Spring Studio: Cardiff Bridge Quarter

Cardiff Bridge Quarter | Chwarter Pont Caerdydd

Contents

2-4 Strategic Design Framework 5-8 Concepts and Options 9-22 Design Layers 23-27 Technical Design & Detailing 28-30 Community Engagement Framework 31-32 Appendices Document word count: 3,317

A proposal for Site C Robert Blake / MA Urban Design / CPT911 Spring Studio 2023 Page word count: N/A

Page 1

Student number 1731417

Introduction: Site analysis and vision Site C is the north-east part of the Cardiff Central Enterprise Zone and Regional Transport Hub, identified in Policy KP2(a) of Cardiff’s Local Development Plan.

Site C was selected for to its interesting morpoholgy; divided into four quarters by the railway lines. These lines improved regional connectivity but also localscale disconnection, and an urban design conundrum.

Analysis of the site has revealed a low building density, a low social mix, and lack of green space; with many open spaces prime for development.

North

A SWOT analysis (right) identifies the site’s key issues underpinning the following vision.

Vision

200m

Site C boundary (OS 2021a)

Scale 1:12,500

To create a well-connected and attractive city centre location with a new public green space. Railway infrastructure will be blended with the urban environment to reduce its dominance. Shops and food outlets will provide vibrant street life while green spaces will offer a break from the city bustle. These improvements will help attract people to the site from different walks of life.

For rebranding purposes, Site C will be referred to as ‘Cardiff Bridge Quarter’. Railway, foot and road bridges are prevalent across the site providing a distinctive character. Additionally, local landmarks involve ‘bridge’ in their name including ‘Bridge Street Exhange’ and ‘Ty Pont Haearn’ student housing.

Illustration of key SWOT issues in Site C

Page word count: 202

Source: Welsh Government (2018)

Analysis of Stengths, Opportunities, Weaknesses and Threats of Site C

Page 2

Student number 1731417

Design objectives 1. Increase walking, cycling and public transport connectivity across the site.

Railway lines and large building footprints reduce permeability and connectivity; impeding walking and cycling. Thus, a clearer route hierarchy to aid navigation will be designed. Furthermore, road space will be reallocated away from cars for improved active travel.

Public transport access will be improved; with bus stops positioned close to building entrances. A major investment will be a Metro station on the Cardiff Queen Street - Cardiff Bay line; greatly increasing regional connectivity from the site.

Walkability is poor in many areas

Source: Sempergreen (2019)

Possible street improvements

2. Provide human scale through block size, appropriate enclosure, and reduced dominance of transport infrastructure A finer-grain site will be achieved by appropriately-sized new buildings, quality public spaces, and less vehicular space. Urban greening and more railway crossings will reduce railway dominance.

Enclosure is important due to people’s “preference for staying at the edges of space” (Gehl et al. 2006, p. 30). Thus, new spaces will incorporate varying levels of enclosure; supporting street life.

Large, impermeable blocks

Enclosure: some areas are too enclosed, or too open

Car dominance

3. Increase land use mix; to provide better local amenities, street activity, and social mix.

The design will include a range of shops, cafés and small business premises to help diversify land use providing richer public life (Banerjee 2001). This contrasts the existing dominance of offices and student accommodation in the site. While “not all urban design will be equally attractive to all” (Carmona 2014, p.

24), the redesign aims to increase user diversity.

The area will no longer be for just students and office workers

Sources: Helleman (2017), Lambert (2023)

Live/Work/Visit analysis of Site C

Source: Author

4. Revitalise existing public space and provide more green spaces Existing public spaces such as Callaghan Square will be rejeuvenated; by increasing blue/green infrastructure, and providing purposeful spaces that connect well with surrounding buildings.

Observation point

New green spaces across the site will include a new central green area. The design should respond to the needs of children, families, workers and students.

Analysis shows Callaghan Square functions poorly as a public space; with few people staying in the space (see Appendix 2).

Legend

Pedestrian crossings Site C boundary

New green spaces are required

Source: Stoss (2017)

5. Regenerate the site to create a green and low-emission area.

Walking route (multiple colours)

Walking patterns were observed over a 30-minute period one Friday afternoon.

Line thicknesses represent the number of people following a particular route.

Line thickness = numbers of people 1 5

10 15

Trees, shrubs and general greenery will be incorporated into the design to create an attractive urban environment.

