Downtown Cambridge Station Area Concept March 11, 2019
urbn. The report was prepared by the following members:
Anna Maria Levytska
Anna Yu
Annie Yang
Anthony Plath
Hatim Jafferjee
Sabrina Pan
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Table of Contents 1 Vision
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2 Structural Diagrams
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2.1 Figure-Ground Diagrams
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a Street Network
08
b Street Hierarchy
09
c Built Form System
15
d Open Space Network
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2.2 Stoplight Diagram
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2.3 Circulation Diagram
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3 Concept Plan
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4 Focus Area Massing
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1.0 Vision Embodying a commitment to celebrate heritage, the Galt Redevelopment Project proposes a transformation of the downtown area that will cultivate economic opportunities, enhance the cultural identity and implement transit-oriented development. This will be done through introducing an employment district, creating a charming pedestrian-oriented hub and intensifying underutilized lots along the LRT. By proposing context-sensitive developments throughout the downtown study area that embrace adaptive reuse and heritage conservation, residents and students will benefit from basic services and amenities. A revitalized riverfront will provide recreational opportunities and active transportation connections to the surrounding areas. The overall design will stitch together the fragmented uses of Galt’s past to create a complete and thriving community that will be able to sustain future growth in the Region.
Parti Respect the built and natural heritage features and capitalize on the life and activity of the City Centre.
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Parking Lots The public parking lot south of Imperial Lane between Water St and Ainslie St is an accessible site that provides multiple opportunities for redevelopment.
Downtown Cambridge LRT Terminal The area surrounding the proposed LRT Station features light commercial and industrial uses pictured above and an a high priority for redevelopment.
Ainslie Bus Terminal Existing transit terminal features a sprawled design and lacks a distinct sense of place.
Open Space Several areas along the riverfront were observed to be underutilized and posed revitalization opportunities.
Riverfront Activity Existing pedestrian activity seen along the rivers edge indicates a demand for better trail infrastructure.
Concession St Inadequate pedestrian infrastructure in areas with high traffic volumes.
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Wayfinding Outdated wayfinding and signage throughout the Cambridge Downtown area can be redesigned to foster a greater sense of place.
Multi-Use Trails Informal paths along eastern riverfront observed during the site visit indicating a potential site of revitilization.
5 Big Moves 1. Maximize land uses around the terminal LRT station to draw people to southern Downtown Cambridge. 2. Reconfigure the blocks south of Main Street and Bruce Street by introducing a finer grid network to improve permeability. 3. Create two new districts: one to support hardware industries and encourage economic growth; and one that will be a charismatic tourist, hangout and shopping destination. 4. Repurpose the existing Ainslie bus terminal into a central downtown community centre that will support the planned intensification. 5. Revitalize the riverfront to create a destination that residents and visitors can enjoy year round.
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5 Supporting Moves Develop new rehabilitation facilities to support local and regional initiatives to combat addiction. 2. Support the UW School of Architecture’s plans for expansion by introducing residences and amenity spaces for the growing student population. 3. Enhance the northern gateway as a first point of entry into downtown Cambridge by introducing more commercial and retail uses. 4. Implement cycling infrastructure and facilities to encourage active transportation. 5. Encourage residential developments with a diversity in housing and ownership types, with an emphasis on meeting local housing affordability targets.
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Precedents Open Space & Trails
Chicago Riverwalk
Open Space between Streets
Landscaped Stairs
Walkway & Multiuse Trails
Chicago, USA
Nantes, France
Iowa, USA
Calgary, Canada
Luminated public seating design by the river.
A pocket of green space between two roads that allows for public gathering.
This is the Tom Hanafan River’s Edge Park where the stairs are integrated with softscape elements to create permeable pavers.
The Bow RiverWalk is Calgary’s downtown waterfront has an abundance of pedestrian and cycling experiences.
Buildings
Adaptive Reuse Building
Modern Integrations
Community Center
Townhouse Designs
Sheffield, England
Winchester, USA
Ozark, USA
London, UK
This adaptive reuse building is an example of many projects where modern extensions are added onto of older buildings.
