Streets – Pedestrian Environments Presentation by: Sangeetha Solanki, Asst.Prof. Pillai’s College of Architecture, Navi Mumbai ICHH, 13th International Conference on Humane Habitat, Jan 28th – 30th 2011, Mumbai, India
Proposed Skywalk
Kharghar Stn.
Utsav Chowk
The proposed skywalk at Kharghar, Kharghar station to Utsav Chowk
Residential + Commercial Institutional
Proposed Skywalk
1572mtr. Length 5.5mtr. height
Utsav Chowk
The proposed skywalk at Kharghar Land use and Connections
The proposed skywalk at Kharghar Connecting across the main junctions of the road
The proposed skywalk at Kharghar Critical junctions
Skywalks that are being installed in Kharghar to transport people from the Utsav Chowk to the Kharghar Station
Palm tree on dividers
Building with mixed use
Proposed Skywalk
Building with mixed use
Rain trees on Pathway
Pathway 3mts. wide
Service Road 12 mts. wide
Pathway 15mts. wide
Main Road 21mts. wide
Pathway 15mts. wide
PATHWAY
?
Service Road 18mts. wide
ALTERNATIVE PATHWAY
The proposed skywalk at Kharghar Street Section
Pathway 3mts. wide
Wide pathways, but not used effectively
The Pedestrian Path at Kharghar
Trees planted insensitively, no space given for growth, no tree grill No maintenance Poor Edge detailing
Width of the pathway not adequate
The Pedestrian Path at Kharghar An internal path
Pedestrian Environment
Environment that is created for people on foot Environments to improve walkability
Walkability is a measure of how friendly an area is to walking
Women Children Physically challenged
Men Elderly
Factors influencing Walkability o presence or absence and quality of footpaths o sidewalks or other pedestrian right-of-ways o traffic and road conditions
o land use patterns o building accessibility o safety
“Walking is also an integral part of many other matters, such as looking at shop windows, admiring the scene, or talking to people. In all, it does not seem to be far from the truth that the freedom with which a person can walk about and look around is a useful guide to the civilized quality of an urban area.� (Buchanan, C 1963)
Streets – Pedestrian Environment Humane Environment
Quality
DESIGN OF STREETS
Quality
Design of Streets
Macro-level Master plan, layout ofstreets
Micro-level Design and detailing of streets
Encourage Walkability
There have been no comprehensive standards developed for the Indian context especially in metropolitan cities as far as accessibility criteria and pedestrian spacing is concerned. The Indian Roads Congress (IRC) has stipulated standards for pedestrian facilities like Sidewalks, Guard Rails and Pedestrian Crossings – both at-grade and grade-separated (Indian Roads Congress, 1998 ). But these lack the “human� element like aesthetics, scale, form and proportion. Pedestrian amenities and street furniture do not find a place in these standards. Context specific standards according to the location in the city, hierarchy of streets and functions of streets have not been thought of.
THE MAN-VEHICLE RELATIONSHIP MAN
VEHICLE
Size
Small (toddler to adult variation).
Big ( motor scooter to double decker bus variation).
Tactility
Soft.
Hard.
Speed and Range
Slow and small.
Fast (potentially) and great.
Momentum
Slight, safe.
Great, dangerous.
Movement
Organic.
Organic tendencies through driver only.
Rhythm
Organic patterns, spontaneous.
Mechanical patterns, predetermined lines.
Routes
No site lines, surprise, sudden changes
Site lines and curvature and junctions according to speed and formulae.
Ecological
Harmonious basically in smell, sound, feel and waste products.
Petrol fuel disruptive to life. Poisonous, (carbon monoxide) carcinogenic agents, sulphur tri-oxide, ozone, eye, throat and eye irritation serious, destructive of plants life and many crops (Smog).
Sociological
Needs security conductive to friendship and co-operation within narrow field and as a general characteristic.
Allows meetings of distant friends but where present is conductive to antisocial behaviour and disruptive of co-operative tendencies, particularly while driven.
Care increases with damage. Injury and death irrevocable and therefore tragic. Average life, long.
Care decreases with damage. “Injury” and “death” means insurance, scrap help and a new car. Average life, short.
