PORTFOLIO VICTORIA SNARSKA
URBAN DESIGN AND CITY PLANNING
VICTORIA SNARSKA v.snarska@gmail.com
07599497208
www.linkedin.com/in/ victoriasnarska 65 Ladysmith Road, N17 9AP London
MY APPROACH TO PLANNING AND DESIGN
Nowadays, cities are growing every day. I believe that the passion that I have had to learn about them since the early age, combined with the expertise in planning and design that I have gained during the university, can contribute to shaping a better future. My key approach in making that happen is that I design for the people. I look at urban design as a way to create better places for the people (at the project site itself, but also ensuring that it benefits surrounding areas), rather than just creating aesthetically-pleasing but soulless places. I always pay attention to the detail, as well as I always look at the bigger picture – to ensure the consistency with the surrounding context. Furthermore, I feel comfortable working both with small, as well as large-scale projects as all of those bring contribution to the society. Throughout the years spent at the university, my interest in the subject was constantly growing. I am now sure that urban design and planning is what I can name my calling. Thus, I am now seeking to start my professional career as a graduate urban designer.
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CONTENTS Reconstructing non-inclusive british shared spaces: new street layout for non-residential areas 5-10
The Bartlett School of Planning UCL Major Research Project
Holloway Prison Design Project
11-16
The Bartlett School of Planning UCL Urban Design: Layout, Density and Typology
Colliers Wood’s Sakura Corridor
17-22
The Bartlett School of Planning UCL Sustainable Futures by Design
Poplar: regenerated, green, connected The Bartlett School of Planning UCL Urban Design: Place Making
23-28 Earl’s Court and West Kensington Opportunity Area SPD
29-34
The Bartlett School of Planning UCL Urban Design: Guidance, Incentives and Control
Reconstructing non-inclusive british shared spaces: new street layout for non-residential areas Institution: The Bartlett School of Planning, University College London (UCL) Module: Major Research Project Project type: individual Supervisor: Christopher Martin Project Description: Major Research Project is a 60 credits-worth individual design project where each student can choose the topic they would like to explore. Abstract: Cities around the world suffer from the effects of car-focused planning and nonwalkable streets. The concept of shared spaces is a relatively new idea that has emerged in the Netherlands. It now represents one of the solutions to these problems, which has found its application and a positive response around the world. It aims that all road users share the same space of the street as equal and negotiate the way with each other, instead of the conventional signage-based traffic system. When the method first arrived in the UK and has been applied in several spaces, the feedback was rather mixed. Despite Urban Designers reassuring about the long-term positive effects, there were groups that were still not happy with the idea, such as visually impaired, elderly and people who do not feel safe using these streets. This project aims to reconstruct the idea of Shared Spaces, based on the in-depth primary research of selected UK case studies and theory behind the concept and related topics. To achieve that, the toolkit is created, which would serve as the guidance to application of a new idea that maximises inclusivity for all groups. Finally, the toolkit is tested at a chosen site – Charlotte Street, located in central London. The street currently is filled with vibrant restaurants, cafes and bars, however the pavement on both sides of the road is very narrow, often not able to fit the whole pedestrian flow. Shared space is a solution seen as able to not only resolve the problem of pedestrian capacity, but also it would allow for the commercial areas located there to make use of their location to the full potential.
