Ryan Sandwick: Urban Design Appraisal for Glasgow Harbour by Ryan Sandwick

GLASGOW HARBOUR Phase III: Urban Design Appraisal

Ryan Sandwick,The University of Glasgow

The Confluence Of Glasgowâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Past And Future In An Exciting New Riverfront District

March 2013

INTRODUCTION

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Glasgow Harbour is ideally located to equalize the domi-

SiteHistory

nance and separation caused by the Clydeside Expressway

Existing Plans & Conditions

connecting the River Clyde to the West-End neighborhoods

Circulation & Connectivity

of Partick and Byres Road. Across the river is Govan, a for-

Urban Forms

mer industrial neighbourhood, that is still home to the last

Urban Design Objectives

functioning ship building factory on the Clyde.

Schematic Designs

Site Design

The scale, dominant location and future continuity of regenera-

Access

tion along the River Clyde allows for a district providing for

Features

the establishment of a greater diversity of uses, new development

Studies

patterns and forms enhancing the riverâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s character and identity. Any opportunities considered will need be of a scale and impact capable of overcoming long-held perceptions of the former, and surrounding, industrial neighbourhood. Additionally it will need to counterbalancing the dominance of the Clydeside Expressway and reconnect Glasgow Harbour to the city.

SITE HISTORY At the peak of the industrial revolution in Glasgow 20% of all ships in the world were produced on the banks of the Clyde. The heart of the world’s shipbuilding was located in Govan and Clyde Gateway, including Glasgow Harbour. The area began as a riverside

Viking community that later became the capital of the Kingdom of Strathclyde. Prior to the industrial revolution Govan and Partick were riverside communities on the outskirts of Glasgow. However, during the Victorian era the area was engulfed by Glasgow and became part of the city. As shipbuildig and industry took route the traditional Scottish village was replaced by

industry and tenement housing. Photograph ‘C’ shows the traidtional tenement architecture and street layout with its proximity to industry and shipbuilding. As industry declined following both World Wars unemployment increased and the polluted lands were slowly vacated and industry left. D A Gueen Mary leaving Govan in 1936 Image Courtesy of: Britain From Above

B Current Glasgow Harbour site in the 1930s C Meadowside Quay with traditional Tenements in 1931 D Current Glasgow Harbour site in the 1930s A Image Courtesy of: Britain From Above

Image Courtesy of: Britain From Above

EXISTING PLANS & REGENERATION EFFORTS Existing plans and proposals exist for developments across the Clyde waterfront. Recent major developments have included the BBC Scotland building, Glasgow Science Center, the Clyde Arc Bridge and the Riverside (transport) Museum. Additionally the large Glasgow Harbour development, of which this site is part of, has begun development. The Glagow Harbour development is a £1.2 billion project that stretches from the River Kelvin to the Clyde Tunnel. Phase I and II, consisting of the middle part of the site, have been developed as high rise and high density

riverfront housing. The western part of the site has recently been approved as site of a £30 million Tesco super market. The eastern part of the site, Phase III, is the focus of this design appraisal. Existing plans, which are on hold, are for the creation of a large retail and leisure district with radial design and hotel.

is meant to become a center attraction within the Glasgow region. However, nearly all of the development proposals were put on hold during the financial crisis in 2008. The plans that have persisted through have been dramatically scaled back to a small percentage of what the initial plans supported.

The Riverside Museum, home of the Transport Museum, was designed by starchitect Zaha Hadid and opened in 2011. Although it has only recently opened the museum has become an icon of Glasgow and attracted over 2 million people in its first year open. There are additional development plans for the area around the Riverside Museum.

Phase I and II of Glasgow Harbour were built as planned and added nearly a thousand new residents to the waterfront. In addition to adding to the city’s skyline the project also included a new riverfront promenade that will eventually connect the entire Harbour site to the Riverside Museum and rest of the riverfront through Glasgow.

Image Courtesy of: Clyde Waterfront

The 130 acre development area Image Courtesy of: Clyde Waterfront

Image ImageCourtesy Courtesyof: of:Clyde ClydeWaterfront Waterfront

To The Right

Above

The existing plan for this section of the Clyde Waterfront calls for the creation of a residential, retail and leisure district building upon the attraction of the Riverside Museum.

