ABPL20049 INTRODUCTION TO URBAN PLANNING AND DESIGN
PLANNING REPORT
WRITTEN BY SAMANTHA CHONG 833868
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Mode of Transport to Work of Carlton Residents
Figure 2. Pie chart of Mode of transport choice by Carlton residents. Created by author, data collected from ABS (2011).
Figure 1. Bar graph of average comparison. Created by author, data collected from ABS (2011).
This report focuses on the aspect of open space within the site boundary. This topic was chosen based on research and field visits that demonstrated a high-level of on-street traffic movement through the site, both residential and non-residential, signalling a high level of encounter with people and place.
PROJECT AREA
landmark point of interest
RESIDENTIAL COLLEGES
COLLEGE CRESCENT
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IAN POTTER
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MUSEUM OF ART
The site I have chosen poses interesting challenges as it is located between two distinct cultural and social hubs, and has two prominent ‘point of interest’ nodes located closeby. In terms of open space functionality, the site is currently just a thoroughfare as it is sandwhiched between two destination points. The site’s building functionality is very diverse in terms of use. This may cause issues in the implementation stage as many different stakeholders will have to be involved at all stages of the project.
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THE UNIVERSITY OF MELBOURNE
SWANST ON STRE
LYGON STREET
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ITALIAN PRECINCT
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Key stakeholders include: • Student, staff and faculty at the university • Students living on-campus • Residents • Small business owners & their customers • The City of Melbourne
SITE ANALYSIS
ISSUE #1
: U NACTI VATE D STR E ETS CAPE
Figure 3. Green strip on Keppel Street (Author, 2017). Figure 4. Tree planter that only has one surviving shrub and sandy mulch, scheduled for removal (Author, 2017).
Almost all plantings on site are turf and trees. There is no diversity in plant species’ and no wildlife species’ were spotted during the site visit. During the site visit, it was evident that the streetscape was lacking in aesthetic value. Streets were lined with large trees that added to the grandeur of the site’s aesthetic that front the elite residential colleges but that was as far as it went. As a result, sidewalks and streets were barren of any human activity that did not involve walking from car to building. Sidewalk activaton is important because the safety of the street is dependant on the people that loiter- enjoying city streets voluntarily and subconciously policing them (Jacobs, 1961).
Long avenues of aging trees will make the streets look barren once they die. This is a planning issue as trees are valuable green infrastructure that not only provide aesthetic value but are key agents for the ecological sustainability of cities. Streets will lack canopy cover, including shade provision, when the trees eventually die and there will be a 20-30 year period layover while waiting for the new trees to mature. Figure ?. Baren sidewalk along Swanston Street that Figure ?. Street with strip of turf and aging trees as the faces the Colleges (Author, 2017). only green infrastructure (Author, 2017).
This poses an opportunity to beautify the streets and implement programs that activate the street. This will have long-term benefits, not only for safety, but for community responsbility and receptibility towards place-keeping as communities start to recognise the value of open space (Mattijssen, 2017). Streetscape activation maximises shared value of place and encompasses more than just the aesthetic goals but the facilitating of creative uses that foster cultural and social identity while supporting ongoing evolution (Project for Public Spaces, 2009).
ISSUE #2
: P LAC E LE S N E S S
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Figure 5 & 6. Images displaying the current visual aesthetic of the open space on the site (Author, 2017)
Despite the fact that most of the site is heritage listed, distinctive character is limited to the built environment and its facades. The open space, however, was lacking in terms of visual identity. The ample provision of on-street parking along all the roads also adds to the lack of identity as pedestrians are constantly surrounded by parked cars when walking through the site. The high ratio of road space and location of the site means that there is often a high level of vehicular traffic passing through the site, which inhibits not only pedestrian placemaking but vehicle passengers will only have a few minutes to form judgement on the site’s ambience. The many vehicle passengers that pass through the site everyday do not get a sense of the site’s identity, which exists but is hidden in the social fabric between regular visitors or in the built functions, as the open space is void of visual cues. OPPORTUNITY:
The heritage layer is a significant factor in determining the identity of the open space and respecting that will prove to be a challenge. However, the focus on transforming the open space approaches placelessness as an issue from a perspective that does not directly interfere with zoning restrictions. Amenities and programs can be implemented to encourage community understanding and celebration of the uniqueness of this site (City of Sitrling, 2016). Large scale visual infrastructure can be implemented in order to grab the attention of vehicle traffic. Placemaking will reconnect the people to the place and facilitates ongoing dialogue between the many stakeholders involved in creating great places (City of Stirling, 2016).