Project Objectives
Different models of shared spaces
draw comparisons between the UK and international case studies - public perception and design
draw comparisons between the official design guidelines for UK shared spaces and abroad
create a list of pros and cons based on available literature
Research Objectives
come up with the new street layout model based on the initial concept of shared spaces
create an urban design toolkit to serve as a guidance for the model application
Design Objectives
inclusive street model: for vehicles, cyclists, pedestrians (including children, elderly, visually impaired and disabled) and local businesses
Outcome Objectives
Shared Space, Leonard Circus, London, UK
Project Methodology
Shared Space, Exhibition Road London, UK
Pros and cons Shared Space, New Road, Brighton, UK
PROS
Road as a public It consumes Land value could space less of an urban be increased space
All road users more aware of each other
Increased communication and personal responsibility
Shops are likely to have a higher turnover
Speeds are harmonised
CONS
Challenge for the authorities
Lower maintenance cost
Some users might be a threat without the signage
People stay there longer
The road might require more cautious design for visually impaired
Confusion of fault
Woonerf, the Netherlands
Risk of gentrification
Shared Zone, Auckland CBD, New Zealand
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Conceptual Framework
New Model: Pedestrian Priority Zones - Design Toolkit
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Application site: Charlotte Street & Rathbone Place Current conditions: • excellent location • predominantly non-residential ground floor uses • low motor traffic • current street design does not maximise its economic and aesthetic potential
Opportunities
Constraints
coworking opportunity: offices and student accomodation
cultural activity centres
non-commercial area: offices and housing; lack of “interesting” frontages
outdoor dining vibrancy opportunity: restaurants and cafes
late evening nighttime economy activity centres (pubs)
transition zones challenge at the busy junctions
green connection opportunity
open to public green areas
major streets connection
challenge of accommodating increased pedestrian traffic flows & restaurants area requiring generous space for outdoor dining
Initial Concept 1. Smooth connection of Charlotte Street and Rathbone Place (one continuous street impression).
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2. Creating bold and vi3. Ensuring a green con4. Connecting currently brant entrances to the nection between the Soho disconnected cycle lanes shared street on the major Square and Fitzroy Square. and cycle quietways. crossings.
FITZROY SQUARE
How could Charlotte Street change? Conventional street (as it looks like now)
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SOHO SQUARE
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Shared space (based on up-to date UK practices)
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Pedestrian Priority Zone (after the application of a toolkit)
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Holloway Prison Design Project Institution: The Bartlett School of Planning, University College London (UCL) Module: Urban Design: Layout, Density and Typology Project type: groupwork Module Coordinator / Lecturer: Juliana Martins Tutor: Stephen Marshall Project Description: The project aims to develop a new vision and propose a design for the abandoned female prison located in Holloway, London. The focus of this project is to understand the relationship between different typologies and density, and to introduce a detailed, new layout for the site while satisfying local community’s needs and achieving the minimum density of 600 units. Exhibition Participation: The project took part in the exhibition event organised in the Islington City Council for the local community. The project has met a large interest from both the community and present professionals. Teamwork contribution: Overall vision and principles ideas contribution, the block structure idea, density calculations, opportunities and contraints maps, community intrastructure and open spaces.
Site location
Concept evolution
Opportunities
Main axes responding to existing local nodes and routes
Open spaces created of varying urban character
current (& potential) green space higher densities potential new potential pedestrian connections
recommended retail frontages new potential road connections
Constraints
Sense of spaces opening up from pinch points
Active frontage along road effectively maximised
site boundary
contaminated land
St Paul’s locally protected view
conservation area
developments under construction / with planning approval
locally significant
noise & pollution on major road
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trees within and surrounding site physical barrier
Open spaces framed by continuous frontages
NEFITS PEN SPACE
Vision diagram “The gateway to a more inclusive, sustainable and liveable Holloway” SUSTAINABILITY
To create a place where people want to live and work, now and in the future. The social, economic and environmental components of the community will be balanced to create a safe and inclusive neighbourhood.
INCLUSIVITY
The proposal will respect the diverse needs of communities, both existing and new, ensuring full access to facilities and resources for all. The well-designed community will be highly adaptable with a mix of tenure catering for different family sizes and stages. LIVEABILITY
A livable community will be delivered through the provision of affordable housing which are well connected by a range of transportation options. It will be supported by good quality community services, that would foster residents’ engagement in community civic, economic and social life.