The master plan above shows the 3d and plan view development plans of the existing proposal.

Site

Image Courtesy of: Clyde Waterfront

EXISTING SITE CONDITIONS Site Site

Site

A Byres Rd.

Dumbarton Rd.

West-End A

Partick

Glasgow Harbour

Clydeside Expressway/ Arterial Roads/ Communter Trains

Yorkhill B

Govan

E D

Town Cen- Mixed Use ter/Transit Retail Village Corridors

Residential

N Heavy Industry/ Hospital

Cultural/ Public/ Open Space

Motorway

CIRCULATION & CONNECTIVITY Vehicular: Bounded by the River Kelvin to the east,River Clyde to the south and the Clydeside Expressway to the north, connection into the site are challenging and a main driver of the site’s design.

nections at the north of the site have access to the Clydeside Expressway, but no direct or major routes to Partick and Dumbarton Rd.

The existing two vehicular con-

The streets end at Castlebank Rd., which is a frontage road alongside the expressway from the city center to Dumbarton. The street through Glasgow Harbour is two lanes each direction

Opportunity

Constraints

Vehicular • Direct access to Clydeside Expressway and Castlebank St. • Possible connections to Glasgow Harbour • Access to Riverside Museum car park

Vehicular • Clydeside Expressway and Castlebank St. are a visual and physical barrier • Castlebank St. is on an embankement over the site • Traffic noise and polution

Pedestrian • Short walk to Partick transit mall (subway and Argyll commuter train line) • Existing bridge connecting the site over Clydeside Expressway • Access to existing Glasgow Harbour development and riverside boardwalk

Pedestrian • New bridge over the expressway needs better connection to Partick transit station • Needs connection to the Riverside Museum and Govan • The pedestrian experience in the surrounding areas is poor

Community • High visibility and proximity to Riverside Museum • Govan Town Center is directly across the river • Glasgow Harbour provides built in users and aesthetics

Community • Disconnected from adjacent neighborhoods • You can see Govan, but you cant get there • Isolated location but has great opportunity as a regional district

with no significant streetscape or interaction with the surrounding neighborhoods. Pedestrian: Pedestiran access to the site is primarily via a new pedestrian bridge over the expressway. The bridge is high quality with decoritive lighting and interpretive signage in the pavers. The bridge is meant to connect Glasgow Harbour and the Riv-

erside Museum to Partick transit mall but the connection between the north side of the bridge and the transit mall along Beith St. is poor and in need of major improvements to safety and connectivity. Access from the existing Glasgow Harbour development is strong with a riverfront promenade along the Clyde and path-

ways in the interior. of the site. The rivers surrounding half of the site need to be bridged to improve connectivity to the Riverside Museum and introduce access from Govan. Currently there is no direct way from Govan and visting the Riverside requires walking on a narrow sidewalk along Castlebank St.

West-End

Partick River Kelvin

Yorkhill

Govan

River Clyde N Vehicular

Motorway

Commuter Train

Subway

Neighborhoods

Pedestrian

BUILDING FORMS Glasgow Harbour has historically been part of the ship building industry with large scale industrial building forms to match. Across the Clydeside expressway the urban form returns to a more residential scale typical of the West-End. The 3-4 story buildings often lined an entire block with an opening to an interior courtyard often featuring gardens or garages. Across the river in Govan tenement forms of buildings had also once dominated the area but many were torn down and

STREET FORMS The traditional tenements in the West End were designed on a loose grid system with residential buildings lining the perimeter and ground floor retail on the main streets (such as Dumbarton Rd.). When many of the tenements were cleared their existing street structures were replaced as well, disrupting the historic flow and form of the city. When the Clydeside Expressway was built it eliminated the existing street pattern and created a barrier between the West End and the riverfront. The width of

replaced in the mid-century with pieces remaining in the town center area. Newer 2 story housing built in the 1980s had a modern design that ignored its waterfront location and was built exclusively for private vehicles. Glasgow Harbour Phase I & II are high density and high rise residential developments that range between 5-20 stories high. The development is dense and very compact with many large buildings quite close to their neighbors and centered around car park courtyards.

