Chattanooga Innovation District - Public Realm Action Plan

Page 1

/June 2019

Chattanooga Innovation District

PUBLIC REALM ACTION PLAN Gehl — Making Cities for People

Chattanooga Innovation District1



Project Team

The Enterprise Center Ken Hays, President Ann Coulter, Strategic Planning Mary Stargel, Director of Innovation District Programs

Chattanooga Design Studio Eric Myers, Executive Director Lindsey Willke, Urban Design Coordinator

Gehl Matthew Lister, Director Geoffrey Dyck, Project Manager Lily Wubeshet, Urban Designer Aja Jeanty, Urban Designer Olivia Flynn, Urban Designer Alex Schuknecht, Urban Designer

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Innovation District Committee Members Blythe Bailey Kevin Boehm Matt Busby Elijah Cameron Clint Dean Lakweshia Ewing Eldred Fletcher Lisa Flint Bob Franklin Josiah Golson Yusuf Hakeem Kerry Hayes Heidi Hefferlin Kristy Huntley Katelyn Kirnie Meredith Levine James McKissic Kyle Miller Jennifer Mingola Jeff Pfitzer Philip Pugliese Darian Scott John Shepherd Meagan Shinn David Steele Justin Steinmann Jonathan Susman Macon Toledano Paula Wilkes

PSPL Volunteers Graham Alexander Jaclyn Anderson Eric Asboe Blythe Bailey Kofi Bannor Sicely Baquedano Juergen Bauer Jojo Brauer Lynsi Buford Matt Busby Teresa Dean Cole Sarah Cook Akosua A Cook Ann Coulter Clint Dean Alexander Drouillard Mackenzie Flynn Cortney Geary Gray Gill Kerry Hayes Ken Hays

Justin D Howell Cate Irvin Kirsten Jones Angela Langevin Alexander Leffew Meredith Levine Casey Lee Lomber-Gordon Sammy Lowdermilk MIKO Geoff Millener Jennifer Mingola Tom Montague Mary Helen Montgomery Heath Montgomery Sally Morrow Eric Myers Stephanie Nunez Allie O’Connell Jenny Park Lakisha Partridge Eugenia Payne

Daniela Peterson Jeff Rector Melita Rector Emily Ricks Andrew Rodgers Emily Roumen Darian Scott Mary Smith Justin Steinmann Jonathan Susman Brandon Sutton Brian Taylor Kristen Ton Tom Trevor Crissy Varnell TK Westfield Lindsey Willke

Chattanooga Innovation District

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Contents

1. 2. 3.

4. 5. 6.

7. 8.

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Setting the Stage for Tomorrow Public Space, Public Life (PSPL) Key Takeaways

4 11 20

Vision: The Experimental City Public Life Principles Public Space Framework Plan

70 73 75

Starting Now: Piloting Change Next Steps

107 117

Chattanooga Innovation District

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1.

Setting the Stage for Tomorrow Chattanoogans never stop working to improve their city. They continue to plan, build, and learn from the successes and lessons learned in past ones. The foundations of this Public Realm Action Plan lie in the 2014 Enterprise Center Strategic Plan, the 2013 Center City Plan and the 2006 Downtown Plan. Cities and their urban cores are in a constant state of flux and people’s expectations for what their cities should be and the qualities they should exhibit are also in flux. That’s why planning is always important. The plans people make must be guided at every step by the shared values and dreams of a city’s residents. The dream behind the creation of the Innovation District is that it be an authentic place where innovation, entrepreneurship and world class technology add unique value to the city around it and make a better city for everyone.

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The Innovation District Framework Plan of 2018 articulated the bedrock values of the District and four broad strategies to pursue on their behalf. One of these strategies is improvements to the public realm. But how to approach these all-important improvements? This is where Gehl enters the picture. Due to their international reputation of using public engagement as well as observational data and rapid prototyping to craft public space improvements, the firm was selected to work with The Enterprise Center in collaboration with Chattanooga Design Studio on creating Chattanooga’s first Public Realm Action Plan.

Chattanooga Innovation District

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A District leading the way in putting people first The public realm is the connective tissue of any district that allows the drivers of innovation - creativity, serendipity, and authentic exchanges among people - to truly flourish. Some important recent moves downtown are helping to illustrate this, such as the Miller Park re-design and Passageways – creative public art installations in downtown alleys. To set more such plans in motion, Chattanooga Design Studio, The Enterprise Center, the City of Chattanooga, Gehl Studio and other stakeholders conducted a Public Space Public Life Survey in fall of 2018. This study helps us know how public spaces are supporting public life in the District, how to identify challenges and opportunities for growing public life, and how to set target outcomes for public life in the future. It is all about a downtown and a district for people first. This plan helps set the stage for Chattanooga to be a leader in prioritizing people in the public realm – with the goal of hosting an array of collision points for people of varying backgrounds, age groups and gender, people who work, play, live and participate in District life.

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FRAMEWORK PLAN March 2018

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Rich with a collective energy to try, make, and experiment Chattanooga’s secret weapon is Chattanoogans themselves – the city’s collection of local creatives, grassroots movers and shakers and entrepreneurs. The downtown core is pulsing with innovative ways of creating imaginative solutions, processes and spaces for everyday life. This collective energy to try, make and experiment is a valuable asset – and the public realm prototyping process that is Gehl’s expertise, puts that asset in play.

Gehl — Making Cities for People

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Alignment from city leadership, institutions, and key stakeholders empowers citizens to be part of the innovation in the city Working together is well-practiced in Chattanooga and will be needed to continue the evolution of the District’s public realm. “Chattanooga’s Innovation District is where people from all walks of life come together to explore and collaborate on technology, art, recreation, commerce and civic engagement. Thinkers, starters and doers – it’s a bold place full of people working together to discover the next big thing.” - Mayor Andy Berke.

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As the city grows — how can the public realm be a platform to showcase and nurture the creative spirit and the city’s shared values? The Public Realm Action Plan is just that – a plan for up front, actionable next steps guided by rapid prototyping of ideas in key public spaces to test how well they work before investing in expensive public infrastructure. This method answers the question of how the public realm can be a platform to showcase and nurture the creative spirit and the city’s shared values. And this method continues to rely on feedback and engagement from everyday users of a space -workers, residents, students and visitors. The final sections of the plan provide next steps for prototyping improvements to three spaces in the Innovation District that were prioritized by the many local people engaged in the planning process. These next steps are up to all of us. We are betting we can be pretty good at it and that we can go on to use the principles and methods laid out in this plan to improve places far outside of the Innovation District.

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Project Roadmap Chattanooga Tomorrow Where we are going

Vision

Public Life Principles What will guide us

Public Space Big Moves How we’ll get there

North Stars

Urban Framework

Mix.

ground A meeting brings ly ve ti that ac th e er people tog

Lear

n.

A pla c to be e for all a g a stu dent es teach a e ideas r, to expl nd o , lear n, sh re are

ate. Incubor local

Experimental City

A city made by the people

ef ive A plac ses to thr s e e in h s t bu ase ga howc and s Chattanoo f o t s be

01

Establish EastWest Connections

02

Define a MultiModal Link

03

Create a Continuous Retail Experience

04

Activate Open Spaces for Everyday Use

05

Nurture a Neighborhood Network

Early Activation Projects Where to start

Pilot 1

The Porch

2

The Generator

3

Bus Stop Hotspots

Re-m

ix.

A pla c enco e that u try, m rages y o try a ake, (fa u to il), a gain nd

Future Interventions

ver. Discthoat inspires ery

Warehouse Park and Test Kitchen

e ov A plac nse of disc new e to your s ges you in ew n ud and n nces - with ie exper people

The Market Street Storefront Collective

Improv e. A pla

Bessie Smith Press Play

ce that prioritiz a contin es uo improve us ment & assessm ent

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Observe, listen, and learn Before any analysis of the public realm, it is critical to get an honest picture of how the Innovation District operates today — where people are spending time, where they aren’t, how people feel invited, who is missing, and what values residents, students, and visitors want to see reflected in their shared spaces.

Online Engagement

Online Engagement

Pop-Up Survey

Pop-Up Survey Gehl — Making Cities for People

Intercept Surveys

Observational Survey

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2.

Public Space, Public Life In order to shape strategies to guide growth that fits, reflects and supports the city’s overarching goals, we begin with a look at how people experience the District today. A PSPL provides empirical evidence and arguments for improving public space. Once we understand the life of a place, we start looking at what changes are needed in the physical environment to create a more sustainable and livable city for all.

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Why conduct a Public Space Public Life (PSPL) Study? The purpose of a PSPL is to put people at the forefront of urban design and decision-making in cities. The PSPL is a way to study how public life unfolds in the Innovation District today and to understand what some of the needs and demands are for future public space development. It is a way to benchmark public life and provide strategic recommendations for future public space development.

“Measure what you care about.” -Jan Gehl

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What is Public Space and why does it matter? Public spaces are a key element of individual and social wellbeing, the places of a community’s collective life, expressions of the diversity of their common, natural and cultural richness and a foundation of their identity. A city’s public realm is more than its formal parks and plazas. It is all spaces between buildings. From sidewalks and streets, to passageways and underpasses, to public buildings and informal cutthroughs, Chattanooga has a rich, connected network of public spaces to foster vibrant public life.

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What is Public Life and why does it matter? Public life is the shared experience of the city created by people when they live their lives outside of their homes, workplaces and cars. It is the everyday life that unfolds in streets, plazas, parks, and spaces between buildings. Public life can be measured, and cities that do so can help develop a high quality of public life through changes in the public realm over time. Public life thrives when all people can enjoy being in public together, and is encouraged by quality public space that fosters social interaction. Vibrant public life promotes civic agency, supports health and sustainability, builds social capital, and connects people to their local communities.

