I-Chen Yeh Portfolio GSA-2

I-CHEN YEH

REVITALIZATION via URBAN PARK

M.Arch (Taught)

Glasgow School of Art

2011.09~2012.09

Mackintosh School of Architecture

Pathway: Urban Design

Tutor: Robert Mantho

Design: Revitalization via Urban Park

Revitalize the abandoned site via implementing an urban park. The edge and the inside of the park will be designed to engage to the surrounding situations. The objective is to renovate this area and povide a pleasant public space for citizens and tourists.

Design: Revitalization via Urban Park

Design: Revitalization via Urban Park

-Site Plan-

Design: Revitalization via Urban Park

-Sections-

Osborne Street

Osborne Street

Stockwell Street

Design: Revitalization via Urban Park

-Design Diagram-

Main Lawn

Bryant Park

Crystal Palace

St. Enoch Shopping Centre Entrance Image + Hyde Park

Artistic

Artistic Shops

Self Service Massage Chair Area Image +

Self Service Massage Chair Parc Monceau

Design: Revitalization via Urban Park

Design: Revitalization via Urban Park

-Simulate Perspectives-

Design: Revitalization via Urban Park

Urban Section

The aim of this practive is to understand more about the urban scale context through making three roughly guess section drawings of unfamiliar cities.

Urban Section

Case Study and Arguments

Discover the opportunities of this site and provide the solutions to deal with current problems. The case studies and theories which I have researched will be addressed here to support my arguments.

Case Study and Arguments

-Arguments-

The proposals can benefit the deficient site effectively. As a public space, it can make a positive impact on surrounding areas; as a linked node, it can effect to whole Glasgow city centre. For the residents, the square can provide them an open place to play, gathering, and relaxing; for the general users, implementing a public square can make activities happen, attract more people, and bring economical benefits; for the city, adding a civic space at the crucial node can connect the important areas together and complete the city network. The important areas include the active areas like commercial areas along Buchanan Street and Merchant City, or the potential areas like Glasgow Green and River Clyde riverfront. Setting up a train station for the former railway, which is planned to be opened in recent years, also brings more opportunities to the site. It will provide a shortcut for visitors from the Central Station and provide a more convenient traffic system for residents. The former railway itself also is a characteristic sight. All of my arguments are strongly related to each other. But in order to state clearly how theories and precedents support my argument, I organized them as followed. The followings are explicit arguments to show what I intend to do, how it benefit the site, and why it will be successful.

Argument 1

Providing a public square to a weak area can attract people and help revitalize the area because all people need a civic space in their walkable range from their residences to stay and relax, to meet and gather with others, and as Krier (1979 p.19) said, “Squares generate activities twenty-four hours a day.” Once people in this area found that there is a public space can be used and started to use it, the surrounding area will also become active.

Supporting theory

Public space plays a crucial role in the society. Gehl (1996 p.67) demonstrated that “public spaces have served as information and communication platforms for people throughout history. Even today, with all the means of communication we have at hand, public spaces continue to function in the role of public forum.” People need a common place to start the basic connection with others. “The policy of creating new squares or renovating existing ones promotes recreational use of the city. It invites people not only to walk around the city, but to linger and have a good time.” (Gehl 1996 p.26) And “the vitality of an area around the square can be measured by the counts of pedestrian flows within the square.” (Corbett N. and RIBA 2004 p.43) “The recreational value of open spaces supports improved measures of physical and psychological health for central city residents, especially among children and senior citizens.” (Childs 2004 p.37) As a result, squares could attract people to come and use it, and the increase of pedestrian flow is the evident of successful revitalization.

Supporting precedent

Gehl has mentioned an example in his book Public space, public life (1996 p.18) which shows evidently that how an implementation of a square can vitalize the area. “In 1968, Gråbrødretorv Square in Copenhagen was cleared of parked cars and the air-raid shelters hastily erected during World War II. The square soon became one of the finest, most popular squares in the city with its renewed cobblestone pavement and new fountain. For the first four or five years after renovation, the square was extremely quiet, as if Copenhageners had not quite found it yet, or were not quite sure what a square like this could be used for. Gradually, the square began attracting more and more people. Outdoor cafes sprung up in increasing numbers, and students from the nearby university and other young people started to meet at Gråbrødretorv Square habitually, sitting around the square during the day or evening. In 1980s, the square was crowded almost beyond capacity throughout the outdoor season.” Through this precedent, we could find that the implementation of the square revitalized the area evidently.

