Booklet no.1
NODE TO NODE:
Bridge Across Severance Brief & Foundation Masterplan May 2018
Drumchapel
Group memebers: Hristina Tarpanova Veselina Chavdarova
NODE TO NODE
Department of Architecture University of Strathclyde Glasgow strath.ac.uk/engineering/architecture/
PgDip/MArch Advanced Architectural Design (AAD) MArch Architectural Design International (MADi) PgDip/MSc Urban Design
CONTENTS NODE TO NODE
Introduction 5
I. Analysis
6
II. Strategy
16
III. Multiple Centrality Assessment
24
IV. Strategic Framework and Vision
34
V. Masterplan Case Studies
42
VI. Foundation Masterplan
50
Historic Context 7 Site Analysis 8 Topography 10 Addressing the Challenge Concept Plan Existing Proposed Nodes Structure Existing and Proposed
Overview of the Existing Condition Better Connections Increasing Permeability Improving the Regularity of the Grid
17 18 20 22 27 29 31 33
Strategic Framework 39 Vision 40 How big is urban space?
43
Existing Grounds 51 Proposal 55 Flooding Prevention 68 District Node 73 Parks and Landscaping 74
Analysis
Stage 1
Drawing the existing city
History and stories
Planning Framework
Experiencing and comparing place
Network analysis of streets
Strategy
Stage 2
Strategic Plan
Stage 3
Concept Plan
Framework + Coding
Project Brief Foundation Masterplan
Stage 4
Local Urban Code (LUC)
Masterplanning Masterplan
Place Projects
Introduction
The purpose of this project is to put forward a proposal for the redevelopment of Drumchapel so as to bring life back to it, make it a desirable place to live in or visit and reinforce the sense of belonging of its inhabitants. The aspiration is to turn Drumchapel into an exemplar development in the area that respects local communities and distils a distinct character derived from its historic background and rich natural resources. The project anticipates the development of the area in 20 years as a vibrant district offering jobs, services, outdoor activities and a sustainable way of life. The present document succeeds a Strategy Phase which was based upon the findings of an Analysis Phase. The conclusions and recommendations achieved within these two preliminary stages of project development are presented forthwith in a more succinct form. During the analysis stage the main focus was to compile research based on five different areas of interest- Drawing the existing city, History and stories, Planning framework, Experiencing and comparing places and Network analysis of streets. The results of this group effort were later used in the Stage 2 of this project which was dedicated to developing a Strategic plan and Concept plan. Creating the existing and proposed concept plans helped define the areas of Drumchapel what were in a dire need of improvement and the desired outcomes of any proposed intervention while the Strategy plan focused more on actual actions that are going to be beneficial and would help achieve the final goal of bettering the area. The Framework and Coding stage followed these efforts and worked towards giving an actual physical form to the strategy plan. It started off by reimagining Drumchapel and coming up with a foundation masterplan and local urban code that are going to act as the base for any future developments. In the last stage of the process a masterplan was designed on the basis of the outcomes of the Framing and Coding exercise and parts of it were designed in greater detail to illustrate some of the special places envisioned in Drumchapel’s bright future.
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I. ANALYSIS
The impressive amount of research done on Drumchapel has already led to the generation of number of ideas that aim to improve and revitalize the area by minimizing its weaknesses and improving on its strengths. It is important to look at all different interpretations of the research and selecting those suggestions for its future that are going to be the most meaningful to the community. The next step would be to put those, to this moment highly conceptual, proposals to the test by giving them physical form and testing their impact on the environment in Drumchapel.
Drumchapel
Historic Context Origin and Development
Drumchapel
6 km
Bearsden
4 km
Clydebank
Gr ea tW est ern
Ro
ad
2 km
City Ce re nt
Drumchapel is a housing estate scheme on the peripheral northwest boundary of Glasgow. It is located approximately 9 km from the centre of Glasgow and 2 km north of Clydebank. To its northern boundary, across a narrow band of woodlands lies one of the most affluent areas not only in Scotland but in the UK- the district of Bearsden & Milngavie. When Drumchapel was originally built in the 1950’s it was home to round 34,000 residents – about the size of the present town of Falkirk in West Lothian. Sadly, today the population is around 13,000 reflecting a gradual and persistent decline in the popularity of the area (Understanding Glasgow, 2018).
Despite this, a strong sense of community and local identity remains within the local population. Drumchapel as we see it today is largely a result of post-war overspill policies and the attempted remedial policies that followed the population explosion Glasgow witnessed in the 19th century. At the moment the area faces a number of issues that contribute to its depravity. The road network was built around a series of drumlins and it followed the path of least resistance which resulted in poor connections between the different neighbourhoods in Drumchapel. The vase open spaces that take up a huge portion of the area of Drumchapel further perpetuate this problem and make moving around the area difficult without the assistance of a car or public transport. (Analysis Booklet 2 History and Stories)
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NODE TO NODE: Bridge Across Severance: Introduction and Foundation Masterplan
People?
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Site Analysis
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Context and Assessment Up the hill!
Drumchapel faces a large number of challenges that need to be overcome in order for the area to new level of vibrancy and prosperity.
Street Edge?
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Architecture ?
Open land ...
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8
At the moment the ever decreasing number of people living there just highlights the depraved state of Drumchapel. The topography of the area represents another challenge as Drumchapel is set on a series of Drumlins and the street network follows the path of least resistance. This leaves neighborhoods sever and poorly connected and makes navigating through Drumchapel difficult and tiresome task. The number of vast open green spaces in the area is surprisingly high also. These areas and underused, lack purpose and appeal and create a further barrier between parts of the community. The general lack of well-defined street edges and the poor distribution of services contribute to an overall feeling of lack of identity and direction and highlight the current depravity of Drumchapel. (Analysis Booklet 3 Planning framework)
Drumchapel
Railway
Kinfauns
Dri
ve
Road network and vacant land The layout of the road network in Drumchapel doesn’t allow for quick and efficient connections between neighbourhoods. There is a concentration of buildings around the main road circuit but the land beyond that is left undeveloped and disconnected.
Services and distance Most of the services and open buildings in Drumchapel are scattered around the main road artery and are surrounded by vast open spaces with no specific use. This makes walking in the area difficult as nothing to be used as a reference for distance.
Drumchapel High School
Ki nf au ns Dr ive
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NODE TO NODE: Bridge Across Severance: Introduction and Foundation Masterplan
Topography Challenge and Opportunity Drumchapel is set over a series of drumlins with the road network running between them. This is one of the main reasons for the depravity in some areas due to the lack of easy access. The fact that the drumlins in Drumchapel have an egg-shaped character means that some of them have one steeper side and that can cause problems when developing. ((Analysis Booklet 3 Planning framework) Overcoming the topographical challenge is going to create opportunities for strengthening the community spirit, lowering the car dependency and improving the road network.
Linkwood high-rise
B TOWN CENTRE
Industrial Estate
0 10
400
800
1200Scale 1: 51600 000 m
Drumchapel
A Masterplan development area
PINEWOOD
B
Garscadden Valley
STONEDYKE
A 11
NODE TO NODE: Bridge Across Severance: Introduction and Foundation Masterplan
Stonedyke (neighbourhood)
SECTION AA: ACROSS GARSCADDEN VALLEY This section goes through the Pinewood and Stonedyke neighborhoods and highlights the severance that the Garscadden burn parks creates between both. The topography of the area is particularly challenging and needs to be considered for any proposal that attempts to connect the two neighborhoods.
Stonedyke (neighbourhood)
SECTION BB: ALONG GARSCADDEN VALLEY This section overlooks the town center and Stonedyke and goes through the Garsadden valley. It is crucial to, again, consider topography so a realistic proposal can be made about the connection between the town center and the existing neighborhoods.
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Garscadden Valley
Drumchapel
Linkwood high-rise
Pinewood (neighbourhood)
Town Centre
Industrial Estate
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NODE TO NODE: Bridge Across Severance: Introduction and Foundation Masterplan
IMAGINE THE CHANGE Consider the context
Tower blocks
Industry
14
Railway
Drumchapel
15
II. STRATEGY
In this next chapter we are going to look at a brief summary of first semester work, where the strategy for the detailed masterplan was formed. The development of the detailed masterplan was based on conceptual ideas that were seen as appropriate and beneficial for Drumchapel. At this stage those ideas didn’t have a concrete physical form, they just served as indicators for the direction of the future planning efforts.
Drumchapel
Addressing the Challenge Proposals
Creating a concept plan that shows the existing conditions in Drumchapel made some problematic areas very obvious and triggered a series of proposal as to how to illuminate those problems. These suggestions were distilled into a concept plan proposal that highlighted the main areas of action and indicated in a conceptual way some of the big moves that would be required in order to improve the existing conditions of Drumchapel. Densifying the area, creating a district node and neighbourhood nodes and making improvements to the green and street network were just some of the areas of interest that were considered during the creation of the concept plan proposal.
