NODAL STREET DESIGN: A Case Study In Henderson, Auckland. (2015) Thesis by Jason Kau

CONTENTS

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Introduction Rationale Question Issues With Street Design The Multiple Nuclei Model Theory: Description The Multiple Nuclei Model Theory: Los Angeles The Multiple Nuclei Model Theory Principles The Multiple Nuclei Model Theory: Disadvantages

9 10 11 12

Nodal Development Theory Nodal Development Theory Benefits Nodal Development Theory: Defining Nodes Nodal Development Theory Disadvantages

13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

About Henderson South Henderson, Auckland - Surrounding Suburbs Henderson, Auckland â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Nodes Henderson - History and Demographics Street Design Case Studies Site Selection - Henderson Town Center Site Analysis - GIS Analysis SIte Analysis - Spatial Issues

21 22 23 24 25

Design Influences & Drivers Design Development Street Design Concept Materiality Conclusion

INTRODUCTION

The following research thesis along with the research, findings and data are motivated by a genuine interest in the our urbanized landscapes and their effect on social behavior. The aim of this project was to gauge an understanding and delve into alternative methods of urban design. The core of this research is looking at larger scale planning models of urban cities and to decipher these principles in such a manner, we model these and achieve to seek the dynamics that can be translated into physical design practice. The urban models created by professors and scholars alike, put their theories into practice in cities, that truly reveal the implications, effects of their theories and unravelling this as urban areas gradually expand in size and density. Street design impacts the way we interact and connect to the built environment, and should be bridging the gap between people and place, yet street design fails to do this, which contribute to social and environmental issues. As with the site selected, Henderson South, Auckland, these social and environmental issues are prominent and are perhaps an indirect of impact of the local built space. Henderson South is currently suffering from a â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;local depressed economy due to the social perception of the area. As urban design is ever becoming an important profession as these issues become more prominent, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s critical to understand, street design is important as they are a literal connection to the built environment but should ought to connect people to placemake. This design research thesis shall seek to find relevant theory and urban design theories that suggest alternative subject matter with the ultimate goal of constructing critical analysis followed by design of site/s selected using the Nodal Development Theory and its design principles.

RATIONALE CURRENT STREET DESIGN often follows rigid application of standards and requirements regardless of context that leads to design that contribute to social, cultural and environmental issues. The street design process ought to offer an opportunity to henderson, deliver far more to communities than simply auckland transport corridors. Street design should seek to be a vital source in social, economic and cultural realms; and can be the main component of local character and identity. The Multiple Nuclei Model and Nodal Development Theory are urban spatial models that inherit ideal characteristics that has the potential to inform street design that responds to context, character and identity.

QUESTION

ISSUES

WHAT ARE THE ISSUES WITH CURRENT STREET DESIGN?

generic design This describes design that is often generic and follows orthodox methods in design, usually this type of design, lacks its own unique character and often will be a use of generic materials and geometry. Generic can be subjective and a design that is generic can be relevant to its contextual setting.

GENERIC DESIGN

EHICULAR DOMINATED STREETS

vehicular dominated streets Providing movement along a street is vital, but should not be considered the independent factor over other street functions. The need to cater for motor vehicles is understood by designers, but often they have neglected other important functions of a street including the passage of people and cycle. Walking and cycling are important and alternative modes of transport offering sustainable benefits, contributing to public health and reducing climate change. 2

urban run off A hydrological issue caused by the inevitable process of urbanization. In an urban area, the land surface is covered by buildings, pavement and compacted surfaces often leading to impaired drainage. The dominance of hard surfaces greatly increases the volume of storm water runoff. This will pick up pollutants including Road Salts, Heavy Metals, oil and grease that will have a negative impact on local waterways. 6

The multiple nuclei model is an ecological planning model that describes the most common layout of cities. This model was articulated by two geographers, C.D Harris and Edward L. Ullman in 1945. They argued that cities were more organic in nature and even if planned differently, began to develop a network of â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Nucleiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. The Multiple Nuclei Model was presented as an alternative model to the Concentric Zone model. 3

Edward L. Ullman

THE MULTIPLE NUCLEI MODEL origins

heavy manafacturing CBD Low class resedential heavy manafacturing medium class resedential

high class resedential

The Multiple Nuclei Model was articulated in 1945 and is based on ecological values. They argued that cities were more organic in nature and even if planned differently, began to develop a network of nuclei. Essentially, a city develops around nodes of activity, rather than sprawling in concentric circles from a central focal point. According to the theory, every node had a specialized function, each unique, and is developed from existing economic or infrastructural networks in the urban fabric. 3

