RHA LAB
RHA LAB

WHAT ARE "ADAPTIVE MASTERPLANNING" AND "DYNAMIC REGULATORY WORKS"?
by RHA LAB

RT UNLIMITED Concept

The planning and design of work, production, and research locations is an increasingly relevant field for architects, urban planners, and landscape architects. The underlying realization is that a high-quality and attractive spatial environment is a crucial factor in attracting companies, research institutions, and workers. However, work location, production, and research constitute a unique urban component facing complex challenges. Behind the terms commerce, production, and research lies a broad and diverse range of potential uses, spanning from artisanal businesses and manufacturing facilities to large-scale logistics and laboratories. Furthermore, these areas are characterized by varying usage cycles, encompassing both long-term growing businesses and short-term activities.

Another characteristic of such areas is their high dynamic, reflected in subsequent structural expansions, renovations, reprogramming, and changes due to expansion, the introduction of new technologies, or adjustments to manufacturing processes. Planning such urban projects presents the challenge of formulating future-proof urban rules while simultaneously considering unforeseeable developments on the users' side. In this context, the method of 'Adaptive Master Planning' can serve as a guide to create an adaptable framework for sustainable future development.

The approach of "Adaptive Master Planning" aims to achieve high design quality for work, production, and research locations. The idea of adaptability in planning is based on the concept of establishing flexible frameworks for architectural and spatial structures without initially specifying a detailed development. The challenge is to define an overarching and distinctive design framework that simultaneously flexibly integrates the diverse individual interests of users. A central characteristic of adaptive and dynamic master plans lies in the skillful connection of predefined and flexible spatial structures. The establishment of clearly defined building fields creates a stable urban framework, within which public spaces and open areas form the basis of the urban structure. These fixed structures and elements are essential for creating sustainable spatial quality. For example, ecological reference points such as parks, green spaces, or open areas can be anchored, providing structure to the space, offering orientation, and shaping the identity of the area. In contrast, the design of the building fields can be flexibly adjusted, creating a versatile and open space for future developments. The guidance of this development is facilitated through urban planning regulations, which can define criteria such as maximum building footprint, setback regulations, building heights, and ecological aspects.

We have successfully demonstrated the effectiveness of "Adaptive Master Planning" in a series of projects. Examples such as RT Unlimited in Reutlingen, the Environmental Park in Augsburg, the Commercial Area Development Concept in Neustadt, and the Business Park in Landau vividly illustrate how this approach can be successfully implemented in practice. Through these projects, several urban planning principles have been identified that have proven effective in the application of the "Adaptive Master Planning" method:

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Modular Parceling of Plots

To enable a demand-oriented assembly of individual building plots, various module sizes for plots can be defined. Three module sizes with different designations can be established: Size S (small), Size M (medium), and Size L (large). These modules create different characters of urban spaces. Areas with small modules generate more diversity and activity in the street space compared to medium and large modules. Therefore, small and medium as well as medium and large modules can coexist in the street space. However, small and large modules are not compatible due to their distinct characteristics. Categorizing the module sizes into three categories, "S, M, L," facilitates the distribution of module sizes in the planning area and establishes frameworks that prevent the dilution of urban size distribution.

Division and Addition

To ensure a high degree of flexibility, the modules can be combined or divided to create plots of different sizes. This allows, for example, companies looking to expand their production to use an additional suitable plot without fundamentally influencing the urban structure.

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Set of Rules for the Buildability of Modules

To establish high-quality and coherent spaces, regulations for the built utilization of plot modules are beneficial. For instance, building zones with different design requirements can be defined. Zones oriented towards public spaces should have particular design requirements, while zones in rear positions may be more influenced by functional design. Another aspect for forming clear spatial edges is the regulations for the arrangement of buildings on the plot. Finally, approaches for the organization of parking spaces or deliveries should be predefined.

SOURCES

Beinhauer, W., Brandel, T., Kratzer, N., Leibinger, R., and Trüby, S. (2022). “Vom Wandel der Arbeit,” ARCH+, 248, 160–173.

IBA Heidelberg GmbH, Stadt Heidelberg, and KCAAP Architects & Planners (2019). “PHVision.,”

Landesinitiative StadtBauKultur NRW (Hrsg.) 2007: Orte der Arbeit - Die gestalterische Aufwertung von Gewerbegebieten. Werkstattbericht #5, Bearbeitung: Universität Duisburg-Essen, Institut für Stadtplanung und Städtebau. Europäisches Haus der Stadtkultur Gelsenkirchen

Oswalt, O., Overmeyer, K., and Misselwitz, P. (2013). Urban Catalyst - The Power of temporary use, Dom Publishers, Berlin.

Reicher, C. (2017). Städtebauliches Entwerfen, Springer Fachmedien Wiesbaden, Wiesbaden.