A Glasgow Harbour Phase I & II

B Partick/West End Traditional Tenements C Govan Town Center D Govan 1980s Residential

E Remnant Buildings F

F Riverside Museum and Iconic Architecture C

the expressway is increased at Glasgow Harbour do to the on and off-ramps allowing vehicular access to/from the West End to the City Center. In Glasgow Harbour the tight building forms have led to minor streets based on a rectangular form with poor access to CastleBank St. The east of the site are reclaimed shipyards and there are no major, or existing, street precedents to evaluate.

D Above: Surrounding Building Block Form

A Glasgow Harbour Phase I & II

B Partick/West End Traditional Streets C Govan Town Center

D E

A D Clydeside Expressway

E Castlebank Rd/

C Above: Surrounding Street Block Form

Large Industry & Ship Buidling Glasgow Harbour Phase I & II Modern High Density Residential Central Partick Classic Glaswegian Architecture Central Govan Classic Glaswegian Architecure with 1980s Infill Glasgow Harbour Phase III Site Riverside Museum Modern and Iconic with Grey Metal and Black Glass Redevelopment Housing 1980s Architecture with Stucco and Tile Roofs Clydeside Expressway Medium Scaled Motorway SECC Large Surface Car Park Glasgow Science Center Modern and iconic, Metal and Glass Exterior BBC Scotland Modern, Glassy Building Clyde Auditorium Modern, Iconic Metal Building Clyde Arc (Squinty Bridge) Iconic, Metal and Concrete

DESIGN CONTEXT When redevelopment began along the Clyde 30 years ago there was an emphasis on modern architecture, breaking from the traditional Glaswegian architecture. The break from historical context was easily achieved along the river as most of the buildings where development took place had been demolished. Additionally many of the site along the river are cut off from their adjacent neighborhoods by train lines and the Clydeside Expressway. This is especially true for Glasgow Harbour. The expressway has completely cut the Glasgow Harbour site off from its historical neighbor of Partick. Compromised of traditional tenement style housing featuring the signature red sandstone facade it has been severely cut off from the river allowing for a break from traditional design. The River Clyde has become a collection of modern, iconic buildings and bridges predominately compromised of glass and metal facades. The Clyde Auditorium and site adjacent Riverside Museum are primary examples of gray, metal buildings while the BBC Scotland and STV buildings are primarily glass. This break from traditional architecture allows for a wide range of design opportunities not just in the architecture but for materials on the ground plane as well. Beyond the opportunity to modernize site furniture and additional materials the incorporation of green infrastructure can fit in sinuously within the new district. The advancement of materials and built forms has the opportunity to represent the next generation of architecture and design not just in Glasgow, but also in Scotland.

URBAN DESIGN OBJECTIVES Glasgow Harbour Phase III has the opportunity to be a revolutionary project and catalyst along the Clyde Riverfront in Glasgow. The currently vacant site located at the confluence of the Rivers Kelvin and Clyde has a unique potential to incorporate environmental sustainability, culture, entertainment and residential units into a vibrant (and well connected) community.

The street forms are curvy-linear providing for consistently changing views not only within the site but to the vies beyond. Entry into Phase III from Castlebank Rd. allows for expansive views that slowly expose themselves as you enter the site. Similar can be said for the pedestrian experience. The spine of the development is the pedestrian corridor connecting Govan to Partick via a new iconic pedestrian bridge. Within the site all buildings are to be designed with optimal interface with the streets. Win-

dows and doors are to interact with the pavement increasing activity levels and an urban feel. The buildings step back several floors up from the street level decreasing their sense of scale and allowing for more light to reach the street levels. The inclusion of trees and shrubbery soften the hardscape and provide color and life to the pedestrian experience. An emphasis on landscape continues the theme of ecological inclusion and can be used for traffic calm-

ing as well as surface storm water management. Greenery also helps connect citizens to their surrounding environment. Spaces and landscapes within Phase III are intended to be adaptable and a part of the future riverfront for generations. The pedestrian promenades can be used as event space for farmers markets, craft fairs or seasonal activities. Allowing for adaptable spaces saves money that would be spent on future redevelopment into a quality design upfront.