Greater density, mix and access across the site will improve walkability (Dovey & Pafka 2020). Reducing private car reliance will help reduce dangrous emissions and provide multifarious health benefits. Re-using existing buildings in the site will help to reduce construction-related emissions.

Page word count: 302

Page 3

The site will become a green, clean and healthy place, encouraging walking and cycling

Sources: Sustrans (2019), Buro Happold (2017)

Student number 1731417

Design strategies

1. Increase cycling and pedestrian crossings across the railway

6. Provide a range of retail units and food outlets

Larger and safer crossings for pedestrians and cyclists are needed. A large bridge is intended across the South Wales mainline, inspired by Stratford & New York’s bridges (right).

Source: Knight Architects (2012)

Source: Hudson Yards [No date]

The site is currently a ‘food desert’; lacking food retailers. New cafés, shops and restaurants will increase choice for workers and residents, and encourage visitors. Small retail units and creative spaces will be provided for start-ups and small businesses for further diversity and distinctiveness.

Sources (clockwise from top left): Feldman & Shlebak (2022), Lexham Insurance (2021), USAN (2016), Sainsbury’s (2021)

7. Convert space below the railway lines to business uses

2. Improve legibility between Site C & the city centre, local neighbourhoods, and Cardiff Bay The site’s current disconnection from the city centre will be improved through new legible routes. The illustrated route would provide strong connection between the site and south Cardiff.

Source: Author (2022)

3. Build a new Metro station A new Metro station is already proposed between Cardiff Queen Street and Cardiff Bay. Locating this in Site C would further benefit connectivity and reduce car Metro station design dominance. This will help (Welsh Government 2018, p. 18) address disconnections at the centre of the site.

Despite their challenges, the railway lines pose an opportunity to use the spaces beneath them.

Railway arch renewal is already planned (far right) and expansive railway walls could be excavated and developed beneath.

Source: Author (2022)

Source: Morgan 2 Morgan (2020)

8. Create a major green space within the site for use by residents, workers and visitors A major green space is proposed; suitable for office lunch-breaks and family enjoyment.

Source: adapted from Google (2023)

Source: TDI [No date]

9. Renew access to, and revitalise, the Dock Feeder Canal

4. Reduce car dominance through reduced road widths and more pedestrian crossings

Source: MKSK [No date]

Strategy locations North

The dock feeder canal is currently inaccessible (below left). Opening up the canalside and regenerating it to a public space will provide a positive feature to the area.

To incentivise active travel, roads will be revised for safer walking environments, including around Callaghan Square which is car-dominated and overprovisioned.

Source: Mr Hits (2021)

5. Improve bus and cycle networks Site C lacks bus and cycle infrastructure. Bus stops will be placed strategically to improve access, as will cycle lanes and parking.

Location-specific strategy

x

Site-wide strategy; likely areas for implementation

Scale 1:14,000 Source: DfT (2018)

Page word count: 255

x

Page 4

Source: Author (2022)

Source: The Glossary (2022)

Basemap data source: OS (2021a)

Student number 1731417

Design concepts

#1 ‘Over-railway residential’ North

•

• •

#2 ‘Flexible space’

Circular office zone in SW corner, focussing around public space Creative uses in the north Residential zone connects across the railway.

North

• • •

•

Legend

Loose/flexible space Creative uses limited to NE area SE quarter of site has a 50/50 office-residential focus with key public space No Metro station

Retail Offices/ mixed use Creative industries Residential/ hotels Industrial Public spaces (could be green) Green spaces

Potential for overrailway development

Walking connections

Flexible creative outdoor spaces

(Criss 2017)

Vehicle routes

(Bruck [no date])

Railways Scale 1:8,500

Scale 1:8,500

#3 ‘Total urban design’ North

•

• •

•

Rationalising space; creating a new walking network Public squares surrounded by green space Modernist, ‘totalitarian’ principles of urban design (Lang 2017) Metro station part of the public space network

Metro station

#4 ‘Connected creative’ North

• • • • • •

Page word count: 127

Strong Good Limited Baseline (no change) Negative Source: Black & Sonbli (2019, p. 104)

Design progression • Urban green park

Scale 1:8,500

Scoring method

Retail in NW area Large central green park Creative zone spanning North/ South of the site Metro station New walking route in SE. Lack of residential uses.

(Oschrin 2020)

•

Concept 3 to be rejected due to its impact on human scale Positive elements of concepts 1, 2 & 4 will be carried forward into a final design concept.

