Space Analysis of Sulzer-Areal in Winterthur, Switzerland - Essay Example

Space Analysis: Case Study on Sulzerareal, Winterthur (Switzerland) Table of Contents INTRODUCTION 2. OF THE SPACE 2 SULZER- AREAL, WINTERTHUR (SWITZERLAND) 3. METHODOLOGY 4. DATA PRESENTATION 4.1 SULZER- AREAL, WINTERTHUR AS PUBLIC SPACE 4.2 SULZER-AREAL AND HOW IT HAS BEEN ACCOMMODATED 4.3 THE ERGONOMICS OF THE PUBLIC SPACE OF SULZER-AREAL 5. DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS 6. CONCLUSION 7. REFERENCES 1. Introduction Theoretically, space attains a meaning when it is inhabited by a human being. According to scholars, physically and geographically a space is a social territory. In order to analyze a particular space, thesusers of the space get special significance and cannot be ignored. A space cannot be properly analyzed until and unless the environment surrounding the space is taken into consideration (David, 2004). A public space can defined as a space where everyone in the society has the right or permission to come; hence public space can be assessed more than any other space available on Earth. Here, most of the people are unknown to each other and they are related on the basis of their category (Minton, 2012). The case study here is based on Sulzer-Areal in Winterthur, Switzerland. The main focus of the study is to understand how the free area meant for iron and steel factory complex has been converted into public space (King, 2011). 2. Description of the Space 2.1 Sulzer-Areal, Winterthur (Switzerland) The old industrial area of Sulzer-Areal (Fig 1) is located in the center of Winterthur, Switzerland. In the year 1834, it was first built by the Sulzer brothers and the area is spread over twenty hectares till Zurich road and railway. The industrial area reflects the golden days of mechanical engineering in Switzerland. In 1980, a law was passed to expel the heavy industries out of the main city area of Winterthur and from then on, lots of suggestion has been proposed for Sulzer-Areal. The place was much into a state of transition from 1990 and in 1992, the idea of complete demolition of the area was rejected. The owner of the space, Sulzer Immobilien AG group, proposed a very high budget and international project called the ‘Megalou’ for the complete restructuring of Sulzer-Areal (King, 2011). But due to recession, the entire project lost its luster and was left with no tenants and investors. The situation demanded a rethinking, as the operation of the space was not possible because of the huge investment required. So, it was decided to make some superficial changes in the existing buildings and convert it into a public space that will help to rebuild the area in the future. The industrial buildings were slowly transformed into districts. Now the area is a mix of educational institutes, residential complexes, workplaces and leisure. Thus, the area now has a whole new and exciting charm as a public space (King, 2011). Fig 1: Old Sulzer-Areal Fig 2: Present Sulzer- Areal 3. Methodology The entire study of the Sulzer-Areal case study has been done by keeping in focus certain points that will help the reader understand how the entire transformation of the private space once meant for industrial purpose, has been converted into a public space to maintain the lost glory of the old industrial area. The Different Sections of the report Necessity Introduction of the report Help to understand on the what the entire project is based on The details about the space considered in the case study Helps to understand how well it will help us relate the theories practically Data presentation based on the information collected about the space Helps us to understand how the space has being utilized, also defining the surrounding environment and the occupants has been taken into consideration. Discussion and Recommendations Helps to understand whether the concepts have been clearly dealt and how much more of that space can be properly utilized Conclusion Finally helps to conclude our understanding of Sulzer-Areal and its future course. 4. Data Presentation  4.1 Sulzer- Areal, Winterthur as Public Space Scholars highlight that a public space ie one that gives the freedom to common public to come and leave without much hindrances and can be assessed more than any other spach (Wood & Landry, 2008). On the contrary, private properties or space are those which are very personal to the owner and have restricted access by the general public and cannot be used or visited without proper permission from the proper authority (Oren, 2012). Sulzer-Areal represents such a space that was once owned by the Sulzer brothers and was meant for iron and steel manufacturing and was a completely restricted and prohibited area for the public. After 1980, when industries were expelled out of the city center of Winterthur, it lost its glory as one of the most valuable property for the industries. From then on, lots of interventions were made and the different buildings slowly got occupied by small business owners from outside. This indicates the slow transition of the private property into a public space. Finally AG group decided to reconstruct the area and launch the project ‘Megalou’ (Kennett & Forrest, 2006). The recession hit the huge budgeted and much awaited project of ‘Megalou’ that was proposed by the owners of the Sulzer-Areal. The project lost its glory and most of its tenants those who were occupying the buildings and there were no investors to materialize the project (Kennett & Forrest, 2006). So slowly, different portions of the space had been modified so that it could be utilized as a public space. The idea is working positively in favor of Sulzer Areal and it may again become one of the major attractions in Winterthur. 