STREET ANALYSIS TAMMY CHOU
|
EUNICE LEE | JACQUELINE LEE
TA B L E O F C O N T E N T S
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STREET ANALYSIS • • • • •
Ev olution & Morph ology S chne ide r’s Cre e k Stre et H ie rarchy Cros s Se ctions Dis tricts
PEDESTRIAN EXPERIENCE • Districts 1-9 • Sid ewalk s a nd Curbs • S u rfa ce Ma te rials & Condi t i ons
3 4
FEATURES • • • • •
Li ght ing Si gnage B e nche s Ove rhe ad Wire s Unoffi ci al Pat hs & Trails
OUR THOUGHTS • Const raint s • Op port u ni t i e s & Re comm e nd a t i o n s
INTR O DU CTIO N It is the policy of the City to recognize a hierarchy of existing and future roads comprising a multi-functional transportation network. Within our site, we see four types of streets, ranging from one to four lanes. It is important to note that at Weber and Ottawa, the road widens to accommodate five lanes for the left turning vehicles. Similar to other communities in North America, Waterloo Region is experiencing renewal in urban development. Reurbanization, which involves intensification through tactics such as adaptive reuse, infill or redevelopment of land within existing built-up areas, has gained momentum in achieving desirable, attractive and sustainable development compared to greenfield development. In the Station Area Plan Pilot Project report published by the Region of Waterloo, the corridor in context is described as a low density stable residential area with commercial/retail areas that are not conducive to pedestrian travel. It also states that the site has irregular industrial blocks. There are a number of improvements that can be made to the existing streets and open space system. The neighbourhood currently has ineffective North/South connections, and displays a broken or unaligned street network. In the following report, focus will be placed on street analysis. Looking at evolution and morphology, we will see how the street network has changed since 1955. Detailed cross sections will illustrate what some of the major streets in our site look like. The pedestrian experience felt within the site will be analyzed in depth by breaking up the site in nine districts. Other street network features such as lighting, signage, benches, overhead wires, unofficial paths and trails, will be analyzed. Finally, the report will conclude with remarks on site constraints as well as opportunities and recommendations for future development.
Street analysis / EVOLUTION & MORPHOLOGY Since 1955, new streets have been added to break larger blocks. However, cul-de-sacs and curvilinear streets have also been added, displaying contemporary planning development patterns. In the current street network, broken or unaligned streets are evident in the industrial areas this is created for greater vehicle /truck access and movement. Another addition to the site is the Conestoga Parkway, which has been expanded and now connects to highway 401. Again, this type of development caters to private automobile users, as well as for the industrial demand still present in the site.
1955 1
Other streets were expanded and have become major streets.
CURRENT
Street analysis / SCHNEIDER'S CREEK
Schneider’s Creek’s will impact the street network within the site as it poses major implications on future street developments. The creek, which is not a “street,” still plays a critical role in the site as it bisects the neighbourhood. Furthermore, it is the only water feature in the site, adding character and acting as an important stormwater management feature.
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Street analysis / STREET HIERARCHY DU K
ES T. E
g
.
CH AR LES ST. E
MA DIS ON
ST. E
f
.
e
.
LIN STIR
KIN
G
KEN TA VE.
.
AV E
.
c
SY DN EY ST. S
.S AV E RD EN
b
.E
.
d 3 LANES 2 LANES 1 LANE
3
ST. E
.
BO
UR TLA ND
4 LANES
.
T. N S A TAW T O
S VE. A G
CO
.
AV E. S .
a
V E. TA EAS
WE BER
CH AR LES ST. E
.
Street analysis / CROSS SECTIONS a
e
0.7
1.3
0.6
7.4
0.9
1.2 0.6
DUKE ST.
1.5 0.4
4.7
5.3
4.8
0.4
1.7
0.4
ONWARD AVE.
b f 5.3
5.25
4.3
5.25
BORDEN AVE.
c 1.53
4.2
4.2
4.2
2.6
KING ST. 2
7.75
7.75
1.7
OTTAWA ST.
g
d 3
1.6
1.1
3
3
3
3
2.7
2
1.6
EAST AVE. 1.3
1.7
2.6
4.5
4.5
2.7
1.7
1.3
SYDNEY ST.