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NODE TO NODE: Bridge Across Severance: Introduction and Foundation Masterplan
Concept Plan Existing Overview STREET NETWORK HIERARCHY
Drumchapel
Existing The map of the existing street network indicates that Drumchapel’s thoroughfare suffers from an unregulated pattern - roads are convoluted and do not facilitate fluent efficient movement through the area. Large unoccupied land interrupts Drumchapel’s urban fabric and creates big gaps in the street network which then further reduce walkability between one area to the other. The very geographic centre of Drumchapel is serving as a barrier between the north and south parts due to a lack of sufficient connections through it. Additionally, the permeability of Edrington industrial estate limits connections towards Drumry.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT
Edrington industrial estate
Drumchapel
To Milngavie
Existing The railway only passes through the south side of Drumchapel, hence the existing railway station offers poor coverage of the area as it is located quite inconveniently in relation to the main public and residential areas. Although there is a number of bus lines connecting Drumchapel to the wider metropolitan area, there is only one bus line (no. 3) connecting the railway station to the rest of Drumchapel.
To Govan
18
To City Centre
Drumchapel
AMENITIES & NODES Existing Drumchapel offers reasonable access to educational and medical facilities, as well as places of worship. However, there are no clear aggregations of services and shops in one place that create pleasant urban settings. Cafes, restaurant and takeaways are sporadically located around the Edrington industrial estate which unfortunately does not create a sense of urban living, due to its poor permeability and lack of urban architectural articulation – buildings are sparse and offset from the street leaving large gaps of empty land. There are no amenities whatsoever within the housing estates north to Garscadden Valley and in the north-west side residential areas.
ECOLOGICAL NETWORK
Drumchapel Edrington industrial estate
Bearsden
Drumry
Drumchapel
Existing The existing network of green areas lacks continuity and could benefit from certain improvements so as to ensure better walkability, in particular through the Garscadden park as a shortcut between Drumchapel’s north and south sides. The variety of natural forms in Drumchapel offers a range of opportunities for urban landscaping – water features such as Garscadden Burn, Yoker Burn and Forth & Clyde Canal, albeit not currently used to their best potential, could become vibrant landscape environments. Additionally, the Antonine Wall, a UNESCO world heritage site, could also be further developed as a recreational linear park that celebrates the history of the Roman Empire.
Yoker Burn
Forth & Clyde Canal Garscadden Burn
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NODE TO NODE: Bridge Across Severance: Introduction and Foundation Masterplan
Proposed Nodes Structure Proposed
00
m
One of the main goals during the renovation of Drumchapel is going to be creating a meaningful, efficient and logical street hierarchy. Strengthening the East-West and North-East connections play a vital part in improving the connectivity of Drumchapel to its surrounding areas and also allows for more direct access to neighbourhoods that were previously more difficult to reach. The importance of the streets also suggests where is an appropriate place to create neighbourhood nodes that would have higher density and would all be well connected to promote walkability and community spirit.
Very Low (0-30 units/ha) Low (31-50 units/ha) Medium (51-70 units/ha) Medium (71-100 units/ha)
A Road (Major Road)
4
B Road
connect different areas and feed traffic between A roads and smaller roads on the network
Minor Road
D
m ru
Medium (101-130 units/ha) smaller roads, connect to A and B roads, link High (above 130 units/ha) housing estates/ villages to the rest of the network Specialist Areas
Local Road
access to property, usually lined with buildings Administrative Boundary Important Intermediary Road Minor Road
20
Educational Facility Leisure/ Sports Centre
Water Area
large-scale transport links within or between areas
ry
Woodland
Golf Course/ Bowling Institutional Ground
Natural Green Space Sports Facility Public Park Play Field School Ground
UNESCO World He
Drumchapel
en d s ar e B
Ne
40 0
ict r t s Di hood our b h ig
0m 20
m
hbourhoo Neig d
Neighb ou rh o
m
200
od
40 0
200m
m
Reinforcing Existing Connection
Creating New Connection
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NODE TO NODE: Bridge Across Severance: Introduction and Foundation Masterplan
EXISTING
Existing and Proposed
The existing concept plan of Drumchapel highlights a large number of issues within its area. There is an obvious mismatch between street hierarchy and nodes where activities and services are provided. There isn’t a total lack of retail and dining facilities but unfortunately, they are located in an industrial area, they are more difficult to reach from some parts of Drumchapel and because of their location, do not feel urban and can’t create a node. Another very noticeable issue is the lack of actual centre in the area so that creates the impression that Drumchapel is an oversized neighbourhood of neighbourhoods.
Comparison
0
1600 m
400
800
1200
m
m 40 0
80 0
12 00
1200
Scale 1: 20 000 22
The layout of the street network is heavily influenced by the topography of the area which makes the network itself week and inefficient, leaving Drumchapel poorly connected within itself and to other adjacent areas. This also means that Drumchapel is not a central location within its context. The existing blocks in the area are far too big and they do not follow a walkable block structure. This situation is only becoming worse when the vast 1600 m amount of vacant land is taken into account.
m
dings
Woodland
Railway Track
Golf Course/ Bowling Green InstitutionalReinforcing Ground
Connection Natural Green Space Creating Sports Facility Public Park Play Field
nection
Existing
Creating a more permeable street network would encourage walking and cycling and would help with It is also crucial to establish a clear district node in order to transform Drumchapel into a district of neighbourhoods. The location for the node was selected based on the belief that it would be easier and less costly to attract businesses to existing infrastructure than to try and create a new one. Improving the existing aggregation of services would be easier than attempting to move the node.
New Con-
New transport hub
School Ground
UNESCO World Heritage Site Frontiers of The Roman Empire: the Antonine Wall
The proposed concept plan also embraces the vast green space in Drumchapel but is trying to make it more inviting for the members of the community and wants to give it purpose and transform it from a barrier to an attractor.
Ancient Fort Site of the Antonine Wall
+
+
Ne
link e network
The proposed concept plan is attempting to take into account and improve upon the weaknesses established in the existing plan. One step of action would be to establish a street hierarchy that matches with the hierarchy of nodes. The better integration of public transport along new streets. This would allow for a better connection between the communities living in Drumchapel.
Existing Train Station
Water Area
ood urh bo h ig
0m 20
hbourhoo Neig d
200m
=
t ic
m
Neighb ou rh o
200
od
40 0
etween k
PROPOSED
Relocated Train Station
Di str
een areas
Drumchapel
m
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III. MULTIPLE CENTRALITY ASSESSMENT It is crucial to evaluate how Drumchapel connect with its wider context. Its proximity to places like Glasgow, Clidebank and the drastic difference in prosperity between those areas and Drumchapel raises the question of how well connected is this area to its surroundings. A centrality assessment can also highlight connectivity problems within Drumchapel and can help strengthen the street network and better the connections to the wider context.
Drumchapel
Great Western Road and Caniesburn Road have high betweenness centrality, but both of them circumpass Drumchapel. Thus, the creation of a backone of streets with high betweenness centrality should be a priority for Drumchapel.
A810 Great Western Rd
Drymen Rd Caniesburn Rd Great Western Rd
Glasgow Rd
Glasgow City Centre
Drumchapel
Street Network Backbone
highest betweenness centrality streets
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NODE TO NODE: Bridge Across Severance: Introduction and Foundation Masterplan
Anniesland Great Western Rd Drumchapel
West End
Local Closeness Centrality: As it is located in the urban periphery, it is unlikely that the global closeness of Drumchapel could be improved significantly. However, densifying its internal street network would improve the local closeness and make it similar to that of the West End.
City Centre
Clydesbank Scotstounhill
Drymen Rd Straightness Centrality: To improve Drumchapel’s straightness centrality, better connections should be sought both externally - by introducing direct links to Great Western Rd and Bearsden Rd/ Drymen Rd, and internally - by introducing straighter street connections.