Argument 2

Reducing parking space will not become a problem in city centre. In fact, it will help citizens to change their life style to a car-free mode. And the surrounding areas of my site still provide enough parking lots therefore the elimination of the main parking lot in the site will not bring a drastic impact to motorists.

˙Supporting theory

Reduce parking space to attract more people coming to the city centre, increase commercial activities, and revitalize the site. The city centre could still go on working well despite the gradual reduction in parking places. (Gehl 1996 p.41) Reducing parking lots actually is a scheme for taming traffic, not only in the city centre, but in a major part of the city, because inviting fewer cars to the city centre means less traffic in all surrounding areas. Users have a stronger ability of adaption than we thought. Corbett and RIBA (2004 p.57) provided many research data to prove that the policy of restricting to car use will not make transportation problems, in contrast, it encourages users to choose a healthier

way to move, like walking or cycling. “A number of surveys have been undertaken in Germany and Austria, before and after pedestrianization of streets and squares. The pedestrian counts were taken over many years and revealed significant increases in the number of walkers in pedestrianized areas. Within Groningen city centre in the Netherlands, a restrictive transport policy has increased the percentage of trips made by walking, cycling, and public transport. In 1976, 35 per cent of all trips were made by car, and by 1985 this had been reduced to 22 per cent.” Citizens will be happy to see their city became an improved and people-friendly environment for everyone in the city centre.

˙Supporting precedent

The parking policy in Copenhagen city centre is a successful example. “The Copenhagen policy seriously puts in to question the widely held belief that many parking places are needed to ensure that a city centre functions well.” (Gehl 1996 p.41)

“By international standards, Copenhagen has been practicing an unusual parking policy for a number of years, which has given the city centre a distinct qualitative boost. The number of parking places has been reduced, and it is harder to come into the city centre by car. In contrast, there is now more reason to come, as the city centre has been made much more attractive. Part of the parking policy is that parking spaces have been reduced gradually. This gives people time to adapt and to find alternatives to driving to the city centre. These are the basic elements of Copenhagen’s parking policy. So, how has it worked and what are the consequences? On the face of it, there are no consequences at all to be found. If we look at public life, just as many people come to the city centre now as 30 years ago. In fact, the number has increased slightly. The results of the public life survey indicate that the reduction of parking spaces has not had any limiting effect on life in the city. The restrictive parking policy implemented in Copenhagen thus poses the question of whether a quality-orientated city centre needs plenty of parking in order to function well. Less would appear to suffice.” (Gehl 1996 pp.80-81)

Argument 3

Converting the main parking space in the city centre into a public square can increase civic space, attracting citizens, and strengthening the citizens’ identification with the city.

Supporting theory

“The parking policy in Copenhagen has reduced parking spaces gradually by 2-3% per year in city centre. Actually the policy has not been aimed primarily at reducing parking, but rather at using the city’s fine squares for people activities rather than for parking. Thus, the number of parking spaces has been reduced as squares have been transformed, and less parking has led to a reduction in the volume of car traffic.”

(Gehl 1996 p.41) Citizens in Copenhagen are quite satisfied with this transformation and all the transformed squares are being popular and well-used nowadays. Copenhagen City got the reputation for friendly car-free civic spaces and Copenhageners are proud of it.

Supporting precedent

There are many successful examples about public space transformed from parking lot in Copenhagen, which can be found from Gehl’s (1996 p.16) Public spaces, public life. “Gammeltorv and Nytorv were originally two squares, separated by the old Copenhagen Town Hall. Until 1962, the entire space served as a huge parking lot, but several transforma-

Air-raid shelters on Gråbrødretorv before 1968. (Gehl 1996 p.18)

Gråbrødretorv Square, a meeting place for young people in the 1980s. (Gehl 1996 p.18)

Both squares served as parking lots in 1962. (Gehl 1996 p.16)

In 1967, after the transformation the two squares are being well-used by citizens. (Gehl 1996 p.16)

Kultorvet as a parking space before transformation. (Gehl 1996 p.19)

Kultorvet became a popular square which filled with outdoor cafes in the 1990s. (Gehl 1996 p.19)

Højbro Plads, before the transformation. (Gehl 1996 p.21)

Højbro Plads was cleared of parked cars in 1986 are renovated in 1996. (Gehl 1996 p.21)

Case Study and Arguments

tions have gradually reclaimed the two squares for pedestrian use. In 1962, the first part of Gammeltorv was freed of parking, and part of Nytorv was reclaimed in 1973. Now Gammeltorv is a popular and well-used square year round. People like to relax near the fountain. Nytorv is quieter. It provides the backdrop for several outdoor cafes during the summer months. The squares serve various functions during the rest of the year, for example it provides a welcome breathing space, an oasis of quiet in a bustling, crowded city centre.”