ISSUE #3
:HIGH LEVEL OF IMPERVIOUSNESS
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Figure 7 & 8. Images showing the high level of impervious materials used on site (Author, 2017).
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As displayed in the map, the site boundary is more than 95% impervious. The high level of imperviousness poses significant challenges and issues for future risk mitigation as it increases the rate of stormwater runoff and the urban heat island effect. Impervious surfaces do not absorb water and therefore converts rainfall to runoff (Sansalone et al, 2013). This negatively impacts urban water quality and contributes to declining stream health as it transports polluted stormwater runoff (Beck, McHale & Hess, 2016). OPPORTUNITY:
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Retrofitting, or replacing, impervious surfaces with green infrastructure would ultimately improve urban water quality, reduce the risk of flooding and contribute to urban cooling as vegetation absorbs rainfall. There are benefits for stakeholders at all levels including the City of Melbourne as it improves ecological and economic outcomes, as well as residents because it provides a more comfortable climate that ultimately lowers energy bills used for cooling. It would also work towards eliminating the negative feedback loop that increases the urban heat island effect; wherein the effects of increased residential air condition use is because of the hot urban climate but that increased usage, in return, further increases urban heat.
VISION
T r a n s f o r m i n g t h e s i t e’ s o p e n s p a c e i n t o a v i b r a n t c o m m u n i t y, a c t i v e d a y & n i g h t, a n d c e l e b r a t e d b y A L L.
: C R EATE STR E ET F U N CTI O NALITY OBJEVTIVE #1
ACTION 1.1
Creating a linear park along the underutilised green strip on Keppel Street
This underutilised space provides an oppportunity for redevelopment into a linear park that services residents, students from the university and non-local pedestrians. It would allow people who normally have parallel social networks to intersect and build community connections. This park would not only provide a valuable service for residents but activity amenities in front of real estate has value-adding potential (Kozlott, 2012). This site was chosen for its suitability as it is already an existing piece of green infrastructure, which makes it easier to add vegetation, in a highly built-up environment. Further, litter and trolleys that were left on the strip during the site visit is evidence that this space is currently undervalued and underutilised by the community.
Figure ?. Identified for the new Keppel Linear Park (Author, 2017).
The addition of playground equipment for children, excercising equipment for the elderly, shade and seating provisions will provide low-cost, high-value infrastructural amenities for the community.
Figure 9. Image of High Line before redevelopment (Google Images, n.d.a)
Figure 10. Image of High Line after redevelopment (Google Images, n.d.b)
THE HIGH LINE PARK NEW YORK CITY, USA
Figure 11 & 12. Images of litter and trolleys that have been left on the strip (Author, 2017).
Originally built to alleviate street level fatalities, this project is an example of how existing infrastructure can be retrofitted to create active green spaces. The converted out-of-use railroad trestle to public landsacpe was highly succesful in terms of social, economic and cultural benefit. It has reshaped public perceptions of urban green space on a global scale and is now one of the most notoriously beloved destinations of New York City (James Corner Field, 2015). The High Line has grown to feature cultural events, family programs, teen programs and art installations (Friends of the High Line, 2017). Although this project is much larger in scale, it provides valuable lessons that should be taken into account for the planning for Keppel Park. Large contributers to the project’s success is attributed to vigorous communication between planners, community members and designers (Friends of the High Line, 2017)- highlighting the importance of open communication with community stakeholders about design expectations. Further, the planting design was inspired by vegetation that grew out of the railway tracks in an effort to respect site history and context.
ACTION 1.2
Implementing Pop-Up Parklet Day on Sundays PARKLET DC parkletdc.org
Car Parking Provision
Many parking spaces in Washington D.C. are being transformed into these miniature parks based on a concept that started in San Francisco aiming to improve public space amenity (Kim, 2015). The program is part of a city-wide effort aimed at increasing environmental sustainability through ‘eco-design’ as part of “Park(ing) Day” (Kim, 2015). It has economical benefits as more than 50% of businesses that participate in the program anticipate increased profits (Kim, 2015). Figure 13. Parklet in Washington DC (Kim, 2015).
Figure 14. On-street parking on Farraday Street, western side of site (Nearmap, 2017).