Great Western Rd A739
26
Drumchapel
Overview of the Existing Condition Existing Betweenness Centrality Kinfauns Dr
Great Western Rd
Kernel Density
At the wide urban scale, Drumchapel is naturally offset from the centrality levels of the City Centre areas. The overall infrastructure of the area often circumpasses Drumchapel and thus gives it little importance as an intermediary of communication between different urban areas. The winding nature of the roads leading to and within Drumchapel further decreases the efficiency of travel to and from it. These findings could serve as the starting point should there be any future infrastructural changes so that additional, better and more direct links to the City Centre can be implemented. At the local scale, due to the challenging topographic conditions in Drumchapel, the street network suffers from an unregulated
Linkwood Dr
Drumchapel Rd/ Caniesburn Rd pattern. Consequently, roads are convoluted and do not facilitate fluent efficient movement through the town. Large unoccupied land interrupts Drumchapel’s urban fabric and create big gaps in the street network which then further reduce walkability between one area to the other. The very geographic centre of Drumchapel is serving as a barrier between the north and south parts due to a lack of sufficient connections through it. There is an existing network of pedestrian paths in place, yet at places it appears disconnected. The landscape strategy of the green areas can benefit from certain improvements so as to ensure better walkability through the park as a shortcut between Drumchapel’s north and south sides.
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NODE TO NODE: Bridge Across Severance: Introduction and Foundation Masterplan
Linkwood Dr 1200
1600 m
Kinfauns Dr
Drummore Rd Kinfauns Dr
Antonine Rd
Drumry Rd Duntreath Ave
EXISTING: BETWEENNESS CENTRALITY Drumchapel is accessed through Great Western Road, which is one of the chief intermediaries within the Glasgow Metropolitan Area. Thus, the streets branching out of it (Duntreath Ave/ Kinfauns Dr, Antonine Rd, Garscadden Rd, etc.) also have high betweenness centrality. Together with Drumchapel Rd, which is the main artery connecting Drumchapel to Bearsden, they form the backbone of the district. While the east-west axes work well, the fact that there is just one north-south axis and it is in the western part of the neighbourhood means that the north-east and south-east areas are disconnected despite being geographically close. Also, there is a lack of a neighbourhood core accessible from all sides.
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Drumchapel Rd
Drumchapel
Better Connections Girnin Gates Road Colquhoun Road
Dam Road
PROPOSAL: BETWEENNESS CENTRALITY The three new roads Girnin Gates Road, Colquhoun Road and Dam Road introduce key links within Drumchapel’s network so as to bring together its severed parts. As a result, the neighbourhood cores are better integrated within the overall street network and achieve a higher betweenness centrality score and turns them into important intermediaries which opens opportunities for place-making and potential for activities. Girnin Gates Road becomes an important intermediary route direction and thus creates an east-west axis from Drumry Rd through Glenkirk Dr and into Bearsden. The improved centrality also better matches the desired densities within each area.
Masterplan redevelopment: area boundary
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NODE TO NODE: Bridge Across Severance: Introduction and Foundation Masterplan
Industrial Area
1200
Drumchapel Park
1600 m
Kinfauns Dr Linkwood Dr
EXISTING: CLOSENESS CENTRALITY (400M) On a neighbourhood scale, only two areas have relatively high closeness centrality: the residential area north-west of Drumchapel Park, especially along Fettercairn Avenue; and to a lesser scale - the residential development locked between Linkwood and Kinfaus Dr. Both of those areas have been recently developed and have a denser street network and smaller plot sizes. Long streets with few intersections such as Ladyloan Ave in the north, Glenkirk Dr and the eastern portion of Kinfaus Dr have very low closeness centrality. This renders whole areas in the east of the neighbourhood isolated and hard to reach within a walking distance.
30
Drumchapel
Increasing Permeability Girnin Gates Road Colquhoun Road
Kinfauns Dr
Industrial Area
Dam Road
PROPOSAL: CLOSENESS CENTRALITY (400M) Currently, the existing street network is rather sparse in the area between Linkwood Dr and Summerhill Rd, as well as between Kinfauns Dr and Ladyload Ave. Hence, the densification of the streets across from the industrial estate and north of Kinfauns Drive ties them into Drumchapel’s overall network and improve the connectivity between places. The new neighbourhood core on Kinfauns Drive scores very high closeness centrality which as a new development offers great conditions of walkability and potentially services distribution to attract new population. Significant improvement is also evident in the neighbourhood south of Garscadden Park. Despite not scoring
highest centrality rates, there is a significant improvement from the existing condition in the areas within the district node. Given that services are already present in that area and a new transport hub is to be introduced as well, the moderate centrality score is still a good basis as activities will naturally spread from the existing pattern.
Masterplan redevelopment: area boundary
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NODE TO NODE: Bridge Across Severance: Introduction and Foundation Masterplan
Garscadden Burn Valley 1200
1600 m
Achamore Rd
Kinfauns Dr
EXISTING: STRAIGHTNESS CENTRALITY Kinfaus Dr has moderate straightness centrality in its western part before it makes a sharp turn on itself. In addition, streets west of it have relatively good overall centrality, with enough intersections between themselves and Great Western Road. In the east meandering streets with few intersections such as Southdeen Ave, Jedworth Ave, and Belsyde Ave (which makes a loop) have the lowest levels of straightness centrality. Located along the valley of Garscadden Burn, those streets have already been identified as poorly integrated in the street network.
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Southdeen Av Kinfauns Dr
Belsyde Ave
Drumchapel
Improving the Regularity of the Grid Girnin Gates Road Colquhoun Road
Kinfauns Dr
Industrial Area
Dam Road
PROPOSAL: STRAIGHTNESS CENTRALITY In addition to improving the overall connection, Girnin Gates Road also improves the efficient east-west movement in the network. The new north-south road W introduces a second efficient route, alternative to Kinfauns Drive. In comparison with the existing, overall improvements in the efficiency of communication within the network are also visible in the eastern side of Drumchapel. The improved regularity of the new grid rectifies the effect of the abrupt turns of Kinfauns Dr on itself. As a result of the new key connections (Girnin Gates Road, Colquhoun Road and Dam Road), there is a better distribution of straightness centrality in the street network.
Masterplan redevelopment: area boundary
33
IV. STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK AND VISION This chapter is going to focus on the four main areas of improvement the masterplan is based on. It is going to create a clear understanding of what the final vision for the future of Drumchapel is and is going to detail the necessary steps to revive the area and turn it into a vibrant place with unique identity.
Drumchapel
Prosperity Sus ta Community gardens
Strong green network- parks
Social/age diversity
Local food production
Multigenerational community
Diversifying housing stock
Robust neighbourhood structure
Green infrastructure- bike lanes, pedestrian paths Renewable energy
Special definition, sense of place Mixed-use development
bility
Com mu
ina
ty i n Civic spaces
SUDS and flood prevention
Live-work
Traffic calming
Connectivit
Multi-modal transport
y
Reconnected development Improved regularity Connected network Natural and manmade corridors Support transit-hub Urban intensity
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NODE TO NODE: Bridge Across Severance: Introduction and Foundation Masterplan
Glasgow City Development Plan GCC Initiative GCC’s City Development Plan lays out the strategic framework of planned urban growth for Glasgow and its conurbation. The main aspiration is to further develop Glasgow in four key directions: economic growth, sustainable development, connectivity and resilience. Within the strategic plan, Drumchapel is already envisioned as a centre in the metropolitan network (see map below).
Figure 1-02 Glasgow City Development Plan cover (GCC, 2016a: 1)
Drumchapel* * authors’ annotation
Figure 1-01 Spatial Representation of the plan to achieve the four strategic objectives (GCC, 2016a: 18)
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Drumchapel
CORE OBJECTIVES •
Vibrant Place
This objective is regarded through the prism of economic development achieved through diversifying employment in sectors such as retail, financial, business, higher education and tourism. Furthermore, the river Clyde is also considered key in developing waterfront activities and driving mixed use regeneration. The local creative industry is also an integral part of the economic growth with a focus on universities, cultural industries, research and manufacture. •
Sustainable Place
The healthy growth of Glasgow’s diverse population is to be reinforced through a process of place-making through design. Carefully planned mix and density of land uses is meant to stimulate street life and activities while still considering issues of maintenance and management at early design stages. Glasgow’s environment also strives to foster the healthy living and well-being of its inhabitants. Additionally, the quality and access to residential amenities is set a bench-mark of safety and inclusion. Provision of renewable resources is also given priority. •
Connected Place
Figure 1-03 Relationships of Glasgow City Development Plan (GCC, 2016a: 5)
STAKEHOLDERS
The main purpose of this strategic focus is to ensure the ability to move and do business in the city. The improvement of public transport and infrastructure is a key facilitator in that process. The resulting decrease in non-essential car use then ensures a safer environment for cyclists and pedestrians. Additionally, the plan aims that all new development are strategically located within adequate access to sustainable resources. All town centres within Glasgow’s metropolitan area are to be inter-connected through public transport that ensures access to a variety of shops, services and community facilities for everyone. On a digital level, connectivity facilitates business flexibility and mobile working while also creating conditions suitable for innovation. •
Green Place
An aspiration for resilience, attractiveness and accessibility drive the focus of this strategic objective. The green belt areas are to be protected, further developed and, where necessary, regenerated. The development of vacant and derelict land is also a high priority as a means of contributing to environmental quality. Additionally, continuity of the urban environment is also to be ensured through linking open space and prioritising pedestrian and cycling routes. Biodiversity, geodiversity and waterways such as rivers, canals and burns also are to be enhanced and protected so as to improve the quality of city living through engagement in activities related to nature. Reinforcing the character of established monuments and landmarks as well as enhancing less know historic assets is another way of using Glasgow’s heritage to its full potential.