“Kultorvet is another well-used square which was transformed from parking space. Kultorvet was cleared of parked cars and transformed into a square in 1973 due to Købmagergade, the street runs across it, was closed to traffic. The square has many stalls and kiosks and quite a number of outdoor cafes. It is also the place for political and ideological demonstrations, for handing out flyers and pamphlets, and for contact with passerby through activities like street music, street performances, parades and lottery ticket sales.” (Gehl 1996 p.19) This precedent shows that the increase of civic space not only provides a place for physical activities, but strengthens the identification of the citizens to the place. Therefore, they would like to choose this square to hold their political and ideological demonstrations.

“Højbro Plads along the canal and towards the city centre used to be devoted to traffic and car parking. In recent years, it has been thoroughly renovated and now constitutes delightful public spaces. Many market stalls for cultural and stylish handicrafts are located here. The square has just been opened up recently, but is already attracting restaurants, antique markets, and markets for ecological produce.” (Gehl 1996 p.21)

Argument 4

One of the goals of setting up the public square is making activities happen. The more activities happen, the more people will come to the square. As a result, the revitalization of the site is successful.

Supporting theory

Gehl (2011 pp.9-12) divided outdoor activities in public space into three categories: necessary activities, optional activities, and social activities. Necessary activities include everyday tasks such as going to school or to work, those that are more or less compulsory. This group is more independent of the exterior environment and includes the great majority of those related to walking. Optional activities include taking a walk to get a breath of fresh air, standing around enjoying life, or sitting and sunbathing. These activities take place only when exterior conditions are favorable, when weather and place invite them. This relationship is particularly important in connection with physical planning. Social activities include children at play, greetings and conversations, communal activities, or passive contacts. Very freely interpreted, a social activity takes place every time two people are together in the same place. To see and hear each other, to meet, is in itself a form of contact, a social activity.

According to Gehl’s (2011) arguments, public space provides a venue for passive contacts, to see and to hear others. Although passive contacts represent the lowest intensity in the social activity scale, they are still as prerequisite as other social activity levels. If passive contacts are missing, the varied transitional forms between being alone and being together also disappear. The boundaries between isolation and contact become sharper, as a result that people are either alone or else with others on a relatively demanding and exacting level. Passive contact is a source of information about the social world outside, and a possible access to contact at other levels.

In Scandinavia an old proverb says “people come where people are.“ (Gehl 2011 p.25) Gehl (1996 p.26) also said that squares invite activities like standing, sitting and doing things. “Activities happened in public space can be roughly divided into two categories. One encompasses the informal, small-scale events, such as street musicians or street performers. The other one has a larger scale, for example, pre-planned events like festivals and cultural activities, which use public spaces as their stage. As the years go by, the idea of using public spaces as a suitable place to stage popular events is becoming more and more obvious. When people see all the new attractive car-free spaces, they get ideas for staging small-scale events and happenings, as well as for creating ambitious festivals on a city scale. It is a very important quality that the urban spaces are public and democratic, and allow access to all groups in the population. The many events and cultural activities are a fine attraction for the city. People watch happily and in great numbers. These activities make the city interesting, amusing, and unpredictable.”

(Gehl 1996 p.67)

“Some kind of booking procedure is to be required for major events that are held within a city square nowadays. It will be a reflection of the success of a square if there is a waiting list of groups and organizations that want to use the square for their events.” (Corbett and RIBA 2004 p.39)

Applying the theory specifically on my project, in the aspect of users, this public space will become a place teems with people and happenings, a meeting place for young people, a place with many outdoor cafes, a place for city events, a place for all kinds of people-oriented activities, and a stage for people to contact with passerby. In the aspect of Glasgow City, the public space will open up the heart of the city towards Glasgow Green and River Clyde and promote recreational use of the city. It

invites people not only to walk around the city, but to linger and have a good time and makes Glasgow become a city that has good mixture of streets for moving and squares for resting.

