Learning from the informal: Um-Alsharayet

Phase I: Archival Background

Figure 1: Um-Alsharayet (Sorce: palestine remembered)

Um-Alsharayet is a Palestinian neighborhood located in the southeastern side of Ramallah and Al-Bireh governorate, it follows Al-Bierh municipality, it's population exceeds the 12,000 people on approximately 940 Dumun. Um-Alsharayet surrounded from three sides by other neighborhoods which are Al-masyoon, Al-Amari refugee camp and Kufur aqab.

Map 1: Location of Um-Alsharayet

After 1994 there has been inflation in the number of population, this Inflation was from all other Palestinian governorates, which has increased the relationship that combines Um Al-sharayet and Ramallah city, it has worked to attract various social classes specifically the middle and low income classes for the purpose of housing, business and investment; this is caused by general decline in the standard of living, environmental, health and even social aspects in this neighborhood. The majority of Um-Alsharayet residents are employees at many governmental institutions located in Um Al-sharayet itself, Ramallah or Al -Bireh, whether to live in Um Al-sharayet or to be close to their work places, and there are a large number of people coming to live in Um Al-sharayet from Jerusalem in order to escape from Alarnona taxes.

Map 2: Main services in Um-Alsharayt

Phase II: Social Maps

These maps contain the interesting spaces on Um-Alsharayet, each one contain a description of the space and the opportunity we saw on it. The most interesting issue on Um-Alsharayet is the play ground for the children, in this survey we tried to focus on the playing grounds as an urban design issue.

Map 3: Shortcuts on Um-Alsharayet

Map 4: Black barrels

Map 5: Playing fields

Map 6: Rusty boxes

Map 7: School yards

Map 8: Seized cars

Phase III: Intervention in Um-Alsharayet

The intervention held on 15/11/2013 (2:00- 7:00 PM) in Al-Wehdah Club, our purpose is to focus on two main issues in the area due to the fast uncontrolled urban sprawl that appeared lately; the first one is the lack of social interactions between people of Um Alsharayet due to the different backgrounds and original hometowns of its resedants. The seconde one is the absense of play grounds and spaces for children.

Figure 1: Al-wehdah Club before painting

Figure 2: Al-wehdah Club before painting

Figure 3: Al-wehdah Club before painting

We have painted the outside walls of the club with a white paint and distributed invitations contain the time and place on the schools of Um-Alsharayet to insure that everybody can come. We asked the painting shops in Um-Alsharayet to donate anything they can from white paintings and spray color bottles for our intervention and they were very generous and gave us all we needed.

Figure 4: The invitation card

Figure 5: The invitation card

Figure 6: Painting the club

Figure 7: Painting the club

Figure 8: Painting the club

The intervention had several activities: The marching band, painting on the wall, face painting, contest, providing sandwiches, and finally watching Ice Age 4 movie.

Activity #1: The marching band

We had a marching band show in the squares of the club, we had arranged with the club’s administration to bring their own marching team, this band had presented for the children one of their shows.

Figure 9: The marching band

Figure 10: The marching band

Video 1: The marching band

Activity #2: Painting on the wall of the club

While the music started playing, the children gathered around and we distribute spray bottles for them, they started painting anything they wanted on the new/recently painted white walls of the club’s building.

Figure 11: Painting on the club wall

Figure 12: Painting on the club wall

Figure 13: Painting on the club wall

Figure 14: Painting on the club wall

Figure 15: Painting on the club wall

Figure 16: Painting on the club wall

Video 2: Painting on the club wall

Video 3: Painting on the club wall

Activity #3: Contest

We prepare some simple questions of different topics, and those who answer them right we gave them prizes.

Figure 17: Children preparing for the contest

Figure 18: Contest

Figure 19: Contest

Figure 20: Contest

Video 4: Contest

Activity #4: Face Painting

The administration of the club made their own activity among this day, the young girls and boys painted on each other faces, and the parents joined them.

Figure 21: Face painting

Figure 22: Face painting

Figure 23: Face painting

Figure 24: Face painting

Figure 25: Face painting

Video 5: Face painting

Activity #5: Providing Sandwiches

While preparing the final activity we gave the children sandwiches and they ate after a long day of playing and painting.

Figure 26: Providing sandwiches

Figure 27: Providing sandwiches

Video 6: Providing sandwiches

Activity #6: Watching a movie

When the sun started to sat down, the children gathered on the ground and watched a movie '' Ice Age 4'' which projected on the club wall.

