Welcome To Castletown by Castletown

Welcome to Castletown!

connecting the town with its potential

BETTY LAURINCOVA

Welcome to Castletown!

Connecting the town with its potential and uncovering the new network of public places Content pg Castletown as a 15min town 4-5 Castletown and parking 6-7 Castletown - public spaces network centres and connections 8-9 Illustrations of selected areas 10-31 Place making tools for the future 32-35 Conclusion and notes 36-37

This document is a collaboration between the Castletown Commissioners and urban designer Betty Laurincova. The purpose is to promote a discussion about the future image of Castletown. All proposals serve as conversation triggers and, any additional ideas are welcome.

15min 10min

18min

5min 3m

15min 10min 5min 3min

Walking commute times (source Google maps)

4min

5min

4min 3min 2min 1min

Cycling commute times (source Google maps)

Castletown as a 15min town (15min city concept) Castletown, with its relatively flat terrain, is ideal for active travel as cycling and walking. The roads are in a suitable condition for both but vehicular transport still seems to dominate it. Castletown has a compact urban structure, with a very natural, organically developed infrastructure network. This makes all areas of town accessible by foot within 15min from the centre, and the same distance takes less than 5min by bicycle.

30 min walking commute (traveltime.com)

15 min cycling commute (traveltime.com)

Commuting by foot or bike should be the preferred way for the locals to get around town. Pedestrians and cyclists should have the highest priority in the streets of the centre. The commute times are in favour of this strategy. Another aspect is to make the commute pleasant and smooth without major obstacles. There should be a prevalence of shared movement areas with pedestrians at the highest priority.

The use of natural cladding materials, urban furniture, greenery etc. should help to establish this hierarchy (to avoid the feeling that people are directly told what to do and where to walk, ride or drive by traffic signs). Part of the strategy is to eliminate the number of decisions people have to make when commuting (obstacles as complicated crossings, uneven surfaces, kerbs...) and adding navigating points and stops (benches, pocket parks, playgrounds, active plinths...)

Painted traffic signs - unwelcoming for pedestrians Mill street - shared space - natural pedestrian priority 5

The following map shows current and possible parking options in Castletown. Combination with the walking/cycling times shows that visitors parking during events can be placed on the edge of the town with reasonably short and pleasant walk to the centre.

Castletown and parking Within Castletown, walking and cycling is the ideal form of transport but there will always be a need for public accessible parking for visitors, commuters, people with limited mobility. There is a long standing perception of insufficient parking in Castletown, however, a study made in 2013 uncovered that Castletown has enough parking spaces for its current and future needs (projection till 2027). It also showed that the areas needing improvements to tackle this

perception are parking regulation (illegal parking, overstaying...), signage to help people find available parking, sharing parking spaces (during events, weekends private parking lots can be utilized) etc. Directly connected to parking is improved connectivity and walkability. Dropped kerbs, tactile paving, general pedestrian priority, light and safety features are some of the ways how to shrink the demand for centralized parking, and leaving parking places in Castletown for those who need it.

current/existing parking areas potential parking - new parking or shared parking of peak hours during events for visitors street parking Following lines and time values show the commuting times from areas in Castletown to the centre for more details see previous chapter. cycling commuting times walking commuting times

Map of the towns core area along the red axis with some existing elements that add to its quality. existing rest and seating places - small pocket parks with benches bring great opportunity to socialize the town access, there are many new opportunities to add more rest spaces existing public toilets - contributing element for space activating events ‘hidden gem’ spots - these are small spaces perfect for occasional small pop-up events to activate them and bring them attention, they can be connecting spots of the whole town social network pedestrian connections along the social axis -pedestrian priority and linking residential and central areas existing public life ‘hot-spot’ areas - current town centre and the square at the station with adjacent park - two strong points forming the towns social axis connection strengthening interventions - spaces that can support permanent interventions - new public spaces for art installations and reoccurring events

park

zoom-in on the next page

Castletown centres and connections The strategy for the future is to strengthen the town centre (one set of illustrations like the square, Castle Street, Bottle Monkey brewery and more) then enhance the connection between the two main social points (red circles on the map). The green connections from residential areas are routes where pedestrian and cycling movement should be a priority. The future is to motivate locals to leave their cars at home. The green connections represent movement, connecting two areas. They do not necessarily include many stay and rest spots, they prioritize traffic separation and safety.

