323-1 Louis Sauer and the Urban Renewal

Abstract

It is necessary to emphasise Louis Sauer contribute on the Urban renewal of Philadelphia, where in less than three decades the neighbourhood was completely developed. Even the architect is not widely known, his work has a lot of values on the redeveloping the neighbourhood by improving the biggest problems of the period. He was able to focus on the issue of construction or renovation of historic city centres or built up organized areas. Sauer’s strategy on achieving his goals was strongly related with his vicinity with the developers and the context. On one hand, he recovered the urban fabric and restored the area’s historic building; on the other hand he constructed new buildings. Louis transformed the area of Society Hill from a slum to one of the most interesting neighbourhoods, by a successful integration between the new, the old and the improvement of the life quality. Not only on the Society Hill, but even in other projects he was known for:  The modernism on the form and the shape of dwelling.  The intelligent relationship between his designs and history of the places, in order to respected the modern concept of the period  The ability to interpret though design the theme offered by urban scale, by taking into consideration all contexts attribute.  The originality of his interventions on the process of environmental transformation, found by his cultural and professional position. Sauer was inspired from the Anglo-Saxon culture and from “sense of dwelling” Kahn lessons, which worked for the middle class by promoting low-rise high density housing, open spaces, context and old and new (historic and modern) sense. By his work, he improved life quality, psychological and physical wellbeing, peace of mind and environment quality. Finally, the work of Louis Sauer is interesting because of the possible positive effects it may have in Albanian context. As long as, the major part of Albanian neighbourhoods have a lot of problems with the constructing strategies, with the social and urban context realizing, with the problematic relevant areas, with historical abuse ext., Sauer’s strategies are totally applicable. What can be easily realize from Louis approach mentioned in the paper, is the fact that sometimes the solutions are easier than everyone think. According to Albania reality, each method reminds a solution that can take place in different case studies.