Damage Source: Planning for Man and Motor
Analysis of needs of pedestrian movement and rest along a path system by Christopher Millard Source: Planning for Man and Motor
Pedestrian Streets Facilitator & Generator Activities
Services, Shelter observe work shop walk Drainage , (climatic) play lighting Run/jog Meditate/ relax eat idle gather Safety/ Security
STREET CULTURE
Streets – facilitators Streets that open into plazas, facilitating a number of activities, allowing interaction between people
Cathedral Square, Christchurch
Interesting patterns created with hardscapes Handrails at intervals Change in levels indicated with a change in colour and material Cathedral Square, Christchurch
Sculpture as a focal point, Point of halt
Seating designed to relax and spend time watching activities around
Cathedral Square, Christchurch
Space for play – a game of chess, an activity that gets people with similar interests together Cathedral Square, Christchurch
Lighting that relates to the human scale and lights the pedestrian path well, giving a sense of security Cathedral Square, Christchurch
The square expanse providing a vista to the building facade Cathedral Square, Christchurch
Signage provided for Public Places like the Toilets
Cathedral Square, Christchurch
Streets that gradually progress into a Landscaped frontage for Public Buildings Federation Square, Melbourne
Interesting Lighting Designed over the Plaza
Streets that gradually progress into a Public Square
Federation Square, Melbourne
Streets that gradually progress into a Public Building, Southern Cross Station, Melbourne
Sculpture as a signage indicating the Arts Center, Melbourne
Sculpture as a Focal Point, Melbourne
Sculpture as a Focal Point, Melbourne
Interactive installation in the street, which acts as a seating for people. The colour also brightens up the otherwise grey Surroundings. Melbourne
Sculpture as a territorial marking, Melbourne
Street along the waterfront in Geelong, that opens into a play space for children
Streets – facilitators Street furniture that is relative to scale, sculptural and interactive
Bridge that cuts across the Yarra River
Melbourne
The Lighting on the bridge not only gives a good effect, but also makes it safe for a pedestrian to cross over Melbourne
Bridge that cuts across the Yarra River
Melbourne
A shelter on the pedestrian path, where people congregate for various reasons
Melbourne
Connecting two different pedestrian levels with a spiral staircase. The staircase doubles its function to Melbourne access cafes at different levels.
Street Cafes, that scale down the volume with the awnings Melbourne
Tram stops and bus stop shelters with seating Melbourne
Indications on the street, for crossings, pedestrian paths, bicycle paths etc. Goldcoast, Australia
Indications on the street, for crossings, pedestrian paths, bicycle paths etc. Melbourne
Signage
Sydney Harbour
Trees creating interesting avenues and vistas Melbourne
So, what does a pedestrian want from Streets: o Help shorten walking distances o Separate (or buffer) pedestrian from moving traffic o Create aesthetically pleasing surroundings and amenities o Security and safety is the primary concern
Streetscape elements that impact aesthetics and are also important functional elements are: o pedestrian scale lighting o benches o trash bins o landscaping
o urban design treatments for adjacent developments o walking surface texture
Pedestrian Environment ? Light Poles not relative to human scale
Unorganized display of sign boards
Parking on pavements
No Signages Parking indications on the street Poor Construction methods and materials
Public Health?
Signboards, not obvious Encroachments, obstructing an Streets in poor condition inadequate pathway
EVALUATION METHODS FOR PEDESTRIAN ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY (The San Francisco Department of Public Health)
1. Intersection safety
3. Street Design
2. (Motor vehicle)Traffic
4. Land Use
5. Perceived Safety
INTERSECTION SAFETY : Indicators Crosswalk
Ladder crosswalk Pedestrian signal Traffic signal Crossing Speed
INTERSECTION SAFETY : Indicators
Crosswalk Scramble
No turn on Red Signs
Traffic Calming Features
Additional Signs for Pedestrians
(MOTOR VEHICLE) TRAFFIC : Indicators Number of lanes Two-way Traffic Vehicle Speed Limit Traffic Volume
Traffic Calming Features
STREET DESIGN: Indicators
Sidewalk Widths
Sidewalk Impediments
Sidewalk Obstructions
Presence of Curbs
Driveway Cuts
STREET DESIGN: Indicators
Trees
Planters / Gardens Public Seating Presence of Buffer
LAND USE: Indicators
Store Fronts/ Retail Use
Public Art/ Historical Sites
PERCEIVED SAFETY: Indicators
Illegal Graffiti Litter Pedestrian Scale Lighting Construction Sites Abandoned Buildings
In the 21st century, the streets need to be sustainable and respond to the demands of climate change and shifts in culture Some of the common goals that need to be achieved with new street design are: o Livability and Placemaking : Making streets places to linger and places to cherish o Access and Mobility : Improving the public right -of -way for all users o Pedestrian and Bicyclist Safety : Supporting design improvements such as raised crossways, bike lanes, and roundabouts that improve safety. o Flexibility: Giving the Designers a choice o Context : Designing streets based on their place within a hierarchy of streets and their relationship to surrounding land uses, densities and commercial activities o Balance : Maintaining several functions in the street that include safety, roadway infrastructure, environmental sensitivity and others o Healthy Environment : Minimizing negative environmental effects and creating places that encourage walking and exercise
o Visual excellence : Improving the overall aesthetic with an emphasis on high quality, lasting design and materials
Palm tree on dividers
Building with mixed use
Proposed Skywalk
Building with mixed use
Rain trees on Pathway
Pathway 3mts. wide
Service Road 12 mts. wide
Pathway 15mts. wide
Main Road 21mts. wide
NEED?
Pathway 15mts. wide
Service Road 18mts. wide
Pathway 3mts. wide
ALTERNATIVE PATHWAY
SHARE STREET ACTIVITIES The proposed skywalk at Kharghar Street Section
Exploring Possibilities – the skywalk as an alternative street
Think design aesthetics
Share Activities with the Street Below
Parking
Markets
Hawking
WALKABILITY IS AN IMPORTANT CONCEPT IN SUSTAINABLE URBAN DESIGN
Thank you