Dhakalamap

Dundee City Center East Port Gateway

Desirée Hakala University of Dundee Place Design, TP51007 Tutor: Dr. Deepak Gopinath

Context

Introduction

Urban Structure

Site map

Making the Connections

N

Dundee with a population of approximately 155.000 (Scrol, 2001), is the fourth largest city in Scotland. It lies within the eastern central Lowlands on the bank of the Firth of Tay, which feeds into the North Sea. The study area of this project is the gateway ʻEast Portʼ which is located in the eastern part of Dundeeʼs city centre. It is an important gateway as it offers quick connections to all parts of the city.

Detailing the Place

East Port topography N

The purpose of the first and second poster is to put this gateway into context, the third and fourth poster is dedicated to connections and ʻdesign with intentʼ. That is to say, the use of design codes to enhance the imageability and function of this study area.

East Port skyline Dundee Road Access map Car users- St. Andrews, Cupar and Perth

Source: Google maps [accessed 11/21/10]

Examples of existing buildings

Historical context: Dundee, 1857-8

Gateway in relation to surrounding area N

Landmarks

City centre

Lower Dens Mills. Four 19th century listed A mills grouped around a yard.

Source: Google maps [accessed 11/21/10]

Wishart ʻArchʼ, ʻCowgateʼ or ʻEast Portʼ. Early 16th century town gate.

Source: Google maps [accessed 11/21/10]

This historical map of the study area shows a more dense urban environment around the present-day East Port roundabout. The map also shows that the area served as a connector between the western and eastern parts of the city but not to the same extent between the northern and southern parts. Source: National Library of Scotland, www.maps.nls.uk/

Dundee City Center East Port Gateway Context

Urban Structure

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! Traffic Movement Traffic Survey

Making the Connections

Land use

Building heights

Sunday

31

N

Detailing the Place

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October

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AM

PM

City centre

Bus station PM

Tuesday

2

N

November

This area mainly consists of mixed-use neighborhoods; retail, employment, housing, etc. It also includes a vast amount of parking spaces to facilitate the retail zone located to the east. The old mill buildings (located at the upper right) are apart from some small businesses, empty and in poor condition. The connecting green spaces are only visible when traveling through this part of the gateway.

Mixed-use Mixed-use and residential properties Car park Green space East Port roundabout A listed 驶Cowgate始 A listed Mill buildings

Most of the buildings in this area are 2-3 storey. Because the north part of this study area is built on a hill (as shown in the previous topography and skyline photo), the buildings there appear taller than they really are.

7-10 storey 5-6 storey 4-5 storey 3-4 storey 2-3 storey 1-2 storey East Port roundabout Bell tower

AM

PM

Neighborhood Demographics Total resident population: 86 (Scrol, 2001)

City centre Bus station

PM

Total resident population (gender)

Resident type

Total resident population (age)

12%

Survey results Difference Total !

Vehicles Sunday October 31! !

1391 30% Tuesday November 2! !

1981

One of the main functions of this area is to serve as an urban gateway. Despite the proximity to the city centre, the traffic survey showed that most vehicles went in the north direction (to continue along A991), the east (to connect to A929), or the south (to connect to A92 or A991). The vast amount of the traffic traveling to the city centre consists of taxi始s and buses going to the bus station located 50m west of the roundabout.

16%

3%

8%

43%

7%

57%

66% 88%

% Males

Source: Scrol, 2001

% Females

Resident in households Resident in communal establishments

% 0-4 % 30-44 % 75 and over

% 5-15 % 45-59

% 16-29 % 60-74

Even though there has been an increase in apartments and thereby resident population since the Scrol 2001 was undertaken, this study area has limited residential areas. The apartments are all located in the north part of the study area and its residents are mainly young persons between 16-29 years of age.

Dundee City Center East Port Gateway Context

Making the Connections

Urban Structure

Accessibility and Safety

Restraints and suggestions

Making the ConnectionsEast Port problem checklist Mainly residential

• Poor pedestrian access routes to city centre • Pedestrian-automobile conflicts • Bus stop on Seagate holds up traffic • Lack of bus shelters • No protection from inclement weather

Mixed-use

Retail Industrial

Bus stop!