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Getting a picture of it all The PSPL was kicked off with the help of the city’s greatest asset: Chattanoogans!

2

4

G

3 4

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3 2

Over 50 volunteers collected data on pedestrian movement and stationary activity of people in the public realm of the downtown core. Twelve key zones, each including 3-4 separate count locations and one stationary mapping location, were surveyed over a 12 hour period from 8am to 8pm on the following days:

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Thursday, November 15, 2018 30–39º | Partly cloudy, cold all day Saturday, November 17, 2018 42º—46º | Mostly sunny

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Method 1: Observational Surveys of People Moving We counted people moving through the District using different modes.

People Walking (or in wheelchair or stroller) Gehl — Making Cities for People

People on Wheels

Age & Gender of people moving Chattanooga Innovation District

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Method 2: Observational Surveys of People Staying We mapped and counted people staying, along with the activities they engaged in.

Activity Gehl — Making Cities for People

Group Size

Age & Gender of people staying Chattanooga Innovation District

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Method 3: Public Space Quality Analysis

Sidewalk Clutter Public Art

Bike Lanes

Paving Quality

Greenery

Facade Quality

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To understand the relationship between public life and public space, we documented facade quality, land use, neighborhood amenities, public space amenities, and performed test walks to feel the current pedestrian experience.

Seating

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Method 4: Engagements We talked to people to get an understanding of public space and public life beyond what can be counted and observed.

Intercept Surveys

Site Visits

Focus Groups

We asked people questions related to the purpose of their trips and the duration of visits. We asked questions about sentiment, sense of safety, feelings about downtown, and what might be missing. We asked questions focused on social interaction as well as on basic demographics including age, gender identification, and income.

Commuters

Pop-up Workshops

Cyclists

Workshop Sessions

Interviews

Neighbors

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Local Makers

Youth + Students

Chattanooga Innovation District

Stakeholders

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3.

Key Takeaways What is the experience of arriving, moving, and staying in the Innovation District? How well do the streets in downtown Chattanooga invite people to walk and bike—especially outside of commuting hours? What is the quality of experience moving through the city—by foot, bike, transit? How does the space support or hinder public life? The following section highlights key public life insights that inform the Public Realm Action Plan. Gehl — Making Cities for People

01 Welcome to Chattanooga where sidewalks (and streets) are the social hubs

02 Bus stops are the heartbeat of everyday activity

03 Public spaces are magnetic platforms for events

SOCIAL SIDEWALKS

ACTIVE BUS STOPS

EVENT DRIVEN PUBLIC LIFE

04 High quality public spaces but few invitations to spend time

05 Barriers come in different shapes and sizes and limit access to spending time

06 Market Street is an active multi-modal hub

PUBLIC SPACE INVITATIONS

PUBLIC SPACE INVITATIONS

NORTH-SOUTH SOCIAL SIDEWALKS ACTIVITY

07 MLK Boulevard has the potential to be a multimodal hub but it feels disjointed

08 Chattanoogans create their own pathways

09 The District is not a hub for cycling...but it’s on its way

EAST-WEST SOCIAL SIDEWALKS ACTIVITY

DEFINING SOCIAL SPACE SIDEWALKS

CYCLING SOCIAL CITY SIDEWALKS

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PSPL KEY TAKEAWAYS

01

Welcome to Chattanooga where sidewalks (and streets) are the social hubs Hospitality is the DNA of the city

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Sidewalks are the District’s hardest working and most sociable public spaces

Sidewalks are used as much as open spaces

186 people staying

57%

people are in groups

Open Spaces Weekday all day total

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234 people staying

66%

people are in groups

Streets + Sidewalks Weekday all day total

Chattanooga Innovation District

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Southern hospitality is the DNA of the public realm People hangout in groups more often than on their own

2/3

of people are in social groups

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88%

of people spending time at Patten Towers are in social groups during a peak hour Weekend, 5PM

Gehl — Making Cities for People

Chattanooga Innovation District


Sidewalks are a sociable scale Smaller spaces lend themselves to social interaction Miller Park

Market Street

Trafalgar Square

~1 per 10,000 ft2

~1 per 250ft2

~1per 250ft2 Reference: London, UK

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The 21st century street is a place A city’s greatest public realm canvas are its streets

You already know this!

80%

of cities are streets

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PSPL KEY TAKEAWAYS

02

Bus stops are the heartbeat of everyday activity Most people staying are waiting for the bus

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1/5

Of all stationary activities observed in the District waiting for transit ranks second behind leisure activity

of people spending time in the District are waiting for the bus Weekday + Weekend

Waiting for Transport

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Leisure Activity

Chattanooga Innovation District

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On Market Street bus stops are especially active hubs of public life Waiting for transit is the prominent stationary activity

162

people spending time on Market Street

Space and comfort could be better

77%

are waiting for the bus

Weekday and Weekend total on Market Street between 6th Street and 7th Street

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PSPL KEY TAKEAWAYS

03

Public spaces are magnetic platforms for events Chattanooga knows how to throw a good party

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Punching above its weight, events draw world class numbers Chattanooga 8th Street

108 people

Pittsburgh Liberty Avenue

144 people

San Francisco Market Street

Nashville Broadway

168 people

158 people

Weekend 4-6pm

Gehl — Making Cities for People

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Events support a healthy public life profile Age & gender are more evenly distributed with programming

1/25

are children district wide

1/5

are children during events

2/5

are women district wide

1/4

are women during events

5

Data reports averages from a fall event on 8th Street

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d


Events see a broad and varied mix of activities Programming brings opportunities to spend time in different ways

Pictures taken in downtown Chattanooga

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Market S treet

Broad Street

Walnut Street

Chestnut Street

Cherry Street

treet

7th Street

During Event

After Event tre et

47 people / hour

6th

str eet / hour 14 people

Lin

dsa yS

5 people / hour

Pine Street

Market S

Broad Street

Before Event

Walnut Street

7th Street

Chestnut Street

Cherry Street

treet

Pine Street

Market S

Broad Street

Pine Street

Chestnut Street

But events can generate little public life ripple effect Few people stick around past the event

Lookout Street

6th Street

Lookout Street

6th Street

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10th Street

tre sS

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34

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Str e ust on

A fall event on 8th MStreet exemplifies LK ing Blv d public life this rhythm—when the event packs up, so do ML Kin gB the people lvd

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Gehl — Making Cities for People

8th Street

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Str eet

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Weekend 5pm

Str eet

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Chestnut Street

Chestnut Street

8th

Pat ten

Weekend 2pm

7th

8th Street

8th Street

to n Street Chestnut S

8th Street

8th Street


During Event

Walnut Street

treet

Cherry Street

Market S

Broad Street

Pine Street

Chestnut Street

Or explore beyond the programmed space

Lookout Street

6th Street

7th Street

6th

str e

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Lin

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47 people / hour

7th

8th Street

Str eet

Pat ten

Str eet

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Chestnut Street

8th Street

Only 4 people per hour around the corner on Chestnut Street

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Chattanooga Innovation District

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Gehl — Making Cities for People

10th Street

47Mpeople per LK ing lvd 8th hour Bon Street during programmed event Lin

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4 people / hour

Ge

Chestnut Street

ia A ve

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Part of the challenge is urban infrastructure

25%

Well-Lit

Mc

Cal

Market Street

Broad Street

This diagram illustrates the District’s pockets of quality light—and gaps in between lie

43%

Ave nu

e

ML

Dim

KB

oul eva rd

11th Street

Map Legend

32%

Dark Dimly-Lit

Dark

Well-Lit

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Where and when events are programmed streets and spaces are welllit: inviting to all ages to spend time

But dark gaps will stop people from exploring beyond the limits of the event space

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PSPL KEY TAKEAWAYS

04

High quality public spaces but few invitations to spend time Places to be, but no place to spend time

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Bessie Smith Lawn

Clear, open walking path

Consistent rhythm of sidewalk trees creates a defined edge

Public art creates a vibrant sense of place

Inviting open space, but where do I stay?

1

Flexible green space

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Chattanooga Innovation District

Person/hour spending time here through the week

39


Warehouse Row Rich urban fabric creates a defined space and lends great views

Inviting open space, but where do I stay?

At its peak, up to

450

people/hour are walking through

But only

3

people/hour are staying

Articulated, open facades activate the ground floor

Opportunity to enjoy positive aspects of weather

Weekday all day

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Just outside the sunshine

Seating without a home

For a city of views...

Opportunity to stay, but an uninviting space

Facing away from sidewalk activity Gehl — Making Cities for People

Chattanooga Innovation District

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PSPL KEY TAKEAWAYS

05

Barriers come in different shapes and sizes and limit access to spending time

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Barriers come in different shapes and sizes There are four recurring typologies in the District Raised Platform

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Maze

Hidden

Chattanooga Innovation District

Perimeter

43


Mature trees Beautiful building

But am I supposed to be here? Is this public? Lush lawn

Raised Platform

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How do I get over here?

Beautiful canopy and vegetation

Not immediately clear there are places to sit

Maze Nice informal seating option Not stroller friendly

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Is there something back there?

Yes! Public spaces tucked away from view

Hidden

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Chattanooga Innovation District

PokemonGo will lead us there!

46


3D maze defies space time continuum!

Perimeter

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Ideal open space

Perceptual

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But I can’t see behind the wall of cars—so let’s catch up here

Chattanooga Innovation District

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Circuitous pathways leading to unknown destinations

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Elevated

Miller Park used to be walled off

How do I get here?