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NODE TO NODE: Bridge Across Severance: Introduction and Foundation Masterplan
GOALS
Drumchapel’s 4D Vision (Routes for Improvement)
1. Social
2. Economic
3. Environmental
4. Infrastructural
1A: Control Population Leakage
2A: Effective Partnerships
3A: Self-sufficiency
4A: Integrated Transport System
OBJECTIVES
1B: Improve Wellbeing
1C: Community Oriented Development 1D: Better Integration of Public Services
4B: Networks and Connections
2B: Introducing Diversity
2C: District and Neighbourhood Centres Development
1E: Promote Heritage and Tourism
4C: Gateways and Thresholds
3B: Better Open Space
4D: Time and Scale Management of Interventions
4E: Energy, Water and Waste Management
Resilient Glasgow
Economy and Society
Infrastructure and Environment
Health and Wellbeing Leadership and Strategy Glasgow City Development Plan
Connected Vibrant Figure 1-04  4D Strategy: Framework (Group 4, 2017) 38
Green Sustanable
Drumchapel
Action Areas: Calls for Intervention
Decrease in Population Comparatively lower Life Expectancy and Life Outcomes Complex Procurement Routes Low Community Involvement in Decision-making Insufficient Amenities Lack of Diversity Lack of Pronounced Town Centre Low Integration of Railway Station Insufficient Connections to Adjacent DistrictsRailway Station Severance of Neighbourhoods Lack of Integration of Public Facilities Decline in the Quality of Current Housing Stock Underuse of Historic Heritage Insufficient Access to Sustainbale Energy Imbalance Between Housing and Infrastructure
Strategic Framework Planning Directions The 4D Vision Concept Plan Proposal was informed by the idea that there are four main areas of improvement that need to be addressed within Drumchapel - social, economic, environmental and infrastructural. At the moment Drumchapel appears to be an oversized neighbourhood of neighbourhoods but the proposed concept plans suggest that we should be working towards transforming the area into a district of neighbourhoods. The strategic framework consists of four main strands that channel the planning effort. The goal is improving Drumchapel by working towards improving those targeted areas- connectivity, sustainability, prosperity and community. The existing street network proves to be inefficient and does not provide adequate connection between neighbourhoods which in turn affects the sense of community in the area and the sustainability of Drumchapel. Improving the street network is going to allow for more regular and convenient public transport and is going to minimize the need of car ownership. It is also going to straighten the sense of community and the new hierarchy of streets is going to lead to a natural development of well-connected neighbourhood nodes. Incorporating a number of different sustainable strategies is going to help overcome the issue of flooding and is going to promote environmental awareness and closer relationship with nature. Another aim would be to create a more attractive environment for new businesses in Drumchapel by revitalizing the district node and using and improving the already existing services in the area. This new-found interest in Drumchapel is eventually going to lead to the densification of the area and is going to create more work places and job opportunities. It’s vital to remember that Drumchapel has managed to keep its community spirit through all hardships. This strength of the area needs to be preserved and improved upon by creating spaces and opportunities for people come together. Brining attention to long forgotten attractors in the area is going to bring a new sense of pride and further straighten the sense of community in Drumchapel. All four main strands of the planning framework are working together towards the common goal of improving life, fixing long-lasting problems and bringing attention to an area with a lot of potential.
Figure 1-05  4D Strategy: Action Areas (Group 4, 2017) 39
NODE TO NODE: Bridge Across Severance: Introduction and Foundation Masterplan
Vision Drumchapel’s Future
SUDS play community gardens public park
Residential Residential
crèche
INDUSTRY
bussiness
training
jobs
active edge
shopping
dge
active e
services
community gardens
sports admin office entertain
active edge
ing
dge
public park
shopp
40
hom
mixed use gym stop social housing
active e
housing stock
f
Residen
education
housing stock
sel
stop
play
outdoors
leisure SUDS
burn
play culture crèche live-work bank mixed use cafe Transp ort posthousing Hub stock
stop
s
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The issue of connectivity is one of the main focus of the strategy since resolving it is going to influence many other aspects of any proposed redevelopment.
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Its already been established that Drumchapel can benefit from better connection to other surrounding areas and within its neighbourhoods so creating a multi-modal transport hub near the district node can prove to be crucial in creating a more regular and better connected transport system. This will involve the move of the existing train station and creating a road network that is going to make part of Drumchapel faster and easier to access with public transport.
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It is very important to ensure the strong connection between all developments in the area be it new or old and creating a street hierarchy that is going to allow different areas to have a different character. The proposed concept plan was created with the idea to densify Drumchapel significantly and bring it back to its former glory and popularity. The higher number of people living in the area that has been predicted also leads to the conclusion that the new street network needs to be efficient, effective and allow for easy movement and dense building development. It is also crucial to ensure a strong connection within the green network of Drumchapel as well. Creating the Garscadden burn park to the bigger green network surrounding the area is one big step in this direction but on a smaller scale, ensuring the penetration of this green network into the urban realm is also vital.
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41
?
V. MASTERPLAN CASE STUDIES The most crucial factor for design developments at an urban scale is the comprehension of the size of urban space. The successful outcome of these projects relies upon the dimensions on blocks, streets and squares that then set the framework for place-making. Therefore, the following section explores exemplar case studies on masterplanning through a comparative analysis and a deconstruction of their design and implementation principles.
Drumchapel
How big is urban space? Development Area: Boundaries - 122 ha
CHOICE OF SITE Drumchapel
L
RA NATU
SPECIALIST
As outlined in the analysis section, Drumchapel offers a wealth of topographical features and natural resources, as well as challenges in connectivity, housing diversity and services availability. Hence, the area for design development in Drumchapel is strategically chosen so as to investigate principles and develop solutions for a wide range of the issues within the area. The current zone offers a comprehensive set of assets and difficulties which then opens up rich possibilities for development. The chosen area spans from the specialist through urban and suburban areas to the natural hinterlands, simultaneously it explores the connection between 3 nodes – one district node and two neighbourhoods.
Subtitle xxxx
COMPREHENSION THROUGH COMPARISON Glasgow City Centre ... as a first step towards full comprehension, a comparison to a well-known environment 88 100
75 84
69 78
73
173 58 65
85
George Square
111
In order to create (or retain) a pleasant sense of place and a high level of vibrancy, one needs to ensure that the human scale is respected within large urban development endeavours. Given that the urban scale is significantly removed from the scales we experience through everyday activities, so it is only through conscious effort that this issue can be tackled.
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NODE TO NODE: Bridge Across Severance: Introduction and Foundation Masterplan
GRANDHOME Aberdeen, Scotland Area: 350 ha Number of neighbourhood centres: 6 Proposed dwellings: 6 000 - 7 000 Development Type: green field development, urban extension Landowner: single - Grandhome Trust Urban Design: DPZ Figure 1-07 Phase I: a portion of town centre and that of an adjacent neighbourhood across from the central park (DPZ, 2010)
Figure 1-06 Grandhome - green field site (DPZ, 2010)
Figure 1-08 Phase II: completing the neighbourhood, the central public park, and the town centre, with key civic buildings of most types (DPZ, 2010)
The scheme for Grandhome is part of the Scottish Sustainable Communities Initiative Charrette Series. The project is for a new mixed-use urban extension to Aberdeen that would feature its own district centre with jobs, retail and services. Among the supporting facilities within the development are a technology park, three primary schools with sports pitches, a community campus (academy, library and sports centre), parks, a health centre and a high street. Additionally, the scheme aims to reduce car use and put an emphasis on public transport. As a result of the single land ownership, there was a possibility for high levels of control of the design process (Aberdeen City Council, 2013, Scottish Sustainable Communities Initiative, 2010). The vision for Grandhome is based upon six main points: • the creation of a strong sense of place • sustainable and walkable neighbourhoods • a well-balanced mixed community • green spaces • well-connected streets • the creation of a new town centre
44
Figure 1-09 Phase III: including additional parkland and neighbourhoods (DPZ, 2010)
Drumchapel
DESIGN: The first step of design process for the scheme was to identify an appropriate location for the centre at an important thoroughfare. Following from that, the rough structure of the neighbourhoods was based on the possible pedestrian sheds and subsequently their local centres. The next important step was to identify was of connecting all nodes into a permeable network. After that, the definition of public space and secondary thoroughfares is established. Then, important locations are identified for civic amenities. Finally, all elements are detailed so as to correspond to the strategy and transect zones (Scottish Sustainable Communities Initiative, 2010). IMPLEMENTATION: Given the scale of the development (approximately 350ha), there was a phasing strategy in order to effectively achieve the final goal. The masterplan proposal envisioned a development process that could take 30-40 until full completion. The first stage included a town centre, as well as a small neighbourhood next to it so as to provide from the start the amenities that would serve the housing developments, simultaneously this stage is coordinated with infrastructural upgrades. The following stages comprised of incremental additions of neighbourhoods with local amenities. The design proposal emphasises the importance of the first stage as it is an invaluable chance to demonstrate the quality of the overall development and establish a clear identity (Aberdeen City Council, 2013).
