Milton New West Side
Stage
Package
Masterplanning
Milton’s New West Side
Prepared by Michele Saracini Urban Design Studies Unit, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, January-May 2017
Miton’s New West Side
Introduction Milton occupies a site at the far north of the Glasgow centre. In the area was undertaken an intense building activity between the late 1940’s and 1952 that resulted in the urbanization of most of the central and east part of the site. During the following years, new buildings, demolitions, an industrial development in the west and six high-rises on the north were implemented until obtaining the current configuration. Today Milton is an overall low density neighbourhood with big holes in the urban fabric. A poor quality built environment is the materialization of common social issues that, unfortunately, characterise the area. The common landscape is the monotony of the housing and the presence of vacant or derelict areas and signs of lack of bonds with the public space. After the Strategy Phase, I have chosen to masterplan the area on the west side of Milton that contains the Balmore Industrial Estate and the Canalside.
Author
Michele Saracini
Ingegneria Edile-Architettura (Building Engineering and Architecture), UniversitĂĄ Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy
Miton’s New West Side
Contents Introduction
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1 - The background: Milton
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Analysis
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Strategic and concept Plans
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2 - Balmore Industrial Estate and Forth and Clyde Canal Analysis
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Strategy
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3 - Defining the framework
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Foundation Masterplan
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Local Urban Code
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4 - Masterplan
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Building Typologies
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Street Design
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5 - Special designs
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Canalside Park
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St. Monica Cross and Castlebay Place
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6 - Timeline
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7 - References
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Milton’s New West Side
The background:Milton Analysis Milton has several issues that during the years remain unsolved. The following SWAT analysis shows mainly physical problems and opportunities and it has been used to formulate the strategic and concept plans. The neighbourhood also presents numerous social problem, widely analysed in the Analysis and Strategy phases, that can be seen in the physical space. To sum up the main issues area: • Low permeability both vehicular and pedestrian, especially north-south direction; • Weak connection with the outside; • Presence of vacant and derelict areas; • No connection with the Forth and Clyde Canal, Possil Marsh Park or the green belt; • Poor maintenance of public spaces and parks; • Spread urban structure; • Not clear relationship with the industrial area; • Overall no attractiveness. Nevertheless, Milton also presents a good social foundation and several opportunities due its position close to valuable green areas and important roads.
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Milton’s New West Side
Strengths 1. Proximity to the canal 2. Position between two main roads (Balmore Road and Kirkintilloch Road). 3. Location between the countryside and the city centre
Weaknesses 1. Street connectivity inside and outside Milton is very weak. 2. The pedestrian network does not provide enough permeability, especially in north-south direction. 3. The provision of facilities in the area is weak and does not cover all the needs of residents. 4. Bus lines that go through Milton have low frequency. 5. There is missing connection with Possil Marsh 6. Forth and Clyde Canal is not accessible. 7. Lack of maintenance of public spaces is common. 8. Streets and other public spaces are mostly designed in car-focused approach.
Opportunities 1. Closeness to Clyde Canal. 2. Industrial area can play a significant role in Milton with more local employment and servicies. 3. New Housing development, open space and commercial use can be extended on vacant and derelict land. 4. Milton’s green network can be a part of Green Belt 5. Bishopbriggs can be tied on the east side. 6. New train station.
Threats 1. Ground conditions threat. Milton was heavily mined and ground instabilities are to be expected. 2. Flooding threat. Milton’s area has been selected for future flood risk management. 3. Lack of security. 4. Lack of policies. No actual planning activity has been implemented or are going to be implemented on the area.
Fig. 1.1
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Milton’s New West Side
Strategic and Concept plans The Strategy proposed is based on the following key moves: • Creating two main nodes one on the east and one on the west linked by Liddlesdale Road: • Extending Liddlesdale Road with new connections; • Increasing the density; • Establishing mixed-use area close or within residential areas; • Rethinking, improving and integrating the industrial estate; • Creating new connections and implementing a system of green corridors; • Implementing landscape design interventions and a new park on the canalside; • Establishing a Hospitality Training Centre and a Baking Academy related to the Allied Bakery.