Chattanooga Innovation District

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Open sight lines makes it feel safe

Visible destination draws you in

Programmable edge activates the space

Now, a model of inviting public space design Clear walking path provides legible access

Flex space allows for a variety of activity

Shared street responds to a multitude of desire lines

Radically Transparent

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For events

Flexible Canvas

And inviting for everyday

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A note that if designed intentionally, hidden public spaces can be an asset—as is the case with the Passageways

Lighting is a critical piece to the success of hidden public spaces Clear, bold, and creative gateways draw you in—and invite you to discover what’s around the corner

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PSPL KEY TAKEAWAYS

06

Market Street is an active multimodal hub that sees consistent activity throughout the day

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Market Street is a key northsouth connector Market connects the Riverfront to downtown and through to the Southside. The central location is a critical piece of the puzzle.

2.5X the

500

Pedestrian Movement Hourly Average All Streets

400

District’s average pedestrian flow

Westside

Market Street

Riverfront

Innovation District

173

MLK

101

300 112

200

88

91

110

96

Market Street Average

69

100

District Average

Gehl — Making Cities for People

Southside

8PM

4PM

12PM

8AM

0

Chattanooga Innovation District

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The action doesn’t slow down on the weekend Market Street sees no significant drop-off in pedestrian activity during the weekend, indicating this is a place people choose to visit during their free time, not just have to be during work hours.

500 400

Pedestrian Movement Hourly Average Market Street Weekday and Weekend

300 200

110

Weekday Average

100

109

0

Gehl — Making Cities for People

8PM

4PM

12PM

8AM

Weekend Average

Weekday commute

Weekend field trip

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6th Street

88 /daily 7th Street

7th Street

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Walnut Street

Cherry Street

Lookout Street

reet Market St

Walnut Street

Broad Street

Cherry Street

reet

Market St

Chestnut Street

Lookout Street

Broad Street Street Walnut

Pine Street

Cherry Street Chestnut Street

Street arketStreet MPine

Broad Street

Chestnut Street

Coworking Retail Food & Beverage

8th Street

7th

Str eet

7th

8th Street

8th Street

Str eet

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ninviting, no clear ntrances

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Active FacadesAmenitiesBus Stops

12th Street

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S ad

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Bro

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44% 12th Street

12th Street

Urban Amenities

Chattanooga Innovation District

lvd

85 /daily

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11th Street

ML

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71/daily

Geo

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Pat ten

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lvd

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Land Use

us to n

St

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10th Street

viting, no barriers

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Par k

ML

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Pat ten

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ixed (in-between)

8th

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Quality

Str eet

Arts & Culture

Pat ten

active

6th

People Staying

6th Street

7th Street

Innovation, Ground Floor

Market Street has pleasant facades inactive and local landmarks that lead people to continue into the District and invite people to spend time.

ngs

Pine Street

Innovation

7th Street

Urban Amenities

6th Street

Amenities

59%

ll

Lighting Quality

Lookout Street

Walnut Street

Cherry Street

reet

%

Market St

ant

6th Street

Broad Street

Pine Street

Chestnut Street

Market 20% Street feeds mixed public life through the District

%

Transit

Geo rgi aA ve

Geo rgi aA ve

rgi aA ve Geo

Facade Quality

29

12th Street

56

tre

et


PSPL KEY TAKEAWAYS

07

MLK Boulevard has the potential to be a multi-modal hub but it feels disjointed

Gehl — Making Cities for People

Chattanooga Innovation District

It’s the underleveraged connective tissue

57


It’s a key east-west connector MLK Boulevard runs through the Innovation District, connecting the MLK neighborhood and UTC to the city center. It has the potential to play a key role in strengthening the east-west connection of the city.

Riverfront

Innovation District

Westside

ML

KB

oul eva rd

MLK

Southside

Gehl — Making Cities for People

Chattanooga Innovation District

58


8th

Patt e

gB

lvd

Dou

Lind say

10th Street

Stre et

6th

et

t Stree t

11t

hS

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say

t

Lind

ston

Walnut Street

Cherry Street

Marke

Broad Street

8th Street

Stre

Hou

Che stnu

10th

Lookout Street

t Str eet

Stre

et

7th Street

Active Facades

glas Stre et

Kin

Geo rgia Ave

ML

7th

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et

tree

t

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stre e

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say

Bus Stops

Lind

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et

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sto n

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g Blvd

ML Kin

ML

7th

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lvd

Stre

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Stre

8th

Stre

et

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18%

Patt e

Stre

t Str eet

et

Lind

say

10th Street

Stre

St

lvd

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Dou

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Lighting Quality

ML

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18%

lvd

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Chestnut Stre

Land Use

et

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t Stree

inactive

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arks between the MLK a criticalPlink ting, no barriers vi in District, the MLK neighborhood and r uninviting, no clea UTC. What could be a great ces connector nittrieans Ameen is now splintered by physical and iers banrr In ovation perceptual barriers. Filling in key nd Floor Innovation, Grou urban infrastructure will help bolster Coworking an essential east-west link. Retail

Broad Street

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Kin

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ML

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Buildings

vibrant n) mixed (in-betwee

rkw ay

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MLK Boulevard is lacking critical urban amenities

n Pa

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18%

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Hospitality

ML

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lvd

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11t

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6 /daily

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People Staying

t rke

Ma

et

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21 /daily

18

Urban Amenities

12th Street

Amenities

Gehl — Making Cities for People

Chattanooga Innovation District

59

N


Gaps in the urban fabric interrupt the pedestrian rhythm

Little shade and protection from microclimates

Engaging local art

Walled off

Fast traffic Blank facade

Gehl — Making Cities for People

Chattanooga Innovation District

60


PSPL KEY TAKEAWAYS

08

Chattanoogans create their own pathways It’s a city of urban explorers

Gehl — Making Cities for People

Chattanooga Innovation District

61


11t

Market Street

hS

tre

et

At Warehouse Row people cut through wherever they find the most direct path

The following diagrams illustrate pedestrian route tracing

Gehl — Making Cities for People

Chattanooga Innovation District

62


Georgia Avenue

At Patten Parkway there is a clear desire to use both sides of the street together as well as continue toward to the university

Gehl — Making Cities for People

MLK Boulevard

Chattanooga Innovation District

63


People use the generous paved space as thoroughfare

At Miller Park, generous walking space allows the lawn to be generally respected as activity space as opposed to a cutthrough

People have transformed MLK Boulevard into one extended crosswalk Gehl — Making Cities for People

Chattanooga Innovation District

64


Route Tracing Warehouse Row

Miller Park

Crossing wherever it’s most convenient 11t

hS

Patten Parkway

People use MLK as their crosswalk

tree

t

People use the whole street and cut through the parking lot

MLK Boulevard

M

10th Street

Gehl — Making Cities for People

Lindsay Street

Georgia Avenue

Geor gia A venu e

et Stre t e ark

Lindsay Street

et k r Ma

et e r St

Patten Parkway

To capture this information we observed each space for a set amount of time tracing the paths of each person that crossed through the space during that time Chattanooga Innovation District

65



PSPL KEY TAKEAWAYS

09

The District is not a hub for cycling...but it’s on its way There are some notable peaks indicating a latent demand to get around by bike

Gehl — Making Cities for People

Chattanooga Innovation District

66


How do Chattanooga’s biking numbers compare? Chattanooga

Philadelphia

Peak cyclists per hour on Market Street:

Vancouver

Peak cyclists per hour on Chestnut Street:

Peak cyclists per hour on Burrard Street:

96

42 150

168 150

150

Burrard Street

8PM

4PM

12PM

0

8AM

0 8PM

8PM

4PM

12PM

8AM

0

50

12PM

Broad Street

50

8AM

Market Street

50

100

Chestnut Street

100

4PM

100

Weekend Peaks Streets with protected bike lanes or sharrows

Gehl — Making Cities for People

Chattanooga Innovation District

67


Bike infrastructure Weekend peaks

Is this a safe connection?

Protected Bike Lane Shared/Marked Lane

Cyclists are out, but in low numbers 12

12 12

12

How do I get to the waterfront?

84

6

42

42

12 12

No connections

A fair bit of cycling activity on Market Street!

42 30

6

6

3 24

Daily cyclists on Market Street, between 7th Street & 8th Street

18

6

3 24

6

6

Gehl — Making Cities for People

6

12 6

18

12 6

36

Chattanooga Innovation District

68


Safe bike infrastructure invites cyclists Separated and protected bike lanes are key gate-openers

Separated Bike Lane

Bike Lane

No Bike Facility

81% of people are likely to bike

39% of people are likely to bike

8% of people are likely to bike

Source: NACTO

Gehl — Making Cities for People

Chattanooga Innovation District

69



4.

Vision: The Experimental City Chattanooga’s Innovation District is a mindset activated from the ground up. It’s the collective spirit and energy for creating, tinkering, DIY’ing and participating in the life of a city made by its people — innovation made by Chattanoogans, for all Chattanoogans.

Gehl — Making Cities for People

Chattanooga Innovation District

70


William Whyte’s short film, Social Life of Small Urban Spaces illuminates the magic of giving people autonomy and choice in creating their own public spaces

Chattanooga’s Experimental City

The movable chair, one tool for user-generated citymaking

What’s next? Chattanooga will lead the way with the Experimental City Gehl — Making Cities for People

Chattanooga Innovation District

71


What to track, measure, and strive to see expressed in the Experimental City We track and measure public life in the District. But what keeps us on track with the Experimental City?

Do interventions:

1

Develop more creative confidence in more Chattanoogans from all walks of life

4

Measure, test, refine projects based on user experience and user feedback — and increase number of project iterations

Provide spaces —physical, virtual, and programmatic — where sharing of ideas can happen

2

Its important to define some measures of success to evaluate how effectively public realm interventions are at incorporating all people in the innovation process.

3

Gehl — Making Cities for People

Increase the number of ideas that grow into projects — prototypes, experiments, initiatives, and businesses

5

Chattanooga Innovation District

Share findings and takeaways with the community to build a collective understanding of innovation processes

72


5.