Figure 1-10 Nodes Structure (Aberdeen City Council, 2013: 32)
Lessons:
The clever phasing of this project and the idea of starting the development from the “heart of the community” (the new town center) and working towards the periphery by keeping all new nodes well-connected ensures the completion of a scheme with a very ambitious vision.
Overlay of the boundary of the proposed development in Drumchapel (122ha)
0
500
Figure 1-11 Design Development Final Phase Masterplan, December 2012 (Aberdeen City Council, 2013: 2)
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NODE TO NODE: Bridge Across Severance: Introduction and Foundation Masterplan
LOCHGELLY Fife, Scotland Area: 420 ha (including existing town) Proposed dwellings: 1 750 Number of neighbourhood centres: 6 Development Type: regeneration of the town centre and growth within greenfield urban extension sites on the town periphery Landowner: Public/private venture Urban Design: DPZ Start Year: 2010
Figure 1-14 Existing: Lochgelly town plan (DPZ, 2010)
Figure 1-13 Lochgelly - site (DPZ, 2010)
Figure 1-15 Phase I: Lochgelly in 2026 (DPZ, 2010)
In order to suit the joint public and private endeavour, the masterplan puts forward a strategy both for individual sites and a holistic vision for the town expansion. The proposed plan of development offers a long-term vision and extends into 2066. The ambition for Lochgelly describes it as a highly connected and adaptable with an active town centre (Scottish Sustainable Communities Initiative, 2010). Key strategic components: • Transport – take full advantage of the important railway station that connects to Edinburgh and renovate it so as draw businesses and open employment opportunities. • Town Centre – improve existing buildings, permeability and pedestrian access, design aesthetically pleasing solution which are functional as well and generate economic activities. • Retail – despite the size of Lochgelly, the traffic in it has remained active along its main arteries, yet the retail has suffered a decline so a more coordinated approach to retail management has to be integrated into the town.
46
Figure 1-16 Phase II: Lochgelly in 2046 (DPZ, 2010)
Drumchapel
DESIGN: The growth strategy of Lochgelly follows the natural boundaries on site to determine the town limits. The design follows existing development patterns, open space and infrastructure where the aim is to reconnect lost permeability. The local communities are to be integrated into a series of neighbourhoods that provide a variety of housing types as well as civic places and job opportunities. The long-term vision for Lochgelly is that it will develop as a compact, well connected and adaptable urban settlement with a vibrant and viable town centre. It will be a centre of environmental sustainability with well-designed and comfortable spaces that meet the needs of the existing and emerging communities and will be made up of a series of neighbourhoods, providing a range of house types and employment opportunities that serve the residents of the town throughout their lives. IMPLEMENTATION: As a result of the scale and ownership of the site, the masterplan is proposed through a phasing strategy. The first phase incorporates 1 750 dwellings within the pocket sites around the existing town in order to diversify the housing stock. The second phase involves the development of a new neighbourhood centre around the railway centre.
Figure 1-18  The proposed railway and mixed-use neighbourhood (DPZ, 2010)
Lessons: The incorporation and improvement of the existing infrastructure and public buildings allows for immediate business and open employment opportunities. The design follows already established building patterns and respects the topography which contributes to the overall character and aesthetic of the area.
Overlay of the boundary of the proposed development in Drumchapel (122ha)
0
500
Figure 1-17  Phase III: Lochgelly town plan in 2066 (DPZ, 2010)
47
NODE TO NODE: Bridge Across Severance: Introduction and Foundation Masterplan
ZAC SEINE GARE VITRY Seine Gare Vitry, Paris, FR Area: 37 ha Number of neighbourhood centres: 1 Proposed dwellings: 4 500 Development Type: mixed-use Urban Design: Baca Architects British based Baca Architects proposed a mixed use dense development for 4500 homes within 37 ha in a flood-prone Seine Gare Vitry area. The project includes a large-scale flood-risk management system aimed to reduce flood risk and its impact on new developments. The strategy was based on three principals. They used tertiary roads for flood plains and planed the layout of the buildings based on vulnerability and flood risk. They also integrated blue and green drainage corridors that connected to the river from the far end of the proposed development. (Baca Homes, 2018)
Figure 1-19 Catalysts (Baca Architects)
Figure 1-21 Ecological Spaces (Baca Architects)
Figure 1-20 Water paths (Baca Architects)
Lessons:
The consideration of urban draining and flood managing strategy is placed at the heart of the project and informs the masterplan instead of following it. This allows for the highly efficient and sustainable strategy for the development.
Figure 1-22 Masterplan (Baca Architects)
48
Drumchapel
GREENWICH MILLENNIUM VILLAGE London, UK Area: 25.8 ha Number of neighbourhood centres: 1 Proposed dwellings: 2 956 Tenure: 30% affordable Office space: 6 548m2 Retail: 2 325m2 Development Type: mixed-use, urban regeneration, brownfield, sustainable development Landowner: Public/private venture Figure 1-24  Masterplan (Countryside Properties PLC) Greenwich Millennium Village is distinctive village that it is a place to a thriving and established community and has been designated as one of the most exciting and innovative residential neighborhoods in Europe. 1- Located on the Greenwich Peninsula in Greenwich south-east London, the Greenwich Millennium Village is a mixed tenure modern housing estate using an urban village model. The former Gas Works brownfield site masterplan developed by a public private partnership set goals including environmentally friendly design, use of low energy building techniques and incorporation of renewable energy technologies (Urban Design Compendium 2, 2007).
Figure 1-25  View of the residential areas
2- The development includes and is centred on high quality public realm, including a village green and square. This is mixed use development which includes over 1300 homes, community facilities and commercial uses has been design to develop a strong, sustainable and inclusive community which is well connected to the wider city of London (Urban Design Compendium 2, 2007). 3- The development incorporates a wide variety of green spaces, ranging from landscape park with a pond, that supports natural habitats, through a more formal park square, to street greenery and communal gardens. Situated in the centre of the scheme, the park becomes the heart of the community.
Lessons: A well-designed and well-connected green network can be transformed into a heart for a community. The overall high quality of the public realm creates a strong sense of place and act as an attractor for the area. Figure 1-23  Masterplan (Architects Journal)
49
VI. FOUNDATION MASTERPLAN The foundation masterplan focuses on specific area of interest within Drumchapel and aims to implement the conceptual ideas that were introduced during the strategy phase that affect the selected area. Giving a physical form to those proposals is going to result in the creation on a preliminary new street network with clear hierarchy and convincing nodes that are well connected. It is also essential to determine areas of transformation (where there is going to be a big change in terms of density) and areas of conservation that are going to be kept close to their original conditions. This is going to influence the selection of typologies that are going to form the street edge. The foundation masterplan is going to indicate the density of the reimagined area of interest.
