BREATHING LIFE INTO THE PUBLIC REALM HOW TO COST-EFFECTIVELY & REALISTICALLY IMPROVE DOWNTOWN LA’S PUBLIC REALM RESEARCH METHODS: [1] Analyze existing network of public open spaces: on-site observations, mapping, checklist of design elements [2] Survey “POPOS” policies implemented by other cities: San Francisco, New York, Chicago, Seattle
Downtown is experiencing exciting changes in its built and social environment: new residential developments, high-rise towers, bike lanes, improved social events, and the return of the historic streetcar. This face-lift will introduce a new lifestyle to the urban core of LA – one where people actually live, work, and play in Downtown - and must be met with a robust, diverse, accessible, and sociable public open space network to sustain its future population and operations. STR A T EGI E S (whether on public or private property):
Create I N V E N T O R Y of all existing public open spaces
Require S I G N A G E for all of these spaces
NETWO R K OF PUB L I C O P E N S P A CE S IN DT L A
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Establish G R O U P to advocate for and monitor improvements
GU I DEL I NES T O I MPROVE PU BL I C OPEN SPAC ES for example...
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Prepare D E S I G N G U I D E L I N E S to improve these spaces
Publish web-based M A P S for marketing and wayfinding
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4 Sources: Esri, DeLorme, NAVTEQ, TomTom, Intermap, increment P Corp., GEBCO, USGS, FAO, NPS, NRCAN, GeoBase, IGN, Kadaster NL, Ordnance Survey, Esri Japan, METI, Esri China (Hong Kong), swisstopo, and the GIS User Community
Public Open Spaces
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Service Area
Transit Stations
Designated
Poor
Transit Lines
Alternative
Decent
Focus Area
Excellent
Freeway
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48 “Alternative” Public Open Spaces added • Includes plazas, courtyards, rooftop terraces • Each is scored on design elements, accessibility, programming and awarded Score • Service Areas of 1/8 mile radius categorized by Scores of Poor / Decent / Excellent
CONNIE CHAUV - MURP 2014 CANDIDATE CONNIECHAUV@GMAIL.COM CLIENT: SIMON PASTUCHA - LOS ANGELES DEPT OF CITY PLANNING FACULTY ADVISOR: ANASTASIA LOUKAITOU-SIDERIS
SECURITY PACIFIC BANK PLAZA Maintain visibility + accessibility with the sidewalk + street
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Activate 50% of ground-floor storefront with retail or pedestrian-oriented uses
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Invite food kiosks/carts/vendors to attract users + incubate space
5 Create web-based maps for
8 House a variety of spaces to
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Identify distinctive signage/plaque to identify the space for public use
6 Design “sitting landscapes” with
9 Create a memorable signature
marketing and awareness
basic obstructions as seating
SCHOLARLY REFERENCES: Gehl - 2011 - Cities for People Loukaitou-Sideris & Banerjee - 1998 - Urban Design Downtown Whyte - 2001 - The Social Life of Small Urban Spaces Kayden - 2000 - Privately Owned Public Space: The NY Experience Carmona et al - 2010 - Public Places Urban Spaces
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Introduce a minimum of 50% moveable seating for flexibility serve different users + activities with public art / water features
POLICY REFERENCES: Los Angeles - 2009 Downtown Design Guidelines San Francisco - 1985 Downtown Plan New York - 2007 Zoning Resolution Seattle - 2011 Downtown Amenity Standards Chicago - 1957 Zoning Ordinance