Organizing Space in Time Discovering existing resources Karin Joeckle, Monika Schneiders, Prof. Thomas Sieverts Technical University of Darmstadt, Department for Architecture El-Lissitzky-Str. 1, Darmstadt D-64287, Germany Marianne Koch, [email protected], Hartmut Chodura, [email protected] Fraunhofer Institute for Computer Graphics Rundeturmstraße 6, Darmstadt D-64283, Germany

Abstract. Flexible societies require flexible environments. Due to economical, ecological and social reasons it can be more efficient taking advantage of existing architecture rather than creating new buildings. A Web based information system is proposed which can support the distribution of information for ‘temporal available space’ for providers and users. Potential providers are able to store their space information via Internet. While users can request information about required locations. Examinations made in an eastern Berlin district have shown that information based management for space and time is improving the efficiency of using existing environment. Furthermore schools, garages, shops and unused facilities can become attractive locations for social events. Keywords. Spatio-temporal management, reusing existing environment, density of usage, social events, hotelling, pool for rooms and buildings, electronic information system, World Wide Web, flexible workplace management

1 Motivation The flexibilization and pluralization of today’s society and working structures also requires dynamic occupation and usage of rooms, buildings and facilities. Hence existing space has to be available for multiple purposes and different users. In middle Europe most urban structures like factories, office buildings, shops or public institutions are only temporarily used. Statistically, the amount of newly constructed space 3 3 for every German citizen is 150 m in comparison to 10 m at the beginning of the industrialization. As Moewes (1995) pointed out, this has led into a more extensive utilization of built environment. An alternative for planning and constructing more buildings should be opening up this unused space. The generation grown up after the

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second world war remembers using the few not destroyed schools in time shifts. Additionally using and reusing already existing space is more ecological and economical. Beyond these rational reasons: by using and visiting a larger variety of buildings and sites it opens the chance to learn more about one’s city. Especially in centers of urban areas, most of the buildings are occupied by anonymous functions. Making space available for other purposes which presently is mostly unused and inaccessible would allow the citizens to identify with their city (Figure 1). This is also demanding a new way of organizing spatio-temporal requirements. It would also enhance the liveliness and social density of the city for a longer time of the day and week.

Fig. 1. Discovering existing resources by organizing space in time.

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2 Managing space and time An example for existing spatio-temporal management is the "Bleyenburg", the former "Algemeen Rijksarchief" in The Hague, Netherlands. As Teunissen (1997) described, nowadays the building provides on-demand workplaces for civil servants. Beyond the concept of "hotelling", as explained by Jaunzens (1997), the building does not offer complete workplaces but a basically unrestricted supply of components at cost. By these elements (space, technology, furniture and services) the users create their own surroundings for work. With an average occupation time of 60 percent, the priceconscious user of the "Bleyenburg" has a reliable workplace for the equivalent of 130 DM per week in the center of The Hague at his disposal, which is a real bargain. Another example of flexible workplace management is "hot-desking", as shown at Andersen Consulting’s new headquarters in Paris. Jaunzens (1997) describes hot desking as the time-sharing of a desk, or workstation, between a number of company employees. Like in many other organizations and institutions Andersen’s employees were found to be spending much of their work time at their clients sites while their inhouse offices were unused for most of the time. It now offers a limited but sufficient capacity of on-demand offices. Personal documents of the employees are stored in special containers, which are moved to the appropriate offices if necessary. These two examples of flexible space-and-time-management is the common way of applying it. It can only be of advantage to a special group of users. But this principle can and should also be transferred for the benefit of a more general clientele (Figure 1). It can be adapted to many types of buildings which are only used on temporary basis like offices or public facilities.

Fig. 2. DOUs of five different types of buildings.

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One of the conditions for such an adaptation is the temporal analysis of the site. The DOU (density of utilization) for a building can be described as a function in time where the value of zero means the room is unused and the value of one means it is completely occupied. The density, which represents the utilization of space is specified as a percentage of the maximum exploitation. Hence the DOU is the unit of measurement for the utilization of an area at a corresponding time. Figure 2 shows the DOU of a kindergarten, a bureau, a store, a workshop like a garage compared to the DOU of a restaurant. The DOU is represented by different gray tones. The darker the gray tone, the more intensive the utilization. The white areas represent the temporal fallow of each building. The weekdays Monday to Friday are summarized in one field to make the graphics clearer.