THE MULTIPLE NUCLEI MODEL description

This model is generally applied to cities that lack a strong central core and instead have nodes of cultural and economic activity. A strong example of this model being currently used is Los Angeles, United States of America. One of the noticeable features that is unique to most cities, is that the Central Business District has less emphasis and is smaller in size. 3

CALIFORNIA

san bernadino

LOS ANGELES san diego

THE MULTIPLE NUCLEI MODEL example

• 3.8 million people • 80 districts • grid plan street layout • prominent low building character • mediterranean climate

LOS ANGELES city sprawl and nodes â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Nodesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; across Los Angeles of dense development and high concentration, that signify high activity, include Hollywood, Pasadena, Santa Monica and Westwood - all areas with abundance of commercial and cultural activity.

pasadena

glendale 200,167

139,731

hollywood 77,818

DOWNTOWN 50,000

santa monica 89,736

commerce 12,823

pico rivera

62,942

Los Angeles today is a suburban metropolis, with freeways that connect nodes that are distant from each other. Suburbs are also distant from each other and operate independently. 3

downey

Los Angeles Airport

111,772

torrance 147,478 LONG BEACH

462,257

MULTIPLE NUCLEI MODEL PRINCIPLES • Certain activities require highly specialised facilities to operate. • Certain activities cluster or integrate because they benefit from mutual association. • Certain activities repel each other and will not be in the same area. • Certain activities will not make profit if rent was high in the most desirable locations. 3

MULTIPLE NUCLEI MODEL DISADVNTAGES • The model is recognized as being unrealistic in terms of the division of cities and are non existent. • Different accessibility. Some activities require specialized facilities such as port and rail terminals. • Land use incompatbility. Some acitivies repell each other such as heavy industrial and high quality residential. • Location suitability. Some activities cannot afford rent in the optimal areas of their location. 3

NODAL DEVELOPMENT THEORY AN ALTERNATIVE APPROACH

Historically we have separated land uses. The specialization often would be separated meaning an area will only have one specialization. Nodal development is complete, compact, mixed use communities that allow for easy access to services. These areas and communities are called nodal developments because they are essentially hubs and nodes for residents within the node or nearby in close communities. Shopping would be in one area, then office and employment areas in another. The nodal development theory seeks to reverse these effects and to start building mixed use and compact ‘nodes’ or ‘hubs’. An ideal nodal development includes a well-integrated node that has implemented residential, commercial and service elements within a walkable distance. They will often be linked to transit, bicycle and pedestrian connections to encourage uses of alternative transport. 5

ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS Nodal development reduces sprawl and traffic and preserves open spaces and environmentally sensitive areas. In addition natural features such as streams or forest areas can be integrated in nodal developments and utilized as recreational spaces. 3

ECONOMIC BENEFITS Nodal development has substantial fiscal and economic benefits for municipalities, developers, community businesses and residents. By concentrating growth in areas that have existing services, municipalities reduce infrastructure servicing costs whilst diversifying and growing their tax base. For developers, nodal developments can reduce the cost of infrastructure up to 20 percent and increase efficiency of land up to 30 percent over conventional development. Compact mixed use nodal developments close to residential areas have been shown to attract more people and more commercial activity. 3

COMMUNITY BENEFITS Nodal Developments will encourage people to utilize alternative modes of transport if services and commercial areas within close proximity of each other. Public spaces and pedestrian oriented retail become places where people gather, meet and shop. This draws enhancement of neighbourhood life and the perceived security of an area because of increased activity on a street. 3

A GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION

Intersections, Roadways, Neigbourhoods

A SITE OF SOCIAL ACTIVITY A place within in the public realm that has social activity and interaction. Examples include, parks, squares, commercial and business corridors and civics.

A LOCATION OF INTEREST A major landmark which has general interest to the local community. Examples include, historic landmarks, churches, community centres.

