Domus Magazine and follow some of the key stories at DomusWeb.it