Public Life Principles A simple but bold vision for the District guided by a set of public life principles—or north stars. Together they form the shape and character of public life in the District.

Gehl — Making Cities for People

Chattanooga Innovation District

73


Guiding Principles — the North Stars The shared values that we heard Chattanoogans aspire for in their city are distilled into these six guiding principles — the north stars. Public realm interventions in the Innovation District should be led by and track back to these principles. Individual interventions do not need to tick every principle on their own, but rather work together to guide the Innovation District.

Gehl — Making Cities for People

Mix A meeting ground that actively brings people together and energizes adjacent neighborhoods as much as itself

Re-mix A place that encourages you to try, make, (fail), and try again

Incubate A place for local businesses to thrive and showcase the best of Chattanooga

Discover A place that inspires a sense of discovery and nudges one into new experiences — with new people

Learn A place for all ages to be student and teacher, to explore ideas, learn, and share

Improve A place that prioritizes a continuous process of improvement and assessment

Chattanooga Innovation District

74


6.

Public Space Framework Plan A Public Space Framework is a high level plan for the District. It illustrates the big spatial moves that land public life principles on the ground and support a vision for the Experimental City – where innovation is made by the people.

Gehl — Making Cities for People

Chattanooga Innovation District

75


4th Street

Public Space Framework Plan in 5 Big Moves

Geo rgia Ave

5th Street

02

Lookout Street

6th Street

Walnut Street

Cherry Street

Street Market

Broad Street

Chestnut Street

Pine Street

03

7th Street

Str eet

et

Lin dsa y

7th

8th Street

8th Street

str e

Str eet

St us to n Ho

Kin

gB

et

gB

lvd tre et

11th Street

Kin

tre

11th Street

bel

ML

sS Dou

gla

Lin

Str eet

dsa yS

10th Street

Ma

rgia

Ave

Str eet

lvd

tre et

ity ive rs

tre gS

rS

tre

et

Un

Kin

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tre

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Str eet

01

Fos te

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et

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yS

12th

Str eet

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et tre ia S mb Colu

10th

Ma eet t Str

Gehl — Making Cities for People

10th Street

eet Str ad

Nurture a Neighborhood Network

04

ML

Geo

Create a Continuous Retail Experience Activate Open Spaces for Everyday Use

wa y

MLKing Blvd

Bro

05

nP ark

Chestnut Street

04

Patt e

d ML King Blv

ter

03

Define a MultiModal Link Car

02

re e

t

01

05

Establish East-West Connections

6th

12th Street

Chattanooga Innovation District

76


5 BIG MOVES

01

Establish East-West Connections Downtown has strong north-south links. Who and what they connect is clear and active. East-west connections are less defined and are an essential missing link to establish a truly ‘stroll-able’ downtown core.

Gehl — Making Cities for People

Chattanooga Innovation District

77


01 - ESTABLISH EAST-WEST CONNECTIONS

18%

only of facades on MLK are active + mixed

Why this is important East-west streets are not working nearly as hard as north-south streets to connect people across downtown and into different neighborhoods.

Wayfinding Unique details

Many gaps in the urban fabric Signage

Mature shade trees

2X

as many More than people per hour on average on Market Street than on MLK Boulevard

Active ground floor Vacant and abandoned

People per hour, Weekday Averages

Mural, public art!

Vacant and abandoned corner

114

400 300

48

200

Market Street Daily Average

100

MLK Boulevard Daily Average

0 8 AM

10 AM

12 PM

Gehl — Making Cities for People

2 PM

4 PM

6 PM

MLK Boulevard

There’s a broken link between downtown and MLK Boulevard. We have to give people an incentive to make the walk ... MLK used to be the music street!” Chattanooga Innovation District

78


01 - ESTABLISH EAST-WEST CONNECTIONS

How we will get it done bessie smith cultural epicenter mlk cultural corridor west side connect

MLK

WESTSIDE

Strengthen Bessie Smith as a cultural anchor in the District

Gehl — Making Cities for People

MLK

INNOVATION DISTRICT

Make MLK a cultural corridor and connector

Connect the Westside neighborhood to the District

Chattanooga Innovation District

79


Pat te

nP ark

wa y

MLK Blvd 01 - ESTABLISH EAST-WEST CONNECTIONS

Strengthen Bessie Smith as a cultural anchor in the District

Develop the parcel across the street from the lawn in a way that complements the cultural center and helps extend the cultural amenities

Transparent and active facades

Improve the comfort of pedestrian crossings

Bessie Smith lawn and the vacant parcel across the street represent an under leveraged public life hub along the boulevard.

Consider programming the lawn with large scale interactive art to increase the cultural center visibility and presence in the neighborhood while reducing the barrier of participation

et

E

ia S

tre

Gehl — Making Cities for People

Cultural plaza with art programming and public art installations

Provide vegetation and seating along the edge to create a soft transition between the interior and exterior spaces

Chattanooga Innovation District

Mature shade trees et

Design for comfortable micro-climates, with protection from sun, wind, rain, and noise

tre

D

lvd

Ho ust on S

Reduce scale of the lawn to maximize quality and increase people interactions

KB

et

C

ML

tre

Subdivide Bessie Smith lawn into different zones related to activities and functions

An extension building or structure of the Bessie Smith Cultural Center

dsa yS

B

Increase safe and easy connections to the cultural center

Lin

Activate the Bessie Smith Cultural Center building edge facing the lawn

Geo

A

rgi a

Ave

Inviting green space that is flexible and adaptable for larger scale events and gatherings

80


tre et

t

re e

St us to n Ho

Str eet

wa y

Pat te

Cultural zone

Re-purpose vacant buildings along MLK Blvd between Mable Street and University Street

iiaaAAv eve

Ma bel Str eet

nP arkw ay

Social + event zone orrgg

et

Dou gla sS tree t

tre dsa yS

10th Street

Lin

tre

et

Fos ter Str eet

et

tre

hS

Ne wb

yS

tre et

Str eet

gS

um

10t

Kin

10th

Col

11th Street

Ho

bia

ust on

Str eet

Str eet

Fill the lighting gaps along MLK, with emphasis on the blocks between Carter Street and Georgia Avenue

Re-purpose AT&T building and provide an active edge around it

12t

hS

tre

et

t ree

t St

Science Center Plaza. Cambridge, MA

Local community + retail outposts

rke

Gehl — Making Cities for People

Souvla in San Francisco, CA

Ma

Invite local artists to develop a creative wayfinding system co-created with the community

dsa yS nP ark

eet Str

F

Str eet

Pat te

ad Bro

Improve street level human-scale amenities, with an emphasis on lighting

et

Lin 8th

Enhance transit connectivity with reliable bus and shuttle service, protected bike infrastructure, and the flexibility to test new alternative modes of transit

E

Calle Bandera in Santiago, Chile

Recreational zone

Chestnut Street

D

str e

GGeeo

Infill vacant lots with new cultural destinations, neighborhood amenities based on community need, and opportunities for local creative expression

6th

7th 8th Street

CaCra treterr S Sttrre eetet

C

Walnut Street

Encourage new and retrofitted development to activate the street edge

Cherry Street

B

7th Street

8th Street

Establish MLK Boulevard as the primary commercial, transit, and education corridor shaped by the local culture, and the historic character. Define the different characters of MLK (cultural, commercial, event)

et

Provide comfortable connections to the waterfront, including the Aquarium + Walnut Street Bridge

Make MLK a cultural corridor and connector

A

Stre Market

Broad Street

Chestnut Street

Pine Street

01 - ESTABLISH EAST-WEST CONNECTIONS

Lookout Street

6th Street

Chattanooga Innovation District

81


Opportunity to make lighting an experience at the underpass

B

Consistent humanscale lighting on west edge of Carter and 12th Street

11th Street

Opportunity for a creative installation

D

Slow traffic on Carter Street and consider street diet

E

Consider playscapes between the library and the 12th Street underpass

Gehl — Making Cities for People

Play Amenities

12t

hS

Planters and vegetation to create a green edge and soften the walking experience

tre

et

Define space with kid friendly play areas

Bulb outs and vegetation at intersection to slow traffic and make pedestrians visible

Chattanooga Innovation District

eet Str

Provide safe and visible crossings paired with bulb-outs on Carter Street at both 10th Street and 12th Street

Play Amenities

Bus Stop

ad Bro

C

Activate the library plaza (see pilot project section for details) 10th Street

Improve lighting conditions underneath the underpass, focusing on improving the perception of safety

Improve street level human-scale amenities, with an emphasis on continuous lighting, plantings, and shade on the west side of Carter Street Focus on the 12th Street underpass as an opportunity for a bold and creative installation, super-graphic, and lighting co-created with the Westside neighborhood

Bus Stop

Chestnut Street

A

Civic Space Phoenix, AZ

Provide opportunities for play on the way and moments of rest

Str eet

The connection between the Westside neighborhood and downtown poses challenges for pedestrians, and especially youth depending on this journey to get to and from the Library everyday, at times after dark. Poor lighting, high traffic speed and unsafe crosswalks make this path unsafe and unpleasant, requiring improvements.

Kiosks or temporary structures to create an activated edge and provide more “eyes on the street”

Car

Connect the Westside neighborhood to the District

Philadelphia, PA

ter

01 - ESTABLISH EAST-WEST CONNECTIONS

82


5 BIG MOVES

02

Define MultiModal Links Meet the demand to travel to and through the city on all modes with comfort and ease—from walking and biking, to transit—with key links working together to support each.

Gehl — Making Cities for People

Chattanooga Innovation District

83


02 - DEFINE MULTI-MODAL LINKS

“I’m an adventurous rider!”

Why this is important People bike in Chattanooga but an incomplete and fragmented network only invites the brave — there needs to be more invitations for all ages and skill levels to ride.