EXISTING NODES IN THE URBAN FABRIC NODES AND URBAN SPRAWL

Nodes are scattered along the urban fabric become a nodal network, and are connected intristically by infrastucture. Nodes vary in size and typology but each node has a type of specialized function that responds to the wider context. The scale of a node depicts how far a node becomes relevant to its surrounding context. Nodes that are in close proximity may become interconnected physically. A clear pattern emerges between nodes and other existing elements, whether infrastructural or natural. Nodes may develop around pedestrian accessibility, core services, and transit. 6

A TYPOLOGY OF NODES NODES AND URBAN SPRAWL

Nodal development states that there are nodes that vary in scale from smaller rural nodes to larger more urbanized nodes. There are a hierarchy of nodes ranging from neighbourhood centres to the most urbanized nodes near the city centre. Whether the node is rural or urban, each node shall intend to cultivate its own unique character and be reflective of local community and its culture. This unique character of the node can be drawn from existing feature or a combination of the features that make it distinctive to other nodes. 5

URBAN NODES

These nodes will typically be located in areas where designated urban growth areas are located by the local government body. Urban nodes will often accommodate for the high density residential and commercial areas in the local region. They typically will have a character of a central business district. They are often major regional destinations and usually will have large chain retails stores, entertainment, and a mix of higher density housing. 5

REGIONAL RETAIL NODES

These nodes are of larger scale, and tend to be planned around large malls and retail areas. Over time they include housing services and office developments are incorporated to create more dynamic mixed use communities where residents can fully utilize these nodes, to live, work and shop. 5

NEIGHBORHOOD NODES

The node should include a range of mutually supportive uses including retail, offices and residential in a compact matter. Nodes should develop around pedestrian accessibility, core services. Along with this local residents should be within a 5 minute walk of core services. 5

To significantly reduce automobile dependency and provide alternative transportation and strong connections from and through the community. In designing for improved transit, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s important to provide locations for future pull outs and shelters that support transit. 5

To encourage and facilitate walking, successful nodal developments feature comfortable, safe and efficient pedestrian networks with wide sidewalks, seating, rain protection with pedestrian comfort as a driving factor. 5

To accommodate for a variety of users on street networks in a safe and efficient manner. Transit stops are conveniently placed and pedestrians are provided with wide sidewalks and safe cross walks. Streets often will have dedicated bike lanes and improve cyclist safety and reduce traffic flow. 5

DESIGN TANGIBLES

COMPACT & COMPLETE • A mixed range of business typologies in emergent area of 1 kilometre. • Nodes should have all core services and development within 1km radius of central hub of node. Core services include public transport, information centres etc.

DESIGN TANGIBLES

TRANSIT ORIENTED • Primary design driver to be the efficient flow of alternative modes of transport. The installation of defined bus lanes, bicycle lanes and trams. • Waiting spaces incorporated in the street design or devices including built devices such as bus shelters, a change in materiality, or the use of planting to create designated waiting spaces. • Pedestrian over vehicular priority, meaning a wider pedestrian throughout fare.

DESIGN TANGIBLES

PEDESTRIAN FRIENDLY

• The use of wider pedestrian throughoutfare for pedestrian safety • Painted crossings that give pedestrians a visual path across the street. • The introduction of vehichles give way dynamic. • To slow down vehicles through the use of signage which signifies the road user that they are entering a public space with pedestrians. • To slow down vehicles through the use of strips of materiality change that creates vibrations as a device to warn drivers to slow down. • To create seated space which allows the user to socialize. • To create a range of activities for users of street. This includes the use of street furniture that pedestrians can engage; Street furniture, stages for acts, skateboard ramping, green spaces etc. • User friendly materials that allow for maximum pedestrian comfort, materials that are dry and usuable yet aesthetically pleasing.

DESIGN TANGIBLES

MULTI MODAL • The Street Design must account for cultural behaviour, and create spaces that suit the local ethnic demographic. For example, static spaces suit certain ethnicities, for cultural activities including meditation, dancing or simply ‘hanging out’. • To create a range of activities for users of street. This includes the use of street furniture that pedestrians can engage; Street furniture, stages for acts, skateboard ramping, green spaces etc.

ABOUT HENDERSON SOUTH

Henderson South is a small suburb located in Waitakere City, Auckland. The suburbs nearby the surrounding suburbs of Glen Eden, Te Atatu and New Lynn. Henderson South has a population of 4,0267, and with a multicultural local populous, with 50 percent European descent, and nearly a quarter pacific islander population. The area is currently suffering a local depressed economy, along with reoccurring social problems, that only exacerbate the economic situation. The street design is deficient in the fact that it currently is not supporting the local area or enhancing the local character of Henderson. This analysis will look at the suburban scale and then into the finer details of design, where cues and any substantial findings will have a direct effect of the final design outcome.