Figure 16. Chess activity from Parklet Day (Inhabitat, 2013a).
Figure 15. On-street parking on Farraday Street, eastern side of site (Nearmap, 2017).
On-Street Carparking Spaces Suitable for Parklet Program Underground parking provision available as alternative
This program is based on the ‘Fun Theory’ that states fun is “the easiest way to change people behaviour for the better” (The Fun Theory, n.d.). Short-term, temporary green spaces are a functional way to promote active streets and friendly neighbourhoods (Kim, 2015). Local businesses can also benefit from this program as using parking spaces in front of their stores generates pedestrian interest and creates extra outdoor seating provisions. Further, the dynamic nature of this program encourages awareness of green infrastructure and environmental conciousness.
Figure 17. Yoga activity from Parklet Day (Inhabitat, 2013b).
: BUILD SITE IDENTITY & INCREASE PERCEPTIONS OF SAFETY OBJEVTIVE #2
ACTION 2.1
Implement architectural light installations along main roads The installation of a unique lighting design on major streets that are currently void and lack character will enhance the visual experience of pedestrians. It combinees functionality and scenographic lighting design as it balances safety and supports an active urban life while creating a distinctive darkhour identity (Illumni, 2013).
after
before
CRITICAL CONSIDERATION: HERITAGE ZONE Lighting installation design will be challenging for artists as the transformation of the urban scene clashes with the concept of preserving the existing identity features (Pierluigi, Chiara, & Luisa, 2015) as there is an inherent character of the buildings within the site that are under heritage protection. However, it is possible to create designs that respect existing site characteristics by acknowledging dominant features while still enhacning site singularity (Pierluigi et al, 2015). The lighting design will be designed to value the architectural and environmental heritage value of the built environment, while connecting the site to surrounding landmarks.
Streets Identified for Transformation
Common Student Night-Time Routes Figure 18 & 19. Conceptual images of Cardigan Street transformation* (Author, 2017).
residential colleges
the clyde hotel
cafe strip SWANSTON STREET: design will be reflective of the culture in the University of Melbourne CARDIGAN STREET: design will be reflective of the culture of the Italian Precinct (Lygon Street)
student walking route night-time student destinations student housing
FARRADAY STREET: design will be reflective of the Ian Potter Museum of Art
Architectural civil lighting is a holistic design solution that will prove to be effective in generating site identity without major infrastructural or structural changes. It provides an opportunity to introduce local artists and connect the site with it’s surrounding context while respecting the major infrastructural features of the site. Including, the tram line along Swanston and Cardigan Street, and the on-street car parking spaces along Farraday Street. Increasing safety outcomes will prove beneficial for many students living on-campus that regularly walk down Farraday or Cardigan St; to get to Lygon St and the Clyde Hotel or surrounding pubs, and Swanston St; to access the tram stop, during nighttime and presumably after alcohol consumption. Further, students studying late at the university will walk through the carpark late at night so bright and colourful lighting will increase perceptions of safety for those students when travelling home.
*images are for illustrative purposes ONLY and are not representative of the actual design
Figure 20 & 21. AF lighting design at Ishoj Train Station (Illumni, 2013).
ISHOJ STATION BY AF LIGHTING COPENHAGEN, DENMARK
AF lighting have created a coherent and aesthetic lighting design based on the artists’ interpretation of water which is a visual link to Ishoj’s maritime environment and to the Museum of Mdoern art, enhancing existing art (Illumni, 2013). The aim was to improve the brand and image of Ishoj while creating a sense of security. The artist used architectural light settings to project images and shade variations to create a unique narrative (Illumni, 2013). Winner of the ‘Ishoj Municipality Architecture Award 2012’ (AF Consult, 2012), custom made gobo-patterns are projected onto walls and trees to create coherent lighting in harmony with the surroundings (Illumni, 2013).
ACTION 2.2
Commission local street artists to create art for blank facades
Figure 25. Life on Planet Daisyworld (Jackson, 2015).
‘LIFE ON PLANET DAISYWORLD’ MURAL COLLINGWOOD, MELBOURNE
Figure 22, 23 & 24. Images of blank facades on site (Author, 2017).
