Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: This study explores the applicability of open-block communal housing as a means to improve poor residential environments.The open-block structure of London Squares, known for alleviating the closed nature of courtyards, offers a solution by creating independent blocks with open corners, allowing the city's street grid to naturally integrate with the residential blocks.To explore the feasibility of this proposal, case studies of Montagu Square and Bryanston Square in central London-both of which have provided high-quality living environments for centuries-were compared with District 6, Yangjae 2-dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul.Through this comparative analysis, key urban morphological factors influencing residential environments, such as street structure, block logic, public vs. private space and green space ratios, were identified.The applied scheme includes three open courtyards, a public street circulation system, and residential blocks, addressing the critical issue of public space.The open-block morphology significantly increases the proportion of public space and green views from residential areas compared to apartment complexes, offering a more balanced, community-centered model.This study suggests that open-block communal housing can provide a sustainable urban model, similar to the enduring success of London Squares.
Author: HYUN-JUN KIM
Institution: Kangwon National University
Language: English
Subfield: Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W4410328246