The red connection however has the potential to become an active axis of the town. It is connecting two social points and the presence of water brings a lot of potential. This area glues the town together, it is a place for social events, meeting friends and hanging out.

On the next pages, we will focus on improvements of the two red centres and then uncover some possibilities along the red axis. Since the whole area can work as a very strong social core of the town it is a good topic for future development discussion. 9

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Illustrations of selected places in Castletown with social life activating potential These are the connection strengthening points or ‘hidden gem’ spots that were selected to illustrate some options for future activating and placemaking initiatives (temporary or permanent installation, events, pedestrian priority, closing the missing pedestrian links...). They are examples of possibilities that can be repeated and tested in other places in Castletown to strengthen its social livability potential.

Destination areas -central places where people meet, shop... venues of major events...

Navigating places - connectors between residential areas and the destinations, they provide place to rest, make the commute enjoyable and safe

Parliament square

Castle Street

Market square

The Parade

Town Hall entrance - Barracks Square

The fire station

The harbour

Parking lot - Old Grammar School

Arbory street

Malew Street

Bank Street

Bank Street entrance

Castle Quay

Back Hope Street

Castle Quay - Thirtle Bridge

Silverburn river walk

Silverburn - Alexandra bridge

The railway station - The Sidings - Viking

Walkable Douglas Street

The Promenade

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Parliament Square Landmark resturant in Kizuna - planned café/bar and boutique hotel seating in the square creates an outdoor social space can be used for possible events like street food markets, concerts, plays bike parking directly on the square to keep bikes in sight mobile/fixed street furniture and elements if Castle Street is occasionally pedestrianized the public space stretches towards the castle (as per festival day at present)

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Castle Street traffic restrictions - one way/bus only... closed for events, seasons, evenings, weekend (as per festival day at present) possibility of outdoor seating for the existing business (restaurants, pubs...) mobile street furniture towards the castle - steps/ terraces connecting with the grassy slope at the castle for seating

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Market Square current parking is moved as following the support of active travel fixed/mobile urban furniture and greenery define zones of the square possible events like street food markets, concerts, plays are taking place bike parking directly on the square to keep bikes in sight water element that can be turned off creating large flat space for events semi-permanent element for example a farmers market stand to keep square active

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The Parade traffic restrictions - one way/bus only reclaims space for public social life fixed/mobile urban furniture and greenery define zones of the space, separating the bus lane various seasonal and all year round activities as ping-pong tables, art exhibitions placed on hanging or standing panels, cultural and educational events possibility of semi-permanent street business as mobile coffee-shop or ice-cream stand connected with the Market square and both spaces can be used together for large events or used as two or more separate zones throughout the year

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Town Hall and Library entrance - Barracks Square eliminating the public parking to create open safe space for events, gathering and play businesses opening towards the public space help to activate it fixed/mobile urban furniture and greenery define zones of the space the movement is navigated through the square towards the previous fire station/future brewery possibility of urban sport activities thanks to separation from the traffic table-tennis, street ball flexible use seating and playgrounds modelling the space according to varied requirements

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The old fire station the micro brewery is a contributing social point in the overall public spaces network it is connected with the central pedestrian priority zone possible events like street food markets, concerts, plays are taking place potential new crossing across Farrants Way is defined by material as a pedestrian zone not by a traffic sign or zebra crossing bike parking as a support of active transport strategies

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The harbour seasonal and occasional event place weekend street-food markets, farmers markets... fixed/mobile urban furniture and greenery to turn it into a social public space temporary sun/seagull protection during the events bike parking as a support of active transport strategies potential for camper vans to use yacht facilities

