Site Appraisal: Cowley Marsh, Oxford

LOREM + ELEMENTUM

By Alasdair and Ross

1234 Main Street Anytown, State ZIP _Tel: 123.456.7890 _Fax: 123.456.7891

Site Appraisal - Cowley Marsh

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Contents 2. Contents and Introduction to project 3. Introduction to area 4. Site analysis including;

The aim of this appraisal is to gather information on a site, and investigate its potential, as well as how it may function at present. The site is in Cowley, East Oxford and consists of a large public space. This is interesting because there is plenty of room for future sustainable development, however, the site is still used for recreational purposes by many. We will be conducting SWOB surveys (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Barriers), while looking at how the site achieves Permeability, Vitality, Variety and Active Interfaces. These are all very important themes in place-making, and we hope that through conducting our investigation we will learn more about what can be achieved.

ii. Green and blue networks iii. Movement networks iv. Plots and houses around area

- S.W.O.B Analysis of: 5. Permeability 6. Active Interfaces 7. Vitality 8. Variety 9. Opportunities for area and design actions 10.Appendix

Fig 1.1

Appraisal Document 1

Overview of the site at Cowley Marsh Source: Digimap, 2012

Introduction to Area

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Fig 1.3

Main entrance to Cowley Marsh access from Cowley Road and Marsh Road Source: Google Maps, 2012

Fig 1.2

Overview of the site at Cowley Marsh Source: Digimap, 2012

The site is located in East Oxford in the popular area of Cowley. Situated on the corner of Cowley Road and Marsh Road it is surrounded by housing blocks to the east and industrial buildings to the west. The site is also framed by a cycle path to the north which is a main byway from this popular residential area to the city centre. The site consists of a large open space which is used primarily for recreation, for example, dog walking, cycling and sports.

Some of the contributing features to the variety of the site are that of the conservation area to the north-east as well as various sporting facilities such as, football pitches and tennis courts.

Fig 1.4

Showing the 1880 map of Cowley Marsh. It shows that it was used as a cricket ground in the 1880’s. Despite developments occurring around it, the park has kept its purpose as a place for recreational activity. Source: Digimap, 2012

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Site Analysis

The Green and Blue Networks With reference to topographical qualities, the area as a whole remains relatively flat. However from the bottom of the park to the top there is a slight gradient just before the stream running east to west.

This stream/brook is relatively stagnant where rubbish tends to collect. This could be changed if the stream were to be opened up and the hedges and trees along its bank were properly maintained.

The site has potential to provide good green and blue networks providing regular up keeping is given.

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The Movement Networks for Walking and Cycling

The Plots and Houses Surrounding the Park at Cowley Marsh

The most prominent movement network is the cycle path to the north which provides a quick link to the city centre. Throughout the rest of the site there are entrances providing access links to the site from the surrounding area. However many of the entrances are uninviting and uninspiring which perhaps leads to the lack of park use.

There is a variable mix in terms of the of the plots and buildings surrounding the area. On the west of the park there is a mix of both semi-detached houses and low-rise flats (3 storeys high). The houses that immediately surround the the park to the west tend to be semi-detached houses with active fronts facing the road and the rear towards the park.

Once in the park is is easy to navigate around due to a network of footpaths spanning the vast green expanse. The paths provide links between the park facilities, such as the children’s park and sports fields, with the access points.

On entering the park from Marsh Road one is greeted with the relatively high walls from the back of the factory. The factory consists of 3 buildings that surround the east of the park.

The houses at the north-east are not immediately surrounding park but are set back on the other side of the cycle track and stream.

Fig 1.5,

Stream on east park boundary . Source: Author

Fig 1.7,

Entrance of cycle path to north-east of area. The cycle track also runs perpendicular to the tracks shown in Fig 1.7 . Source: Author

Fig 1.6,

Green networks throughout park . Source: Author

Fig 1.9,

Flats overlooking park at one of it’s entrances . Source: Author

Fig 1.8,

One of the defined walkways through the area . Source: Author

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Fig 1.10,

Factory wall - in-active edge . Source: Author

Permeability

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Strengths - The park on Marsh road has 5 access points at different locations surrounding the park - The park incorporates the cycle track making linkage to the park from other areas of Oxford and the surrounding areas very easy - Once in the park, the hierarchical layout provides access to all areas and exits generating a great choice of route

Weaknesses - At the north-west and east of the park, the visual permeability is poor. This prevents the user being able to distinguish between public and private space

Fig 1.11,

Access point between houses to north-west of park.