Supporting precedent

“In 1998, Birmingham held its first Artsfest, a program of over 200 events, with 800 artists performing over a three-day period. The Artsfest is held within the city squares and surrounding theatres and galleries. The city squares are turned into stages. Similar festivals are organized within city squares around the world to promote local identity and social inclusion. In the USA, Seattle’s Out To Lunch program provides music, dance, and theatre everyday between June and September in fourteen different squares and parks in the city centre. A survey at four different events in different locations revealed that 87 per cent of people there had been introduced to a space that they had not been in before. The event also attracts many thousands of visitors every year.” (Corbett and RIBA 2004 p.40)

Argument 5

The location of the public square is very important. The square as a crucial node can not only extend civic activities from city centre to the site, but also effect Glasgow Green and River Clyde.

˙Supporting theory

Corbett and RIBA (2004 p.50) demonstrated the importance of a square’s location in the city. “The way that a new city square connects to surroundings districts, and to the city as a whole, will be crucial to its success. An appropriate site for a city square will be well-connected, and accessible to many people. The degree of movement within any square is dependent upon how well connected its site is to the surrounding urban area. For example, a square that physically connected to strategic main streets and to other public spaces that bring people into the city from its various parts will be highly accessible in the context of the settlement as a whole. For a new square to realize the status of the main public open space within the city, a location with a high degree of access is required. The site needs to be at the centre of the city’s movement network.” When we design a square for the site, we should consider the influences both to the site and the whole city. Therefore the location of the site plays a extremely important role. Gehl (1996 p.80) also stated that a public space policy must incorporate the city as a whole.

˙Supporting precedent

There are few precedents show the importance of the square’s location and how it influences the surrounding districts. “Trafalgar Square in London plays a prominent part in the life of the nation primarily because of its location. It provides a focal point where national demonstrations are held, and it also contains some of the nation’s most important statues and monuments.” The location is the centre of many crucial nodes in London city centre, like Buckingham Palace, Green Park, Piccadilly Circus, Leicester Square, Covent Garden, and Hungerford Bridge at the River Thames. As such it may be regarded as a “state” space. (Corbett and RIBA 2004 p.66)

Højbro Plads in Copenhagen is also a square which located at a crucial point of the city. “It opens up the heart of the city towards the canal and the monumental buildings around the Parliament, providing a visual and functional link between the city centre and the water.” (Gehl 1996 p.21) The renovating of Højbro Plads makes the Copenhagen city network more completely.

Argument 6

The implementing of open space can extend commercial activities. For my project, the square can extend commercial activities from Buchanan Street and Argyle Street to Merchant City, and will benefit the abandoned area.

˙Supporting

theory

“Well-maintained and actively programmed open spaces have contributed extraordinary economic value to nearby residential properties and business districts. Culturally relevant, strategically located open spaces can be catalysts for community renewal by enhancing opportunities for neighborhood engagement. A growing number of academic and private studies show a strong positive correlation between residential and commercial property values and access to open spaces. (Childs 2004 pp.37-38) If a new city square is successful and local businesses are trading well, the value of property in the area will be kept high.” (Corbett and RIBA 2004 p.43)

˙Supporting precedent

The first two precedents are the small commercial activities happening inside the square. “Plaza Hidalgo in Mexico City, Mexico, is an important center of community life in Mexico City. On a typical day, the square is filled with people shopping at market stalls and vendors.” (PPS) The square is well-used by citizens and visitors and the small commercial activities are flourishing. Another example is Greenmarket on Union Square in New York, USA. “Union Square is once a major hub of activity in New York City, but had fallen into disrepair by the 1970s and was widely considered to be unsafe. In 1976, the Union Square Greenmarket began setting up vegetable stalls four days a week in the parking lot surrounding the park. Though this was not

Case Study and Arguments

a traditional use for public space, the Greenmarket established a physical presence that drew residents to buy produce trucked in from farms throughout the region. In the early 1980s, the market’s popularity led to a multimillion-dollar renovation of the park, and a management district was also established in the area. This resulted in an improvement of the neighborhood itself, with the Greenmarket serving as its hub. The market attracts visitors to the park and new residents to nearby housing, and has even spurred the development of nearby restaurants specializing in cuisine prepared with fresh, seasonal ingredients. Today, this remarkable square has become a powerful district within a city. Vitality and community can again be found in and around Union Square, even on days when the market is not operating.” (PPS)

This precedent is a widen view of the influence a square could bring to surrounding areas, by enhancing property value. “In Chattanooga, USA, after decades of decline and abandonment, business leaders and public officials committed to effect a dramatic redevelopment of the city’s historic downtown riverfront area. In the eight years between 1988 and 1996, the number of business property values increased over 127 per cent.” (Childs 2004 p.38)

Argument 7

Creating an art area for the site will benefit it a lot in commercial and reputation way, because an art area could consider both users in mainstream or who not in mainstream. The art area has the big potential to become a well-known tourist spot, and a stage for creations, communication, and exhibitions of artists.