Figure 28: Preparing the wall for the movie

Figure 29: Watching the movie

Figure 30: Watching the movie

Figure 31: Watching the movie

Figure 32: Watching the movie

Figure 33: Watching the movie

Figure 34: Watching the movie

Video 7: Watching the movie

Video 8: Watching the movie

Video 9: Watching the movie

Final feedback from the intervention

It was a unique experience for both the children and their parents, and definitely for us too. Making this day happen is a tool to get closer to Um-Alsharayet children to proceed working in our project about the children spaces by understanding their needs and gaining their trust. Making this kind of social space in Al-Wehdah club made the children very happy. Also the parents now know us very well, thus they trust us and are willing to help us in our further work and research in the area.

Figure 35: The club before and after

Figure 36: Our group

Phase IV: Documentary Movie

Making a short movie on a related important topic on the study area is an useful tool to understand this topic. After the previous analysis of Um-Alsharayet we have been noticed many urban issues such as the lack of children facilities and spaces.

The idea of this movie depends on the story of three children from Um-Alsharayet and their journey in searching for a place in their neighborhood to play in.

Click Here to Watch the Video

Phase V: Legibility, Problem Maps & Community Interviews Analysis

#1 Legibility Analysis Map:

This phase contain more analysis of Um-Alsharayet in a different point of view. The first analysis is Legibility analysis which depends on interviews with Um-Alsharayet residents. The analysis focused on understanding the physical elements in the study area.

In order to cover Um-Alsharayet in the interviews it have been divided into five main areas. Figure 37 shows the main areas, the group of interviewees and the questions.

Figure 37: Legibility Questions

From these interviews the map which contains legibility analysis have been done, figure 38 shows the legibility analysis map.

Figure 38: Legibility Analysis Map

Finally from the legibility analysis some design issues have been generated, figure 39 explains these design issues that should be taken into account while figuring out the site for the needed project.

Figure 39: Design Issues from the Legibility Analysis

#2 Problem Map:

The problem map depends on two factors, the first one is understanding Kevin Lench methods in understanding the urban fabric and main elements of the area, the second one is our own observations of the problems on the study area after deep analysis and understanding.

Figure 40 shows the problem map analysis and some shots from the study area.

Figure 40: Problem Map Analysis

From the problem map analysis some design issues have been generated which related mainly to the site of the needed project, figure 41 shows these design issues.

Figure 41: Design Issues from the Problem Map Analysis

#3 Community Interviews:

The Community interviews analysis depends on understand the social issues that related to the urban fabric of Um-Alshataeyt. This analysis depends on interviews with the residents, these interviews contains questions that related to social issues rather than physical issues.

Figure 42 shows the group of interviewees and the questions.

Figure 42: Community Interviews Questions

The main result of these questions are recommendations for their needs. From these recommendations the project become clear. The need for an open space for families and children seems important and needs more studies that related to this topic in the study area. Figure 43 shows the resultant recommendations from the community interviews that related to designing an open space - Park- for Um-Alsharayet retardants.

Figure 43: Community Interviews Recommendations

Phase VI: Community Workshop

As a result from the previous analysis, the need for a community park seems important for many reasons that have been mentioned previously. The community participation for this design is very important, so an community work shop has been done which contain five main stages. Figure 44 illustrates the group of people whom attending the workshop and the five process of work.

Figure 44: Community Workshop

Figure 45: Community Workshop

Figure 46: Community Workshop

Figure 47: Community Workshop

Figure 48: Community Workshop

Figure 49: Community Workshop

The main output of the community workshop are many important recommendations and a primary layout for the community park. Figure 50 shows the main recommendations, it also shows the next step that related to the community workshop; since the recommendations has the site selection, an interviews with the residents near the site has been done also to obtain their recommendations about the project and their privacy needs.

Figure 50: Community Workshop Recommendations

Phase VII: Community Program

In this phase two stages have been done, the first one contains an interviews with official institutions on Um-Alsharayet such as the schools, clubs, popular community and Al-Berih municipality, the second one is obtaining the community program for the park. figure 51 shows the main questions in the interviews with the official institutions about the park.

Figure 51: Interviews with institutions

Figure 52: Ahmad Khalaf-Al-wehdah School

Figure 53: Samera Rinawe-Al-Karamah School

Figure 54: Deema Judeh-Al-Berih municipality

Figure 55: Sameer Al-Ejal- Alwehdah Club

The main purpose for these interviews are to enhance the relationship between the community park and the official institutions on Um-Alsharaye, also the ability of these institutions in using the community park.