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Parking lot - Old Grammar School short term parking in the centre is still necessary even after increase of active travel but the parking space can be occasionally turned into a public space to activate it and connect it with the network of public spaces in Castletown events can be larger scale as summer film projections, markets, concerts for larger numbers of visitors, art installations... possibilities to open a new business with terrace in the solitary building bike parking as a support of active transport strategies

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Arbory Street pedestrian zone (with car access for businesses in designated hours or emergencies) fixed/mobile urban furniture and greenery to restrict fast cyclists and stop cars (no traffic signs) businesses have seating in the street or the public mobile furniture is used for the visitors bike parking as a support of active transport strategies this street is one of very important and fast links to the town centre for pedestrians, the surface should be smooth for accessibility without steep ramps or steps

Malew Street

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almost the whole length of Malew Street can have uniform homogeneous paving to support the priority of pedestrian and bicycle movement and slow down car traffic small businesses have the opportunity to expand and open to the street slow movement and businesses create an inviting ground floor the meeting point with Bank St turns into a square small square with seats, chairs and tables, fixed or mobile greenery, possible venue for smaller events, pop-up place-making initiatives, art in public space...

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Bank Street

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the “square” at the junction of Bank Street and Malew Street is part of the towns centre the square can be place for smaller activities, venue of events, art installations fixed/mobile urban furniture and greenery to turn it into a social public space uniform homogeneous paving will make Bank Street into pedestrian priority street and turns it into nice calm, safe walk towards the towns centre this small narrow street has great potential become a place for people to stop by, sit and rest

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Bank Street entrance

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uniform homogeneous paving creating a new small square towards the water inviting and welcoming element before entering the centre through the Bank St and Malew St bicycle parking to increase pedestrian movement in the centre space for the business to open towards the square - terraces, shared public seating fixed/mobile urban furniture and greenery to turn it into a social public space new micro spot for events, pop-up place-making initiatives, art in public space... proximity of public toilets is a plus

Castle Quay

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reduced traffic and better pedestrian movement thanks to either wooden elevated path towards the water or through pedestrian priority shared space implementation improving the pedestrian conditions is part of strengthening and supporting of the towns social axis between the station and the centre it is accessible without steep ramps or steps

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Back Hope Street

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seasonal and occasional small event place fixed/mobile urban furniture and greenery to turn it into a social public space bike parking as a support of active transport strategies shared space with pedestrian priority, support of sportning activities (streetball, play areas) it is part of the town social axis to provide smooth pedestrian and bike connection between the station and the centre public toilets allow for events, food trucks, mobile coffee shops with public seating

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Castle Quay - Thirtle bridge

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small place with lot of potential for special interventions as art events, concerts, plays, installations, bbq, micro park or just place to sit and enjoy the sun watching the swans it is on the new social axis and can be a nice small contribution to the network of public spaces in town mobile urban furniture and greenery can be installed the proximity of public toilets is a plus start of the two routes along the social axis

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Silverburn river walk

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the current pedestrian path is connected all the way to the bridge and additional steps/slope can lead onto the top of the bridge and towards park or railways station the path is a part of the towns social axis, one of few pedestrian connections water is good place making element that opens possibilities of small rest spaces, wooden decks on the river for various activities lighting could be installed for safety and possibility of evening/night use

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Silverburn - Alexandra bridge

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this is currently a nice place to sit and rest on the towns axis connection possibility of small events and art installations / gateway features on roundabout mobile urban furniture and greenery can be added for more seating opportunities the roundabout creates a barrier on the pedestrian connection from the railway station/park towards the town centre, this can be addressed with different traffic solutions and pedestrian crossing or additional path under the bridge the bridge can be connected with the path on the north-east side of the river

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The railway station - The Sidings - Viking

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existing parking could be suspended and the space is turned into a public square/place outdoor seating for the two pubs, events, food-trucks, playground fixed/mobile urban furniture and greenery to turn it into a social public space bike parking directly on the square to keep bikes in sight new social point connecting the town, place for people to go grab drinks after spending time in the skate-park, meet their friends entrance and welcome square for tourists and visitors coming from the railway station

