URBAN DESIGN PROJECT IN DRUMCHAPEL 01: ANALYSIS AND STRATEGIES
Prepared By: Zhenghao Gan Architecture Year5 Urban Design Studies Unit University of Strathclyde
Foreword This urban design project is the final year project of our postgraduate study in University of Strathclyde. The course is designed to equip us to analyse the urban fabric, space and measures. The chosen site is Drumchapel, located in the north - west of Glasgow city. The site is currently a problematic area in Glasgow and my target is to renew and improve the area according to current urban design theory. Our design process is divided into three stages: analysing the existing city, creating a overall strategy and detailed masterplan. This booklet is created to explain my detailed masterplan proposal for the third stage, developed with the first two stages research. Please also check booklets for the details of current situation of Drumchapel and booklets for our early stages of development strategy. This is the first booklet out of three. In this booklet, there will be a brief summary of previous research on existing problems and opportunities in Drumchapel and a overall strategy for development.
Contents
1. Analysis and Strategy Current Drumchaple Analysis Design Elements Strategies Proposed Concept Plan
2. Regulatory Framework Foundation Masterplan Street Design
3. Special Design Development Blocks Design Development Open Space Design Development Green Space Design Development
4.Conclusion The Masterplan
ANALYSIS AND STRATEGIES CURRENT DRUMCHAPLE ANALYSIS
At the first stage of this year, our studio did a Drumchapel reaserchs which found its problems and opportunities. We found some useful information during this analysis, for example, transportation and nodes. I think it is meanful for our next stages. In this chapter, I will only make a information organization instead of putting more words on the data analysis and problems finding.
Drumchapel
2 km
City Centre
m 4 km
6 km
k 8 km
Drumchapel
City Centre
Existing Nodal Coding
Strengths 1. Direct access to a major trunk road (Great Western Road, A82) ensures good wider connections with the road leading from Glasgow to Inverness. There is an abundance in Bus Services (over 20 in total) comprising several local frequent services to Glasgow city centre and surrounding districts as well as four long distance less frequent routes to the north of Scotland. Drumchapel Train Station links directly to both Glasgow Queen Street and Glasgow Central Station in 20 minutes. 2. Garscadden Burn contains over 500 species of wildlife. Garscadden woods surrounds the north east of Drumchapel and has several useable nature trails through it. The natural topography and green landscape makes for a beautiful scenic backdrop to the district. 3. Over the last decade Glasgow City Council has demolished then erected several new schools including St Clare’s Primary School, Drummore Primary School, Camstradden Primary School, Antonine Primary School and Drumchapel Primary School, all of which are currently at half capacity. 4. Drumchapel has a strong heritage with the Roman fort ruins and Antonine Wall lying to the northern boundary of Drumchapel. 5. Drumchapel is known for having a powerful sense of community spirit.
Weaknesses 1. The current road layouts create access barriers for both pedestrians and cars resulting in poor local connections; North-South access through Drumchapel is particularly lacking. The existing bus routes do not serve the whole of Drumchapel apart from the community run service (CB2) however this has limited running times making it less efficient. The railway station which is the quickest and most economical way to access the city centre is unreachable for most residents. There is little to no cycling infrastructure in Drumchapel. 2. The population has decreased to a third of what it was in the 1960’s, this has resulted in vacant areas and a general lack of diversity. 3. Drumchapel was designed with modernist principals which formed single-use areas creating unsafe and unpleasant zoned environments. 4. Areas within Drumchapel are some of the most deprived in Scotland. 5. There is an abundance of vacant land within Drumchapel that has led to fly-tipping, anti-social behaviour and unsafe environments. The topography has created barriers for pedestrian accessibility. There is a Lack of Bio-diversity within Drumchapel, with only one site (Garscadden Burn) containing 500 plus species. 6. Most of the housing was built of the same period in the 1950’s, it was erected quickly and was of low quality meaning the housing has decayed at similar rates resulting in mass demolition and mass refurbishment. Overall there is a general lack of diversity in the existing housing stock as it is predominantly flatted with some terraced and semi-detached. 7. There is a lack of mix of amenities, quality amenities and community facilities. Many of the areas contain several of the same amenity such as fast food outlets and betting shops. 8. There is an overwhelming lack of sense of place and identity; including a lack of landmarks, defined public spaces and user legibility.