Integrating modern architecture with heritage buildings.
The architecture of the Ozark Community Centre uses a good balance of glass, wood, and stone.
The Thames Bridge House design are townhouses that corporates brick with glass with a contemporary modern design.
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River Flood Management
Gateway Features
Riverside Transformation
Riverside Transformation
Centre Bus Station
Open Space Area
South Korea, Korea
Lyon, France
Straffordshire, UK
Denver, Colorado
This is the Guardian of the Cheonggyecheon greenway that has replaced traffic-filled stretch of elevated freeway with public space, water, and vegetation.
A before and after riverside transformation of the Banks of the Rhone, where parking lots were replaced with public space.
City center bus station with a functional and urbane design. Seating and bike racks are available.
This centre commercial area is well lit and has alot of room for pedestrians movement.
Streets
Wayfinding
Stratford, London
Patterned or color coded pavements for wayfinding.
Complete Streets
Landscaped Walkways
Public Space
Stormwater Management
New York City, USA
Dandenong, Australia
Mexico
Seattle, USA
Streets designed for everyone.
Seating and planters along Lonsdale Street.
Streets with tables, seating and planters.
Stormwater planters with seating.
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Public Art
Interactive Art
Innovative Bridge Design
Public Murals
Montreal, Canada
Iowa, USA
Memphis, Tennessee
Interactive light-up wheels on the streets of Montreal. While it is an interactive art piece, it also offers public seating.
High Trestle Trail Bridge is made out of raw steel and ambient lights.
Murals on Broad Avenue adds color and live to the area.
Painted Walls and Floor
Public Art Sculptures
Enhancing Public Realm with Art
Paris, France
Shanghai, China
San Franciso, USA
Utilizing art to paint ball courts in a different light.
Paint Drop is a creative These Bike Corrals have colorful patterns on painted on the public space intervention pavements to distinguish where bike racks are located. designed to create a visual link between the main plaza and a newly open retail space.
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2.0 Structural Diagrams 2.1 Figure Ground Street Network Several streets have been added to improve grid pattern and permeability of automobiles and active forms of transportation throughout the site. Connections were added from Imperial Lane to Warnock Street, Water Street to Ainslie Street South, and Ainslie Street to Wellington Street. Other streets, such as Wellington Street, were realigned to connect with the intersection of Ainslie St South and Cedar Street. In total, 1.2 kilometres of road have been added, while 392 metres of roads have been removed or readjusted.
Proposed Street Network
Existing Street Network Legend
Legend
Streets
Existing Streets
Ground
Removed Streets New Streets Ground
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Street Hierarchy Existing Street Hierarchy
Proposed Street Hierarchy
Legend
Legend
Arterial
Private Street
Boulevard
Transit Dedicated
Collector
Rapid Transit Corridor
Avenue
Flexible Street
Local
Local
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Boulevard Cross Section
Water St. S, north of Bruce St. Properties • 1-2 vehicle lanes on each side 3.0 m sidewalk
2.0 m cycle-path
1.0 m1
3.0 m3 on-street parking
.5 m through lane
3.5 m through lane
.0 m
2.0 m cycle-path
3.0 m sidewalk
• 1 on-street parking lane • Separated cycling-path with buffers
22 m ROW
on each side • Wide sidewalk 0m
1m
3m
7m
10
10m
Avenue Cross Section
Fraser St., east of Grand Ave S 3.0 m sidewalk
1.0 m
2.0 m cycle-lane
3.5 m through lane
3.5 m through lane
2.0 m cycle-lane
Properties
3.0 m sidewalk
1.0 m
• 1-2 vehicle lanes on each side • Integrated cycling lanes on each side
19 m ROW
• Wide sidewalk
0m
1m
3m
7m1
11
0m
Local Road Cross Section
Station St. (new proposed street) 2.0 m sidewalk
1.0 m
1.8 m cycle-lane
3.4 m through lane
3.4 m through lane
1.8 m cycle-lane
1.0 m
Properties
2.0 m sidewalk
• 1 vehicle lane on each side • Integrated cycling lanes on each side (context
15.6 m ROW
dependent)
0m
1m
3m
7m1
12
0m
Transit Street Cross Section
Properties • LRT and bus only (no private vehicles) • Pedestrian focus with wide platforms