Scale 1:8,500

Page 5

Student number 1731417

Selected design concept

Legend

North

North

Retail Mixed use Offices d

M

ixe

Creative industries Creative

Residential Hotels

Resi.

Retail

Public squares Public green space

Scale 1:10,000

Connections between creative uses and outdoor public spaces, which can be appropriated by creative industries.

ls te o H Capital Quarter

Key blue infrastructure

North

Resi.

Existing warehouses Walking connections

d

M

Offices

ixe

Creative

Vehicle routes Resi.

Retail

Railways

ls te

Ho

Capital Quarter

Mixed

Metro station

Resi.

Offices

Selected concept Key features:

Mixed

• Scale 1:5,000

Response to design objectives • • • •

Page word count: 153

Movement pattern across the site

Scale 1:10,000

•

The metro station provides greatly improved public transport Further North/South links improve pedestrian permeability

•

Land use zones aren’t too big and are interspersed with open space Public spaces are close to buildings giving good enclosure

•

•

Expanded residential area will provide greater social mix ‘Creative’ uses support local business and include small retail.

A good-sized green space is provided; well-connected by walking routes, and nearby homes and offices in the NE quarter.

Page 6

•

•

Good walking and public transport links (including the Metro station) will reduce car reliance and consequently carbon emissions.

Green space and public squares will improve visual appeal.

• • • •

New and improved public spaces including a large green area in the NE quarter.

A new Metro station at the centre Creative uses in the north and east of the site Expanded residential area; no longer just student housing.

Stronger north-south connections for walking and cycling Mixed uses will include office and retail.

Student number 1731417

Design option 1: ‘Innovative Adaptation’ Green space

Demolition/ retention plan

Office Mixed use (incl. offices) Creative industries Retail/ visit Residential Hotel Transport related Industrial North

Major route Minor route

200m

Bus & taxi only route

Existing building, retained

Railway route

Existing building, demolished

Existing railway crossing

New proposed building

New railway crossing Key visual connections

•

Activated existing frontage Design option 1 demolition plan

2 new pedestrian crossings connecting north/south.

Scale 1:8,000

• •

North

•

200m

Scale 1:5,000

This design option aims to preserve existing buildings and road layouts as much as possible, to reduce construction impacts.

•

•

Connections between the city centre are similar to existing. New bridge improves southerly connections.

New metro station

•

Existing John Street railway arches to be converted.

•

Small pockets of green space across the site.

Roads still dominate the area around Callaghan Square.

•

Public realm alongside the dock feeder canal.

Unsuccessful

• Source: Jones (2021)

The international arena would be converted to creative uses involving an indoor market and collaborative workspaces.

Page word count: 88

Source: Mansfield (2022)

Smaller pockets of green space would provide outdoor amenity rather than a major green space.

Page 7

•

Mixed-use buildings to provide food outlets alongside offices.

Kiosks in Callaghan Square.

Bus services to be improved.

Shared cycle paths.

Bus-only zone.

Successful

Verdict

Despite positive aims, this design options struggles to address all strategies successfully.

Student number 1731417

Design option 2: ‘Humanised spaces’ Green space

Demolition/ retention plan

Office Mixed use (incl. offices) Creative industries Retail/ visit Residential Hotel Transport related Industrial North

Major route Minor route

200m

Bus & taxi only route

Existing building, retained

Railway route

Existing building, demolished

Existing railway crossing

New proposed building

New railway crossing Key visual connections

•

North

Activated existing frontage Design option 2 demolition plan

Scale 1:8,000

2 new pedestrian crossings, including an innovative ‘crossover’ bridge providing increased legibility

•

•

Much stronger links to city centre with direct walking routes.

•

•

Metro station at centre

•

A large green space provided in NE quarter, along with pockets of greenery.

• •

Adam Street narrowed.

Callaghan Square remodelled to greatly reduce vehicle dominance.

•

Dock feeder canal accessible alongside new square.

200m

•

Wide range of mixed use buildings to include retail and food outlets.

Range of cafés and shops on new Callaghan Square Creative/retail space provided in existing railway arches and new under-line space adjacent to USW.

Scale 1:5,000

This option proposes a substantial site redesign. Callaghan Square is remodelled providing more public space, better enclosure, and reduced car dominance. The International Arena is demolished for increased permeability and better human scale. A large green space is proposed.

Left: The larger green space will be designed to provide places to play, sit and relax.