Drumchapel
Existing Grounds Overview LAND USE In terms of land use, currently Drumchapel has a lot of untapped potential. Large parts of the area not developed at all and while the amount of green land can be seen as a positive, the quality of those green spaces is underwhelming. They are not well maintained and act as barriers that create severance between neighbourhoods. The industrial zone in Drumchapel further perpetuates this problem as it takes up a highly desirable location that would be an ideal for high density urban development. (Analysis Booklet 1 Drawing the existent city)
Residential Area Park/ Green Space Specialist Area Underdeveloped Land Vacant Land Boundary of the proposed development
Scale 1: 20 000
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NODE TO NODE: Bridge Across Severance: Introduction and Foundation Masterplan
Scale 1: 10 000
SOIL CONDITIONS The soil conditions in Drumchapel are very complex compared to the rest of the area of Glasgow. The many different soils mean that the foundations of all structures need to be very carefully considered to ensure they do not fail. A large area of Drumchapel has a wide range of geomorphologies, the soil consists of muds, silts, sands with a mix of pebbles and boulders. This means that the surface is soft and any building projects would require piles in order to reinforce the foundations. The poor soil conditions would also make building roads more expensive as the soft soil across the site would require thicker capping layer. (Analysis Booklet 3 Planning framework)
52
Drumchapel
Scale 1: 10 000
FLOOD LIKELIHOOD Due to Drumchapel’s topography, water runoff occurs in areas that are low lying and therefore those areas have higher levels of surface water. One of the problems that flooding opposes is that it can make the affected areas less desirable to developers because the high risk of flooding is often associated with a higher insurance cost. A project was completed by Scottish Water in May of 2017 where they improved upon the waste water infrastructure as flooding was becoming a serious problem for properties in Moraine Avenue. A new storage tank was installed to increase the capacity in the local network. (Analysis Booklet 3 Planning framework)
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NODE TO NODE: Bridge Across Severance: Introduction and Foundation Masterplan
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Drumchapel
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NODE TO NODE: Bridge Across Severance: Introduction and Foundation Masterplan
Scale 1: 10 000
Relocated train station Existing sports centre Listed church
CONFIRMATION AND TRANSFORMATION The intent behind confirmation and transformation areas is driven by the current land use and the latent potential of certain areas reinforced by the newly proposed street hierarchy, notably the areas that border on an urban main street. Wherever possible and practicable existing roads and buildings are retained so as ensure the realistic and feasible nature of the proposal. For instance, the existing listed church on Kinfauns Drive is pivotal in the new neighbourhood core as a central civic building, additionally, the existing sports centre north of Garscadden Road is integrated into the densification of the district node.
56
The transformation is focused on underdeveloped areas with low quality housing stock and land that is used below its potential for urban place making, notably the specialist estate north of the relocated train station.
Transformation area Regeneration of existing green space Confirmation area
Drumchapel
Phase 1
Phase 2
Phase 3
PHASING OF DEVELOPMENT In addition to the spatial design efforts, the scale of the proposed redevelopment requires a careful temporal planning as well. The completion of the scheme is anticipated to take between 20 – 30 years, therefore, a phasing strategy is proposed as follows. The first stage of the project implementation comprises of the regeneration of the district centre. The area is not a green field site, so there are existing facilities and patterns within it. Those would serve as the basis to which new life is to be introduced, so as to invigorate the local economy. Consequently, there is potential for the increase in the interest of stakeholders in the area that would then open new financial streams and attract investor for the further development of the neighbourhood cores. The first phase starts from the relocated train station and along the main urban street, then spreading towards the periphery of the zone.
Phase 4
Scale 1: 10 000
The second stage includes key infrastructural changes. Once the new centre is established, the neighbourhoods are to be reconnected to it through important new links that improve the permeability of the network. The first addition of a route directly connects the district node and the adjacent neighbourhood the east. This new path necessitates the regeneration of the green areas north to the new street and then the creation of a local centre at the core of the neighbourhood and along this new main urban street. There is a second addition of a new connection – a new local main street on the north side of the park that links the district node and the areas north of Garscadden Park. The third stage introduces a new north-south connection across the park and links the two neighbourhoods on either side of the park. Additionally, a second local centre is established. The fourth stage expands the development of this neighbourhood core further to the north, gradually decreasing density until the natural setting.
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NODE TO NODE: Bridge Across Severance: Introduction and Foundation Masterplan
Scale 1: 10 000
STREET NETWORK The main goal of this revised street network in Drumchapel is to introduce a more regular grid that still respects topography while into consideration factors as centrality, walkability and hierarchy. This layout aims to establish a clear streets hierarchy that would then underpin a robust nodes structure and support optimal density levels that are adequately distributed. New key connections improve the east-west and northsouth permeability and also reconnect all neighbourhood cores which improves the conditions for urban living and place-making.
58
The grid of the local main streets and the size of the resultant blocks is developed so as to foster walkability. Missing links are proposed so as to bring together adjacent areas that share no vehicular or pedestrian connections.
Street Hierarchy Green corridor Urban main street Local main street Local street
Drumchapel
STREET LAYOUT: DEVELOPMENT
Development Layout 01
Principles of development: • • • •
Identify the best location of key connections that link neighbourhood core to neighbourhood core Densify network and reduce block sizes to encourage walking Adapt a more regular grid onto the challenging topography Reconnect existing residential estates
Directions for further design: Development Layout 02
• • • • • • •
Development Layout 03
Different streets need to meet the varying densities All streets need to offer an attractive urban setting and a pleasant pedestrian experience Main urban streets are to accommodate buses and thus reinforce a reliable public transport service Street vegetation is to be selected carefully so as to match the street type Traffic management is to be considered at early design stage, including traffic calming measures The inclusion of cycling lanes is crucial so as to decrease car use Adapt each street in its individual setting
Existing Street Network
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NODE TO NODE: Bridge Across Severance: Introduction and Foundation Masterplan
ad
Dam Road
Colquhoun Ro
Girnin Gates Road
Scale 1: 10 000
STREET NAMES Drumchapel has lost a lot of its landmarks throughout the years and part of its identity disappeared with them. This fact was used as inspiration when it came to naming the new streets that were proposed in the masterplan. In an attempt to remind people living in the area of their proud ad interesting past and pay respect to part of history that’s been forgotten, a decision was made to name roads after the lost landmarks of Drumchapel that if still standing today would be in close proximity or an end destination to the new roads. This decision led to the naming of the three main roads introduced in the masterplan - Girnin Gates Road, Dam Road and Colquhoun Road.
60
Drumchapel
Colquhoun Road
Figure 1-27 Garscadden estate, 1870
The Colquhoun family were the owners of the Garscadden estate that was built at some point after 1723. The building itself has a very fascinating history and from the very be¬ginning of Drumchapel’s existence has always been its hear until it was eventually demolished in 1965 by the Glasgow Corporation. A decision was made to name one of the roads in the new masterplan after the Colquhoun family since it is in close proximity to the still existing Campbell-Colquhoun burial grounds monument.
Figure 1-28 Campbell Colquhoun burial ground
Dam Road After looking at some of the oldest available historical maps of Drumchapel, it was noticed that there was a mention of “Dam” in all of them. This seemed to refer to the area around the Garscadden burn that nowadays is known as an area prone to flooding. It only seemed appropriate to name the proposed road that goes over the Garscadden Burn Park Dam road since it reflect both past and present conditions specific to the area. Figure 1-29 Drumchapel, 1795
Girnin Gates Road This road that runs south of the Garscadden burn park is named after the Girnin Gates that were once part of the Garscadden estate and use to bring people from all over Glasgow to the area. They were even considered to be the Ninth wonder of World (in Glasgow anyway). (Drumchapel Heritage Group, 2017) Unfortunately, later on they lost their appeal to the public and were eventually demolished in 1965 by the Glasgow Corporation. Figure 1-26 Girnin’ Gates, Drumchapel, 1965
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NODE TO NODE: Bridge Across Severance: Introduction and Foundation Masterplan
200m
800m
400m
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Scale 1: 10 000
Neighbourhood Node
District Node
62
NODES HIERARCHY A new district node is introduced in close proximity to the new transport hub. This is the area in Drumchapel that is going to get the highest number of traffic and therefore is going to provide a wider range of services and entertainment. It is also going to have the higher density. Smaller neighbourhood nodes are going to be introduced at key points throughout Drumchapel and they are going to serve as local service providers.
Drumchapel
Scale 1: 10 000
TRANSECT ZONES T2 (Rural Zone) T3 (Sub-Urban Zone) T4 (General Urban Zone) T5 (Urban Centre) SD (Special Districts)
The proposed hierarchical nodes structure is further supported through a spectrum of transect zones. The smooth transition in the scale from urban to natural ensures a coherent environment that matches street and node hierarchies. The purpose of these dedicated zones is to inform the evolution of the masterplan area, they also serve as a starting point for the development of the urban design code where the degree of urbanity defines the character of each block.
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NODE TO NODE: Bridge Across Severance: Introduction and Foundation Masterplan
Scale 1: 10 000
EXISTING DENSITY At present Drumchapel overall has a low density ranging between L- and L+. Few small areas have higher density going up to M+ but their number is really limited and there is no area of Drumchapel to represent high density urban development. The lack of variety in the density of the area prevents the creation of a vibrant environment and does not allow for areas with significantly different character which results in monotonous setting within Drumchapel.
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Drumchapel
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H- (120-110) H= (130-120) H+ (150-130) Specialist area
PROPOSED DENSITY The proposed density aims to create areas with distinct character and create a large spectrum of densities within Drumchapel. The proposal takes advantage of some of the specialist area land to create a busy well-populated district centre. The density also aims to follow the street hierarchy meaning that main roads are going to receive higher density and the numbers are going to be lowered towards less important streets and towards the periphery of the development.