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Street analysis / DISTRICTS
5
6 For more detailed analysis, the site was divided into nine districts. We studied pedestrian experience through the following criteria:
7
3
8 2
5
Gauging the spectrum from:
4
1
Type Traffic Sidewalk condition Pedestrian experience
Poor Fair Good Very Good
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PEDESTRIAN EXPERIENCE / SIDEWALKS AND CURBS
1
2
3
DU K
ES T. E
V E. TA EAS
WE BER
ST. E
.
.
4
MA DIS ON
AV E. S .
CH AR LES ST. E
.
KIN
G
.
. S.
.
AVE
A TAW T O
N ST.
5
6
7
8
AV E
.S
.
KEN TA VE.
G LIN STIR
ST. E
RD EN
CH AR LES ST. E
SY DN EY ST. S
.
BO
.
CO
UR TLA ND
AV E
.E
.
9 NO SIDEWALK SIDEWALK WITH NO VEGETATED BUFFER SIDEWALK WITH VEGETATED BUFFER
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PEDESTRIAN EXPERIENCE / DISTRICT 1
NY BE RG DU ND AS AV E
ST .
pedestrian experience/ Most of the two lane streets did not have road markings, the pedestrian experience is
ST .S
UR TLA ND
OT TAW A
AV E
BE DF O
RD
.E
ST .
RD
.
.
LIL AC
.
ST .S
ILLE AV E
.
.
CO
SY DN EY
sidewalk conditions/ Majority of the sidewalks had a vegetated buffer, sidewalks are in condition.
GR EN V
traffiC/ Courtland Ave. E. and Ottawa St. S. serve as major routes for trucks, otherwise the other streets have traffic.
RD EN
type / Industrial/Residential (Older residential neighbourhood)
SYDNEY ST. S.
BO
BORDEN AVE. S.
AV E
.S
.
.
ACAC IA ST. NO SIDEWALK SIDEWALK WITH NO VEGETATED BUFFER SIDEWALK WITH VEGETATED BUFFER
MILL ST
.
BEDFORD RD.
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PEDESTRIAN EXPERIENCE / DISTRICT 2
VE. A G
S.
LIN STIR
CHA R
LES ST
. E.
. .S
SIDEWALK WITH NO VEGETATED BUFFER SIDEWALK WITH VEGETATED BUFFER
S.
SY DN EY
.
.
.E
ST .S
AV E
NO SIDEWALK
ST .
.
OT TA WA
UR TLA ND
MA URI CE ST.
AV E
CO
KE NN ED YA VE
. RD EN
PA LM
ER AV E
.
HU RS TA VE
BO
STIRLING AVE. S.
KEN TA VE.
BORDEN AVE. S.
COURTLAND AVE. E.
type / Industrial traffiC/ Fairly busy roads for heavy vehicles traffic
sidewalk conditions/ Large blocks with no sidewalks, and sudden changes in types of sidewalks make them inconsistent. The condition of the sidewalks is
pedestrian experience/ There are a lot of disconnected streets, and the industrial uses on the site do not make it pedestrian friendly. The experience for pedestrians is SYDNEY ST. S.
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CE DA RS T. S .
PEDESTRIAN EXPERIENCE / DISTRICT 3
CH UR CH
CH AR LES ST .E
ST .
.
AV E
. S.
type / Residential/Institutional (High school - Cameron Heights)
MA DIS ON
CEDAR ST. S.
traffiC/ The high school is the main feature in this district, and traffic to the school is VE. A G
S.
LIN STIR
CO UR TLA ND
AV E
.E
.
SIDEWALK WITH NO VEGETATED BUFFER SIDEWALK WITH VEGETATED BUFFER
CHURCH ST.
9
CHARLES ST. E.
sidewalk conditions/ All the streets have sidewalks, but the majority of streets do not have vegetated buffers. Streets with vegetated buffers are fairly narrow. Overall, the streets are in condition. pedestrian experience/ Despite the long block and large facade of the high school, it is situated in a matured neighbourhood with evenly distributed trees. The pedestrian experience around this district is
type / Commercial traffiC/ This is the “growth corridor” which contains King St. E., a main street. This district has volumes of traffic.
AV E. S .
S. KIN
G
ST. E
.
. S.
CH AR LES ST. E
pedestrian experience/ The pedestrian experience is as there is a lack of safety felt on the streets (adjacent to fast moving traffic on King St.) The experience also degenerates as you move East of the site, towards the Conestoga Parkway and away from the core. It is notable that as you move closer to the downtown core, there are buffers on the sidewalks and street features are at human scale.