Source: Riyas (2017)

Page word count: 158

Source: H. (2015)

Above: Cafés will spill out onto the enlarged Callaghan Square

• •

Page 8

Dedicated cycle path around Callaghan Square.

Bus-only zone.

Unsuccessful

Successful

Verdict This option better responds to the design strategies, thus will be developed into a detailed design.

Student number 1731417

Design layers: Permeability Existing

Access

Interface Catchment

Callaghan Square

Capital Quarter

International Arena

Existing= 8,181 m Proposed= 9,910 m

Existing= 8,432 m Proposed= 11,345 m

Existing= 9,135 m Proposed= 11,043 m

North

200m

Proposed

North

200m

Scale 1:14,000 Scale 1:12,500

Pattern of access map (left, inspired by Biddulph 2007) and figure ground map (right).

The proposal greatly improves the site’s permeability. This is demonstrated quantitavely through larger interface catchments (ICs) from three origin points (figure X; an average increase of 25.5%). Furthermore, the site’s average weighted area perimeter (AwaP) score decreases from 731 to 609, reflecting grealy improved permeability (Pafka & Dovey 2017).

Improved permeability will greatly improve user experience of the site through increased route choice and consequently, walkability. The proposal also increases connections with the city centre, responding to strategy 2. This is achieved by reducing average block sizes within the site (figure X).

Existing (above) and proposed (below) Interface Catchments within a 400m walkabe area from three different origins. Calculation used methodology from Pafka & Dovey (2017). Maps derived from OS (2021) Existing (left) and proposed (right) block perimeter lengths, highlighting the decreased average block perimeter length in the proposed scheme, compared to existing conditions (map derived from: OS 2021)

Block perimeter length (m) <200 200-300 300-400 400-600 >600

North

200m Scale 1:14,000

Page word count: 92

Page 9

Student number 1731417

Design layers: Connectivity Walking

North

Vehicles 200m

200m Private vehicle access (proposed)

Walking route - existing (retained)

Shared cycle path - existing (retained)

Private vehicle access (existing, to be removed)

Walking route - existing (removed) Walking route - proposed

Servicing vehicle access only

Crossing - existing (retained)

Car parking access

Crossing - existing (removed)

Shared cycle path - proposed Segregated cycle lane - existing (retained) Segregated cycle lane - proposed

Proposed bus & taxi only zone

Crossing - proposed

Proposed & existing walking routes (OS 2021)

Cycling

North

Scale 1:8,500

Proposed & existing cycling routes (OS 2021)

Scale 1:8,500

Buses

Scale 1:8,500

Rail

North

200m

There is a high level of disconnection at the centre of the site.

Therefore, a new walking route is proposed to connect between the Metro station and southern routes. This would be similar to the Willesden Junction station entrance (below).

Proposed & existing vehicular routes (OS 2021)

Cycle route (removed)

to Merthyr Tydfil, Rhymney, etc.

Cardiff Queen Street

A further link will be made across the railway to the east of the Lumis student accommodation (below, left). This provides connections from the site to Cardiff bay, responding to strategy 2.

to Newport, Bristol, etc.

Bus connectivity will also be enhanced with a new route and stops along Adam Street. This will mean all buildings in the site are within a 300m walking distance from the site, which is considered optimal by transport professionals (Stojanovski 2019).

Bridge Quarter (proposed)

to Bridgend, Swansea, etc.

Bus route (existing, retained) Bus route (existing, removed)

Cardiff Central

Bus route (new, proposed) Bus stop (existing, retained) Bus stop (existing, removed) Bus stop (new, proposed)

to Cardiff Bay

300m radius from bus stop Proposed bus & taxi only zone Source: Voysey (no date)

Page word count: 108

Proposed & existing bus routes (OS 2021)

Page 10

Scale 1:8,500

Proposed & existing rail routes (OS 2021)

Scale 1:8,500

Student number 1731417

Design layers: Social density Conceptual density

Predicted user densities and flows Professionals

Students

De cre as in

g ity ns de North

North

200m

200m

Scale 1:8,500

North

Families

Scale 1:8,500

Visitors

200m Scale 1:6,500

Perceived density (buildings & people) should decrease as you move through the site, away from the city centre (above). The site should provide some relief from the intenstity of the city centre.

The ‘predicted user densities’ maps show the places students, professionals, families and visitors are more likely to congregate; based on proposed land uses. Whilst there is a good distribution of different user group densities across the maps, professionals have the greatest densities.