12 12

12

200

42

12

6

3 24 12 6 18

“I only bike with my kids on the sidewalk”

12 6

36

50 Perceived Risk

0 -50 -100 20 06

N

Gehl — Making Cities for People

Chattanooga Innovation District

20 13

6

6

6

3 24

100

20 12

18

Cycling Lane Miles

150

20 11

30

6

Less experienced and timid riders stick to the sidewalk without a comfortable and connected bike network

20 10

42

Daily cyclists on Broad Street, between 10th Street & 11th Street

20 09

12

While more experienced cyclists will bike in more extreme conditions, less experienced are much less likely to ride when the bike network is incomplete and perceived as unsafe. As demonstrated in the case of Washington DC, cycling numbers dramatically increased as more miles of protected bike lanes were implemented and the perceived risk of riding decreased.

20 08

42

Case Study — ­ Washington DC

“I don’t feel safe on the street with “There are all the cars!” no clear bike routes! ”

20 07

6

6

Good bike infrastructure brings cyclists. People interested but concerned about cycling are ten times more likely to travel by bike with a protected lane.

Daring and more experienced cyclists feel more confident amongst traffic

120

12

Biking on Broad Street is relaxing because there’s a designated path.”

84


02 - DEFINE MULTI-MODAL LINKS

How we will get it done minimum bike grid network of transit

broad urban blbd

PAR K

15

PARK

Transform Broad Street into a recreational urban boulevard

Gehl — Making Cities for People

Establish a minimum bike grid

Provide incentives to park once

Chattanooga Innovation District

85


Aquamarine Way

Riverfront Multi-use recreational trail

02 - DEFINE MULTI-MODAL LINKS

Lookout Street

Walnut Street

Broad Street Boulevard Sonder Blvd. Copenhagen, DK

ia A ve org Ge Lookout Street

Existing Broad Street median condition

Walnut Street

7th Street

Lin dsa yS tre

et

7th Street

Cherry Street

Provide safe and clear crossings at each intersection along Broad Street

Cherry Street

D

Create places for rest and relaxation with comfortable seating and plantings

6th Street

6th Street

reet

Provide protective edges against vehicular traffic (bollards, green buffer)

CONNECT

Event areas with space for larger-scale programming

Market St

C

5th Street

Broad Street

Provide opportunities to stay along the way including interactive art installations, amenities, and social seating

Chestnut Street

B

3rd Street

Ensure adequate bike infrastructure including parking and places to access bike tools

4th Street

5th Street

Pine Street

Transform existing median parking into a people friendly promenade linking the Innovation District to Riverfront amenities

Provide amenities along the boulevard that support the adjacent block, such as exercise equipment, book kiosks or coffee carts

Market Street

4th Street

Establish a great green spine for leisurely discovery that makes it easy to explore the Riverfront and beyond. A

Broad Street

Chestnut Street

Transform Broad Street into a recreational urban boulevard

3rd Street

3rd Street

8th Street

Mc

6th

Ca

8th Street

et

Str eet

3’

10’

10’

3’

re et

3’

llie

str e

Pat ten

ML

st on

St

29’ Recreational Path Ho u

Traffic Lane

Pedestrian Zone

Par k

86

Chattanooga Innovation District

KB

Str eet

lvd

bel

Ave

MLK Blvd

8th

TrafficStreet Lane

wa y

MLK Blvd

rgi a

Gehl — Making Cities for People

Sonder Blvd. Copenhagen, DK

Pedestrian Zone


Walnut St. Bridge

02 - DEFINE MULTI-MODAL LINKS

Establish a minimum bike grid

Aquarium Way Aquamarine Way

rgia

Hou sto nS t

Geo 6th Street

Lookout Street

Market St

Ave

5th Street

Street

Walnut Street

Cherry Street

Market

Broad Street

Chestnut Street

Pine Street

Broad St Boulevard

Lookout Street

Chestnut St

Delineated & protected

Riv er W alk

4th St

4th Street

Improve the quantity and quality of the bicycle network (pedestrian space in streets should not be compromised, instead consider relocation of on-street parking, street widths, etc.)

Walnut Street

Cherry Street

Market Street

Broad Street

Chestnut Street

Provide a connected and safe set of routes to move around downtown by bike.

tre et

7th Street

dsa yS

6th

stre

et

Lin

A

3rd Street

3rd Street

McC

re e St

MLK Blvd ML

KB

tree t

Str eet

Str eet

Un

Kin

Ne wb

Fost er

yS

Chestnut Street

11th

iver sity

Str eet ston Hou

tre et

Str eet

glas S

Lin tre et ia S mb Colu

10th

ML KB lvd

Dou

dsa yS

lvd

gS tre et

tre et

Geo

KB

Str eet

Str eet

11th Street

ket Mar

W1 2th St

Ma

ML

bel

Ave

Str eet

lvd

10th Street

eet Str

eet Str

ad

Bro

D

us to n

way

12th

Provide sufficient bike parking close to key buildings, destinations, transit nodes, parks and plazas

Str eet

Ho

8th

nP ark

Car ter

Ensure that the network is protected from car traffic and is given priority at high volume intersections by marking crossings in a bold, visible color

Grade separated

Mc Cal lie Ave

Pat te

Car ter St

C

Str eet

t

Link gaps in the existing network, prioritizing safe and convenient bike accessibility around UTC, Westside and Southside neighborhoods

rgia

B

allie

8th Street

8th Street

Str eet

E1 1th St

12th Street

Existing bike infrastructure Future planned Proposed - Delineated & protected Proposed - Grade separated

Gehl — Making Cities for People

Chattanooga Innovation District

87


02 - DEFINE MULTI-MODAL LINKS

Provide incentives to park once Maintain auto-mobility to and from the District, but make it easy to explore the District on foot, bike, bus, or ride share once there. A

Consider a smart parking strategy to reduce number of cars, and amount of parking spaces needed in the District

B

Promote alternative means of transport for getting into the District — make them reliable, comfortable and accessible — encouraging a mindset change that begins to value parking less and shared mobility more

C

Reduce the number of traffic lanes where possible and necessary to make space for other modes of transit

D

$ $$ $$$

Systematically adjust parking fees and taxes to extend the radius of car parking paid zones away from the heart of the District

Provide and encourage the use of alternate modes of transportation in the core of the Innovation District

Consider inter-modal micro hubs at gateways into the Innovation District to increase accessibility and use of multi-modal transit

Create genuine expressions of arrival to the District through legible station areas and transit stops as places to wait, transfer, rest, and spend time

Gehl — Making Cities for People

Chattanooga Innovation District

88


5 BIG MOVES

03

Create a Continuous Retail Experience Concentrate reasons to stay block by block. The District needs a consistent commercial spine.

Gehl — Making Cities for People

Chattanooga Innovation District

89


03 - CREATE A CONTINUOUS RETAIL EXPERIENCE

Why this is important

We need a downtown that we can stroll and explore. A great stroll-able street.”

Market Street has the potential to be a strolling street that engages the senses and inspires you to stroll and discover the city.

— Mayor Berke

170 cm

A happy human brain is stimulated about 1000 times an hour, or 1 stimuli every four seconds

120 cm 90 cm

Average height

5 Senses

We experience our surroundings at eye level

We need continuous stimuli to feel happy

Humans take in their surroundings at eye level. Articulation and detail on the ground floor are essential to a positive pedestrian experience. What a street does to activate above the ground floor is far less important.

The human brain needs 1 stimuli every four seconds to feel happy. Humans walk at 3mph — covering about 24 feet every 4 seconds. This is the average rhythm of a well functioning retail street. Streets with continuous stimuli make us feel good.

Gehl — Making Cities for People

Walking Speed 3 mph

Chattanooga Innovation District

90


03 - CREATE A CONTINUOUS RETAIL EXPERIENCE

How we will get it done ot t l i P jec o Pr

creative tennanting

focus on one block

ot t l i P jec o Pr

bus stops activators

STOP AND READ

!

Café

BIKE SHOP

BAKERY + Bookstore

increase comfort

Focus on filling-in one block at a time

Gehl — Making Cities for People

Be creative with tenanting

Make bus stops street life activators

Chattanooga Innovation District

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Phasing

03 - CREATE A CONTINUOUS RETAIL EXPERIENCE 7th St

Focus on filling-in one block at a time

Phase 1 Start Here! 8th St

Phase 2

C

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B

Take advantage high traffic areas like corners with attractive retail and food & beverage options

Lease ground floor spaces with a mix of tenants to create a varied experience, including cutting edge retail and food and beverage Provide a mix of commercial and public seating

Gehl — Making Cities for People

Ad

7th St.

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Ensure ground floor is transparent and open — tinted windows should be minimized, and active entrances should be prioritized Use creative lighting to encourage people to continue their journey down the street

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Invite vendors in small or temporary structures to soften the edges Activate passageways for mid-block pedestrian connections

MLK Blvd

Establish a high quality commercial corridor by concentrating retail and experience one block at a time.

A

Phase 3

Lush, green buffer edge 8th St .

Bring the building down to the ground — awnings and canopies can make tall buildings feel more street scale

Multi-functional street elements — a key way to eliminate clutter and free sidewalk space is by combining furnishing elements: planter + seating or bike parking + trash receptacle, for instance San Francisco, CA

Human scale lighting is critical — both functional and ambient lighting is important for the character & identity of the street

Montreal, Canada

Chattanooga Innovation District

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03 - CREATE A CONTINUOUS RETAIL EXPERIENCE

Chashama

Proxy

Transforms empty ground floors and provides grants to artists for exhibition spaces and free art classes to under-served neighborhoods

A temporary open space that hosts flexible events and programming, including daily outdoor exercise classes and food and beverage in shipping containers

San Francisco

New York City

Creative tenanting Lower the barrier of entry for tenants by curating small groups of local entrepreneurs to share the cost, co-manage maintenance, and activate street frontages.