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Walkable Douglas Street

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uniform homogeneous surface without marked driveway to strengthen the position of the pedestrians and cyclists in the transport hierarchy one of the important connections between residential areas and the town centre part of the street could be totally closed for motorized traffic seating, rest spots, viewing platforms, exhibition on the wall, small cultural events more light to provide safety and motivate more people to walk from and to the centre

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The Promenade

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The Promenade is nice connection of residential areas with the town centre the surface, pavement width, sufficient lighting, and navigation points along the way fixed/mobile urban furniture and greenery can turn meeting with the Shore Rd into a social public space for people to meet, spend time, children to play, venue for pop-up events.. it can be alternatively used as a playground or sports venue with ping-pong tables... bike-parking in various places along the connection is important to support the active travel initiative

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flexible use urban furniture, London, UK

temporary place-making installations in Vienna, Austria

flexible use urban furniture, Guangzhou, China

temporary place-making installations, Reykjavik, Iceland

Tools for the future • urban furniture (fixed, to support the movement hierarchy)

• flexible use urban elements (blocks forming a playground or bench, performance supporting elements, elements dividing the space into zones, sport opportunities) • mobile urban furniture that people can move around and claim new spaces - give them new use (observation can help establish the position of future permanent public spaces) • urban greenery - supporting bio-corridors, helping water management, providing shade in the coming warmer summers (project ‘Red chairs’, Bratislava, Slovakia)

• temporary installations activating places, creating key-points on the main movement axes (pg.6)

mobile coffee-shop

mobile furniture (project ‘Red chairs’, Bratislava, Slovakia) 32

mobile

furniture

Art installation and a playground in one Jacob Dahlgren, Wanås Konst skulpturpark, Sweden

ping-pong tables make entertainment for most age groups places of gathering and play, Vancouver, Canada

• various activity zones within the town centre as playgrounds, street-ball areas, ping-pong tables, game boards eg. chess (large scale painted on the ground or smaller as a part of a bench) • sport areas can be good starting point for local events, school events and competitions • playgrounds that communicate with the surroundings • well lit areas of social gathering and ping-pong tables in central urban environment as a infrastructure like playgrounds and sport areas to places of gathering and play, Soho, London, UK provide safety

New skate park in Castletown park created a busy place for everyone to meet, it can be used as a positive example for similar interventions in all scales around the whole Castletown. 33

bringing water to town in Stockholm, Sweden

• wider footpaths by the water can be achieved by adding decks • water in town has a place-making quality, including it with floating platforms, paths, steps

water as a tool to reclaim space (busy traffic crossing turned into roundabout in Sczesczin, Poland)

• water elements fill and divide larger spaces when not in use by events (concerts, markets...) • use of temporary ground painting to initiate and activate certain spaces (this step by step process can help introduction of larger permanent developments)

water elements, London, UK

• place-making events can be introduced to test future changes and principles

activating events, Glasgow, UK 34

street market stand activating a square, Bath, UK

art installation by SO? creating spaces for people to sit and play, London, UK

Pink swans installation bringing people to the small street, the uniform surface supports the priority of pedestrian movement Gamla Brogatan, Stockholm, Sweden Mural navigating the pedestrian movement, Chicago, USA

place-making events can be held in small, less known places to activate them (example from Castletown)

• navigating elements as murals or hanging installations (see swans or popular umbrellas) to bring movement to certain areas, to navigate people using specific routes • tactical urbanism - used as an experimental tool when reclaiming motorised spaces for pedestrians, testing new crossing and leisure pedestrian zones.