KEY URBAN DESIGN PRINCIPLES Circulation

Safety

Sense of Place

Sustainability

Walkability

• Improved connections across the Rivers Kelvin and Clyde allow for access and greater use levels • Connected streets allow for multiple entry and exit points • Enhanced experience to Partick transit mall • Iconic bridge over the Clyde provides an experiential entry • All buildings have an interface with the streets allowing easy access to/from residences and alternate uses

• Well lit pedestrian corridors • All streets are lined with resiendtial and active uses providing ‘eyes on the street’ • Landscaping will be well maintained providing open vistas and proper views • Building footprints eliminate dark and inaccessible corners • Connected pathways and streets provide continuous movement and acitivity

• Dramatic entry points on new river crossings • Unique and modern architecture • Cultural landscapes and open spaces connecting the devlopment to the rivers and natural systems • Central entertainment plaza as an iconic gathering and social space • Apex of Glasgow’s residential and cultural communities

• Storm water management capturing rain water before draining into the Clyde • Solar orientation for optimal sun exposure • Bike lanes providing safe routes, access and bike parking • Improved access to transit reducing reliance on private vehicles • Potential for alotments and urban agriculture

• Generous pavement widths • Quality paving materials • Interpretive signage providing historical and ecological information about the area • Pedestrian only promenades provide safety and buffer from vehicles and bicycles • Well designed connections to surrounding neighborhoods and uses

Fit Into Scottish Planning Policy Spp 20 (National Urban Design Principles) Distinctiveness - they have a distinct character and identity Safe and pleasant - their public spaces are well looked after Easy to get to and move around - they are easy to reach, especially on foot Welcoming - their occupants and visitors feel at ease Adaptable - they have the capacity to cope with change Resource efficient - they promote the sustainable use of resources

Image Courtesy of: James White

BUBBLE DIAGRAMS & SCHEMATIC DESIGNS Analysis of the surrounding circulations presents a challenge when trying to connect Glasgow Harbour to the surrounding neighborhoods. The areas surrounding the site have been changed drastically to where there are no existing forms to connect. While there are few places to access the site, there are potential new routes to address this problem. Accessing Govan: Located directly across the Clyde from the there are complimentary ame-

nities that would well serve the new development. Bringing a bridge across the Clyde would improve both communities and two main options appeared. The first is to have a bridge access Govan from Waters Rows with direct access into Govan’ town center (and also to the waterfront with the best views of the Riverside Museum). The second option had a bridge land by the Govan cathedral. This option was the least desirable as it had poorer access on both ends and would be located in a historically sensitive part of Govan. Accessing Clydebank Rd: The

Schematic Design #1 • Create central feature where Riverside Museum promenade connects to main vehicular access points • Use central feature as main axis for all circulation • A more classical street layout is formed with a mixture of grid and radial alignments

main options for access appeared to be improvements to the two existing streets, or inclusion of a third minor street, creating equally sized blocks along Castlebank. Connecting the third street into the street would require a perpendicular access into the Riverside promenade or as a main street curving through the site connecting to the existing Glasgow Harbour development. Accessing Glasgow Harbour: With minor streets and pathways ending into the site there is potential to use them as key circulation elements providing an east/west structure.

Schematic Design #2 • Introduce a new street access point on CastleBank Rd. and connect in a sweeping motion to Glasgow Harbour Terrace • Connect new Clyde pedestrian bridge to bridge over Clydeside Expressway • Transition existing streets into site with gentle curves

Schematic Design #3 • Bring adjaent streets into site and keep on a grid pattern with central green belt/park • Most major pedestrian access would be along streets versus promenades • Very predictable street pattern

SITE DESIGN Analysis of the bubble diagrams quickly showed that the connection of the Clydeside pedestrian bridge to Govanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Water Rows was important and it developed into the backbone of the siteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s structure. Connecting Partick to Govan through Glasgow Harbour would require a new iconic pedestrian bridge over the Clyde and the physical direction of the access points allowed for a smooth, curvy-linear pedestrian promenade connecting the new district to its adjacent neighbors, along with existing urban amenities. Directly across the Kelvin is the Riverside Museum, which attracts over 2 million visitors a year. The creation of a wide pedestrian bridge over the Kelvin would not only link the two spaces but provide for the fluidity of physical and emotional movement between the two spaces. The triangular area that developed between the river confluence and the two pedestrian promenades is directly across from the Riverside Museum and showed itself as an ideal location as a cultural landscape featuring art, design, leisure and kinetic landscapes that would engage and draw people into the space.