North

200m Scale 1:8,500

Page word count: 74

Page 11

North

200m Scale 1:8,500

Student number 1731417

Design layers: Building density Proposed

Building height

Building height: Isometric views Proposed residential blocks on Adam Street do From the North (A) Proposed Height (m) Existing

Existing

not affect the skyline due to lower height than the USW building.

<5 5-10 10-15

d

15-20

Proposed office tower to NE of Callaghan Square

Existing

20-25 25-30 North

a

200m

b

Source: OS (2021a), OS (2021b)

North

200m

Proposed

40-50

Proposed

>50

Scale 1:15,000

The tallest new buildings are indicated on the map. These include:

c

Floor Area Ratio

30-40

(a) Offices, under construction (99.9m) (b) Residential tower, also under construction (67.6m) (c) Offices, south of Callaghan Square (31.4m) (d) Student accommodation and retail (39.7m)

From the South (B) Existing

Proposed

New office block south of Callaghan Square International Arena replaced with new buildings for creative uses, increasing central density

Existing

Scale 1:8,500

Existing

Floor Area Ratio (FAR)

Proposed

0 0-0.5 0.5-1

Building height: Section view

1-1.5 1.5-2 2-2.5 2.5-3 North

200m Source: OS (2021a), Land Registry (2022)

North

Scale 1:15,000

Floor Area Ratio (FAR) has increased on average across all the lots within site C. As car parking has been removed, fewer FARs of 0 are represented.

3-3.5 3.5-4 4-4.5 4.5-5 5-5.5

Existing

5.5-6 >6 No data

Proposed

200m

200m

Key

Scale 1:8,500

Page word count: 63

Taken from 1km boundary edge, looking West across the site Increased density of the new creative zone. New residential New offices at Callaghan Square blocks on Adam Street visible prominent from this view. in the foreground.

Page 12

Building in Site C

Building outside of Site C Student number 1731417

Design layers: Formal mix Lot size: proposed

Building age: proposed

Lot area < 1,000 m2 1,000 - 4,999 m2 5,000 - 9,999 m2 10,000 - 20,000 m2 >20,000 m2

Proposed (versus existing) lot shapes better reflect the site’s built form.

North

200m

Lot size: existing

Scale 1:8,500

In some areas, there is a finer plot grain due to new land ownership patterns (as below).

This provides opportunities for more varied building frontages, increasing street vibrancy.

Proposed

North 100m

Existing

200m Nearly all buildings on the site were built post-1950. Few buildings are being removed from the site (page 8), none of are historically significant. Therefore, proposing to many new contemporary buildings will not detrimentally impact site character.

Building ages pre-1900 1900-1930s

North

Page word count: 76

Scale 1:5,000

1940s-1970s

200m

100m

1980s-2000s

Scale 1:8,500

Scale 1:5,000

post-2010 Page 13

Student number 1731417

Design layers: Functional mix Live/ Work/ Visit: proposed

The proposed functional mix provides more land use variety compared to the existing site. Existing visit locations have a stronger role; plus new ‘visit’ locations are included such as the proposed park. These improvements reflect objective 3.

Creative clustering: proposed North

2

Mixed-use zone with creative office space

3 2

University of South Wales (creative campus)

1

New creative industry units

2

Capital quarter

Callaghan Square has a more defined role with visit and office functions alongside. Also, the square will house retail and cafe units.

1

3

North

Office location

12

Callaghan Square

Creative industry location Connections Office to office Office to creative

200m

Live/ Work/ Visit: existing

Scale 1:6,500

Live/Visit/Work by plot: proposed (above) versus existing (left)

Creative to creative

The new park (strategy 8), complements the adjacent residential uses.

1

3

200m Proposed creative clusters and key nodes

Creative locations include: • • • •

3 North

200m

Scale 1:12,000 Page word count: 118

Live/Visit/Work triangle (Dovey & Pafka 2018, p. 26)

A mixture of offices, apartments, food outlets and creative uses in the north-west of the site creates a truly mixed-use zone.

Page 14

Scale 1:6,500

University (existing) Flexible workspaces for start-ups Small-scale manufacturing Outdoor event space

Clustering of offices and creative businesses enables collaboration and knowledgesharing. Above illustrates potential connections.