Bruce St., east of Water St. S
2.5 m sidewalk
1.0 m
2.5 m bus platform
6m bus lane
3.3 m LRTL
4.5 m RT platform
3.3 m LRT
6m bus lane
1.0 m 2.5 m 2.5 m bus platform sidewalk
35 m ROW
0m
13
1m
3m7
m
10m
Flexible Street Cross Section
Village Ln (new proposed woonerf) Properties • Pedestrian oriented street with low-speed vehicle access • Consistent paving throughout ROW
12 m pedestrian oriented woonerf
12 m ROW
0m
1m
3m7
m
10m
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Built Form System The proposed design aims to promote infill development on existing sites, protect heritage resources while also paving the way for more mid-rise to high-rise developments. Primarily focused within the 400 metre radius, low-density sites will be transitioned to buildings of mid-rise to high-rise developments. There are a total of 20 fewer buildings located on the site as many smaller single detached dwellings have been amalgamated into larger structures. The total ground floor area of the proposed design has increased by 49,263m² within the 800 metre radius, and 35,508m² within the 400 metre radius.
Proposed Built Form
Existing Built Form Legend
Legend
Buildings
Buildings
Ground
Ground
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Open Space Network Existing Open Space
Proposed Open Space
Legend
Legend
Existing Open Space
Proposed Soft-scaped Open Space Proposed Hard-scaped Open Space Existing Open Space Revitalized River Front 16
2.2 Stoplight Diagram The stoplight diagram highlights the buildings that will be preserved, altered, or removed within the Downtown Cambridge Study Area. In terms of buildings outside of the 400 metre radius, the majority of buildings will be preserved while some alterations are made to others including the existing office building on the corner of Water St and Colborne St. Minor alterations will also be made along the Main Street corridor to ensure that the downtown community centre thrives while maintaining existing heritage. Two buildings are being removed towards the northern end of the Site to make room for smaller-scale retail and commercial shops. Seeing as this is the northern gateway into the city, our group discussed this area to be valuable for redevelopment. Within the 400 metre radius, significantly more emphasis was placed around removing single-detached buildings immediately around the proposed LRT station. The intent was to utilize the lands around the station platform to intensify the Downtown Cambridge Area. Many buildings were also removed closer to Concession St as we viewed this block to be a good opportunity to integrate a live-workplay community in such proximity to the LRT. Finally, many buildings were also planned to be altered due to their existing land use or built form in order to create a seamless walking experience for residents and visitors alike.
Legend Preserved Altered Removed 17
2.3 Circulation Plan LRT Route & Station
Pedestrian Routes
Legend
Legend
Proposed LRT Stations and Route
Widened Sidewalks
250m Walking Distance
Woonerfs
500m Walking Distance
Pedestrian Only
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Pedestrian Circulation
Automobile Circulation
Legend
Legend
Protected Cycle Path
Primary Routes
Integrated Cycle Path
Secondary Routes
Bike Share Station
Connecting Routes
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Bike Routes
Legend Protected Cycle Path Integrated Cycle Path Bike Share Station
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3.0 Concept Plan Legend Mixed Use
Commercial/Residential
Institutional Education Civic Cultural Health Facilities / Special Care Parking Open Space & Parks
Utilities Low Density Residential Mid-High Density Residential Retail & Others
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4.0 Focus Area Massing Ainslie Terminal With Ainslie Terminal being discontinued, this site became a potential of opportunities. Being located in the central core of Downtown Cambridge, the Reimagining Galt project will renovate the existing Ainslie Terminal building to a Community Centre. The Community Centre will expand on the Terminal structure while still embracing the design of the building. The Community Centre will serve the families and residents in the adjacent neighborhoods as well as visitors from neighboring cities.