The two existing streets to the north of the site, which expressway access Pulling the existing two streets to the north of the site in as the main vehicular access points created natural urban blocks that related to Partick in size and scale. The existing Glasgow Harbour development has numerous buildings ranging in heights, but is a high density that forms a physical and visual barrier on its stretch of the river. Physically and visually connecting to the development is critical. The existing riverwalk was extended in its width and scale through

Phase III connecting to the new Clyde pedestrian bridge. Vehicular access was improved as well with Glasgow Harbour Terrace pulled through the site countering the movement of the Clydeside Expressway in design but creating physical opportunities for well-connected high density and active spaces. In locating high density residential adjacent to the existing residences, the design and programming is phased providing for a gradual change in activity levels while allowing for ease of movement throughout. As building heights are varied throughout the illusion of massing is diminished

from both immediate and distant scales. Building heights and design were also in strict forms to prevent shadowing of public open spaces.

necting the Riverside Museum to Glasgow Harbour meets the Partick pedestrian pathway near the physical center of the site. With an emphasis of active used towards that side of the project the junction of the two main corridors developed into the location for a central plaza that connects the outside communities to the cinema, retail and hotel locations within this development. The plaza features an urban design with high style architecture, a hardscape plaza, music, outdoor eating and architectural lighting at night making it an attractive and safe location within the Glasgow metro region.

Focusing the residential units to the west is well suited for clustering the active uses along the pedestrian spine nearest to the Riverside Museum. Focusing high active and cultural uses, such as hotel, cinema and a library, in this area enhances a cultural corridor along the Clyde while being inclusive to the Govan and Partick communities. The pedestrian promenade con-

A High Density Residential B High Density Residential with Ground Floor Retail and/or Office Space C Central Plaza

D A

D Mixed-Use Theater, Retail and Hotel

A E Civic Space G

F Public Open Space

G Riverfront Promenade and Park H H Iconic (Accessible) Pedestrian Bridge

$&&(66 $1' )($785(6 6,7( $&&(66 With two main vehicular access points into the site, both with expressway access, the inclusion of a third intersection on Castlebank Rd. encourages a more urban feel along the street front, slowing traffic and providing an additional minor street connection relieving pressure from the motorway on/off ramps for those accessing Glasgow Harbour from the city center. The existing pedestrian bridge over the Clydeside Expressway is of a high quality and sets a high precedent for pedestrian access #(.)5 ." 5 -#. 85 5 -*#. 5 ."#-5 .ter connections need to be made with the Partick transit mall, as well as the West-End as a whole. With the community of Govan directly across the Clyde from the site, but with no reasonably close

connections, it is recommended to construct a pedestrian bridge from the site to Govanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Water Row, across the river, through the site and directly connect to the existing Clydeside Pedestrian Bridge in a smooth, curving motion. The inclusion of an iconic pedestrian bridge (designed to allow for tall ships) would not only increase the identity of the immediate area but that of Glasgowâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s riverfront as a whole. The new crossing would not only connect the site to Govan, but also to the existing town center and cultural amenities there providing an opportunity to regenerate the community. Providing direct access into the heart of Govan would create access to Glasgow Harbour and the Riverside Museum, in addition to the commuter trains in Partick along with the hospital, university opportunities and culture in the West-End.

7R 3DUWLFN

352326(' &,5&8/$7,21 0LQRU 3HGHVWULDQ 5RXWH 0DMRU 3HGHVWULDQ 5RXWH

0LQRU 9HKLFXODU 5RXWH

0DMRU 9HKLFXODU 5RXWH

0DMRU 9LHZV

7R *RYDQ

# 0DMRU 3HGHVWULDQ 3URPHQDGHV * 5LYHUIURQW (FRORJLFLDO 3DUN DQG %LNH :DONZD\ D &LYLF %XLOGLQJ /LEUDU\ &XOWXUDO RU (YHQW 6SDFH