Principles
SOCIAL BENEFITS
SOCIAL BENEFITS
OPEN SPACE OPEN SPACE
PERMEABILITY MIXED USES RESPECTING NEIGHBOURS
PERMEABILITY
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SOCIAL BENEFITS •
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The development will provide at • Providing much needed open and • Pedestrian and cycle connections • There will be a diversity of uses, • The development will respond to SOCIAL BENEFITS OPEN SPACE PERMEABILITY MIXED USES least 50% affordable housing, with green space in the area. will be made through the especially on the ground floor, and the form and character of the local the large, majority of this being for • Rooftop space will be optimised by historically enclosed site. on key frontages, activating various context. • The development will provide Providing areas muchwith needed • Pedestrian and cycle connections • Theretreatment will be a diversity of uses, social rent. providing community gardensat and •• Surrounding poorer open and spaces. • There will be thoughtful • Much of the housing provided will least 50% allotments. access transport links area. will have • Community be placed in the at the sensitive boundaries with affordable housing, with greentospace in the willuses bewill made through especially on the ground floor, and be for families with two children Openmajority spaces will linked by afor direct space routes. will be optimised by key accessible locations, serving site. surrounding urbanon blocks. the•large, ofbethis being • more Rooftop historically enclosed key frontages, activating variou and above. community and the • Existing local nodes will be social network rent. of green corridors. providing community gardens andboth the • local Surrounding areas with poorer spaces. • Additional community facilities wider neighbourhood. accentuated through the • and Much of•thePedestrian housing provided willconnections allotments. access to transport willdevelopment. have will respond • Community uses will be placed in Providing much and needed open and cycle • There will be a diversity of uses, • The links development to such as nursery women’s two children will be linked more direct routes. locations, serving refuge will be on site for be for families green space in provided the area. will with be made through the • Open spaces especially on by theaground floor, and the form and character ofkey theaccessible local the residents of the sur- and network of green corridors. both the local community and the Rooftop spaceand willthose be optimised by above.historically enclosed site. on key frontages, activating various context. rounding area. • Additional community facilities wider neighbourhood.
OPEN SPACE
The development will provide at least 50% affordable housing, with the large, majority of this being for social rent. Much of the housing provided will be for families with two children and above. Additional community facilities such as nursery and women’s refuge will be provided on site for the residents and those of the surrounding area.
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MIXED USES
providing community gardens and • Surrounding areas with poorer such as nursery andtowomen’s allotments. access transport links will have provided site for • Open spaces will be linked by arefuge will be more direct on routes. the residents and those of the surnetwork of green corridors. rounding area.
PERMEABILITY OPEN PERMEABILITY SPACE
PERMEABILITY
PERMEABILITY MIXED USES
spaces. • Community uses will be placed in key accessible locations, serving both the local community and the wider neighbourhood.
RESPECTING NEIGHBOURS
• There will be thoughtful treatment at the sensitive boundaries with surrounding urban blocks. • Existing local nodes will be accentuated through the development.
RESPECTING NEIGHBOURS MIXED USES NEIGHBOURS RESPECTING NEIGHBOURS RESPECTING
ll provide at open• and Providing much needed • Pedestrian and cycle connections • There •willThe be adevelopment diversity of uses, much needed • Pedestrian andopen cycleand connections • There will be a diversity of uses, will respond• toThe development will respond to housing, with green space the area.through the will be made through especiallythe on form the ground floor, and the form and character of the local ce in the area. willinbe made especially onthe the ground floor, and and character of the local fpace this will being for • Rooftop space will be optimised by historically enclosed site. on key frontages, activating various context. be optimised by historically enclosed site. on key frontages, activating various context. providing community gardens andpoorer • Surrounding areas with poorer spaces.• There will be thoughtful treatment • There will be thoughtful treatment community gardens and • Surrounding areas with spaces.
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Masterplan
The final masterplan maintains the stronger aspects from the initial two schemes, whilst addressing their problems. The sequence of public space has been kept from the ‘pocket park’ proposal, whilst the clear distinction between public and more private from the ‘central park’ proposal has been used.