SURROUNDING SUBURBS + population

HENDERSON - REGIONAL CONTEXT

SURROUNDING NODES AND INFRASTRUCTURE INDUSTRIAL ARTERIAL RD RAIL LINE

MAJOR TOWN CENTER

INDUSTRIAL TOWN CENTER TRAIN STATION

TOWN CENTER

MAJOR TOWN CENTER

HENDERSON - NODAL DEVELOPMENT

HENDERSON - HISTORIC

HENDERSON HENDERSON - DEMOGRAPHICS - HISTORIC 1845 Thomas Henderson and his brother-in-law John MacFarlane purchased land through a crown grant and received land for 5000 acres. He did not receive cutting rights but was told the government would not interfere if he cut timber within the boundary of his original purchase. He later purchased an additional 5,169 acres of waste land which was put up for sale by the government. 1849 Charles Marsden built the first sawmill in Henderson (called Dundee Saw Mills after his home town). 1854 John McLeod (‘Long John McLeod’) became mill manager. 1855 Henderson and MacFarlane made further improvements and extensions to the mill, with the result that it became known as Henderson’s Mill. 1864 Henderson’s Mill (the township) put up for sale. 5,000 acres of arable farmland. The remaining 5000 acres consisted of bush land, with Kauri, Rimu and other timber trees. Buildings included a saw-mill, the manager’s residence, and house accommodation for 100 workmen. Store, farm buildings, granary, stables, cowsheds, stock yards, and numerous other out buildings. 1868 Henderson‘s saw mill ceased production. 1880 Albert Beetham was Henderson’s first manufacturer with his sauce and pickle factory. 1884 George Pirrit set up a water wheel driven plant on the Oratia Stream to power his heel and toe plate factory. Oratia Hotel (Falls Hotel)

HENDERSON - KEY DEMOGRAPHICS POPULATION ASIAN

MAORI

PACIFIC ISLANDER

4, 206

TRANSPORT EUROPEAN

40 % own a single vehicle

12 % own no vehicles INCOME

35 % EARN $30,000 and more a year

HENDERSON - ETHNIC DIVERSITY Population European

4, 206 50.8 %

Pacific Islander Maori Asian

23.5 % 18.3 % 16.1 %

SITE PHOTOGRAPHY

GIS ANALYSIS GEOGRAPHIC DATA

N ecology areas + open space 1:1000

To identify existing traffic flows which will have implications on the existing issues of traffic dominated streets.

To identify the areas of concetrated social acitivty and the routes of pedestrian throughoutfare. This analysis will allow an understanding of current social dynamics that take place on site.

DESIGN SCHEMATICS

STREET DESIGN CASE STUDY A passeig de st joan boulevard, spain

The Passeig De St Joan Boulevard is a major avenue in the Eixample district, Barcelona, Spain. The boulevard is a main road in the district and runs from the lower end of the Barrio Gracia all the way to Arc del Triomph Square. The boulevard itself is subtly divided into three sections that all have unique characteristics and utilities; they are simply divided into the upper section, middle section and the lower section. The upper section is name a Rambla, a strip along the centre for pedestrians. The middle section has more ample road ways, where by roads are wider and car dominant. The lower section which is the primary boulevard, and which is contrasted against the other sections, has very narrow traffic lanes and large pedestrian areas with a single segregated cycle lane in the centre.

DESIGN INTENT

DESIGN EFFECTIVENESS

• Give priority to pedestrians • Create a ‘urbanized green zone’ • Create a connection to other green spaces locally • Improve transport options

• Effective in enticing users to site • Multifunctional space for different users and uses • Biodiverse and sustainable design • Increased social value

STREET DESIGN CASE STUDY B Broadway streetscape upgrade, Los Angeles

Broadway is a major aterial road and is one of the oldest streets in Los Angeles and was included in the 1849 plan of Los Angeles. Broadway Street runs from mission road, Lincoln heights and runs through central Los Angeles 16 kilomteres to South Angeles. Broadway Street from 1st street to Olympic Boulevard was considered the main commercial street in Los Angeles, but not the Central Business District. Along Broadway are many landmarks including historical theatres. A major area along Broadway Street from 2nd street to Olympic Boleuvard is undergoing a streetscape intervention as part of a larger inititave called ‘Bringing back Broadway’, a vision seeking to revitalize the Historic Broadway corridor with the goal to ‘provide economic development and bussiness assitance; reactivate Broadway’s historic vacant theatres as well as more than one million square feet of vacant commercial space and increase parking and transit options.

DESIGN INTENT

DESIGN EFFECTIVENESS

• Enhance and support cultural fabric • Create a Timless Streetscape • Enhance user experience and site safety • Pedestrian dominant street design

• Effective in supporting local economic growth • Environmentally concious design • Integrated street design • Improved street accesibility for pedestrians

To analyse the building blocks of the site at the surface level. This will give an understanding of the site composition and the relationships between the topography and the existing architecture.

