The Vertical Street: Transforming Tower and Slab Urban Housing

Abstract

Current tower and slab urban housing often isolates residents from the public realm, creating a disconnect and diminishing community engagement. Conventional high-rise housing often lacks the interconnected public spaces and pedestrian-friendly qualities that define successful urban environments. This thesis aims to introduce the concept of a transformed tower and slab model by integrating the social vibrancy of traditional streets into the high-rise typology. A bridge between private and public spaces emerges by exploring how multi-path circulation, layered programming, and shared social spaces can transform sterile corridors and isolated towers into dynamic, interactive environments. The Vertical Street envisions a seamless blend of housing and ‘street’ interaction zones, activating shared spaces that support diverse programming and moments of spontaneous social engagement with the ultimate aim of demonstrating an alternative to conventional tower typologies, promoting inclusivity, community, and social interaction in high-density urban housing.