Nearly every larger city struggles with traffic congestion nowadays. As diverse as the cities, so diverse are the suggestions for this problem. For London Zaha Hadid Architects just proposed the multi-staged research initiative “Walkable London”, which turns wide areas in the central city into pedestrian zones. Traffic jams, air pollution and the general quality of life would be tackled by this project. Step by step major boulevards should be freed from car traffic, until a cross-shaped pedestrian area evolves, being nearly half as large as London’s congestion charge zone.
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Stage I: Oxford Street
The pedestrianisation of the Oxford Street is already decided. Mayor Sadiq Kahn revealed a traffic concept for Europe’s busiest shopping street in 2017. Around half a million people are passing through the street day by day, sharing the space with two traffic lanes. According to Kahn’s office, every seven days a pedestrian was involved in a collision. The new concept bans all cars and bikes on neighbouring streets and levels the ground, making it accessible for wheelchair users. Oxford Street could then be fitted with trees and benches, creating a sequence of public plazas. The former area of congestion is expected to be transformed into a vibrant area of interaction and public art.
Last Stage: Walkable London?
As the northern border of the pedestrian cross, the Oxford Street is an important piece in the ambitious Walkable London initiative. And it is very likely that some more streets will follow in the future. But is it possible to transform such large areas into pedestrian zones? In any case, the introduction of the congestion charge in 2003 did not lead to a feared gridlock. Around 30% fewer cars are in London’s city today, while more people are using public transport and some avoid driving in that area. 300 more buses were necessary to meet increased traffic demands. The concept for the Oxford Street is also encouraged by a new underground Line, the Elizabeth Line, which runs directly under the shopping boulevard. A last stage of Walkable London however, would need more measures. Since not everyone can be transported by subway, alternate transport systems like buses and bicycles must be implemented too. In addition, the concept would have to deal even more with the shift of traffic to neighbouring areas, causing congestions there.
The Royal Institute of British Architects announced Zaha Hadid as the winner oft he Royal Gold Medal 2016. Since 1848 the award is given to personalities that render outstanding services in architecture. Hadid is the first female laureate.
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The jury recognized Zaha Hadid’s lifelong advancement of the field of architecture without following trends or fashion. Peter Cook, member of the jury: ‘If Paul Klee took a line for a walk, then Zaha took the surfaces that were driven by that line out for a virtual dance and then deftly folded them over and then took them out for a journey into space. (…) Of course, in our culture of circumspection and modesty her work is certainly not modest, and she herself is the opposite of modest. Indeed her vociferous criticism of poor work or stupidity (…) is surely characteristic of the seriousness with which she takes the whole business. (…) Such self-confidence is easily accepted in film-makers and football managers, but causes some architects to feel uncomfortable, maybe they’re secretly jealous of her unquestionable talent. Let’s face it, we might have awarded the medal to a worthy, comfortable character. We didn’t, we awarded it to Zaha: larger than life, bold as brass, and certainly on the case. Our Heroine. How lucky we are to have her in London.’
Zaha Hadid was born 1950 in Baghdad and studied first mathematics in Beirut, then architecture under Elia Zenghelis and Rem Koolhaas in London. Afterwards she worked at the Office for Metropolitan Architecture (OMA) in Rotterdam, where she became a partner shortly after. 1979 Zaha Hadid Architects was founded in London. Again and again she gives lectures at Harvard and Yale University and the University of Applied Arts in Vienna, just to name a few.
Pritzker Prize and Stirling Prize (also RIBA) are just a few of the awards Hadid has already received. UNESCO named her “Artist for Peace”, the Queen honored her as a Dame in 2012 and Forbes Magazine counts her as one of the “World’s Most Powerful Women”.
Zaha Hadid on the award: „I am very proud to be awarded the Royal Gold Medal, in particular, to be the first woman to receive the honour in her own right. I would like to thank Peter Cook, Louisa Hutton and David Chipperfield for the nomination and Jane Duncan and the Honours Committee for their support. We now see more established female architects all the time. That doesn’t mean it’s easy. Sometimes the challenges are immense. There has been tremendous change over recent years and we will continue this progress. This recognition is an honour for me and my practice, but equally, for all our clients. It is always exciting to collaborate with those who have great civic pride and vision. Part of architecture’s job is to make people feel good in the spaces where we live, go to school or where we work – so we must be committed to raising standards. Housing, schools and other vital public buildings have always been based on the concept of minimal existence – that shouldn’t be the case today. Architects now have the skills and tools to address these critical issues.”
Big names of architecture such as Frank Lloyd Wright, Le Corbusier, Sir Norman Foster and David Chipperfield were awarded the Royal Gold Medal in the Past. The official ceremony will be held in early 2016.