Fig. 3. DOUs at Warschauer Platz in Berlin Friedrichshain.

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The authors were exploring and analyzing a region in Friedrichshain, eastern Berlin with a typical urban environment of residential and commercial areas together with the site of the former NARVA Company which used to produce incandescent lamps from 1909 to 1995. Today the buildings are changed into an office mono-structure. In their study Habermann/Joeckle/Schneiders (1997) have disclosed the temporal fallow of the area and the possibilities of additional use (Figure 3). The strategies of spatio-temporal management include considerations on sociological aspects of possible usage, specific user-groups and their changing needs as well as organizational and legal considerations of conceivable developers and forms of development, problems of insurance and liability, technical questions of construction and facilities, as Häußermann/Siebel (1987) have elaborated. Professional management of space and time requires an analysis and representation of time-realities of an area. An information system should provide all relevant information for interested persons, about what kind of room is available and what additional use is possible or intended.

3 Getting information about available space In order to achieve an optimum for the distribution of unused space in urban environments the problem of information access has to be solved. Only if both supply and demand for usable space are sufficient the concept will be feasible. There are similarities to car pool services, which also need a certain level of demand and supply to succeed.

3.1 Making information accessible for everybody We are currently experiencing a new era of information distribution and retrieval. For most people in western societies only small expense and effort is necessary to be able to get "wired" to the globally accessible Internet. Here everybody can be both author and consumer for multimedia information. Together with the "World Wide Web" there is a big variety of standards for data transmission and storage, accessible from any location which is connected. As Encarnação et al. (1996) have shown, there are new tools like JAVA and three-dimensional graphics offered by VRML which are enhancing the interactivity and functionality of hyper media. Strongly related to this there is an important social consequence. For instance in middle Europe the fraction of people who have access to the Internet are still a minority of the population. However, a possible polarization of society into the privileged party with access to the global information systems and the underprivileged with no or little access to these system may arise. Nevertheless we attempted to use an electronic information system for organizing space in time. The global trend is that the amount of "wired" households is still growing tremendously. More importantly, there is no need for private Internet and WWW

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access for everybody if, there are enough public accessible information kiosks, like "Internet Cafes".

Fig. 4. Possible user interface for the information database. The users are able to find a convenient location by selecting buildings on an active map.

3.2 Information based space and time organization We propose a, WWW based approach for public access to necessary information, accessible by both users and providers. The information can be managed by ‘connected’ Internet users running their Web-Browser. In many regions and areas it will be

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necessary to enhance electronic information structure by information kiosks to aim at as many users as possible. There are numerous public locations in centers of urban regions and metropolitan areas where people pass by and socialize, such as stations, cafes, credit institutes, or tourist information kiosks. These are ideal locations for information systems, which could be used for many purposes. An information server should cover a region where locations can be reached within convenient time and distance. Bigger areas could be supported by a net of information servers. Graphical WWW-interfaces for accessing the database can provide userfriendly access to the database.

Fig. 5. Detailed information about empty buildings can be accessed. Commercial providers are able to advertise their business.

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The following information have to be stored in the database: − −

− − − − −

Locations For having a good overview over the area where the buildings are located, clickable maps will allow easy access. (Figure 4) Size, capacities and facilities There has to be information about how many people will fit in an offered room or building and which local facilities could be used. Garages i.e. could sub-rent their tools and equipment for fees, which allows skilled people to repair their cars after work. Schedule of occupation It is necessary to have an immediate overview at which time and period the offered buildings are accessible or if they are already occupied by someone else. Owner / provider information Preconditions and constraints There has to be some principle information about the offered location. Not every room is suitable for parties or rehearsal of musicians. Using fees or rent Space for advertisement Commercial providers could be able to add advertisement information to the webpages. If this could be arranged on a toll-free base it would attract more potential customers. (Figure 5)

3.3 Technical realization The technical structure of the proposed information system is shown in figure 6. The implementation will be Web based using conventional browsers. The information of the provided space will be stored in a database which is accessible by a WWW server. The population of the library has to be realized by a Web interface as well. Initially this could be attempted manually (by a webmaster) which makes the implementation easier but does not provide the full flexibility we like to achieve. Dependent on the offer for empty rooms users will get a visualization of the area which is shown in figure 4. For realizing this functionality we will develop a JAVA based interface which allows to: − generate clickable maps with the necessary information dynamically, − request more detailed information about empty rooms or buildings like shown in figure 5, − make a reservation for accessible space or get into contact with the providers to arrange a possible booking. This interface, implemented as a JAVA applet allows processing in common Web browsers and provides sufficient freedom for integrating more complex algorithms and extended functionality to the static HTML resources.