All throughout the site, there are a large number of vacant walls that would be the ideal canvas for street art pieces. Local artists can be commisioned to paint murals and pieces that are reflective of the culture of the existing site heritage as well as the invisible cultural fabric that weaves itself through the site. It is an opportunity to build site identity and feature local Melbourne talent. Street art in Melbourne is recognised globally and known for its unique expression on approved outdoor locations throughout the city (City of Melbourne, n.d.). It has become a local and international attraction, appreciated as integral to the Melbourne ambience. Therefore, commisioning street art for the site has beneficial value to the municipality as it adds to the already existing street art network, and is more likely to be accepted by residents. Suitability of blank walls will be determined by the artists’ intent and the property owner.
This artwork was a $15,000 commissioned piece by the state’s Depart of Justice to cover existing graffiti on the building (Jackson, 2015). The piece was chosen by the building owner but the local street art community were enraged as they felt it ‘whitewashed their training ground’ (Jackson, 2015). This large-scale mural is symbolic of a new view of public art from a bureucrat’s perspective as it is lavish and massive, void of tags and basic lettering (Jackson, 2015). Artists with a background in fine arts are given creative liberty when working in conjunction with building owners and council, which ultimately reduces undesirable tags.
: MITIGATE HIGH LEVELS OF STORMWATER RUNOFF OBJEVTIVE #3
ACTION 3.1
Create linear rain gardens along the back alley of the North-West residential block
An alley of rain gardens will be built at the back facade of this residential block as the site currently has high levels of imperviousness but little drainage provisioning which may cause stormwater runoff issues, as discussed above, during heavy rains. Rain gardens, also known as bioretention, is a shallow planted area with specific soil types and native vegetation to collect, absorb and treat stormwater runoff. These gardens are beneficial for the retention of stormwater runoff, decreases in total volume and flow to municipal stormwater systems, overall reduction in nutrient loadings and enhancement of local site biodiversity (Berner, 2014). Rain gardens are effective for flood mitigation, increasing home value and creating habitat as native plants provide habitat and food for birds, butterflies and bees. Underutilised back alley suitable for transformation
Figure 29. Eastgate Yard Rain Garden (City of Edmonton, 2015).
EASTGATE YARD RAIN GARDEN Figure 28. Image of the back alley (Author, 2017).
ALBERTA, CANADA
This project came into fruition as the City of Edmonton was facing draining issues and saw an opportunity to create a rain garden rather than install pipes (City of Edmonton, 2015). The success of this large scale rain garden led to the city encouraging residents to build rain gardens in their backyards by holding how-to workshops (Cummings, 2016). The process takes a minimum of several months and feasibility assessments have to be undertaken. The cities rain garden included a walkway and a residential rabbit (Cummings, 2016) introducing the space as a point of interest.
Figure 26 & 27. Before and after render of conceptual idea for the back alley rain gardens* (Author, 2017).
*images are for illustrative purposes ONLY and are not representative of the actual design
IMPLEMENTATION TIMELINE
ACTION 1.2
Implementing Pop-Up Parklet Day on Sundays
ACTION 2.2
Commission local street artists to create art for blank facades
ACTION 3.1
Create linear rain gardens along the back alley of the North-West residential block
ACTION 1.1
Creating a linear park along the underutilised green strip on Keppel Street
ACTION 2.1
implement architectural light installations on main roads
REPORT SUMMARY:
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2024
SHORT
MEDIUM
LONG
LONG
LONG
The chosen site is a well-serviced in terms of transport options, proximity to career opportunities and food services. However, as addressed in this report, it has shortcomings in terms of Open Space provisions. Due to location, the site is highly built up and currently has no site unique identity because it is surrounded by local hubs that have a very strong identity. Opportunities identified in this report were aimed at cultivating a sense of place and identity on the local scale while increasing safety for the people who use it as a thoroughfare. Objective 1 activates the street through function provisions, Objective 2 cultivates identity during the day and the night, and Objective 3 re-activates the forgotten spaces within the built environment for risk mitigation purposes. These objectives, if successful, addresses the vision to activate open spaces and create dynamic streetlife that the community would enjoy.