Pedestrian crossing Pedestrian routes Pedestrian underpass Tree

Pedestrian crossing survey

The development in this study area has been created in a segmentary fashion with poor connections. While the existing layout and density is difficult to change, there are still some developments that could be done to improve accessibility for pedestrians and public transport. One suggestion is to create a pedestrian underpass. The city centre and the retail park are situated on opposite sides of the heavily travelled Marketgait. Because of the frequent use of the parking spaces by the retail park, the pedestrian crossing closest to the roundabout is under high demand. The pedestrian crossing survey show 92 persons crossing the street in 15 min, that is 1 person every 10 seconds during peak hour. The suggestion is therefore the creation of a pedestrian underpass which will not only improve the traffic flow but also give shoppers, local employees, people with mobility handicaps and children, a safer and faster crossing. Another suggestion is to move the existing bus stop (direction towards the city centre) on Seagate closer to the roundabout. A new bus stop (with bus shelter) in this area, (8 buses operate per 15 min, 30 min, 1hr or three times per day) would better facilitate the shoppers coming from the retail area and (because of its dedicated lay-by) it will not prevent the traffic flow. A clear pedestrian crossing from the residential area to the bus stop and a pedestrian path in connection to the bus stop and underpass will create a more safe and attractive urban space.

East/West (walking toward city centre) 8:30-8:45

12:30-12:45

17:30-17:45

0

25

50

75

100

West/East (walking toward retail park) 8:30-8:45

12:30-12:45

17:30-17:45

0

12.5 Sunday

25

37.5

50

Tuesday

Public transportation

Walking and cycling Proposed site for pedestrian underpass

Detailing the Place

Examples of underpass design

Proposed site for new bus stop with bus shelter, improved pedestrian crossing and path to the pedestrian underpass More clear pedestrian crossing Proposed bus stop with bus shelter

Existing bus stop on Seagate

Boulder, Colorado Source: www.ozarch.com [accessed 22/11/10]

Pedestrian path Source: www.cleantechnica.com [accessed on 22/11/10)

Most amenities are in close proximity to the study area which is why planning for pedestrian accessibility is of extra importance.

Existing pedestrian crossing on Marketgait Manila Source: www.skyskrapercity.com [accessed 22/11/10]

Source: www.indyculturaltrail.com

Proposed site for new bus stop

[accessed on 29/11/10]

Dundee City Center East Port Gateway Context

Making the

Urban Structure

Detailing the Place

Connections

Frontages should be as 驶active始 as possible particularly at ground floor

The streets should be pedestrianised. Trees and street furniture will create a more 驶street-like始 appearance and encouraging visibility along Seagate and Marketgait.

Floorscape helps define the character of public spaces

West Bromwich bus station Figure: 5

Figure: 6

Combined planting and street furniture Figure: 4

The City Centre is well served by public transport and have the potential to accommodate a higher density of development.

However on larger sites it is important that a range of dwelling types are provided to cater for different needs.

Ensure signage is consistent and coordinated over a wide area Figure: 3

New buildings respect the scale, height and proportions of the surrounding environment

Building heights and scale

The height of the buildings in East Port vary between 1-10 stories with increased building heights on the hill.

This gives a good vista of the older parts of East Port (to the east) and the residential development along Marketgait. New public views are encouraged and it is necessary that new buildings respond to the existing landscape, rather than being forced to fit.

Green spaces

Residential design

Design with intent

Park furniture and art are easy ways to make a public space more pleasant.

Residential developments should face onto the most public side by frontage streets, footpaths, public spaces as appropriate.

Good lighting makes an important contribution to creating a safer and more attractive environment.

Major development will be expected to incorporate public art

Public art

Materials and Designing architectural detailing out crime

Green spaces which contribute to the character of an area, in terms of the views they create and the feeling of openness they allow, should be protected.

Existing green space on Seagate

This residential building on Cowgate has a regular orientation to the street but no active frontage.

Public spaces

This can be on a large and small scale Figure: 1

Figure: 2

Materials are of high standard and harmonize with surrounding buildings. Detailing on new buildings is durable and reinforces the identity and character of the area.

Sources:

Properties that face away from the street with poor window orientation (like this one on Marketgait) increase opportunities for crime.

New development has taken the neighborhoods color scheme and facade texture into account

Figure: 7 Figure: 8

Figure 1: www.buffalo.edu [accessed 22/11/10] Figure 2: www.artshiftsanjose.com [accessed 25/11/10] Figure 3: http://blog.idlab.com.au/ [accessed 1/12/10] Figure 4: www.tauntondeane.gov.uk [accessed 1/12/10] Figure 5: www.tauntondeane.gov.uk [accessed 1/12/10] Figure 6: www.tauntondeane.gov.uk [accessed 1/12/10] Figure 7: www.wollombuvalley.com [accessed 1/12/10] Figure 8: www.lightnowblog.com [accessed 1/12/10]