4.2 Sulzer-Areal And How It Has Been Accommodated And Influences The Surrounding And It Occupants Sulzer-Areal is located very near to the Winterthur railway station and is located at the heart of the city. The location actually influences the entire development of the city of Winterthur and provides a distinctive charm (Oren, 2012). The crisis that the area meets with, gave new opportunities for the creation of something new in that space. The empty foundries, production units, and warehouses once meant for the manufacturing and storage of steel are now converted into residential areas, lofts, bars, restaurants, studies and small blocks for offices that are small or medium in size. Certain portions have been converted into workshops, school, colleges, cinema halls, and shops. By this way, the industrial area and heritage that date way back to 1834 and modern city life blends with each other. 4.3 The Ergonomics of the Public Space of Sulzer-Areal Engineering has been done on three open industrial spaces that are visibly enclosed by the existence of the interstitial buildings surrounding them. The utmost significance of all is the Katharina Sulzer Platz, a rectangular area of 200meters and 30 meter wide that spreads across the multifaceted industrial area and joins the main street with the lane that runs beside the railway lines (King, 2011). The plane area is set on with a tough border narrow piece that skirts a supple inner zone. The border strip is fashioned by a portion of decorated concrete material with tiny iron balls rooted in it. The supple inner zone is enclosed with Netstal Marl gravel blended mixed with hard-pressed sand along with steel balls (King, 2011). The northern end of the inner portion has three rectangular pools with water that replicate the veneer of the industrial buildings. Chairs with five different colors are spread on the gravel and when required, can be stacked. Occasionally, extended unprocessed steel sheet are spread among the chairs that make you recall the rails of the cranes used in the past. In the southern portion of Katharina Sulzer Platz, the original rails and the large cranes that were restored from the past are still preserved (King, 2011). Beside the cranes, there is another perforated bed where trees are planted at random, giving a sculpture-like look. 5. Discussion and Recommendations The case study on Sulzer-Areal depicts how an old and unused private property can be reused and converted into a profitable venture. The transition between the public and private space is interesting to note in this case study. The engineering that has been done in order to convert portions of the industrial area is also noteworthy and remarkable (Morrison, 2003). The entire engineering work has been done, keeping the ambience of the area intact. There are certain things that can also be done in order to further utilize the space. They can utilize a portion of the industrial estate to convert it into a theme hotel cum restaurant that will not only attract visitors from within the city, but also from outside and will also help the owner to generate revenue. They can also think of building a theme park based on the relicts that has been recovered from that industrial area. Moreover, a huge shopping mall adorning big brands can be of great attraction and will help to generate some income from that property. 6. Conclusion The above study helps to understand the concept of space and how it influences its surroundings. It also helps us to understand the difference between a public and private space (Sandercock, 2003). It helps to understand the transition between the two; how a private space that is of no use or actually pinching the pocket of the owners can be reengineered and reused as a public space that reshapes the entire city of Winterthur. The study helps to think in a critical manner how better spaces can be utilized for the public purposes that will help to generate revenue in order to attract further investment in that area and future developments. It also helps us to conclude that there are so many spaces around us that still need more attention to make it attractive so that the common citizens can easily access them without any hurdle. 7. References David, B. (2004). Publicspace. Retrieved October 27, 2013, from www.publicspace.org: http://www.publicspace.org/en/works/d214-sulzerareal Kennett, P., & Forrest, R. (2006). The Neighbourhood in a European Context. Urban Studies , 43, 713. King, D. C. (2011). Selling with Space Management. UK: Perfect Paperpack. Mathew, C., Claudio, D. M., & Leo, H. (2013). Public Space: The Management Dimension. UK: Paperback. Minton, A. (2012). Ground Control: Fear and happiness in the twenty-first century. London: Pearson. Morrison, N. (2003). Neighbourhoods and Social Cohesion: Experiences from Europe. International Planning Studies , 8 (2), 125-138. Oren, R. (2012). The Art of Space Management. UK: Paperpack. Sandercock, L. (2003). Planning in the Ethno-culturally Diverse City: A Comment. Planning Theory and Practice , 4, 319-323. Sandercock, L. (2002). When Strangers Become Neighbours: Managing Cities of Difference. Journal of Planning Theory and Practice , 1 (1), 13-20. Wood, P., & Landry, C. (2008). The Intercultural City: Planning for Diversity. Earthscan. Read More