Comment on ‘Live/Work Housing in an urban setup’ by Ling Ling

Ling offers a good explanation of the pros and cons with Live/Work units. She broadly talks about the environmental benefits, including reduced car usage and the time saved with the removed early morning commute. There are additionally, a few other broad topics to discuss here, such as young families raising children. Live/Work allows them to be paid and look after their children in the same space. It also grants them more time to do other chores or house work allowing the day to be spent on the things they want to do.

The optional urban forms of Live/Work are interesting, as Ling illustrates three Live/Work forms. Figure 1 and 2 as mentioned in her blog can be modified from ordinary houses to make room for office space. Furthermore, Zukin (2009) explains if we adapt to the demands in industry and business, which for Live/Work has been a successful trend, create more jobs and economic diversity in business sectors.

To go a step further, could be how these forms can integrate with the wider context. For example, the ground floor of the units could face the main street allowing clients, customers an staff to enter, this is illustrated in the Havelock example below. Using facades and signposting to help navigate people to the workplace. Another, could be the placement of these units, locating them on the corner of developments expands the range of footfall.

Havelock Live/Work neighbourhood with facades facing the main street – (1)

Overall, a really good piece exploring the space standards and urban form of Live/Work units as this demonstrates clear thinking for the future developments and businesses.

References

Zukin, S. (2009) Changing landscapes of power: Opulence and the urge for authenticity, International Journal of Urban and Regional Research, 33, (2), pp. 543-553.