A

More than an interior space, pair storefronts with adjacent outdoor space to spill into the street

B

Establish monthly creative tenanting events and get-togethers for knowledge sharing and learning

C D

Prototype the right size and mix of tenants per space Introduce bold signage and graphic identity on storefront and into sidewalks

Gehl — Making Cities for People

The Alchemist’s Kitchen New York City

A wellness shop with an on-site holistic health expert that serves as a community hub and a place of idea exchange, discussions and learning

Moment San Jose

Four micro retail units on the ground floor of a parking garage have helped to advance, grow and celebrate creative retail in downtown San Jose

Chattanooga Innovation District

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03 - CREATE A CONTINUOUS RETAIL EXPERIENCE

Make bus stops street life activators Bus stops are some of the most consistent hubs of public life in the District. Make these more than places to simply wait for the bus and transform them into public spaces that invite for civic mixing, creative expression and small scale retail with this bus stop activation toolkit.

Protection

Eyes on the street

Human scale lighting

Protection from the elements

Opportunities for standing

Opportunities for leaning

Opportunities for seating

Comfort

15

Legibility

Clear sight lines to see bus arrival

Legibility of routes + real time info

Quality materials, public art, vegetation

Opportunities for passive + active interaction

Consistent and clear wayfinding

Enjoyment

Gehl — Making Cities for People

Chattanooga Innovation District

Opportunities for culture and commerce

94


5 BIG MOVES

04

Activate Open Spaces for Everyday Use Downtown is home to some high quality open spaces, but there are few invitations to spend time during offevent periods. Make these spaces more part of the everyday experience, rather than only for special occasions.

Gehl — Making Cities for People

Chattanooga Innovation District

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04 - ACTIVATE OPEN SPACES FOR EVERYDAY USE

5X

There were as many children during the 8th Street event than on a typical day

Why this is important

There are very few invitations for people to stop and stay at some of the most attractive public spaces downtown

A great place to relax, but no seating!

Warehouse Row

While events bring a diversity of people and a variety of activities, downtown’s public spaces power down during the day-to-day. Getting public spaces to support everyday public life is crucial to fostering a healthy and vibrant downtown.

380 people/hour walk by 3 people/hour stop & stay

Mature trees

Nice green lawn

Active building edges

8th Street Event Seating, but not a great place to relax!

It’s great when there are programs here, like concerts and events—but it usually feels empty, it needs more activation.”

Gehl — Making Cities for People

Inactive edges

District-wide

A place to sit

Nothing to look at

Chattanooga Innovation District

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04 - ACTIVATE OPEN SPACES FOR EVERYDAY USE

How we will get it done increase comfort

leverage the network active edges

Miller Park

Bessie Smith Cultural Center

Warehouse Row

Activate the edges around public space

Gehl — Making Cities for People

Increase comfort for everyday activity

Leverage the network of open spaces

Chattanooga Innovation District

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04 - ACTIVATE OPEN SPACES FOR EVERYDAY USE

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Work Edge Condition — place more active functions on the ground floor: meeting rooms, canteens, and coworking spaces

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Food & Beverage Edge Condition — encourage restaurant to ‘spill out’ into nearby open space, streets, and sidewalks, while providing flexible seating to accommodate various group sizes

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Work Edge Food & Beverage Edge

Chattanooga Innovation District

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04 - ACTIVATE OPEN SPACES FOR EVERYDAY USE

Everyday comfort Invite people to stay—and stay longer—in the District’s open spaces by emphasizing flexible, human-scaled environments. A

Prioritize flexible and modular furnishings to support diverse activities and group types

B

Support more food and beverage vendors to set up in public spaces on a more regular basis

C

Ensure comfortable micro-climates that allow people to enjoy the positive aspects of the climate while also having protection from the elements (wind, rain)

D

Ensure basic amenities including bathroom facilities and waste receptacles

Seating Comfort and Variety A mix of public, flexible & café seating

Amenities Food, beverage and cultural attractions as well as basic amenities (waste bins, bathrooms)

Gehl — Making Cities for People

Adaptability Flexible and sociable seating that fosters interaction

Micro-climate Mature shade trees, planters, good lighting and low noise levels

Play and Delight Exercise and play equipment that attracts people of all ages

Chattanooga Innovation District

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Gehl — Making Cities for People

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User: Teenager Day: Eat snack outside at Patten Towers, head to the library to check out latest maker inventions, then head to Miller Park to hang out with friends Str eet

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User: Multi-generational family members Day: Check out the latest cultural exhibits at Bessie Smith Cultural Center, spend some time reading at the library plaza, then head 8th Street to Patten Parkway for dinner

04 - ACTIVATE OPEN SPACES FOR EVERYDAY USE

6th

Chattanooga Innovation District

100


5 BIG MOVES

05

Nurture a Neighborhood Network The key to a downtown that encourages strolling and discovery is a robust network of local streets, and active ground floors that compliment key boulevards and streets.

Gehl — Making Cities for People

Chattanooga Innovation District

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05 - NURTURE A NEIGHBORHOOD NETWORK

Why this is important While main streets and boulevards need to be engaging to keep people downtown, it’s the neighborhood network that needs to be prioritized to comfortably, safely, and delightfully get people there.

Physical and perceptual barriers as well as lighting challenges, make downtown connections feel unsafe and uncomfortable

There are pockets of dead zones that deter me from walking. When it’s dark out it doesn’t feel safe, especially as a woman.” — UTC Student

The network to and from downtown is challenging

Dark! No visible anchor

Visual clutter

Over 50% of youth surveyed at the library come from the Westside neighborhood and pass through the 12th Street underpass - often alone and at night

Gehl — Making Cities for People

No indication of the waterfront

All I see is parked cars!

I feel unsafe walking under the 12th Street underpass. There’s no lighting, fast traffic, and the sidewalk is blocked — it’s not fun.”

— Youth at the Library

No one around!

Obstacles

No idea I’m at UTC

Chattanooga Innovation District

Blocked! Where to go?!

102


05 - NURTURE A NEIGHBORHOOD NETWORK

How we will get it done people first core Fine grain network

bolder link to UTC

UTC

INNOVATION DISTRICT

Prioritize people first in the District

Gehl — Making Cities for People

Bolster the link to UTC

Connect the fine grain network

Chattanooga Innovation District

103


05 - NURTURE A NEIGHBORHOOD NETWORK

Prioritize people first in the District

Ensure a variety of space typologies and scales along length of the block Locate parking off main pedestrian streets and away from edges and areas for potential staying

Create active facades by opening to the street where possible

Enforce transparency on ground floor facades (avoid tinted or reflective glass)

Consistent street wall except where programming or pedestrian volumes suggest set-backs or breaks in facades

Provide generous and continuous weather protection for pedestrians and outdoor seating Create 4-5 entries for every 100 feet

Provide spill-out seating in sunny locations

To invite people to visit, stroll and discover something new in the District, a few key people-first considerations must be emphasized.

A

B

C

Celebrate all streets as public spaces, leverage their existing qualities and prioritize streets that act as links between neighborhoods, local assets, and Districtwide destinations Maintain safe and high quality pedestrian connections across neighborhood edges, emphasizing safe crosswalks and continuous human scale lighting Slow traffic through road diet, reduced speed limits, and two-way conversions

MOVES ON THE GROUND

20

Pulling buildings back from corners can distinguish the intersection as a place and facilitate high pedestrian volumes Corners should receive special treatment as nodes of activity

Provide safe and comfortable crosswalks with bulb-out for high visibility

Gehl — Making Cities for People

Design habitable building edges or amenity zones in sidewalk, especially around building entrances

Amenity zone should promote seating and staying activity related to retail uses and building entrances

Keep vehicle traffic slow— 20 mph limit in the District

Chattanooga Innovation District

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Gehl — Making Cities for People

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Consider piloting other modes of e-commuting, dockless scooters and e-bikes as a way to encourage students to explore downtown

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05 - NURTURE A NEIGHBORHOOD NETWORK

105


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Passageways Focus on pedestrian comfort — make sure these streets are well-lit, protected from harsh micro-climates, and feel engaging to walk along

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Prioritize streets that are key connectors to adjacent neighborhoods: 12th Street, Carter Street, Cherry Street, Georgia Avenue, and 8th Street

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Identify and define the unique characteristics of these neighborhood streets

Gehl — Making Cities for People

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05 - NURTURE A NEIGHBORHOOD NETWORK

12th Street

Chattanooga Innovation District

106


7.

Starting Now: Piloting Change Embrace an incremental and experimental process that allows ideas to be tested, measured and refined with the help of meaningful community engagement and feedback.

Gehl — Making Cities for People

Chattanooga Innovation District

107


International example

2. Test US example Do beforeThe and after test and Porch, Philadelphia track changes MEASURE

Fail fast to allow adjustments to a long-term vision based on real information Envision the unimaginable to build community support around new ideas and opportunities

TES T

Create a feedback loop between community need, intervention, and use

E FIN E R

Test an idea on a 1:1 scale engaging more people than traditional planning can by meeting people in space as part of their everyday routine Shorten the distance between citizen and decision maker, and idea and implementation

TES T

Small, testable public space projects have the potential to help cities move faster and make smarter decisions with stronger public input. Pilot projects give cities the ability to:

MEASURE

E FIN E R

Why pilot a vision?

