THE ARCHITECTURAL JOURNEY OF THE T.O.D-MAN

TRANSIT-ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT VS HOUSING SHORTAGE

This project involves two countries and their shared border, Belgium and the Netherlands. Their mutual interest in international communications, travelling, work, living and economy have been extensively researched. The account is that there are more needs than what each country can provide. The living requirements are falling short for both countries, and they are in great need of mutual solutions and ideas to withstand the housing shortage reality that will keep on pushing their boundaries. It is not only an urban and architectural concept but also a phenomenological message to the authorities and their lack of interest in handling this situation with expediency.

*COMIC FICTION NARRATIVE*

“THE NARRATIVE OF OUR STORY TAKES PLACE IN THE DISTANT FUTURE, 2051. COUNTRIES HAVE BEEN SWEPT AWAY, AND OTHERS HAVE SUCCUMBED TO THE CRISIS OF THE WORLD SINCE THE PANDEMIC OF 2020… GOVERNMENTS AND ORGANISATIONS IGNORED THE SITUATION AND TOOK CARE OF THEMSELVES. WITH SUCH GLOBAL NEGLIGENCE, PEOPLE ARE SUFFERING INJUSTICE ACROSS BORDERS, AND CLASSES HAVE DISTANT THEMSELVES TO NOT GOING BACK.

THE HOUSING SHORTAGE HAS BEEN FIGHTING OUR HEROES SINCE THE BEGINNING; HOWEVER, ALONG WITH HIM, HE BROUGHT A SERIES OF COMPLEXITIES SUCH AS CONSTRUCTION COSTS, HOUSING PRICES, ETC. THE DESIGNERS OF 2051 ARE INCAPABLE OF HANDLING THIS GLUTTONY. ONE DESIGNER YET HAS FOUND A KEY THAT MAY CHANGE THE TIDE FROM THE PAST.”

The place of the project is in the city of Turnhout, Belgium. It stands very close to the Netherlands border, and is in the author’s speculation that it will be the next city to handle the housing shortage situation of both countries. The research and explorations were constantly tested through hand-drawn visual novels. Sketches and drawings represent what is seen and how things could progress to the end of the project.

The techniques were explored through numerous illustrations, some shown here. The theme is of great importance nowadays, and it is explored in conceptual thinking rather than giving a straight resolution to the issues. Everything points to one of the most appealing investment roads, the transit station.

*COMIC FICTION NARRATIVE*

“EXPERIENCING THE POTENTIAL LIVEABILITY OF AN AREA IS POSSIBLE, YET A PARTICULAR COGNITIVE EXPERIENCE NEEDS TO BE CONSIDERED. HOW DO WE GO AFTER WE TAKE OFF THE TRAIN, WHERE SHOULD I HEAD TOWARDS T, DO I NEED A BIKE, A CAR OR A BUS, ARE THERE ANY SHOPS AROUND, ETC. TOD-MAN HAS THE POTENTIAL TO CONTROL ALL OF THE ASPECTS OF HUMAN LIFE TO BRING MORE PEOPLE IN FROM OTHER CITIES AND BARRICADE THE FORCES OF THE HOUSING SHORTAGE BY IMPLYING THE SUPPORT OF THE DEVELOPERS AND ORGANISATIONS AROUND EVEN TO MAKE A PROFIT.”

This is the story of the Transit-Oriented Development Man (T.O.D-man), a superhero who does everything he can to aid the people in need of housing. His connection and relationships make him, ironically, a project manager of the whole idea, which is to develop housing above the heritage train station. The concept grows as the story goes forward in visual novels. It is also the moment that the hero is constantly tested by his nemesis, Housing Shortage. Their fight is explored, and they find a proper and sustainable solution to handle the city that might be massively influenced by the political and economic downfall.

The final proposal suggests an adaptable wooden structure that provides prefabricated houses above. The houses are positioned on the sides as the middle part of the structure is open for gathering communities and avoids the technical issues of handling homes above the passing trains from below.

*COMIC FICTION NARRATIVE*

“THE EXTENDED DREAMT TRANSIT AREAS HAVE BEEN ADAPTED AS A DISCOURSE FOR FUTURE URBAN DEVELOPMENTS. TURNHOUT IS A CITY WHICH HAS BEEN DISCONNECTED FROM THE PRIMARY TRANSIT SYSTEM.

BY APPLYING A HUB OF LIFE AND PROSPERITYTHAT MIGHT BE CHANGED SOON AS HYPERTRANSFORMATIVE BORDERS ARE QUICKLY GAINING PACE ONCE AGAIN AFTER THE PANDEMIC.ENCOURAGING LANDSCAPE FLOURISHING AND IMPLYING AS LITTLE AS POSSIBLE TO ITS NATURAL SETTING IS A KEY TO BATTLING THE URBAN SPRAWL INSIDE THE HEAVILY DENSIFIED CITIES. DISCARDING CARBON EMISSIVE MOBILITY SYSTEMS AND PROVIDING MORE SPACE AND CONNECTIVITY FOR SUSTAINABLE MOVEMENTS IS PART OF THE TOD-MAN’S FUTURE LEGACY.

HOUSING IS ONE THING THAT IS AIMED TO BE AFFORDABLE FOR THE FUTURE, YET THE TIMBER STRUCTURE IS TO PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR ADAPTABILITY AND MIX-USE SETTINGS. WHERE THERE IS PREFABRICATED HOUSING, THERE COULD BE A PREFABRICATED SHOP OR PREFABRICATED OFFICE. THE CURRENT STATE ENVISIONED IS FLEXIBLE STRUCTURES THAT COULD MIX ALL THREE ESTATES.”