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NODE TO NODE: Bridge Across Severance: Introduction and Foundation Masterplan
Braidhome
3 2
5
Garscadden House 4
1
Scale 1: 10 000
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND AND CHARACTER
Figure 1-30 Drumchapel, 1861
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Figure 1-31 Drumchapel, 1795
Drumchapel
OTHER EXISTING LISTED BUILDINGS IN DRUMCHAPEL 1
Kinfauns Centre
former Church of Jesus Christ of the latter day saints
After mapping all listed buildings in Drumchapel on the selected masterplan area, it became clear that the only building that is at risk of being affected by proposed redevelopment action is the B listed Kinfauns centre, former church of Jesus Christ of the latter day saints located on 436 Kinfauns Drive. B listed buildings ‘interior and exterior are statutory protected and are cover by Listed buildings control, they can’t be demolished or refurbished without consent and planning permission. Since this is one of the few landmarks in Drumchapel that are still standing, it is important for the building to be preserved and potentially renovated in an attempt to better integrate it as an important community building that brings sense of pride.
5
Figure 1-32 The Old Drumchapel primary school C listed building located on 46, 48 Garscadden Road / 19,21, 23 Balvie Drive. It has been converted into residential accommodation (2005/2006)
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Figure 1-33 St Pius X Roman Catholic church B listed building located on Bayfiled Terrace
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Figure 1-35 St Laurance (Martyr) Roman Catholic church B listed building located on 215 Kinfauns Drive
4
Figure 1-36 Campbell Colquhoun Burial ground
Figure 1-34 Drumchapel Old parish church
B listed monument located on Linkwood Crescent
C listed building located on 143,153 Garscadden road
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NODE TO NODE: Bridge Across Severance: Introduction and Foundation Masterplan
Flooding Prevention Strategies
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Flood Risk Management: Bethemplein Water Plaza
Riparian Buffer
Bethemplein water plaza is a solution that combines technical engineering and public place-making in Rotterdam. In order to mitigate high flooding risks, local authorities and designers have devised a water plan that maps available water storage areas in the city that could act as buffers in the event of downpours. This investment in drainage infrastructure doubles as investment in urban space as the systems are designed as active parts of the city environment. There are different types of water buffers such as sunken squares, smart street profiles, water balloons and dams to suit different urban conditions. The water square in Rotterdam only fills in during heavy rainfall and the water remains in the basin for several hours (up to 32 hours in worst case scenarios) before it gradually drains away. In the rest of the time, this feature is an urban setting open for social interaction. This prototype holds 1000m3 of water that can be contained to protect the entire neighbourhood from flooding (Boer, 2010, Resilient Glasgow, 2014).
Riparian buffers are assemblages of plants bordering waterways such as streams and burns. They are directly impacted by the aquatic environment. The soil in these buffers has a high level of moisture, often experience flooding and are populated by plant and animal communities that are equipped for life near the water. (Conservationtools.org, 2018) The benefits of preserving and creating buffers like this are well documented and proven to have a positive impact on the economy and ecology of a place. They protect the quality of the water by intercepting the pollution carried by water runoffs and removing the excess nitrogen, phosphorus and other substances. The buffer zone can also decrease the frequency and intensity of flooding and low stream flows. Riparian buffers, especially forested buffers, absorb rainwater, which recharges ground water supplies and allows storm runoff to be released more slowly. This reduces the intensity and frequency of flooding as well as allows for more water flow in streams during dry periods. They also provide food and habitat for wildlife and allow for wildlife movement within natural corridors. The riparian buffer replenishes the groundwater and protects associated wetlands (Conservationtools.org, 2018). Forested buffers especially provide excellent ecosystem services because the roots of the plans strengthen the stream banks and prevent the erosion the bank. They also provide quality habitat and food for terrestrial wildlife. The wood from buffers traps additional leaf litter and wood. Macroinvertebrates use the wood as habitat, living inside the wood, under residual bark, and on surfaces that protrude out of the water. Some insects use the protruding surfaces as sites to emerge into adults or to lay eggs (Pitt & Batzer, 2011). The introduction of Riparian buffers for the Garscadden bun can prove to be beneficial for supporting and improving the biodiversity in the area. This intervention can also proof to be a relative inexpensive solution to the flooding issue on the site.
Figure 1-37  Watersquare Proposal, Rotterdam (Boer, 2010)
Figure 1-38  Riparian Buffer (Pitt & Batzer, 2011) 69
NODE TO NODE: Bridge Across Severance: Introduction and Foundation Masterplan
3 Rain Gardens Alma Road, London, UK
Key objectives of the intervention: - Reduce surface water floor risk - ‘Normalize’ SuDS and encourage wider take- up - Make road safer through the use of traffic calming measures - Inform rain garden design considerations and standards, so this could be replicated by Highway Engineers with ease across the borough Alma Road is situated in Ponders End, which is very deprived area in the London Borough of Enfield. The are is low lying and forms part of the Lee Valley. The natural flow path to the nearby watercourse, Brisdown Ditch is obstructed by the adjacent railway line which exacerbates surface water floor risk. Enfield has its own drainage system that carries the majority of the surface water discharge to the nearest watercourse and as a result local river suffer for poor water quality from the urban pollutions. They are also at a high risk of flooding. What makes the problem worse is the expanse of hard-surfaces and lack of green spaces. First step towards combating the problem was the delivery of 5 Alma Road Rain Gardens. This disconnected the highway runoff for the surface sewer system for up to a 5 year return period. Due to the nature of the soil components in this part, the runoff along that stretch of road would have the opportunity to soak into the ground naturally. This reduced the pressure on the existing drainage system. The rain gardens also created the opportunity to be utilized as horizontal traffic management. The junction between Alma Road and Scotland Green Road had a bell mouth which was over 30m wide, which compromised the safety of crossing pedestrians. A new rain garden (RG1) was built into the carriageway to reduce the width of the bell-mouth with a new permeable paved pathway running through it. A total of five rain gardens were built on a 200m stretch of Alma Road. These were built into the footway and carriageway. Their shapes are such that the areas of rain garden are maximized on both the carriageway and footway without having a significant impact on pedestrian and vehicular. traffic (London City Hall., 2018).
Figure 1-39 Rainwater gardens (London City Hall., 2018)
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Drumchapel
4 Swales Ekostaden Augustenborg, Malmo, Sweden
Since the sewage and water management systems in the area were outdated, the heavy rains led to floods and damage to property. The introduction of the new storm water system proved crucial to managing this issue. The system collects the water runoffs from the roofs and impervious surfaces and channels it from the gutter through ditches, holding ponds and wetlands before it enters the traditional closed sub-surface storm water system. This system was designed to take the 1 in 15-year rainfall event. There are now 6 km of channels in the area and the open storm water system retains 70% of all rainwater that falls onto the site. Green roofs were also installed in the area and they are a massive help when it comes to slowing down the water flow to the sewers. The green roofs also improved the biodiversity in the area and help protect the underlying roof material and minimized the building heat in the summer months (Forestry.gov.uk, 2018).
Figure 1-40  Swale examples (Forestry.gov.uk, 2018)
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NODE TO NODE: Bridge Across Severance: Introduction and Foundation Masterplan
5 Rainwater Park
6 Rainwater Harvesting
MECO (ES) Client: ARPEGIO Date: 2008/2009 Status: Design Development Program: Creating a natural area of recreation and a natural system for stormwater treatment. Scope: Urban strategy and design. The Rain Water park is a landscape that reuses and recycles the rainwater collected in the neighboring industrial development. A system of macrophytes is incorporated into the design, aiming to become an “open environmental classroom or experience” to promote sustainability among visitors as a way of raising awareness about natural resources. The water management system includes the natural water purification system and the stormwater management, creating a green space and an ecosystem. This solution can be understood as an exportable model in which water is managed and reused near to the point of origin, and becomes a resource instead of being wasted (Ecosistemaurbano.com, 2018).
Figure 1-42 Rainwater Park (Ecosistemaurbano.com, 2018)
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Adopting a proactive approach towards water usage can also prove to be beneficial when it comes to minimizing the water runoff that causes issues in the area around Garscadden burn park. Installing water harvesting systems for the homes in the area means that rain water is going to be collected from surfaces such as roofs and is going to be diverted into collection tanks that are usually located underground. The collected water can be reused in everyday activities that do not require clean, fresh water such as washing cars or flushing toilets. Rain water has a level of environmental pollutants in it and this level can vary from site to site so that is an aspect that needs to be carefully considered in the design of the collection system (Scottishwater.co.uk, 2018).