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Fig. 6. Structure of the management system for space and time

4 Conclusion We have proposed an information resource for managing unused space in already existing urban areas. This information resource can be used to satisfy demands for temporary occupied buildings and facilities which can be used in multiple ways. By analyzing typical urban regions multiple ways can be found for optimizing the usage of rooms and buildings for various purposes. Based on the analysis of a real existing environment in Berlin it has been shown that unused space can be transformed into interesting places. Furthermore areas which are unknown to most inhabitants of a city can change into lively locations. This turns them into new points of interest and stimulates social activities. This concept can be applied to many existing urban surroundings, yielding economical and ecological advantages.

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References 1. Brown, Erik: Watch this space. Management Today. (February 1995) 73-74 2. Encarnação, José; Bauer, Klaus M.; Böhm, Klaus; Koop, Tanja; Spierling, Ulrike: New User Interface aspects to the Information Highway. Applying Java and VRML. International Journal of Information Technology. (January 1996) 2 (1) (1996) 79-96 3. Häußermann, Hartmut; Walter Siebel: Neue Urbanität; Suhrkamp Verlag, Frankfurt am Main (1987) "Bei allen Strategien verknüpfen sich sozialwissenschaftliche Überlegungen über mögliche Nutzungen, spezifische Nutzergruppen und deren sich wandelnde Bedürfnisse mit organisatorischen und rechtlichen Überlegungen über denkbare Träger und Trägerformen (weiterhin in der öffentlichen Hand oder kommerziell, selbstverwaltet oder in Individualeigentum?), versicherungs- und haftungsrechtliche Probleme mit technischen Fragen des Um-, Aus- und Rückbaus, schließlich mit raum- und sozialplanerischen Überlegungen." 155. [All strategies imply considerations on sociological aspects concerning possible usage, specific user-groups and alternating needs as well as organizational and legal considerations of conceivable developers and forms of development (further under public authorities or commercial, autonomous or private property?), problems of insurance and liability, technical questions of construction and facilities, and finally area and social planning.] 4. Habermann, Julia; Joeckle, Karin; Schneiders, Monika: Zeit-Raum. TU Darmstadt (1997) 5. Henckel, Dietrich (Hrsg.); Deutsches Institut für Urbanistik Berlin: Arbeitszeit, Betriebszeit, Freizeit - Auswirkungen auf die Raumentwicklung. Grundlagen und Tendenzen; Schriften des Deutschen Instituts für Urbanistik Bd. 80, Verlag W. Kohlhammer / Deutscher Gemeindeverlag Stuttgart (1988) 6. Henckel, Dietrich; Grabow, Busso; Kunert-Schroth, Heidrun; Nopper, Erwin; Rauch, Nizan; Deutsches Institut für Urbanistik Berlin: Zeitstrukturen und Stadtentwicklung; Schriften des Deutschen Instituts für Urbanistik Bd. 81, Verlag W. Kohlhammer / Deutscher Gemeindeverlag, Stuttgart, Berlin, Köln (1989) "Die Flächenerweiterung ist das bislang übliche Muster des Umgangs mit Engpässen gewesen. In dem Maße, wie Flächen knapp werden oder aus ökologischen Gründen nicht zusätzlich in Anspruch genommen werden sollen, treten Überlegungen von Zeiterweiterungen stärker in den Vordergrund." 189. [Up to now expansion of space has been the usual way of coping with bottlenecks. The more space gets scarce or precious because of ecological reasons, the more considerations of timeexpansions appear.] 7. Jaunzens, D: New Ways of Working - The Future of Offices and Environmental Services. In: Proceedings of the COBRA Annual Construction and Building Research Conference 1997, The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors RICS. URL: http://www.rics.org.uk/research/cobra97/cobpdf/jaunz.PDF [December 1997] "In the office as a hotel it is possible to book office space as one might book a hotel room." 4. 8. Jessen, Johann; Siebel, Walter: Wohnen und informelle Arbeit, ILS Schriften Bd.19; Institut für Landes- und Stadtentwicklungsforschung des Landes Nordrhein-Westfalen (1988) "Die Verknappung der natürlichen Ressourcen, die wachsende Umweltbelastung und Gesundheitsgefährdung durch Schadstoffe als Folge einer ausschließlich wachstumsorientierten Stadtentwicklung veranlassen aus ökologischer Perspektive Vorschläge für einen ökologischen Stadtumbau." 28. [From an ecological point of view the shortage of natural resources, the growing environmental pollution and health hazard through pollutants as consequence of an expansionoriented city development induces suggestions for an ecological city-rebuilding.]