Opportunities 1. There is an opportunity to enhance the existing road network by creating more north-south connections and revising terminal roads. A new frequent community shuttle bus service could enhance the connection to the existing railway station. New cycle infrastructure along arterial roads could connect to the canal cycle track. New footpaths with street furniture and lighting could encourage people to walk in a new appealing and safe environment. 2. By creating new infrastructure, new housing and densified centres we hope to increase the populous and encourage diversity. 3. There is an opportunity to exploit existing facilities for the purposes of tourism including the existing whisky factory. This could include creating facilities such as a mini distillery, a bar, a restaurant and a shop. A new cultural centre with connections to the Antonine wall could be possible. New nature trails and a botanic garden near Garscadden burn could connect to the Glasgow City Green Network. 4. There is an opportunity to rectify the zoned areas and form mixed use environments. Buildings with the format of retail/commercial on the ground floor and residential above should be encouraged. 5. Centralising and densifying the existing services will enhance the existing town centre and help to form local nodes and a main district node. 6. Introduce more varied housing types and tenures. 7. Increase amenities, community facilities and services. 8. Use the new green network and existing typology to form sustainable drainage systems. 9. Enhance bio-diversity by creating new green facilities such as community gardens, orchards and wild flower meadows, with focus on Garscadden Burn. 10. Re-define Drumchapel to create a sense of place and identity by forming new safe, useable, aesthetically pleasing streets and public spaces with a legible hierarchy. 11. Utilise the natural setting by enhancing walking connections around Drumchapel, particularly throughout Garscadden Burn and Garscadden Woods.
Threats 1. There is a lack of employment opportunities and major poverty issues. 2. There is a lack of diversity throughout Drumchapel including population, housing typology, housing tenure and existing amenities. 3. Large areas such as the town centre are undefined and deteriorated. 4. The current housing stock has a limited lifecycle and will need to be replaced simultaneously. 5. Both noise and air pollution arise from the flight path overhead. 6. The natural woodland is in deterioration. 7. There is a lack of small to medium retailers in the area. 8. Few areas of land are managed, and most are undefined. 9. The ground conditions to the north of the district are very poor with the risk of locating more coal mining shafts.
Exisiting Concept Plan
Great Western Road
1200m catchment area
Urban Main Streets Local Main Streets Local Streets 15-30 Units/ha 31-50 Units/ha
600m catchment area 400m catchment area District Node
51-70 Units/ha Neighborhood Node 150+ Units/ha Maintain Green Area
Local Node
Neglected Green Area
District Services
Park Green Area
Neighborhood Services
Sports Area Woodland Area
Local Services
ANALYSIS AND STRATEGIES DESIGN ELEMENTS STRATEGIES
During the second group work which was strategies group work, we made a clear future strategies for Drumchapel. And I believe this strategies is quite reasonable for my own design area and these are my own design principle.
Proposed Pedestrian Path Lines
0
100m
500m
Proposed Cycling Line
FUTURE M CONNECT TO DUNT
CLYDEBANK
Dedicated cycle lanes Non-motorised User Paths GREAT WESTERN ROAD/ KNIGHTSWOOD/THE CANAL
MAJOR TION TOCHER
FAIFLEY/ ANTONINE WALL
BEARSDEN
COLQUHOUN
THE CANAL
0
100m
500m
Proposed Nodes
5
1200m catchment area 600m catchment area 400m catchment area District Node Neighborhood Node Local Node District Services Neighborhood Services Local Services
1
4 3 2 0
100m
500m
Proposed Nodal Coding
Proposed Ecological Networks
Proposed Built Environment
Proposed Concept Plan
Great Western Road
1200m catchment area
Urban Main Streets Local Main Streets Local Streets High Density High-Mediun Density Low-Mediun Density
600m catchment area 400m catchment area District Node Neighborhood Node
Low Density Maintain Green Area Neglected Green Area Park Green Area
Local Node District Services Neighborhood Services
Community Woodland Treatment Park
Local Services
Defined Maintained Park Community Gardens/Allotments/Orchards