University of South Wales creative campus

Student number 1731417

Design layers: Public/ private interfaces Interface typology: Existing

Interface typology: Proposed Legend Impermeable - Opaque Impermeable - Transparent Direct - opaque

1

1

Direct- transparent

3

4

Pedestrian setback

2

2 4

Car/vehicle setback

3

Construction site bourndary Site C boundary Railway lines

North

North

200m

200m

Scale 1:6,500

1 Existing

Proposed

Scale 1:6,500

Railway edge

2 Existing

Impermeable - Business units created under Opaque Direct Transparent

As well as providing a greater length of public-private interfaces across the site (by increasing public space), the proposal involves the adaptation of existing interfaces to provide more direct and transparent frontages.

Impermeable-opaque interfaces should be avoided as they cause “meaningless, unenjoyable and tiring” experience of space (Dovey & Symons 2014, p. 35).

Proposed

Residential blocks Car/vehicle setback

the railway will activate this frontage.

Direct Transparent

The expanse of Adam Street car park will become a more interesting frontage; being the entrance to ground-floor apartments.

Source: Senior Architectural Systems [No date]

3 Existing

Proposed

Creative units

Impermeable - New creative business units Transparent Direct Transparent

Page word count: 117

4 Existing

will provide active frontages, where currently a deadend road exists, facing the railway.

Source: Google (2023)

Page 15

Proposed

Smart bridge

Impermeable Opaque

Impermeable Transparent

Source: CG Architect [No date]

The Smart bridge’s opaque edges make it feel narrow and dangerous.

The proposed bridge’s edges will be transparent.

Student number 1731417

Design layers: Building types Building type: proposed

Illustrated legend

Transformation locations Legend indicated on maps

Example transformations

Tower

Perimeter block

Tower Perimeter block

A

Slab

C B

D

Irregular/ varied

Tower

(A) Varied building forms replace the International Arena

2 Towers

1 Tower

North

200m Scale 1:8,500

Building type: existing

Slab

(B) Tower divided into two with new central public space.

No type

Tower

Slab

&

Slab

& Per. Block

Summary A C B

Source: Google (2023)

Perimeter block

D

North

200m

Source: Google (2023)

Irregular/ varied

The proposal involves a greater variety of ‘tower’, ‘slab’ and ‘perimeter block’ typologies (Dovey 2016), compared to the existing.

The addition of perimeter blocks in the north of the site is a positive change: providing smaller, quieter outdoor spaces within a busy city environment.

This responds to the design vision.

Slab

(D) Slab becomes less dominant with new perimeter blocks.

Scale 1:8,500

Page word count: 48

(C) Effective use of underused space

Page 16

Student number 1731417

Design layers: Public space types and networks Public space types

Public space networks

North

North

200m

Legend

Scale 1:5,000

Existing Proposed

Existing Proposed

A range of new public spaces are proposed; Piazzas Open green space* providing a variety of different place qualities Incedental spaces Forecourts including places to relax, and more functional spaces. These support the Other spaces Garden squares wide range of street life *Typologies taken from Carmona (2015), apart from ‘Open green space’. The category ‘Courtyards’ is excluded due and social mix. to no public courtyards within the area.

Page word count: 34

Source: Stoss (2017)

Page 17

Scale 1:5,000

Public square - existing

Public green space - existing

Public square - proposed

Public green space - proposed

Spaces

Design inspiration for ‘open green space’

200m

Major

Intermediate Minor

Pedestrian network link - existing Pedestrian network link - proposed

Student number 1731417

Design layers: Green and blue infrastructure Proposed

Legend

Existing

North

Green space types

North

Most accessible

Public green space Green sports facilities

Legend 5

Least accessible

Green space types

3 Most accessible

2 1

Inaccessible green land derelict land and Further(e.g. categories marginal locations)

Public green space

Urban greenery (trees, hedges, etc.)

Green sports facilities

Car-free walking routes

Private gardens

Blue infrastructure 200m

Least Inaccessible green land Existing green-blue infrastructure Scale 1:10,000 accessible (e.g. derelict land and

1 Canal

Private gardens

marginal locations)

A new metro station square, provides access to the once closed-off canal. The station will attract people to this location, along with seating and a canalside café.

Site boundary

2 New public green space A large green park is proposed. A mixture of shrubs, trees and grassed areas will encourage biodiversity and different areas for social interaction.