11 9. Kasugai, Michihiko: Die Zeit als Element der Stadtplanung - dargestellt am Beispiel Japan; TU Darmstadt Diss. (1985) 10.McNamara, E. T. (Terry): Intelligent Buildings: Engineering Services Integration Via Virtual Management Information Systems, In: Proceedings of the COBRA Annual Construction and Building Research Conference 1997, The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors RICS, URL: http://www.rics.org.uk/research/cobra97/cobpdf/Mcnama.PDF [December 1997] 11.Meurer, Bernd (Hg.): Die Zukunft des Raumes. Campus Verlag Frankfurt / New York (1994) "Nutzungs- und Funktionsmischung ist Voraussetzung für die Entwicklung einer dynamischen und belebten Region mit belebten Städten, Quartieren und baulichen Ensembles. […] Hinzu kommt, daß gerade für ein Entwicklungsgebiet mit Mangel an Baugrund die Chance, Freiflächen trotz Wachstum zu erhalten und Stadtraum als im Wortsinn lebendigen Interaktionsraum zu entwickeln, in der räumlichen Überlagerung unterschiedlicher Aktions- und Funktionsbereiche liegt. Dafür bedarf es der Entwicklung hybrider Stadt- und Gebäudestrukturen." 27. [The development of a dynamic and animate region with animate cities, quarters and structural ensembles requires a mixture of usage and function. Moreover, a development area will have the chance to keep open space through spatial interference of different areas of action and function in spite of its growth and lack of building sites. This requires the development of hybrid structures for cities and buildings.] 12.Moewes, Günther: Weder Hütten noch Paläste. Architektur und Ökologie in der Arbeitsgesellschaft, eine Streitschrift. Birkhäuser Basel , Boston, Berlin (1995) "Das Pro-Kopf-Bauvolumen ist seit der Industrialisierung von etwa 10 auf mindestens 150 m³ angewachsen. Nimmt man den Bevölkerungsanstieg hinzu, hat sich das Gesamtvolumen absolut mindestens versechzigfacht. Die Nutzung dieses gewaltigen Volumens wird immer extensiver. " 63. [Since industrialization began the capita volume of built space has grown from 10 to at least 3 150 m . Together with the growth of population the total volume has been multiplied by sixty. The usage of this massive volume is getting more and more extensive.] 13.Sieverts, Thomas: Zwischenstadt. Zwischen Ort und Welt, Raum und Zeit, Stadt und Land. Bauwelt Fundamente 118. Vieweg Verlag Braunschweig, Wiesbaden (1997) 14.Teunissen, Rob: Erfolgsrezept Hotelbüro. Das ehemalige Algemeen Rijksarchief in Den Haag. Bauwelt 1997, Büros auf Zeit (Mai 1997), 88 (21) (1997) 1196-1199. "Bei einer durchschnittlichen Anwesenheit von 60 Prozent kann der kostenbewußte Nutzer von Bleyenburg für 130 Mark pro Woche über einen verläßlichen Arbeitsplatz im Zentrum von Den Haag verfügen." 1199. [When being present for approximately 60 percent, Bleyenburg is offering a reliable workspace in the center of The Hague for DM 130 per week to cost-conscious users.]