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Milton’s New West Side
Fig. 1.2
Fig. 1.3
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Milton’s New West Side
Balmore Industrial Estate and Forth and Clyde Canal Analysis The Balmore Industrial Estate is the last addition in Milton. It has been created as a detached area with almost no connection with the rest of the neighbourhood, in fact it can only be accessed from south by car and it has an internal road forming a loop. Vacant areas draw the border toward the neighbourhood and only informal paths link the two parts. The current condition of the area is one of uniformity and rigid isolation. Although there are several firms on the area, most of them are small-size companies and there is little expansion space for growing businesses. Besides, the area itself presents a poor-quality environment, a poor image and some vacant or derelict spaces. The Balmore Industrial Estate has a peculiar topography, characterised by slopes which make difficult the realization of streets in direction east-west without high steepness. This fact has implicated the development of the buildings alongside streets forming a loop. Because of the topography the site is not fully used and does not offer the possibility to house big facilities or enough parking space for these ones. In fact, it is characterised by several vacant or derelict areas.
Fig. 2.1
Fig. 2.2
These facts make the estate neither attractive for future new businesses nor suitable for existing ones that want to grow. Moreover, of the area acts as a barrier for the nearby Forth-Clyde Canal and the Possil Park on the west, contributing to the isolation of the whole neighbourhood. Fig. 2.3
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Milton’s New West Side
1- Poor spatial quality 2- Presence of vacant or derelict areas 3- Absence of connections 4- The industrial area acts as a barrier
Fig. 2.4 - Issues
Fig. 2.5 - Industrial use
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Milton’s New West Side
Strategy The Balmore Industrial Estate needs to be rethought as part of the neighbourhood. To achieve this, the area will be integrated in the proposed street network, improving the accessibility, and new functions will be introduced. An extension of the Shieldaig zone toward south and the connection to the street pattern will link the estate to the rest. The estate would be characterised by mixed use buildings and the most significant productive activities will be kept (e.g. Allied Bakery). The presence of the canal on the west is an opportunity to rethink part of the area for leisure activities and green spaces, adding more variety to the possible functions.
Key Moves Improved connectivity The area will contain a neighbourhood node. Introducing new connections, the former one-function industrial area will become part of the urban tissue. The actions will be: -- New streets allow to tie the Balmore area to Milton; -- Connection with Balmore Road will be improved for better linkage with Lambhill and Possilpark; -- Formal pedestrian and bicycle paths allow the access to the canal bank; -- Extension of the Shieldaig zone; -- Pedestrian bridge connects with the Possil Marsh Wildlife Reserve. Green corridors Green routes will pass through the neighbourhood linking the green areas inside and outside Milton
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Milton’s New West Side
Mixed use Mixed use is the mixing of various activities and land uses within a small area. Vertical mixed use means that a single building has several uses within. Horizontal mixed use means that multiple uses and activities are clustered near each other. Both types achieve the goal of making trips shorter and more convenient and raising the possibility that people will choose to use walking, bicycling or transit for their trips. Mixing of uses at the neighbourhood scale, within the 400 m walking radius, allows people to reach daily destinations easily by foot. Large areas with single uses such as housing or employment force everyone to travel long distances to get around. Having retail and civic uses within areas of residential and employment uses makes it easy for people to do quick errands during their daily activities. Having recreational spaces nearby allows people to reach them more easily, creating situations where people can incorporate healthful activity into their daily lives. The plan proposes new commercial uses and local serving retail, and civic, recreational and residential uses.
Fig. 2.6 - Mixed-use diagram
Integrated industrial activity Commercial and industrial activities will be integrated in the urban tissue. The architecture and the sustainability Among the aims of the strategy there are revitalising the area and improving the quality of environment. The overall public space needs to be rethought and there is the necessity to create street fronts. The character of the buildings in the mixed-use area would be varied and articulated to provide visual interest to pedestrians, rather than create an overly unified frontage. Street level windows and numerous building entries would be required for all ground-level activities and retail space. A variety of facades would be encouraged to realise a vibrant environment. Arcades, outdoor seating, and patios should be promoted along the street to provide places for outdoor activities. Formal pedestrian and cycling path will be realised as green links between the canal bank and the neighbourhood, preferring trees along the paths themselves. The concepts of sustainability will be implemented throughout the whole area, from the building design to the drainage system.