Source: Author

Opportunities

Fig 1.12,

Access point east of park where the cycle track enters the park. Source: Author

Fig 1.13,

- A way to create greater physical permeability would be to increase the visual permeability of the main site entrance on Marsh Road. By making the park entrance more visible and attractive, the public will be able to visually differentiate between public and private space - The park could potentially become more permeable if it was sub-divided into smaller plots.

This could be done without infringement on the park as a whole but by enhancing the public open space providing more access around the park

Overview of the site at Cowley Marsh Source: Digimap, 2012

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Fig 1.14,

Main entrance to park off of Marsh Road. Source: Author

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Fig 1.15,

Access point from Gillians Way. Source: Author

Fig 1.16,

Access point from cycle path. Source: Author

Barriers - One of the problems that may arise from attempting to sub-divide the park into smaller plots is that of the nature reserve

Active Interfaces

Strengths - Gillians way (as shown in the Fig 1.22 below) show certain houses with active interfaces facing the public space. This creates a feeling of security and safety

N Inactiv

Weaknesses - Much of the area surrounding the park is fenced off preventing engagement between public and private space - Many fences are high creating inactive fronts which can lead to a of lack of security and vandalism due to lack of surveillance

e Edg e s

Opportunities - Many of the fences surrounding the areas are too high and unattractive (bushes over grown) which could be lowered and treated to provide greater safety to the public - Where fences need to be in place then greater lighting could be provided to maximize safety

Barriers

Fig 1.17,

- It would be very difficult to improve the active fronts as the houses are already in place and to demolish them in order to rebuild them with active fronts facing the public space would be very difficult

Showing inactive edges marker in red Source: Digimap, 2012

Fig 1.18,

Showing inactive interfaces. Source: Author

These images show how at different areas in the park inactive edges are rife. In the images to the left, there is a fence about 6 ft high which separates the path (public space) from the the small un-marked grass to the left (apparently private space). As shown in Fig 1.18 , the visual surveillance of the path from the bottom window is impeded by the fence. As the grass to the left is easily accessible to all and is not closed off, it seems unnecessary to have such a large fence that creates an inactive edge.

Fig1.20,

Inactive factory edge. Source: Author

However, it is important to make clear distinctions between public and private space but it could be done in a more effective manner.

In Fig 1.20 it can be seen how the factory wall stands as an inactive interface to the rest of the park and dampens the visual permeability of the area.

Fig1.22,

Shows an area where the active fronts of houses open up onto the park making the small area, to which it over looks, feel more safe.

Source: Digimap, 2012

Fig 1.19,

Showing visual surveillance from top windows . Source: Author

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Fig1.21,

Fenced barrier between public and private space. Source: Author

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Vitality

7 The cycle path in one of the main contributors to vitality in the area. However, most are commuters who simply come and go.

Strengths - Lots of surrounding estates creates people flow - Cycle path to the north creates flow of commuters, especially at peak times - Children's park encourages park users - Football pitches and tennis court encourages physical activity

Weaknesses - Many uninviting barrier blocks disrupt maximum activity due to inactive frontages and rears - Tennis court and basketball court have poor surveillance tucked away in the corner which can discourage users

Opportunities Fig 2.1, Highlights of areas of vitality path Source: Google, 2012

namely childs park, tennis courts and cycle

- Open up estates by losing barriers to create active frontages - Opening up of the main entrance allowing the public to visually distinguish public open space from private space - By enlarging the car park and preventing local workers from parking there could stimulate greater vitality as more people would be able to drive to spend time there

Barriers - Local residents surrounding the park may not want their fences removed as it provides safety to them

Fig 2.2,This

shows the active fronts of houses which gives an indication (due to the way they face) of the reason for a lack of vitality in the park Source: Author, 2012

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Variety

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Strengths - Different uses attract different people i.e. park, cycle path, football pitches, tennis courts - Conservation area - Proximity to Cowley Road - Large area of green open space

There are several different elements that need to be looked at when considering the variety of an area, namely: variety of area usage (for what reasons do people come to the area) i.e. recreation or transportation; the variety of plot sizes within the given area; and the variety (if any) of the buildings within the area that either contribute to its distinctiveness or blandness.