6 #

6 0XOWL 6WRU\ &DU 3DUN * ( 5LYHUIURQW (FRORJLFLDO 3DUN DQG %LNH :DONZD\

# (

Image Courtesy of: BMGPlace.com

Image Courtesy of: Milwaukie Chamber of Commerce

3('(675,$1 3520(1$'( R5 , 5&#( 5 ),,# ),5 ( ), #(!50# 1-5.)5 ( 5 ,)'5 #0 ,-# 5 Museum and Central Entertainment Plaza R5 (" ( 5-., .5 /,(#./, 51#."5- .35 ( 5 ), .#0 5& ( scape lighting R5 ,' & 5* 0 ' (.5 ),5!,)/( 1 . ,5, " ,! R5 , (-#.#)( &5-* 5 -#&35 )(0 ,-. 5 ),5 0 (.-5 ( 5 -.#0 &-65555555 such as farmers markets or craft fairs 5,9(5)5217 3520(1$'( R5 ** ,5*,)' ( 5&#( 51#."5, -. /, (.-65 -5 ( 5)/. )),5 seating engaging the activity to the waterfront R5Äť 5* ,%5#-5-. ** 5 )1(5/(.#&5#.5' .-5." 5 0 , ! 5,#0 ,5 height, connecting the people and space to the Clyde R5 , / &5-. ** -5 )1(5 &&)15 ),5 #.#)( &5- .#(!65! ." ,#(!5 spaces along with seat walls and interpretive signage R5 ( - * 5.)5 ' , 5." 5.# &5Ĺ&#x201A;)15;5( ./, &5 )&)!3 &(175$/ (17(57$,10(17 3/$=$ R5 #( ' 5 ( 5*& 4 5.)5 .., .5 ( 5 (" ( 5." 5 2* ,# ( 5 ),5 the 2 million annual visitors to the Riverside Museum R5 , "#. ./, &5 -#!(5 ( 5&#!"#.(!5.)5 )' 5# )(# 5 -5 5*, miere Scottish entertainment district R5 ). &5.)5 0 ( 5." 5 .., .#)(5 ( 5)/.-# 5 0 &)*' (.5.)5 the Clyde Riverfront R5 )'*&#' (.-5 2#-.#(!5/- -5 ( 5 (" ( -5&) &50# , ( 3

Image Courtesy of: Pune Chamber of Commerce

Image Courtesy of: Skimore, Owings and Merril

&8/785$/ /$1'6&$3( R5 ) . 5 ,)--5 ,)'5." 5 #0 ,-# 5 /- /'5#.5#(.,) / -5 ,.5 and design onto the riverfront R5 .5." 5 )(Ĺ&#x201A;/ ( 5) 5." 5.1)5,#0 ,-5#.5 ').#)( &&35 , 1-5." 5 water into the landscape with interactive and kinetic features R5 )&&#-#)(5) 5 ,.5 ( 5 -#!(5#(.)5." 5,#0 ,-# 5& ( - * 5 , ates a unique environment for performances, temporary installations, leisure regional identity

6,7( 6(&7,216 $1' '(7$,/6 6+$'( 678'<

Cultural Landscape

Pedestrian Promenade

Civic Building

The geographic location of Glasgow represents challenges when working with building heights. With a primary goal of preventing any of the public open spaces from being shaded by buildings, they were designed and located to prevent this. Taller buildings were placed away from the edge of the public spaces and featured stepped architecture eliminating the mass of the building along with increasing the available sunlight to the area behind the building. The studies to the right show the shad patterns at each season solstice at mid day. The analysis shows that the building were successfully located in a way that they not only kept the open spaces bright but also minimized shading of any surrounding neighborhoods.

Car Park

6HFWLRQ /RRNLQJ IURP 5LYHUVLGH 0XVHXP

High Density Residential

Street

High-Rise Residential

6HFWLRQ /RRNLQJ IURP ([LVWLQJ *ODVJRZ +DUERXU

Winter Solstice @ 1:30pm

1 Spring/Fall Solstice @ 1:30pm

Summer Solstice @1:30pm

Cinema & Retail

Street

Podium Style Residential with Center Courtyard and Car Park Below 6HFWLRQ /RRNLQJ IURP 5LYHUVLGH 0XVHXP

Street

Residential