SPORTS FACILITIES IN HIGH-DENSITY URBAN AREA

How can we provide more sports areas in a high-density urban environment? Nowadays,
most cities in Asia are experiencing high-speed development (Satterthwaite, 2023). There is
an intensely increasing demand for land that is confronted with an insufficient supply of
space, resulting in a shortfall of suitable construction space to meet the rising demand. Over
the past few decades, different countries and cities have created various solutions for this
issue. This shortage of space has been resolved in various ways, for example: through land
reclamation, renovation, and architectural design (Grydehoj, 2015).
This dissertation seeks to analyse and discuss how architects have used design to expand
spaces within the limited available areas for public spaces like sports facilities (Carmona,
2021). Understanding how sports modalities influence architecture and space utilisation for
sports activities will also be covered. Additionally, it will examine case studies on how to
better implement the program in a limited urban area with regards to the typology
connections of sports facilities and their interaction with users. Finally, this dissertation is
practice-based and oriented, the case study and project development will focus on a sports
facility in the high-density populated Taipa Centre (Macau). This specific project solution will
address the real problem for the city, and research will conclude by analysing the constraints
of sports architecture in high-density areas, providing design solutions for these situations,
and thereby contributing to the improvement of public spaces in a city.