ST.
CAMERON ST. S.
SIDEWALK WITH VEGETATED BUFFER
CHARLES ST. E.
sidewalk conditions/ The condition of the sidewalks along King St. are but can be maintained better.
DELTA ST.
PR EST ON
SIDEWALK WITH NO VEGETATED BUFFER
.
NO SIDEWALK
SY DN EY ST. S
.
.
LIN STIR
VE. GA
OT TAW AS T. S
LN
KING ST. E.
RD EN AV E
STI RLI NG
KING ST. E.
BO
PA ND O
RA
AV E. S .
BE TZN ER
CA ME RO
N
ST. S.
AV E. S . MA DIS ON
CE DA RS T. S .
PEDESTRIAN EXPERIENCE / DISTRICT 4
FLOR AL C R
ES.
CHARLES ST. E.
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PEDESTRIAN EXPERIENCE / DISTRICT 5
SIMEON ST.
CAMERON ST. N.
. .N
. .N AV E RA PA ND O
sidewalk conditions/ Most of the residential streets have sidewalks with vegetated buffers, and are in condition. . .N STI RLI NG
.
AV E
ST. E
FAI RV IEW
G
AV E
.
KIN
traffiC/ This is a residential neighbourhood, and mostly residents of this district use the streets - traffic is
AV E
CA ME RO
N
ST. N
.
BE TZN ER
. .N AV E MA DIS ON
CE DA RS T. N
.
.
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WEBER ST. E.
type / Residential
.
ES T. E
ST.
T EL S MU SA
DU K
N EO SIM
T. YS TRO
.
T. IA S LYD
ST.
WE BE RS T. E
SE RO
VE. TA EAS
CEDAR ST. N.
PANDORA AVE. N.
NO SIDEWALK SIDEWALK WITH NO VEGETATED BUFFER SIDEWALK WITH VEGETATED BUFFER
pedestrian experience/ The pedestrian experience is There are smaller blocks that are walkable and the more matured neighbourhood provides good tree canopy. Houses are also less sparse in this district, making it friendlier to walk through.
type / Institutional/Recreational
N. T AV EAS
RLIN STE
sidewalk conditions/ There are no sidewalks on the Conestoga Parkway or Shelbourne Ave. Otherwise, the sidewalks are in condition.
LB SHE
. AVE N E RD
N.
BO
NO SIDEWALK SIDEWALK WITH NO VEGETATED BUFFER
WE BER
ST. E
.
. AVE ZIE KEN MC
pedestrian experience/ The pedestrian experience is There are big blocks that are extremely unfriendly to walk through. The site lacks sense of enclosure, and the wide roads which service few vehicles appear vast to a pedestrian.
. AVE E RN OU
E.
traffiC/ This district features the Aud, and traffic is on regular hours, though it is busier at times with events. The Conestoga Parkway is also quite busy.
VE. GA
KY. PW GA TO NES CO
PEDESTRIAN EXPERIENCE / DISTRICT 6
.
N ST. A TAW OT
SIDEWALK WITH VEGETATED BUFFER
EAST AVE.
SHELBOURNE AVE.
OTTAWA ST. N.
CONESTOGA PWKY.
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PEDESTRIAN EXPERIENCE / DISTRICT 7
type / Residential
WE BER
traffiC/ This is a residential neighbourhood, and mostly residents of this district use the streets - traffic is
ST. E
STI RLI NG
AV E
.N .
.
DA NE ST.
BORDEN AVE. N.
SIDEWALK WITH VEGETATED BUFFER
.N RD EN AV E
SIDEWALK WITH NO VEGETATED BUFFER
BO
NO SIDEWALK
.
.
CR ESC EN T
ST.
.
.
ST. E
AV E
G
ON WA RD
KIN
WA A T OT
.N ST
sidewalk conditions/ Most of the residential streets have sidewalks with vegetated buffers, and are in neighbourhood has character with a boulevard along Onward Ave. and Crescent St.
ONWARD AVE.
condition. The
pedestrian experience/ The pedestrian experience is This is an established residential neighbourhood which is very pleasant to walk through. The boulevards and mature trees add to the design of the district. CRESCENT ST.
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PEDESTRIAN EXPERIENCE / DISTRICT 8 NO SIDEWALK SIDEWALK WITH NO VEGETATED BUFFER SIDEWALK WITH VEGETATED BUFFER
.