REFERENCE LIST
IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2011). 2011 Census Quickstats. Retrieved from http://www.censusdata.abs.gov.au/census_services/getproduct/census/2011/quickstat/206041117?opendocument&navpos=220 Jacobs, J. (1961). Chapter 2: The uses of sidewalks: safety. In , Death & Life of Great American Cities (p. 29). Mattijssen, T., van der Jagt, A., Buijs, A., Elands, B., Erlwein, S., & Lafortezza, R. (2017). The long-term prospects of citizens managing urban green space: From place making to place-keeping?. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, 26(Special feature:TURFGRASS), 78-84. doi:10.1016/j.ufug.2017.05.015 Project for Public Spaces. (2009). What is placemaking?. Retrieved from https://www.pps.org/reference/what_is_placemaking/ City of Stirling. (2016). Main Street: Osborne Park. Retrieved from https://www.stirling.wa.gov.au/development/Projects/Placemaking/Main%20Street%20Vision%20and%20Activation%20Plan.pdf Beck, S. M., McHale, M. R., & Hess, G. R. (2016). Beyond Impervious: Urban Land-Cover Pattern Variation and Implications for Watershed Management. Environmental Management, (1), 15. doi:10.1007/s00267-016-0700-8 Sansalone, J., Raje, S., Kertesz, R., Maccarone, K., Seltzer, K., Siminari, M., & ... Wood, B. (2013). Retrofitting impervious urban infrastructure with green technology for rainfall-runoff restoration, indirect reuse and pollution load reduction. Environmental Pollution, 183(Selected Papers from Urban Environmental Pollution 2012), 204-212. doi:10.1016/j.envpol.2013.01.051 Kozlott, H. (2012). The Payoff from Parks. Retrieved from https://urbanland.uli.org/economy-markets-trends/the-payoff-from-parks/ James Corner Field, O. (2015). The High Line : foreseen, unforeseen. London New York, N.Y. Phaidon, 2015. Friends of the High Line. (2017). About The High Line. Retrieved from http://www.thehighline.org/about Google Images. (n.d.a). High line before and after. Retrieved from https://i.pinimg.com/originals/0e/c0/e2/0ec0e2a1b3ed1e3dad6f6ccfd6187dea.jpg Google Images. (n.d.b). The high line. Retrieved from https://media.timeout.com/images/103808085/image.jpg Kim, J. (2015). Pop-Up Parks Take Over Big City Parking Spaces. Retrieved from https://blogs.voanews.com/all-about-america/2015/04/24/pop-up-parks-take-over-big-city-parking-spaces/ Nearmap. (2017). Retrieved from http://maps.au.nearmap.com/?__hstc=32735905.fe22f791f48747fded79fd12844d24e4.1502296381834.1505952502797.1508546681020.7&__hsfp=49427593&_ ga=2.18664953.1750502944.1508546677-1108975779.1502296378&__hssc=32735905.1.1508546681020 Inhabitat. (2013). Parking Day. Retrieved from https://inhabitat.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/1/files/2013/09/parking-day.jpg Inhabitat. (2013). Parking Day. Retrieved from https://inhabitat.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/1/files/2013/09/parking-day.jpg The Fun Theory. (n.d.). The Fun Theory. Retrieved from http://www.thefuntheory.com/ Illumni. (2013). Ishoj station by af lighting. Retrieved from http://www.illumni.co/ishoj-station-by-af-lighting/ AF Consult. (2012). Ishoj Station. Retrieved from http://www.afconsult.com/en/do-business/our-services/infrastructure/lighting/lighting/projects/ishoj-station/ Pierluigi De, B., Chiara, M., & Luisa, C. (2015). The urban lighting in the rehabilitation of the minor historical centre. The design scenarios for the architectural valorisation and the energy efficiency improvement of the urban environment. Vitruvio: International Journal Of Architectural Technology And Sustainability, Vol 0, Iss 1, Pp 27-43 (2015), (1), 27. doi:10.4995/vitruvio-ijats.2015.4473 Jackson, B. (2015). Street art in Melbourne, Australia; The new hotspot outside the CBD. Retrieved from http://www.traveller.com.au/street-art-in-melbourne-australia-the-new-hotspot-outside-the-cbd-giaysh Berner, T, J. (2014). Green Roofs: Stormwater Management and Urban Heat Island Mitigation. Retrieved from https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2014-07/documents/green_roofs-_stormwatermanagement_and_urban_ heat_island_mitigation_jasonberner.pdf City of Edmonton. (2015). Case Study: Eastgate Yard Rain Garden. Retrieved from https://www.edmonton.ca/city_government/documents/PDF/Rain_Garden_Eastgate_Yard_Case_Study.pdf Cummings, M. (2016). How to build a rain garden. Retrieved from http://www.edmontonexaminer.com/2016/06/01/how-to-build-a-rain-garden