Fig. 2.7 - Castle Quarter, Swansea, Holder-Mathias Architects
Fig. 2.8 - BO01, MalmĂś
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Milton’s New West Side
Landscape design interventions The canalside is a natural choice for a new park that acts as gate for the Possil Marsh Wildlife Reserve. The strip of land that runs in north-south direction, parallel to Castlebay Street, is a historical sign still present today and that worth to be kept and revitalised as an important urban structure (Fig. 2.9) These two clear edges on the west and the east are permeable and connective urban structures that increase the liveability of Milton. Baking academy and hospitality training centre Today it seems reasonable including the bakery in the strategy for two reasons: the fact that it occupies a massive plot in the middle of the area, and the possibility to play a big role in the future of the neighbourhood. For these reasons, I think that make sense proposing the establishment of a baking academy related to the bakery. Taking inspiration from other bakeries (e.g. Village Bakery, Welsh Fig.2.10) that have established their own baking academy and other ventures like the Tennent’s Training Academy. A Baking Academy with a state-of-the-art equipment and the presence of industrial bakery consultant able to form the next generation of baking expert as well as amateurs. A Hospitality Training Centre linked to the academy seems to be the natural development to the idea and its natural completion. A fully functioning restaurant attached to the centre would be a great feature considering the workers of the area. These facilities would enhance even more the interest toward Milton and increase the job offer.
Fig. 2.9 - Milton 1860
Fig.2.10 - VIllage Bakery Baking Academy
Fig. 2.11
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Milton’s New West Side
Fig. 2.12 - Strategy
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Milton’s New West Side
Defining the framework
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Milton’s New West Side
New street network
Fig. 3.1
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Miton’s New West Side
New Street Hierarchy
Fig. 3.2
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Miton’s New West Side
Frontage and privacy level
Fig. 3.3
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Milton’s New West Side
Foundation Masterplan The new urban layout is based on blocks drawn on grids 60mx60m, laid with different orientation. The 60m measure has been chosen because is very common having plots with a depth of about 30m in Glasgow. The foundation masterplan indicates a “stage” for the frontage along Castlebay Street. The term “stage” indicates coherently and uniformly designed frontages. It is also shown an area made available for the bakery in case of support for the baking academy.
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Milton’s New West Side
Scale 1:5000
Fig. 3.4
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Miton’s New West Side
Local Urban Code: examples in Glasgow
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Miton’s New West Side
Local Urban Code: proposal for Milton
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Miton’s New West Side
MASTERPLAN Precedents and inspirations
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Fig. 4.1 - BO01, Malmö
Fig. 4.2 - BO01, Malmö
Fig. 4.3 - Abode, Cambridge
Fig. 4.4 - Abode, Cambridge
Fig. 4.5 - Princesshay, Exeter
Fig. 4.6 - Princesshay, Exeter
Miton’s New West Side
Fig. 4.7 -Masterplan
Fig. 4.8 -Masterplan
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Miton’s New West Side
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Miton’s New West Side
Fig. 4.9 - Masterplan, scale 1:3200
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Miton’s New West Side
Open spaces
Legenda Buildings
Access and other
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Miton’s New West Side
Design references Parco San Donato di Piave, Cino Zucchi Architetti; Paserela Peatonal, Arriondas, Fernandez y Astorga; The Edge Park, New York, W-Architecture & Landscape; “The Flow”-Multipurpose Pavilion, Thailand, Department of Architecture; Princesshay, Exeter; “Cittá del Sole”, Rome, Labics; Abode, Cambridge, Proctor & Matthew Architects; Clay Street, London, Piercy & Company; Abode, Cambridge, Proctor & Matthew Architects; Horsted Park, Chatham, Proctor & Matthew Architects; Lonsdale Street, Dangemond, Taylor, Cullity,Lethlean; Sadovniki Park, Moscow, LDA Design; Atayala Park, Arminza, G&C Arquitectos
Fig. 4.10 - References and inspirations
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Miton’s New West Side
Building Typologies Dwelling typologies - Indicative size (m2) 1 bedroom dwelling 2 bedrooms dwelling 3 bedrooms dwelling 4 bedrooms dwelling
Min. 1 storey 50 75 85 100
Min. 2 storey 60 80 100 125
Single family building - 2 storeys
Fig. 4.11
Single family building - 3 storeys
Fig. 4.12
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Indicative maximum 70 85 110 /
Miton’s New West Side
Multi-family Single access
Fig. 4.13
Multi-family Double access
Fig. 4.14
Multi-family Multiple access
Fig. 4.15
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Local Main Street - Node
Local Main Street - Liddlesdale Road
Miton’s New West Side
Street Design
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Fig. 4.17
Local Street
Local Main Street - Glentanar Road
Miton’s New West Side
Fig. 4.18
Fig. 4.19
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Miton’s New West Side
Canalside Park
The Canalside Park has been designed to develop the relationship with the water. A dock has been thought to bring the water close to the buildings and realise a small port related to the boathouse. The feeling of closeness to the water is increased by a small canal that crosses the paths. The main path goes straight to the pedestrian bridge toward the Possil Marsh.