4

200m Scale 1:5,000

Green-blue infrastructure interventions

3 Street trees & urban greening

Source: Riyas (2017)

4 Callaghan Square

Trees will be provided throughout the redeveloped areas. A ‘pocket park’ is included on Adam Street where paths are widened. Further greenery will enhance the pedestrian experience.

5 Car-free walking

The existing water fountains (pictured) will no longer be part of a roundabout but will form the centre of a new grassed public area. This will form a focal point to adjacent café/ restaurant buildings.

Source: Goodson (2013)

Page word count: 126

Source: The Glossary (2022)

Source: H. (2015)

Page 18

Across the site, more car-free walking routes have been provided (indicated on the maps). Reduced car reliance creates a greener pedestrian experience and helps reduce vehicle emissions.

Student number 1731417

Design layers: Social mix

Types of residential accommodation: proposed

‘Visit’ location types: proposed Apartment blocks

Commercial space

Student only (shared flats/ studios)

Cafe

Small households (young prof./ couples) (studio - 2 bed)

Shop - food

Restaurant

Shop - non-food Shopping centre

Medium households/ families (2 - 3 bed)

Outdoor space Public square

Mixed small & medium households

Pocket park Open green space

Non-residential only

Other

Building includes non-residential uses

Education Entertainment venue

Houses

Hotel

Semi-detached Terraced

0

Residential types: existing

25 50

100

0

200m

Scale 1:6,500

Visit types: existing

Streets are not “unregulated place[s] of unconstrained diversity” (Mehta 2019, p. 16), therefore the design cannot be aimed at ‘all social groups’.

25 50

100

200m

Scale 1:6,500

The proposal increases ‘visit’ locations, responding to objective 3 and strategy 6. These include: shops, cafes, restaurants and public outdoor spaces. Additionally, creative units reflect visit/work locations.

Yet, a broad social mix will be encouraged, as reflected through the wide range of residence types.

While some space exists for small families, the focus will be on students and professionals, given the city centre location.

0

25 50

100

200m

Scale 1:12,000 Page word count: 86

0

Sources: Helleman (2017)

Page 19

25 50

100

200m

Scale 1:12,000 Student number 1731417

Design layers: Street design Street and public space enclosure

Materiality: Callaghan Square Callaghan Square currently is dominated by a distinctive red brick. This will be used to edge the rejeuvenated square, giving a nod to its history (see page 26).

Existing materials: Callaghan Square

North

200m Scale 1:5,000 Less enclosed

Open and exposed Wide spaces Open but sheltered Covered spaces

More enclosed

High quality street furniture will be in place throughout the development; including benches, bins, bus stops, street lighting.

Narrow spaces Tight and concealed spaces

A key focus for street design is enclosure. People like to stay at the edge of space (Gehl et al.

2006), thus it is important to give spaces some enclosure to encourage people to use them. A variety of spaces have been mapped. ‘Open but sheltered’ spaces reflect edge locations that are condusive to stop and wait. A nixture of narrow, covered and wide spaces are beneficial.

Concealed spaces have been avoided.

Source: Moller Design [No date]

High quality seating and eating spaces

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Source: Sempergreen (2019)

Green bus stops

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Design masterplan

Detailed design locations

Demostrating the anticipated qualities of the proposed design.

Key features of each area...

1. New bridge and green space • • • •

Large green space (strategy 8).

Close to proposed residential blocks Includes grassed area, seating, paths, trees, planting.

Bridge improves connectivity and its design incorporates plants.

2. Metro station & public space

• •

A space for people to meet, wait and relax outside the Metro station (strategy 3).

Access to the canal, providing a focal point and tranquil qualities.

3. Callaghan Square

• • • •

A large square with low traffic interference.

The design includes a flexible events space.

The roundabout is incorporated into public space, with the existing fountains providing a focal point.

Cafes located on the square.

4. Railway arches • • North

Business units located under the railway will revitalise this space.

Improved public realm will include tree planting and seating for customers.

200m Scale 1:4,000 Page word count: 106

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Scale 1:2,000 Student number 1731417

Technical design and detailing (1) 1. New bridge and green space

The new park responds well to strategy 8, and is well-positioned alongside residential buildings.

Individual apartment entrances are found on the ground floor behind a pedestrian setback, to make the housing more familyfriendly.

The space on Adam Street has been redistributed providing a large plazza outside the university building.