E. AV ZIE EN CK M
N RSO E ND RA
W
BRICK ST.
O O TW EN
ELD SH
R IVE L C
.
ND O AYM
RD
E AV
ON
E. N AV
D.
D
.
R
.
D UN M ED
D UN M ED
RD
.
RD
sidewalk conditions/ None of the sidewalks in this district have curbs, giving them condition. Despite the fact that most of the sidewalks have vegetated buffers, the streets were poorly maintained.
BR
B
N ST. Y E DN Y S
.
.
.
ST. K RIC
traffiC/ This is a residential neighbourhood, and mostly residents of this district use the streets - traffic is
E.
E AV
type / Residential
LE DA SE RO
.
N ST. A TAW OT
. ST ER EB
SYDNEY ST. N.
E AV
ST. E
.
SHELDON AVE. N.
WEBER ST. E.
.
N SO K JAC
E AV
. RD
G
RD
O IFF CL
KIN
pedestrian experience/ The pedestrian experience is This district has small, walkable blocks that have vegetated buffers and mature trees. However, the streets in this neighbourhood are not all aligned with one another, making it complicated for pedestrian movement.
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PEDESTRIAN EXPERIENCE / DISTRICT 9
NO SIDEWALK SIDEWALK WITH VEGETATED BUFFER
DELTA ST.
ROCKWAY DR.
DELTA ST.
type / Residential/Open Space
FLOR AL C R
ES.
SY DN EY ST. S
.
ROC KWAY
pedestrian experience/ The pedestrian experience is for the residential areas, but for the rest of the district due to the lack of sidewalks, huge open space, and no sense of enclosure.
RD
.
CARWOO D CRES
DOON RD.
CARWO OD AVE
.
BE DF O
RD
.
CAYLEY CT.
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traffiC/ This is a neighbourhood with residential houses and the Rockway Golf Course. Traffic is fairly
DR.
sidewalk conditions/ The sidewalks are in condition until it hits the residential area. Most of the streets in this district do not have sidewalks.
CARWOOD CRES.
PEDESTRIAN EXPERIENCE / SURFACE MATERIALS & CONDITION
In terms of surface material, the site is covered in concrete pavement. This is not permeable and does not allow for infiltration, posing an issue to stormwater management. Road conditions are not well maintained and many of them are in poor shape.
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FEATURES / LIGHTING & OVERHEAD WIRES
Street lights and poles are frequent within the site, and the wires associated with these create overhead wires which criss=cross throughout the entire site.
STREET LIGHTS POLES
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FEATURES / STREET FURNITURE (SIGNAGE, BENCHES)
Street furniture on site consists of signage and benches. However, there is not enough signage on the site, and some were in poor condition (bended, not properly maintained). There are not enough neighbourhood watch signs for the residential areas. Further, there are not many benches found within this site, with the exception of a few on the trail and at select bus stops.
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FEATURES / UNOFFICIAL PATHS & TRAILS
a
b
c
d
e
f
b
c
e f
TRAILS UNOFFICIAL PATHS
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a
d
FEATURES / PRECEDENTS
SIGNAGE
PEDESTRIAN REFUGE
BUS SHELTERS
BENCHES
STREET LAMPS
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OUR THOUGHTS / CONSTRAINTS
Constraints within the site: - Ineffective North/South connections - Broken or unaligned streets and intersections - Inadequate pedestrian connections - Large blocks - Sidewalks and streets in poor condition (poor maintenance) - Wide streets (heavy vehicle traffic) - Not enough sheltered bus stops or seating - Lack of benches throughout the site
4 LANES 3 LANES 2 LANES 1 LANE
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OUR THOUGHTS / OPPORTUNITIES & RECOMMENDATIONS
OPPORTUNITIES within the site: - Station Area Pilot report proposing more signage within the site - Proposal for street extensions (see map) - The broken up streets can be used for new connections - Create a more grid-like street pattern - Ensure all streets have sidewalks - Better maintenance of streets and sidewalks - Aim for narrow and calm residential streets for compatibility with pedestrians (create sidewalks with vegetated buffers) - A hierarchy of streets and intersection types should allow for consistent travel speeds and minimize conflicts between travel modes - Place pedestrian refuges at busy intersections or wide streets - Consider placing speed bumps when entering residential neighbourhoods
COURTESY OF THE STATION AREA PILOT REPORT (2008)
- Proper signage, lighting and street furniture
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