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Fig. 5.1 - Canalside Park,scale 1:1500
Miton’s New West Side
Fig. 5.2 - Boathouse and Multipupose Pavilion
Fig. 5.3 - Section 1, scale1:1000
Fig.5.4 - Section 2, scale 1:1000
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Miton’s New West Side
Castlebay Place Stage
St. Monica Cross
Fig. 5.6 - St. Monica Cross, scale 1:1000
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Miton’s New West Side
Fig. 5.5 - Stage,scale1:1000
The stage is characterised by facades that should emphasise the verticality. The main materials could be brickwork or plaster with inserts of other materials (metals, wood) for enhancing depth and dynamic. The range of colours would be the “pastel”, with a final effect that resemble the traditional blonde stone façades.
Above: Fig.5.7 - Clay Street London Fig.5.8 - Somerset Place, Glasgow On the left: Fig.5.9 - Sketch
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Milton’s New West Side
Timeline 2018-2029 The first phase will interest the housing on the north of the area and on the southwest corner. In the same period the linear park along Castlebay Street will be realised. 2030-2039 By this time the transition of the industrial zone will be started and new plot will become available. The Canalside Park will be realised. 2040-2050 Complete transition of the area and completion of the node.
Fig. 6.1
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Miton’s New West Side
References --Calthorpe Associates. (2011). Maui Research and Technology Park – Master Plan Design Principle. Available at: http://mauitechpark.com/master-plan-updates/. --Calthorpe Associates and Bay Area Economics. (1992, amended 1996, 1997, 2008 and 2015). Jackson-Taylor Residential Strategy. City of San José. --Digimap Website, Available at: https://digimap.edina.ac.uk/ --Divisare Website, Available at: https://divisare.com/ --Fleischmann, M., Kovacs, I., Kyaw, L., Saracini, M., Wang, R., Wang, Y. (2016). Booklet N.7, Milton: Strategy. UDSU, University of Strathclyde. Glasgow. --Google Earth Pro, Available at: https://www.google.com/earth/ --Holder Mathias Architects. (2014). Castle Quarter, Swansea, [online]. Available at: http://www.holdermathias.com/project/castle-quarter-swansea/?cat=13. --Liaw, X., Xu, Y., Moiseos, R., Howard, J., Shenmin, L. (2016). Booklet N.9, Milton: Strategy. UDSU, University of Strathclyde. Glasgow. --Pinterest Website, Available at: https://it.pinterest.com/ --Proctor and Matthews Architects, Available at: https://www.proctorandmatthews.com/ --Saracini, M. (2016). Booklet T, Milton: Typologies. UDSU. University of Strathclyde. Glasgow. --Urban Design Studies Unit. (2014). Local Urban Code. University of Strathclyde. Glasgow. --Village Bakery Website. Available at: http://www.villagebakery.co.uk/blog/ news/new-multi-million-pound-baking-academy-and-innovation-center/
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Miton’s New West Side
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