This analysis articulates an understanding of existing businesses in the spatial sense of their positioning in relation to the street. This also allows to analyse where potential clustering are of similar businesses, through nodal development theory notion, where by facilities that work together and benefit from mutual association.

SPATIAL ANALYSIS DESIGN ISSUES

This analysis will attempt to see the details along with the existing problems in the street environment, that contradict Nodal Development Principles. The sketches attempt to visualize spatial inconsistencies, flaws and deficiencies. The issues within the site are apparent and one of many major issues of the site is the lack of character.

SPATIALCONCLUSIONS ANALYSIS The current street design contradicts the principles of being ‘pedestrian friendly’, with the street using ‘Pedestrians give way to vehicles signs’. • The spaces within the street are often uninviting for pedestrians and lack any sort of inviting nature. • The streetscape currently utilizes an excess amount of carparks which dominates the street. • There is a lack of alternative modes of transport networks that are currently on the street. • A lack of pedestrian friendly spaces that encourage multi use for other activities.

STREETSCAPE CHARACTER ANALYSIS TEXTURAL ANAYSIS

The local site should hint potential design clues and unique features. These things can be intangible or tangible features, and include smell, touch, feel, texture and even the atmospheric feel. These analysis sketches will be an interpretation of these unique features.

DESIGN INFLUENCES & DRIVERS KEY ATTRIBUTES

gradual Intensification

nodal development

This schematic diagram aims to represent the nature of vineyards, orchards and their processes. Their are two key analogies of their processes, the grid and linear fashion in which they are laid out and the linear repitition, along with with process of selection of trees within a vineyard. The analysis of these concepts derive the interesting geometry.

vineyard geometry

henderson orchards

40%

local transport & diversity

single vehicular ownership

4,206

12 %

Total Population

reliance on public transport

23.5 %

pacific islander “suffering from a local depressed economy..... ”the suburb must be proactive and integrate the mall with its external area”

local vineyard & orchard character

babich vineyards, henderson

henderson valley

DESIGN DEVELOPMENT INITIAL DESIGN

The map currently shows the reconfiguration of the local streets and the proposal of having a one way street through my design. This will free up space for design for other uses.

street design concept: capturing the henderson vineyard character The street design is configured in such a way to allow for efficient flow of pedestrians. The site lacked variety in spaces for the diverse local demographic. The spaces are seamlessly aligned and connected yet are separate through the intricate use of contrasting materials. The design incorporates smaller spaces that induce a feeling of intimacy and comfort. There is a clear use of linear repetition is derived from the local existing character of vineyards and orchards. The use of materials that reflect the valley vineyard landscapes that surround it, with the subtle, yet rustic and warm tones of the materials that help encapsulate this. The use of grasses that are loosely planted reflect the ruggedness and nature of the country valley and avoid the modern clichĂŠ slick-like design often used in contemporary urban design.

materiality

perspectives

conclusion

In conclusion, the Nodal Development Theory was developed with the concept of creating compact, mixed use communities. The theory articulates well, the ideal configuration of our urban environments and how they are about an integration of social and cultural values. The theory portrayed many benefits which are proven in real world examples. Although, the design theory generally applies to towns, there are certain nuances about the ideology and philosophy behind the theory that can be applied to street design. However, the theory does have weaknesses, they reflect in the reality of current development. The idea of mixed use development generally means an immediate hub or node should have all the services available with in close proximity, or in walking distance. Current development often means that having all services in one area can be unrealistic and not always present. The idea of nodes, highlights the notion that nodes should contain all major services, and have some type of specialization, or unique features that help distinguish the node from another. This rectifies the need for design that draws out local amenity, character and context. In my analysis I found difficulty in searching for this certain character, and researched into demographics, history and surrounding areas for outstanding or unique characteristics for a basis of a design concept. The nodal development theory had design principles that were ideal in dealing with the issues within Henderson town centre. The concept design captures the local country character of Henderson and uses materials that clearly reflect the moods, tones and visualizations of the rugged countryside and vineyard amenity. This outstanding natural characteristic was then contrasted and integrated with the nodal development theory design principles. Overall, the design utilized these principles accordingly, but due to site constraints, the design was limited because of the rigidity around moving buildings or reconstructing road layouts to allow for connectivity to other nodes and streets. The design did achieve the characteristic of providing a street design that reflects local character, with an integrated mixture of spaces for pedestrian activities, while essentially enhancing public transport effciency, as opposed to just the movement of vehicular traffic.

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