Considering the park itself, there is a large open space that encompasses a child’s play park, several football pitches, basketball court, tennis court, nature park and cycle track. These facilities are within the main area of the park, however there is a small green area to the west of the park that is divided by trees (although access can be obtained through a hole in the fence) that appears unused and not looked after. Although this area is within the park boundary, it appears to be space left over after planning (SLOAP) and does not add to the parks main objective which appears to be that of recreation.

Weaknesses

Fig 2.3,

Showing the child’s play park . Source: Author

Opportunities - Sports pitches provide opportunities for attracting people - The boundaries of the site could be better defined and made more attractive with defined entrances and exits. This could consolidate traffic flow and use it more effectively to enhance variety

Barriers - Lots of confusion between public and private space - Many already existing buildings would make the consolidation of traffic flow difficult

As mentioned before, the park has many different usages which has the potential to draw different people there. However, during the study of this area, even the variety of facilities does not appear enough to generate a bustling crowd of people.

The variety of buildings surrounding the area may be one of the possible causations for its lack of vitality. Variety is inextricably linked with vitality which is contributed to by both permeability and active interfaces. With no real landmark in the site area such as a historic building or creative piece of modern art, all that can be found in terms of building variety is that of several flats, a few houses and a factory whose wall stands as a shadow to all users.

- Variety of buildings is small - mainly houses, a factory and pavilion - The main users of the park tend to be cyclists that flow through and dog walkers (even during holidays)

Fig 2.4,

Cowley Marsh Nature Park. Source: Author

Fig 2.6, Fig 2.5,

Source: Author

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The basketball court and tennis court.

Showing one of football pitches which contributes to vitality but only and varied times of week Source: Author

Opportunities and Design Actions Green and Blue Networks

Movement Networks

The site offers good opportunities for development of the green and blue networks. Firstly, the small area to the north-west of the site has no real connection to the park and does not contribute to the overall ethos as a site of recreation. The plan will be to turn this un-used space into several allotments for local residents. Will will be a practical use for otherwise left over land and also contributes to the sites green network.

Some of the disadvantages of the current site appear to be poor access and lack of people traffic. In order to rectify this there are several things that can be done to stimulate greater usage. Firstly, increasing the amount of access points increases the parks permeability. This provides great choice to those wishing to use the park or simply commute through it. See Fig.

The fences surrounding the site could be replaced by thick hedges which could be grown to an appropriate size. This would offer privacy to the residents as well as allowing surveillance over the site thus contributing to the green network.

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Secondly, by creating a new cycle link through the sites centre allows greater flexibility for cyclists. This could potentially improve the vitality of the site as cyclists will be moving through it instead of around it.

The brook to the north could be opened up and cleared to make it a more prominent feature which would contribute to the overall blue network of the area.

Fig 2.8, Author

Fig 2.9,

Image showing rough plans for car park renovation. Source: Author

Fig 2.7,

This shows the potential area for the development of allotments. Source: Digimap

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Thirdly, the car park to the south (as shown in Fig 2.8 and 2.9) has been identified as a problem area.This is because it is always full, and does not feel like part of the site. By opening it up, and implementing some regulations (for example, a 2 hour maximum wait) it will be available to more park users, ergo increasing the number of site users. Installing bike racks could be a good way to promote greater pack usage as cyclists can come to stay apposed to passing through.

Image showing cycle paths in yellow. Source:

Appendix Front cover photo: “Cowley Marsh.� Google Earth. March 7 2012 Fig 1.1, 1.2, 1.4, 1.13, 1.17, 1.22, 2.7 Digimap, 2009. http://digimap.edina.ac.uk/main/dologin.jsp?notice_agree=true (Accessed: March 7 2012) All other photos were taken by the author

Appraisal Document 1

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