Axonometric view of Ainslie Terminal
Top view of Ainslie Terminal
Sideview of Ainslie Terminal
Sideview of Ainslie Terminal #2
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Bruce & Water Terminal With the new LRT coming into Downtown Cambridge, the Urbn group reimagined this intersection to be dedicated to transit. Surrounding properties will implement transit-oriented development that will connect to the tech hub South of the terminal. This area will have a higher density to support the future growth of Cambridge. These buildings will be consisted of mixed-use, retail/residential or retail/office, and serve as a destination of everyday use to the site. We have also introduced new streets north of this terminal to create more permeability but also invite people into the new village on Warnock Street. Birdseye view of Bruce & Water Terminal
Top view of Bruce & Water Terminal
Sideview of Bruce & Water Terminal
View of Bruce & Water Terminal
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References Open Spaces & Trails
Streets
[Calgary, Canada]. (2015). Retrieved from https://www.csla-aapc.ca/awards-atlas/bow-riverwalk
[Dandenong, Australia]. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://b-k-k.com.au/projects/central-dandenong-lonsdale-street-redesign-and-upgrade
[Chicago Riverwalk Expansion]. (2016, July 27). Retrieved from http://www.landezine.com/index. php/2016/07/chicago-riverwalk-expansion-by-sasaki/ [Square Jacques de Bollardière, Nantes]. (2016, June 21). Retrieved from http://www.landezine.com/index.php/2016/06/square-jacques-de-bollardiere-nantes-by-map-paysagistes/ [Tom Hanafan River’s Edge Park, Iowa]. (2018, January 11). Retrieved from http://www.sasaki.com/blog/ view/1025/
[New York City, US]. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/downloads/pdf/dot-economic-benefits-of-sustainable-streets.pdf [Mexico City, Mexico]. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://globaldesigningcities.org/publication/global-street-designguide/streets/pedestrian-priority-spaces/pedestrian-plazas/example/ [Seattle, Washington]. (2013, August 3). Retrieved from https://www.spur.org/news/2013-08-08/8-shades-greeninfrastructure
Buildings
[Stratford, London]. (2018). Retrieved from https://thomasmatthews.com/project/placemaking-for-stratford/
Hobhouse, J. (n.d.). [Sheffield, England]. Retrieved from https://www.architecturaldigest.com/gallery/ adaptive-reuse-modern-architecture
Public Art
[Ozark, USA]. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://sdaarchitects.com/ [Thames Bridge House, UK]. (2015, November 12). Retrieved from http://www.cgarchitect.com/2015/11/ thames-bridge-house
[Bike Corrals, San Francisco]. (2016, April 13). Retrieved from http://blog.publicbikes.com/2016/04/cars-jealousof-colorful-bike-corral-mural/ [Broad Avenue, Memphis]. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.broadavearts.com/public-art/
[University of Winchester Winton Chapel, UK]. (2017, March 30). Retrieved From https://www.archdaily. com/868112/university-of-winchester-winton-chapel-design-engine-architects
Kandalgaonkar, A. (2018, Nov 7). [Shanghai, China] Retrieved from http://88designbox.com/architecture/paintdrop-in-shanghai-by-100architects-2698.html
River Flood Management
[High Trestle Trail Bridge, Iowa]. (2016, August 1). Retrieved from https://www.archdaily.com/792420/high-trestletrail-bridge-rdg-planning-and-design
[Banks of the Rhône Development, Lyon, France]. (n. d.). Retrieved from http://www.river-cities.net/pages/news/Banks_of_the_Rhone
[Montreal, Canada]. (2016, December 14). Retrieved from https://inhabitat.com/giant-interactive-wheels-light-up-montreal/
[Cheonggyecheon Greenway, Seoul, South Korea]. (2006, Nov 1). Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2006/nov/01/society.travelsenvironmentalimpact Gateway Features [Denver, Colorado]. (2018, February 28). Retrieved from http://www.thegoodlifedenver.com/2018/02/28/ dairy-block-bringing-the-good-life-to-denvers-alleys/ [Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, UK]. (2016, February 26). Retrieved from http://www.designcurial.com/ news/the-worlds-10-best-designed-bus-stations-2016-4823398/6