Figure 1-41 Rainwater Harvesting (Scottishwater.co.uk, 2018)
Drumchapel
District Node
Odenplan: Making Connections Stockholm, Sweden Odenplan is a historic public square which sits above an important metro and future commuter rail station, and connects people to numerous bus lines. The station entrance and square has been undergoing a major redesign for several years and is almost complete. The new design is open, modern and responds to people’s need to walk and bike easily across the space to reach the station, to connect to buses, and linger on the square if time permits. A bicycle garage is nearly complete and a plaza café is expected in the future (Mazzella and Contributor, 2018).
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Figure 1-43 Odenplan: Making Connections (Mazzella and Contributor, 2018)
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NODE TO NODE: Bridge Across Severance: Introduction and Foundation Masterplan
Parks and Landscaping
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1 Coulée Verte René-Dumont Paris, France
The Promenade plantée, also known as the Coulée verte René-Dumont, runs through the 12th arrondissement of Paris. This 4.5 km green corridor is Europe’s longest and only elevated park. The Coulée Verte René-Dumont was designed on an abandoned 19th-century railway viaduct used by freight trains to link the former Bastille railway station to the eastern suburbs of Paris. The parkway now runs through the entire length of the 12th arrondissement, from the Opéra Bastille to the Bois de Vincennes. Rail traffic was discontinued from 1969 and the tracks were abandoned for years, devaluating the social and cultural perception of the area. In the early 1990s, the City of Paris decided to replace the disaffected tracks by a surprising green corridor reserved for pedestrians: the Promenade plantée. By the 1990s, the 1.5 km viaduct Daumesnil, easily recognizable with its red brick arches, was turning into ruins. The project of the Promenade plantée definitively saved it from demolition. Since 1998, the restored viaduct has included 45 studios: arts and crafts workshops, galleries, furniture showrooms, a restaurant and a café, hence deserving its new name: Viaduct des Arts. It is considered by many as a contemporary landmark of Paris. It consists of a narrow pathway bordered with small trees, shrubs and plants. The elevated promenade sometimes widens when the viaduct crosses a street, and stairs leading to street level can be found here and there along the walk (French Moments, 2018).
Figure 1-44 Coulée Verte René-Dumont (French Moments, 2018)
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NODE TO NODE: Bridge Across Severance: Introduction and Foundation Masterplan
2 A Path in the Forest Tallinn, Estonia
Botanical Garden Fern Glade Birmingham, UK
Architects: Transsolar & Tetsuo Kondo Architects Project year: 2011
“The Fern Glade Society commissioned Sherlock, Smith & Adams with creating a master plan for the walking paths through the Fern Glade. The major intent of the new path system is to bring people through the steep terrain to experience the garden from different vantage points on accessible paths.
This projects adds a path to the woods of Kadriorg which relies of the forest as it flutters through the threes. The designed aimed to bring people closer to the treets and provide a different view point than the one is normally available from the ground. “It’s a piece of architecture which exists for the woods as the forest exists for the architecture. We can not change the form of the forest but we think the various elements in a forest can become one entity in this condition.” (ArchDaily, 2018) .
Figure 1-45 A Path in the Forest (ArchDaily, 2018)
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The master plan included realigning existing paths and stairs to create an accessible path connecting to other areas of the gardens. The master plan changed bark and aggregate paths to concrete to provide sure footing and simplify maintenance. The concrete path included the impressions of leaves from the garden to soften the look of the concrete in the natural setting. The plan also included an elevated boardwalk that spans an existing stream, creating a unique viewing experience.” (SHERLOCK SMITH & ADAMS, 2018).
Figure 1-46 Botanical Garden Fern Glade (SHERLOCK SMITH & ADAMS, 2018)
Drumchapel
4 MacKenzie Falls Gorge Trail Grampians National Park, Victoria, AU The trail was designed as a part of a flood recovery program after floods caused the destruction of a key footbridge in early 2012. The design team worked closely with the Parks Victoria staff to gain a better understanding of the natural setting. Manmade infrastructure was only used to assist accessibility where natural elements would not suffice. The added infrastructure was design to contrast whit its shape and texture but was designed to blend in with the landscape in colour and form. The constructed elements were purposefully selected to mimic the immediate landscape. “An example is the elevated walkway: jagged in form and positioned within arm’s length of the adjacent escarpment wall to offer further connection with nature. The visually dominant manmade elements contrast yet compliment the setting whilst the elements built with natural materials recede with the landscape, allowing the continued dominance of nature. The final trail alignment provides visitors with a more intimate journey through the MacKenzie Falls Gorge. The previous trail alignment led visitors up a ridge line, which deprived them of views and an intimate experience of the lower falls. The small section of trail now mends the severed link to the Historic Zumsteins Picnic Area further downstream.” (Landezine.com, 2018).
Figure 1-47 MacKenzie Falls Gorge Trail (Landezine.com, 2018)
LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1-01 Spatial Representation of the plan to achieve the four strategic objectives (GCC, 2016a: 18) 36 Figure 1-02 Glasgow City Development Plan cover (GCC, 2016a: 1) 36 Figure 1-03 Relationships of Glasgow City Development Plan (GCC, 2016a: 5) 37 Figure 1-04 4D Strategy: Framework (Group 4, 2017) 38 Figure 1-05 4D Strategy: Action Areas (Group 4, 2017) 39 Figure 1-06 Grandhome - green field site (DPZ, 2010) 44 Figure 1-07 Phase I: a portion of town centre and that of an adjacent neighbourhood across from the central park (DPZ, 2010) 44 Figure 1-08 Phase II: completing the neighbourhood, the central public park, and the town centre, with key civic buildings of most types (DPZ, 2010) 44 Figure 1-09 Phase III: including additional parkland and neighbourhoods (DPZ, 2010) 44 Figure 1-11 Design Development Final Phase Masterplan, December 2012 (Aberdeen City Council, 2013: 2) 45 Figure 1-10 Nodes Structure (Aberdeen City Council, 2013: 32) 45 Figure 1-13 Lochgelly - site (DPZ, 2010) 46 Figure 1-14 Existing: Lochgelly town plan (DPZ, 2010) 46 Figure 1-15 Phase I: Lochgelly in 2026 (DPZ, 2010) 46 Figure 1-16 Phase II: Lochgelly in 2046 (DPZ, 2010) 46 Figure 1-17 Phase III: Lochgelly town plan in 2066 (DPZ, 2010) 47 Figure 1-18 The proposed railway and mixed-use neighbourhood (DPZ, 2010) 47 Figure 1-19 Catalysts (Baca Architects) 48 Figure 1-22 Masterplan (Baca Architects) 48 Figure 1-21 Ecological Spaces (Baca Architects) 48 Figure 1-20 Water paths (Baca Architects) 48 Figure 1-24 Masterplan (Countryside Properties PLC) 49 Figure 1-25 View of the residential areas 49 Figure 1-23 Masterplan (Architects Journal) 49 Figure 1-27 Garscadden estate, 1870 61 Figure 1-28 Campbell Colquhoun burial ground 61 Figure 1-29 Drumchapel, 1795 61 Figure 1-26 Girnin’ Gates, Drumchapel, 1965 61 Figure 1-30 Drumchapel, 1861 66 Figure 1-31 Drumchapel, 1795 66 Figure 1-36 Campbell Colquhoun Burial ground 67 Figure 1-32 The Old Drumchapel primary school 67 Figure 1-33 St Pius X Roman Catholic church 67 Figure 1-35 St Laurance (Martyr) Roman Catholic church 67 Figure 1-34 Drumchapel Old parish church 67 Figure 1-37 Watersquare Proposal, Rotterdam (Boer, 2010) 69 Figure 1-38 Riparian Buffer (Pitt & Batzer, 2011) 69 Figure 1-39 Rainwater gardens (London City Hall., 2018) 70 Figure 1-40 Swale examples (Forestry.gov.uk, 2018) 71 Figure 1-42 Rainwater Park (Ecosistemaurbano.com, 2018) 72 Figure 1-41 Rainwater Harvesting (Scottishwater.co.uk, 2018) 72 Figure 1-43 Odenplan: Making Connections (Mazzella and Contributor, 2018) 73 Figure 1-44 Coulée Verte René-Dumont (French Moments, 2018) 75 Figure 1-45 A Path in the Forest (ArchDaily, 2018) 76 Figure 1-46 Botanical Garden Fern Glade (SHERLOCK SMITH & ADAMS, 2018) 76 Figure 1-47 MacKenzie Falls Gorge Trail (Landezine.com, 2018) 77
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Department of Architecture University of Strathclyde Glasgow strath.ac.uk/engineering/architecture/