1. Measure São Paulo Pilot Collect baseline public life information

3. Refine Re-imagine the design, based on evaluation of tests MEASURE

Gehl — Making Cities for People

TES T

Measure, Test, Refine to understand what kind of design and programming certain spaces need, how successful pilot projects are, and what should be refined moving forward

E FIN E R

Manage risk inherent in capital projects by testing ideas in a low-risk environment before full-scale implementation

Examples of piloting: left in São Paolo, right in Philadelphia

Chattanooga Innovation District

108


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Multiplying the Library’s reach and access by spreading its 4th floor resources to a series of small scale makerspaces in vacant parcels throughout the city. The Outposts bring the library to the people.

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Cherry

Walnut Street

Street

Chestnut

Broad Street

Market Street

Challenge

Lookout

3rd Street

Street

The Library is home to creative collisions unlike anywhere else in the city. Civic mixing and discovery are it’s social fabric. But it’s tucked away on a windowless 4th floor. How might we spread the love and bring this energetic public life to the ground-floor and the public realm, inspiring opportunities for new people to learn, tinker, and create? A place CE where communities can gather to play with the EXPERIEN creative power of design and fabrication. EXISTING

Georgia

Ave

4th Street

5th Street

Lookout Street

6th Street

Potential Moves

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Cherry Street

Walnut

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Broad Street

Market

6th street Street

Street

7th Street

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Curate 2-3 key adjacent resources in a pod to maintain creative collisions.

Hou

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Stre

8th Street

8th Street

8th Street

Blvd

ML King

Blvd

Provide on-site and on-line ‘sign’ up opportunity.

Univers

Street Street

Street

Street

Foster

Houston

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10th

Columb

Street Carter

Bold and consistent branding to identify sites.

Street

10th Street

11th Street

Provide open studio time.

ity Street

Street

Georgia

Lindsay

10th Street

Identify outdoor space for each outpost so creative energy can spill out into the street and invite people in. Street

Blvd

Douglas

ML King

Mabel

Blvd

Ave

MLKing

Parkwa y

Street

Patten

ML King

Provide Workshop classes led be trained instructors, enthusiasts, and community experts.

11th Street

11th

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Stre

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Street

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Lookout

Street

Chestnut Street

Lookout

Street

Cherry

Carte r St reet

Walnut

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Street

Street

10th

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Blvd

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Market Street

10th

11th

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Street

11th Street

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Community garden and greenhouse.

Blvd

Broad Street

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Introduce playful lighting to make the space feel comfortable and safe at night.

ML King

10th Street

Stre

11th Street

Street

11th

t Street

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Chestnu

Stre

Street

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10th

10th Street

6th

8th

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Provide rich pockets of greenery to make to improve micro-climate.

Street

8th Street

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12th

3rd

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ML King

5th

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Activate ground floor with uses that promote healthy communities - such as Bingo’s Market, cooking classes, and yoga or dance.

Reduce or eliminate car traffic on Georgia Ave to expand space for people.

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Create an “amenity kit” that is modular and mobile encouraging users to re-mix and make the space their own.

Extend sidewalk along Georgia and 11th with parklets that prioritized comfort.

St rket

As it is today, Patten Tower’s front porch does not provide enough comfortable public space to spend time and mingle. Seating is limited, lighting is inadequate, and the empty ground floors deter many people from passing through or spending time here. How might we meet a latent demand for residents to socialize, relax, express creativity, as well meet its potential as a true neighborhood meeting place?

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Challenge

ML

8th Street

an urban Creating e heart of th oasis in stle. u rhood the city b

Georgia Ave and 11th Street with comfortable spaces for small groups and families to hang out, spaces for gardening, and engaging lighting that reaches out and welcomes all ages to spend time throughout the day.

Potential Moves

Gehl developed an initial set of pilot project “hunches” and proposals for the project study area. These included catalytic physical enhancements at key locations in the study area; connectivity and mobility improvements; recommendations for street re-balancing, streetscape improvements, and potential phasing strategies.

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POTENTIAL MOVES

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Where to focus?

ST PARK & TE A lush and dynamic front porch that wraps Stre

Market

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BES S PLA IE SMIT Y LA H PR WN ESS

7th Stre

8th Street EXISTING EXPERIENCE

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11th Street

Street

Street

4th

Blvd

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11th Street

12th

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10th Street

10th Street

Broad

t Street

Walnut

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Cherry Street

Broad Street

Chestnu

Pine Street

ML

For the district, a new meeting ground for people to rest, relax, SE and socialize. WAREHOU KITCHEN

3rd Street

6th stre et

7th Street

THE PORCH

Way

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6th Street

12th

Street

s stop int ing the bu h quality Transform node, pairing hig information er ity commut for commun rtunities and clear po es op iti g en gin am and enga with quick and learning. n tio interac

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most Districts ovation ple are in of the Inn 70% of peo ce is harsh, and stop is one The bus ces. Up to spa public spa Yet the design of communal sociable inst the are 2 or more. pods work aga sidewalks the groups of ting re, sea at’s mo ized the bus individual these spaces. Wh spaces, yet of ve public ht we re-imagine character city ’s most acti h How mig ages wit the that eng k to them. some of the nal space their bac for the bus ting stops turn as a multi-functio wai makes the bus stopk’s public life and ? day the sidewal the commuter’s of t par best

Challenge

Gehl facilitated a key stakeholder workshop and hosted focus group meetings around these initial pilot project “hunches” to gain insight, refine, and prioritize design moving forward.

Potential

Moves

e structur t kit of infra al A consisten comfort: soci for le map, elements shade, legib ing, etc. seating, ports, light charging “Busthe first way with l makers and the Lead pairing loca bus stops as g let” day, re-imagin riders to es. public spac to build hood in neighbor Bring the e. the spac

trail of create a network: urage more Part of a ops’ to enco ‘superst . and ridership to interact sit-goers l exhibits, and Invite tran loca ctive. — videos, engage library colle the from projects t storefron il: Invite kiosks. to set up Micro reta tenants collective

Community input at the Bessie Smith Cultural Center

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Chattanooga Innovation District

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Geo rgia Ave

Early activation pilot areas

02 BUS STOP HOTSPOTS

Street

Walnut Street

Cherry Street

Market

Broad Street

Chestnut Street

Pine Street

Where to start?

Lookout Street

6th Street

7th Street

MARKET STREET STOREFRONT COLLECTIVE

7th 8th Street

et

Str eet

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re e

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Based on the data collected during the PSPL survey, combined with an understanding of potential partnership and funding opportunities, a range of six pilot project “hunches” were identified and workshopped with the Core Team, the key stakeholder Innovation Committee, and community focus groups.

dsa yS tre

et

6th

Pat te

nP ark

01 THE GENERATOR

BESSIE SMITH PRESS PLAY LAWN

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gB

lvd

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lvd

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11th Street

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11th Street

Kin

et

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hS

THE PORCH

Fos ter

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WAREHOUSE PARK

t

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Bro

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03

11t

tre

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Str eet

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10th Street

Str eet

From these sessions, 3 pilots rose to the top for early activation: (1) The Generator; (2) Bus Stop Hotspots; (3) The Porch.

10th Street

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Geo

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Ma

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Ave

Str eet

ML

12th Street

Gehl — Making Cities for People

FUTURE PILOT PROJECT

Chattanooga Innovation District

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PILOT PROJECT / 01

10th Street

The Generator Benches

Broad Street bike boulevard 5 to 3 traffic lanes

Operable windows Cafe seating

The Generator is mobile maker space with a home base at the Library Plaza, where communities can gather to play with the creative power of design and fabrication.

Pickup and drop-off zone

The ground floor plaza should be established as a comfortable and inviting public space for people to spend time. The Generator should then be used to host resources from the 4th floor of the library, and become a resource of its own. Start by operating the Generator with Library staff during regular hours and initiate block party events to spark curiosity and draw people in.

Mural

Maker furnishings

Festive lighting

Flexible seating at entry greenspace

11th Street

Gehl — Making Cities for People

The Generator Store 4th floor resources in The Generator afterhours

Broad Street

The Library is home to creative collisions unlike anywhere else in the city. Civic mixing and discovery are its social fabric. But many of the library’s creative and innovative resources are tucked away on a windowless 4th floor. How might we spread the love and bring this energetic public life to the ground-floor and the public realm, inspiring opportunities for new people to learn, tinker, and create?

Interactive gallery space for engagement and display

PICKUP / DROPOFF

Helping people throughout the city discover their inner innovator.

Social Hub. Essential to the Generator is that it is both a resource center for creativity and learning, but that it also supercharges the adjacent public space wherever it parks by providing places to sit, protection from harsh microenvironments.

Examples of truck graphics, bold and fun branding

Green edge buffer at parking

A Plaza at the Human Scale. The Library is a monumental and introverted building. Soften the edges with the addition of lighting, vegetation and seating.

Mobile retail engages the sidewalk edge in San Francisco

11th Street

Chattanooga Innovation District

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Examples of bus stops that provide a variety of experiences to their users

PILOT PROJECT / 02

Bus Stop Hotspots Create comfortable & convenient bus stops that inspire discovery & curiosity for commuters and pedestrians alike. Within the Innovation District, the transit stops are currently the most active public spaces. Up to 70% of people are in groups of 2 or more. Yet the design of space is harsh, and individualized seating pods work against the communal character of these spaces. What’s more, the sidewalks are some of the city’s most active public spaces, yet the bus stops turn their back to them. How might we re-imagine the bus stop as a multi-functional space that engages with the sidewalk’s public life and makes waiting for the bus the best part of the commuter’s day?

Note: While the location illustrated here is Market Street and 7th Street, recommendations developed and tested at downtown bus stops will be applicable to existing bus stops at other locations in the city of Chattanooga.

15

01

Clear wayfinding with walking distances to destinations and real-time transit info

02

Graphic surface treatment or paving can be integrated into the active transit to define the space as a complete plaza

Gare de Lyon Diderot, Paris

By engaging artists and local communities to adopt Chattanooga’s bus shelters and pilot a variety of interventions, an ecosystem of unique bus stops will soon fulfill the needs of transit riders and people who live and work in the neighborhood.