Supporting theory

City squares and friendly little streets have the opportunities to form an art centre. Those lively and attractive little streets are much less crowded than the main commercial street. They can cater to a great variety of functions: small shops, restaurants, galleries, workshops and more. And the square can provide a stage for small artist’ performances or large art festivals.

Supporting precedent

In Copenhagen, “Strædet is a pedestrian priority street, where pedestrians and bicycles have priority but cars may enter at low speed. Strædet runs parallel to Strøget, but has a decidedly different character. The street is lined by small, specialized shops selling antiques, handicrafts, and similar items. The atmosphere is quaint and charming, and quickly attracted several cafes and restaurants, many of which have outdoor seating on the street. The light traffic and resulting relaxed atmosphere of this street are definitely part of its charm.” (Gehl 1996 p.15)

The precedents in Birmingham and Seattle which I have mentioned in the Explicit Argument 4, is also a successful example that how artistic activities could benefit the area and the city.

Argument 8

Former infrastructure can be a big advantage for the abandoned site. There is a former railway runs above my site. My intention to setting a train station could increase pedestrian flows to this area and emphasis the characteristic of the former infrastructure.

˙Supporting theory

Transformation of former industrial or infrastructure areas into open public spaces is a new and current subject over the world. Corbett and RIBA (2004 p.42) said that “where existing old buildings stand around a square, consideration should be given to retaining them so they can be put to viable uses that will generate activity.”

˙Supporting precedent

Wlodarczyk (2010) has studied the UBI (Universidade da Beira Interior) Area in Covilha, which is a former industrial space now has been transformed for public use. The abandoned textile factories in 18th century have been transformed to school facilities and woolen industry museums. The factories were established in 1700s, and were operated until late 1800s. During 1885 to 1975, the whole industrial area became a wasteland although it possesses spatial and visual potential. “The areas are placed within present central parts of a town, where the need for open public space is great. The buildings of the UBI University are being re-used for new science functions, since the original production of wool is no more profitable. The post-industrial public square is the main point of the centrally located structure, and serves both as a path for pedestrians and a meeting point. The physical opening of the industrial site for public users has played a crucial role. It can be assumed that the introduction of new and contrasting functions in this part of the city attracts young people, who have the opportunity not only to study at the university, but also to get to know the rich history of Covilha. In this case the functional and spatial connection of old buildings and young people creates possibilities for a successful long-term upgrading process. UBI Area is used frequently now by students, surrounding habitants, and visitors. The process of rehabilitation has made the abandoned and destroyed wasteland a landmark in the city which functions appropriately and is still undergoing spatial transformation.”

-Case Study: Bryant Park-

Bryant Park is located at a very busy business area in Manhattan, New York City. People in this area including many types, such as office workers, shoppers, or tourists. To serve those different users, Bryant Park is divided into zones with differnt functions to respond the users’ various need.

Reference

Angles, M. (2010) In favour of public space: ten years of the European Prize for Urban Public Space. Barcelona, ACTAR.

Childs, M. C. (2004) Squares: a public space design guide for urbanists. Albuquerque, University of New Mexico Press.

Corbett, N. and Royal Institute of British Architects (2004) Transforming cities: revival in the square. London, RIBA.

Gallacher, P. (2005) Everyday spaces: the potential of neighbourhood space. London, Thomas Telford.

Gehl, J. (1996) Public spaces, public life. Copenhagen, Arkitektens Forlag.

Gehl, J. (2011) Life between buildings: using public space. Washington DC, Island Press.

Krier, R. (1979) Urban space. London, Academy Editions.

Project for Public Spaces(PPS), North America’s top 12 public squares. Project for Public Spaces [Internet blog]. Available from: < http://www.pps.org/articles/uscanadasquares/> [Accessed 6th May 2012].

Project for Public Spaces(PPS), The world’s best squares. Project for Public Spaces [Internet blog]. Available from: < http://www.pps.org/articles/internationalsquares/> [Accessed 6th May 2012].

Wasps Artists’ Studios (2012) The Briggait, Merchant City [Internet]. Available from: <http://www.waspsstudios.org.uk/studios-spaces/briggait-merchant-city> [Accessed 5th May 2012]

Wlodarczyk , A. M. (2010) Industrial spaces for public use – “UBI Area” in Covilha (Prtugal). Architecture civil engineering environment, April, pp. 37-48.

I-Chen Yeh

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