Tactical urbanism project, reclaiming space for people as a step by step strategy, New York, US 35

Conclusion and notes Castletown has a good existing life in public space and event organisation that make the town already very lively and pleasant for its inhabitants and an attractive place for visitors. Its size is perfect for active transport commuting within the town. Investing into pedestrian priority shared space infrastructure can help decrease the demand for central parking. The reclaimed spaces can be used for more place making initiatives helping the city connect and function as a whole. The traffic reduction will turn its streets into safer places to walk and bike. I used a concept of the 15-minute city/neighbourhood that was originally created for Paris and is being implemented in larger cities around the world. Plenty of information can be found on the subject with simple search. Here is one link to an article for a short summary: https://www.thealternative.org.uk/dailyalternative/2020/3/7/the-fifteen-minute-city-paris and another resource about importance of smaller rest spaces and benches https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-39083338 Castletown has great potential to become a modern town with strong identity based on its location, urban network, history and culture.

Links to used images and projects • https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2017/09/steps-outdoor-furniture-raw-edges-design-studio-greenwichpeninsula-_dezeen_2364_col_12.jpg • http://landezine.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/30-1.jpg • https://camera-austria.at/en/veranstaltungen/projection-at-vienna-art-week-christina-werner-the-boys-are-back/ • http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nojVkheQWeY/UAh8TUCvAQI/AAAAAAAAKmE/a7CWm7O1-I4/s320/ IMG_2007.jpg • https://bratislavskykraj.sk/wp-content/ uploads/2020/06/104240873_1732624006891333_7406829230409050205_o.jpg • https://www.yimba.sk/upload/komentare/sadni_si/2_1.jpg • https://architizer.com/projects/targ-weglowy-square/ • https://jarlasjo.se/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/bryggan.jpg • https://parker.stockholm/optimized/serviceunitspage/filer/hitta/4e6fb70c-1f49-4383-8ae6-57e859325ada.jpeg • google streetview • https://antekwpodrozy.pl/foto/2018/szczecin2/005.JPG • https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/545c9a01e4b043f3abfbb28f/1513857042079I3GVOHDQ01Z5KS0ZIKZW/ke17ZwdGBToddI8pDm48kN2uNmk_xgDvEXwQdYqcBE9Zw-zP Pgdn4jUwVcJE1ZvWEtT5uBSRWt4vQZAgTJucoTqqXjS3CfNDSuuf31e0tVHeKa-BU6Nx_qY1cz_ Jkk_5yaVFkUTWqbvozD0DdlpNBQLElL9EKM8SExsuSReciBA/image-asset.jpeg?format=500w • https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/529b78b8e4b0316936e16b2b/15604608933684Q6Y8CXG0G7NFWJY6YNB/ke17ZwdGBToddI8pDm48kJGxTwUI8qnCS60a05G7y6JZw-zPPgdn4jU wVcJE1ZvWQUxwkmyExglNqGp0IvTJZamWLI2zvYWH8K3-s_4yszcp2ryTI0HqTOaaUohrI8PI5mgN ZWa1ksCwzPuAE0ESn7x2fIthkHmBy9Zz_t0PadIKMshLAGzx4R3EDFOm1kBS/sh-1.jpg?format=750w http://www.hollygramazio.net/scotch-hoppers • https://f.nordiskemedier.dk/2yqd5m2o17lvrw0b.JPG • https://divisare-res.cloudinary.com/images/f_auto,q_auto,w_800/v1467712757/fmtq4ksxg3x42kiwkpso/sohufton-crow-unexpected-hill.jpg • https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D4v99JcW0AErQrn?format=jpg&name=900x900 • https://www.superfreshdesign.com/#/williamsburg-asphalt-mural/ • https://artlogic-res.cloudinary.com/w_1800,h_1320,c_limit,f_auto,fl_lossy,q_auto/artlogicstorage/workplace/ images/view/17f019911ea7a89a8f6fe6821babb06cd8a3081e.jpg • https://www.cornilleau.cz/upload/20534-1705512337.jpg • http://outdoorplaybook.ca/learn/inspirational-projects/plateau-sports-park/ • Castletown Town Centre Parking Study and Parking Policy development Options,isle of Man Government Department of Infrastructure, February 2013, document reference: CO03022427/FR/04