Temple of Agape, London

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05 04

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Bus Stop Hotspots pilot the bus stop of tomorrow — pairing comfort, high quality amenities and clear commuter information with quick and engaging opportunities for interaction and learning.

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Gehl — Making Cities for People

Chattanooga Innovation District

Social seating and lush comfort with benches and seating should impart dignity and a high level of comfort for transit users, inviting for groups and informal socializing Leaning and standing should be comfortable options for those waiting Expanded shelter can provide extra needed protection from the elements, depending on the site Invite play for all ages through a wider range of activities Complete active mobility hub with infrastructure for bikes and scooters Human-scale lighting for improved safety and evening enjoyment Kiosk for daily needs can be mobile or integrated and determined by local needs Active facades are key for a successful social transit stop

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PILOT PROJECT / 03

The Porch is composed of a series of seven spaces–or zones–to accommodate a range of activities and group sizes throughout the day

The Porch

01

For our densest downtown population, the residents of Patten Towers, a meeting ground for people to rest, relax, and socialize. As it is today, Patten Towers’ front porch does not provide enough comfortable public space to spend time and mingle. Seating is limited, lighting is inadequate, and the empty ground floors deter many people from passing through or spending time here. How might we create a space to socialize, relax, express creativity, as well as meet its potential as a true neighborhood meeting place? The Porch will be an inviting, comfortable space with something for everyone. A green and dynamic public space with comfortable nooks for small groups and families that reaches out and welcomes all ages to spend time throughout the day.

Gehl — Making Cities for People

Examples of edge seating that can accommodate small groups and gatherings in Vancouver, Canada

Example of edge seating that is comfortable to relax and spend time in Philadelphia, PA

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04

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Zone 03 The Parklet — space for quick and informal gatherings

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Zone 04 The Block Party — space for temporary street closure for building and neighborhood events

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Zone 05 Outdoor Living Room — residents backyard for grills and games

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Zone 06 The Pick-up — space for waiting and drop-off

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Zone 07 Rest & Reflect — leverage quiet edge of building for relaxation

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Zone 02 Food & beverage area tailored for Bingo’s Market, and future retail

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Zone 01 The social hub of The Porch with space for groups of all ages and abilities to hang out

Market Street

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Lookout Street

6th Street

Street

Walnut Street

Cherry Street

Market

Broad Street

Chestnut Street

Pine Street

7th Street

Ho us to n

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ML King Blvd

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Strengthening the Bessie Smith Cultural Center as an anchor and link of the District.

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Action: Future Implementation

Stre

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• Extend Bessie Smith’s reach and take it beyond the lawn (and daytime use) • Celebrate local black history, art, culture and stories • Build buzz and anticipation • Bring back the music! • Make it an attractive destination that people want to keep coming to • Create a network of interested players

8th

Patt en

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Key takeaways from the workshop:

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EXISTING EXPERIENCE 7th

8th Street

8th Street

Stre et

Bessie Smith Press Play Lawn

BESSIE SMITH PRESS PLAY LAWN Cart er

FUTURE PILOT

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Lind say St

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6th

12th Street

POTENTIAL MOVES

An interactive art and storytelling canvas on the Bessie lawn that invites people to share and shape past, current, and future memories in the District. Identify key parcels along MLK Boulevard to extend Bessie’s reach and make it a networked cultural center.

Challenge Bessie Smith is a cultural and historic gem of the district and MLK neighborhood. However, only 5 people were observed spending time on the Bessie Smith lawn. This space has an incredible opportunity to be a great meeting ground and showcase the neighborhood’s stories and creativity. How might we leverage Bessie Smith as the cultural epicenter of the district where all neighbors are invited to experiencing but also participate in making the art, performance, and creativity in the space?

Potential Moves

Gehl — Making Cities for People

Create an outdoor exhibit space to showcase Bessie Smith pieces

the street and neighborhood can be heard

Partner with the library to introduce a mobile recording booth to capture stories of the district

Install Digital and interactive mural works that come alive with participation

Create ‘listening spots’ at Bessie and along the entire length of the corridor where recorded stories of

Identify vacant spaces along MLK as extension rooms for the cultural center to exhibits and showcase

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Geo rg

ia A ve

5th Street

Walnut Street

Cherry Street

Street Market

7th Street

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8th Street

Patt e

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wa y

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Ave rgia

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lvd

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Str eet

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10th Street

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Chestnut Street

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11th Street

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12th

POTENTIAL MOVES

Kin

Car

A new model for leasing vacant storefronts that lowers the barrier of entry for tenants by curating small groups of local entrepreneurs to share the cost, co-manage maintenance, and activate street frontages.

Bro

Action: Future Implementation

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Broad Street

• Use empty storefronts for temporary incubation of local business • Fill in the gap to provide reasons for people to travel down the block

Filling in the gaps with the best of Chattanooga.

Chestnut Street

Key takeaways from the workshop:

EXISTING EXPERIENCE 6th Street

Pine Street

The Market Street Storefront Collective

THE MARKET STREET STOREFRONT COLLECTIVE

Lookout Street

FUTURE PILOT

12th Street

Active facades are the bread crumbs that encourage people to walk, explore, and spend more time in a neighborhood. Despite downtown Chattanooga’s pockets of well preserved and articulate city fabric, vacancies interrupt the urban wanderer. Today, a full calendar of events fill in these gaps, and when programmed people flood in. How might we prototype a new leasing model on Market Street that fills in these gaps more permanently with local Chattanoogans, turning vacant storefronts into active community hubs that showcase local talent?

Potential Moves Concentrate before expanding: aim to complete one block before leasing the next

Establish monthly Storefront Collective gettogethers, for knowledge sharing and learning

Stipulate and encourage open hours for the public

Install bold signage and graphic identity expressed on the storefront and into the sidewalk

Pair storefronts with adjacent outdoor space to spill into the street

Gehl — Making Cities for People

Ensure stores are well lit through the evening

Prototype the right size and mix of tenants per space

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tten

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EXISTING EXPERIENCE

et

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From car park to people park, a neighborhood space that invites all ages to spend time during lunch, after work, and on weekends with sociable seating areas activated by a retail/food edge along the Annex building that invites new and emerging chefs to discover their next Michelin Star dish.

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Action: Future Implementation

10t

11t

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• Leverage future work on the Annex building to incorporate the Warehouse Park in a larger vision as a neighborhood amenity

11th Street

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Key takeaways from the workshop:

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Creating an urban oasis in the heart of the District bustle.

11th Street

Chestnut Street

Warehouse Park

WAREHOUSE PARK & TEST KITCHEN

Car

FUTURE PILOT

ML

10th Street

10th Street

Ma b el

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12th Street

POTENTIAL MOVES

Challenge Warehouse Row is the busiest “sidewalk” in the city. At its peak, over 450 people are walking through per hour. Yet, it sees some of the lowest numbers of people staying — 3 people per hour. There are many reasons to visit but without any clear invitations to spend time the space functions as a cut through. How might we amp up the stickiness and leverage Warehouse Row’s serene atmosphere to create an urban food hub where the impromptu dinner party is a daily occurrence?

Potential Moves Activate the Annex building/Lindsay Street edge with a series of light weight food kiosks

of house operations to a centralized location to free up street frontages and maintain quality sensory experience

Install engaging lighting spanning the space to create a unified experience throughout

Provide modular social seating and eating zones where people can adapt the space to their group size

Implement creative and modular canopy to protect against microclimates

Invite farmers market on weekends

Manage and consolidate back

Gehl — Making Cities for People

Partner with local schools to program an on-site edible garden that can support the food pods

Chattanooga Innovation District

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8.

Next Steps Prioritize building momentum towards the common vision.

Gehl — Making Cities for People

Chattanooga Innovation District

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Next steps: overarching recommendations to achieving the vision The following are recommended next steps for advancing the Public Realm Action Plan.

1

Establish a communication strategy plan Different groups require different platforms. Ensure the community knows about events and social activities that are happening. Encourage community to be involved and invested in decision making process related to the public realm. Prioritize: Set a communication plan for each pilot project to keep community involved in the process and progress — measure, test, refine, and report back.

4

2

Implement a Streetlife Plan

A Streetlife Plan can help in the implementation of multiple small scale initiatives with the common cause of nurturing life in the public realm. These initiatives will help develop cohesive character for Chattanooga while prioritizing comfort and delight in the public realm. Prioritize: Provision of sufficient human scale lighting and safe crosswalks across the entire District.

3

Design a downtown Chattanooga Public Life Activation Strategy The PSPL study showed public life in Chattanooga blossoms during events. Creating a plan that consistently choreographs programming and events, activities, and experiences in the District will ensure year round public life. Prioritize: Encourage temporary events and uses in parking and vacant lots to create engaging experiences along streets, and test long-term program ideas.

Prioritize pilot projects in Chattanooga As exciting action oriented changes and measures are being taken all around Chattanooga, there are a few best practices to consider moving forward. Are projects effective — do they move the needle on at least one key strategy? Start with projects that can display long-term visions and show best-practice solutions. Pilots should test new collaborations across silos between elected officials, city agencies and departments, the public,

Gehl — Making Cities for People

nonprofits, the office workers and downtown population. Leverage community stewards and existing investment — prioritize projects where stakeholders are engaged and / or where they are already working. Start with something people can see and experience. Selecting a highlytrafficked, iconic and strategic location expands the conversation by simply being part of people’s everyday routines.

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People first approach. Gehl brings several decades of experience working with cities and engaging people. Since 2000, when Gehl was established as an urban design practice, we have been committed to balancing idealism with pragmatism to ensure our work has the greatest impact in ‘making cities for people’.


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