11. Integrated Transportation Node
As understood from the name, an integrated transportation node is a transit hub where multiple vehicles can be used as transportation. For instance, major airports today are connected to the local cabs, buses and trains via a direct stop. These nodes are not just limited to vehicular activity but also incorporate walkable spaces connecting people accessing the transportation systems from all walks of life.
Considering the amount of traffic such spaces are bound to experience, it can include commercial and entertainment facilities as well.
12. Mass Rapid Transit System
Mass Rapid Transit System is the most upcoming development in the transportation sector. It aims at providing public transport to a large number of members of the community at high speeds, cutting down the travelling time and proving to be cost-effective overall.
Exclusive road and railway tracks are developed for the same purpose, connecting mega cities directly, reducing the distance between them.
13. Walkability Infrastructure
With most modern cities planned around automobiles, they serve only the elite population, leaving cramped and broken pathways for the common man. However, in recent times, cities have attempted to enhance their walkability for the health and safety of citizens and also reduce dependency on automobiles, which has detrimental impacts on the environment.
Only providing a safe walking space is not sufficient. It should reflect human activity and incorporate aesthetics to promote its use.
14. Public Squares
The last two decades have seen a shift in the idea of public space, from simple squares to complex industrialised shopping complexes accompanied by parking lots and heavy traffic. In this process, there has been a loss in terms of human interaction.
However, people are now moving back to the traditional squares as not just markets but also an integral part of the social fabric of a city or town, contributing to the cultural development of the society as a whole. Squares today are growing to be vehicle-free spaces, with the most iconic instance of Times Square in New York.
15. Promenades and Streets
Streets and promenades form the very essence of any city. They are the nucleus of pedestrian movement and social interaction. Today, the streets are merely an accompaniment to wide roads. Nonetheless, there have been attempts by the public to reclaim the streets and make them the hotspots they once were.
Murals and artworks have transformed into art districts while cafes and restaurants have taken to the sidewalks to make the streets lively and appeal to passers-by.
16. Bridges and Communication Towers
Bridges are crucial in the transportation sector, providing a safe passage for vehicular and pedestrian movement over water bodies. However in today’s time, bridges have an ulterior purpose to serve with telecommunications infrastructure installed on bridges, that is to transmit information. Presently, information is a gold mine of resources, valued even above human resources.
17. Urban Parks
The concept of urban parks was developed in the late 20th century owing to the rising concerns regarding the poor life quality of the large population due to industrialisation. Today, urban parks are flourishing as transportation infrastructure.
Like the cities that house them, urban parks take on different forms, from signature downtown parks to reclaimed industrial railways and corridors. Now these corridors, or linear parks, are coming to be recognized as an important part of modernized transportation systems, connecting neighbourhoods and residents to new opportunities.
18. Peripheral Parking
Owing to massive vehicular traffic, parking spaces need to be planned efficiently to house the motor vehicles. One viable solution for the same is peripheral parking i.e. parking facilities in the periphery or the outskirts of the town.
For any movement further into the town, the people may resort to walking or other public transport. This will avoid congestion of traffic in the main city while deserted streets will be lively once again.
19. Urban Monuments and Land Art
Studies conducted by EC Tolman in the 1940s proved that “Both man and animals create a tentative, mental map to recognize and learn environmental relationships. They need a tool of space recognition to get acquainted with the environment they have been forced to live in.
The spires and domes of the cathedrals, mosques and temples or the towering skyscrapers help the inhabitants orient themselves within a city.
20. Transportation in times of COVID-19
With the pandemic imposing a lockdown pretty much all over the world, life came to a standstill resulting in a global economic loss. Today, even with flights and trains opening to the general public, social distancing is mandatory. Still, some people feel unsafe while travelling.
Redevelopment of the transport infrastructure in view of the pandemic has great scope as a thesis topic as it is still in the latent stages.
References:
- Architectural Designs. n.d. 100+ latest unusual architecture thesis topics list for dissertation research proposal – Architectural Designs. [online] Available at: <https://www.arkitecture.org/unusual-architecture-thesis-topics-list.html> [Accessed 31 March 2021].
- KADVACORP. 2021. Innovative architecture thesis topics list for B.Arch. final year dissertation ideas. [online] Available at: <https://www.kadvacorp.com/design/architecture-thesis-topics/> [Accessed 1 April 2021].
- Institute for Transportation and Development Policy. n.d. What is TOD?. [online] Available at: <https://www.itdp.org/library/standards-and-guides/tod3-0/what-is-tod/> [Accessed 1 April 2021].
- Nagel, C. and Watkins, K., 2017. Urban Parks’ Emerging Role as Transportation Infrastructure. [online] Governing.com. Available at: <https://www.governing.com/archive/col-urban-parks-emerging-role-transportation-infrastructure.html> [Accessed 2 April 2021].
- Suryawanshi, M. and Shingote, S., 2018. Peripheral parking & its advantage. [online] Ques10.com. Available at: <https://www.ques10.com/p/24972/peripheral-parking-its-advantage/> [Accessed 2 April 2021].
- Januchta-Szostak, A., 2010. The Role of Public Visual Art in Urban Space Recognition. P.75. 10.5772/7120.