Section location

Scale 1:2,000

Cross-section with dimensions

University New residential blocks

76m

New bridge crossing

Page word count: 49

56m

Public park

7m

2m

Ped. setback

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5m

12m

44m

Narrowed vehicular road

Scale 1:600 25 metres

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Technical design and detailing (2) 2. Metro station & public space

Scale 1:2,000 Above: New ‘Bridge Quarter’ station with public square offering planting, seating and kiosks.

Left: Perpective aerial view showing the new metro station and canalside public square

These views explain the concept for the new Metro Station, which exits out onto a new public square. Opening up this space allows the canal to be appreciated. An attractive public realm will encourage people to use the metro.

Examples of successful metro station public realm designs (Network Rail 2022, pp. 122-130)

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Technical design and detailing (3) 3. Callaghan Square

2

1 4 6

2

5

3 1

3

4

Scale 1:2,000

No The water fountains, once on the roundabout, now form the centre of a green public space; providing a focal point for new cafe buildings.

Image 2 shows the new segregated cycle path, integral to strategy 5.

5

6

200m

Source: Riyas (2017)

The main square area will include a covered ‘events’ area, similar to above. This can be used for seating and picnics when events are not taking place.

Page word count: 83

Office buildings at the south of the square provide street activity. Direct-permeable frontages with canpoys attract people to the buildings.

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Technical design and detailing (4) 4. Railway arches

Perspective drawing of proposal

Scale 1:2,000

This area will involve a new public space behind the University of South Wales. Arches will be created below the railway (strategy 7). This will activate the space and reduce the crime risk which has been identified here (page 21).

The proximity to the university’s creative campus demonstrates creative clustering. There is potential for the university to occupy one of these new premesis for entrepreneurial training.

Source: Senior Architectural Systems [No date]

Context illustrated in perspective Page word count: 66

Current site conditions Page 27

Precedent image from Edinburgh Student number 1731417

Community engagement framework (1) Community engagement approach Engaging the community is recommended as “a means of ensuring design proposals will be supported by those most affected by them” (Carmona 2021, p. 484). Fundamentally, the proposed design must genuinely benefit the surrounding community and present/future users of the site.

Increased democracy in planning decisions is widely considered to be advantageous with citizen control being the ultimate form of community participation (Arnstein 2019). However, there are some drawbacks to a fully citizen-led approach, including over-burdening citizens with design decisions, and their lack of design skills.

Furthermore, the public do not always know what they want (Edgar 2019).

Thus, this community engagement approach will broadly take a ‘consultation’ approach; gathering stakeholders’ views and incorporating comments into a professionally-led design. While Arnstein describes such approaches as ‘tokenism’, some elements of citizen control will take place in stage 3-4.

A ladder of citizen participation (Arnsetin 2019, p. 26)

Community engagement process

Stakeholders in the engagement process for Site C.

Community engagement timeline

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Community engagement (2) Stage 1: Initial consultation Multiple informal ‘charette’ sessions will be hosted; enabling stakeholders “to ‘brainstorm’ an approach to a problem and thereby help the local community devise recommendations for action” (Carmona 2021, p. 486).

Aims: • Determining broad aspirations for the site – creating a vision for site identity • Putting the community first in identifying problems and solutions • Hosting multiple formal charette sessions over a month’s period: in public spaces, and online.

Broad questions this stage will help to answer

Charette sessions will involve post-it notes and discussion activities

Disenfranchised groups These include: • • • •

Minority groups, e.g. gypsies People whose first language is not Welsh/English People with disabilities, e.g. deaf, blind, wheelchair users Transient residents, e.g. short-term students

Stage 2: Action planning Stage 2 will involve a pop-up exhibition of the draft plan, enabling the community to “produce proposals for action” on the development (ibid.), including: • • •

Further feedback on the proposal to make improvements Phasing of the re-development – what comes first?

How to reduce the impacts of demolition and building

This stage will be important in informing the public about the proposal, to gain support and enable site users to plan ahead.

Source: Colón (2018)

Weather-permitting, outdoor events like this could be hosted on Adam Street or Callaghan Square, providing a neutral environment for engagement (Upland Design 2020)

Stage 3: Co-design Co-design will take place at the late designing stages, where small-scale decisions are still to be made regarding:

The following measures will reduce their disenfranchisement: • • •

Advertisements encouraging minority-involvement.

Live translation and BSL Accessible venues Source: Toronto Metropolitan University [No date]

Potential co-design event format

Stage 3 provides delegates much control to citizens in making these small-scale but impactful decisions.

Source: NYC Planning [No date]

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