Figure 56 shows the final program for the community park, this program obtained from all the previous workshops ans interviews with Um-Alsharayet residents and official institutions.

Figure 56: Community Program

Phase VIII: Analysis for the Community Park Selected Site

#1 The Site & The Legibility Map Analysis

After allocating the site on the legibility analysis map; some results appears that should be taken into account in designing the park and its relationship with the physical context.

In Figure 57 the red point on the legibility analysis map is the selected site for the community park, Figure 58 shows the main results.

Figure 57: The Site on the Legibility Map

Figure 58: The Site on the Legibility Map Results

#2 The Site & The Problem Map Analysis

After allocating the site on the problem map analysis map; some results appears that should be taken into account in designing the park and its relationship with the physical context.

In Figure 59 the red point on the problem map analysis map is the selected site for the community park, Figure 60 shows the main results.

Figure 59: The Site on the Problem Map

Figure 60: The Site on the Problem Map Results

#3 Macro& Micro Analysis for the Site

This section contain macro and micro analysis for the community park selected site, this site have been chosen after a discussion with Um-Alsharayet residents and official institutions as discussed in the previous phases.

The following maps (9-12) shows the macro analysis for the site and its relation with the context, the maps from (13-18) shows the micro analysis for the site.

Map 9: Macro Analysis for the Site

Map 10: Macro Analysis for the Site

Map 11: Macro Analysis for the Site

Map 12: Macro Analysis for the Site

Map 13: Micro Analysis for the Site

Map 14: Micro Analysis for the Site

Map 15: Micro Analysis for the Site

Map 16: Micro Analysis for the Site

Map 17: Micro Analysis for the Site

Map 18: Micro Analysis for the Site

Phase IX: Conceptual Approach

#1 Main Concepts

This phase contain the main concepts in designing the community park, their is nine main concepts shown in the following figures (61-69).

Figure 61: Concept of Site Selection

Figure 62: Concept of Approach

Figure 63: Concept of Zonning

Figure 64: Concept of Landscape

Figure 65: Concept of Circulation

Figure 66: Concept of Privacy

Figure 67: Concept of Cost& Financing

Figure 68: Concept of Lighting

Figure 69: Concept of Materials

#2 Material Catalog

To understand the material and the opportunities of convert them into useful tools and games for children; an study for all the possible raw materials on the study site have been done, also their location, the owners, the possible shapes. Many interviews with companies for plastic, steel and children play ground have been done to understand the way of conversion and the possibilities.

Figures 70-78 shows the final catalog that contain the location, type and possible shapes and functions from the raw materials in Um-Alsharayet.

Figure 70: Catalog of Materials

Figure 71: Catalog of Materials

Figure 72: Catalog of Materials

Figure 73: Catalog of Materials

Figure 74: Catalog of Materials

Figure 75: Catalog of Materials

#3 Photo Collage

The photo collage have been done in order to understand the possible images for the community park and its relation with the context. Four possible images have been done as shown in Figures 76-79.

Figure 76: Photo Collage

Figure 77: Photo Collage

Figure 78: Photo Collage

Figure 79: Photo Collage

Phase X: Community Park Master Plan

This phase contains planning and designing the community park and the main functions on it, the park will be flexible for different ages and different groups of people- residents and official institutions- , the flexibility shown in using the spaces and the distribution of functions, such as the open space for various activities like picnic, Dabkah, meetings..ex. Many activities also takes place on the community park such as the sport field, playground, settings, movie projector, cafeteria, paths throw the archaeological site that located near the community park .. ex.

Figure 80 shows the master plan with the main details on the park, also figures 81-89 shows some 3D shots from the park.

Figure 80: Master Plan for the Community Park

Figure 81: Abstract Model for the Park

Figure 82: 3D shots in the Community Park

Figure 83: 3D shots in the Community Park

Figure 84: 3D shots in the Community Park

Figure 85: 3D shots in the Community Park

Figure 86: 3D shots in the Community Park

Figure 87: 3D shots in the Community Park

Figure 88: 3D shots in the Community Park

Figure 89: 3D shots in the Community Park

Phase XI: Project Final Jury With the Clients

The final phase is displaying the community project for the clients, the jury was at Birzeit University-Architecture Department. The jury contains all the work that have been done during the semester and the evolution of the ideas and the project. The clients who came to the jury was residents form Um-Alsharayet and deputy for Al-Berih Municipality.

Many issues have been discussed with the clients and they were very satisfied about the final product; since it's a good step for solve an important issues on Um-Alsharayet. Figures 90-93 shows some shots from the jury.