3D visualisation
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Key elements
Density calculations
COMMUNITY INFRASTRUCTURE employment centre nursery community centre / mental health centre
OPEN SPACE
women’s centre / domestic violence refuge
OVERALL HOMES: 752 FAR: 1.66 Plot Coverage: 34.4% Dwellings per hectare: 157
Three main green spaces visualisation I. Shopping: the Plaza
public semi-public open space
PERMEABILITY shared surface
II. Fun and vibrancy: the fountain
vehicular route primary pedestrian route secondary pedestrian route MIX OF USES community residential retail energy centre
III. Local heritage: the old prison wall
BUILDING HEIGHTS 2 storeys 4 storeys 5 storeys 6 storeys 8 storeys
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Colliers Wood’s Sakura Corridor Institution: The Bartlett School of Planning, University College London (UCL) Module: Sustainable Futures by Design Project type: individual Module Coordinator / Lecturer: Pablo Sendra Tutor: Daniel Fitzpatrick Project Description: The project is the final part of the module’s assessment aiming to enhance students’ creativity, communication and graphics skills. The goal was to come up with an idea of a sustainable intervention for the selected area within Wandle Valley. Exhibition Participation & BSP Expo: The project took part in the exhibition organised for the members of the Wandle Valley trust and the regional park’s management team. “Sakura Corridor” was chosen to be one of their favourite and most memorable ones due to the feasibility and uniqueness of the idea. Finally, following the end of the course, BSP Expo was organised by the Bartlett School of Planning to showcase the work of the students. “Sakura Corridor” was chosen as one of the few projects to be exhibited in the module’s booklet.
Site Location
Serial Vision - Current Condition Narrow paths
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and fences
Current “corridor� going through the housing estates
Extensive
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grass area
Multiple road crossing with no
with no
clear signage of
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activities
Wandle trail
during cold seasons
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Big Box Retail
Soulless pathways through the
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urban area
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pathways
Crossing
enclosed by
through the
non-active
busy roads
frontages
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Key site challenges
Fragmented
Large areas of
Poor quality
Serious flooding
green spaces
big box retail
pedestrian links
problems
Towards Sustainability Increased awareness
Increased Interaction
about biodiversity and wildlife protection
between people and the nature
Greening Effect
nta environme
more attention towards pollution and environmental protection from the local industries and local authorities
l
ial
Attention to Pollution
New Visitors
c so
areas close by start to do similar thing to create a wider network
from other parts of London can interact with locals
Happiness potential increase in happiness of the residents
eco nomic
Neighbourhood Effect possible improvement of areas and a rise in the land value of the areas neighbouring to the intervention site
Ecotourism an opportunity for a new industry
Collaboration the opportunity of improved collaboration of the towns along the Wandle Valley region
Sakura Corridor The name of the intervention derives its name from the concept of creating green corridors and the Japanese name (Sakura) for cherry blossom. It aims to expand not only to connect the northern and southern ends of the Wandle Valley Trail, but also to expand throughout the city. It aims to create a consistent nature corridor between the two points, at the same time adding the vibrancy and greening currently grey urban landscape. The key to the action is not just planting any trees, but to introduce a large number of cheery trees, which would bring enormous interest when blossoming in spring, but also provide local community with the usually pricey fruits in summertime. The whole idea is delivered through 6 interventions.
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Masterplan Existing pedestrian pathways Proposed new pedestrian pathways Roads within the intervention area Water Grey spaces and parking Buildings with green roofs Existing buildings (no changes) Green Open Spaces
Sakura Tree Musketeers Volunteers & Four Seasons Strategy Spring
Cherry Blossom Festival
Summer
Community sports events
Autumn
Community events
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Cherry picking (fruits sold to local shops)
Picnics
Making jams out of remaining cherries
Winter
Tree Planting
Christmas lights and decorations
Selling the jams and cherry tree seeds at christmas markets
Organisation’s Christmas dinner and reveal of the plans for upcoming year
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Sakura Corridor: key intervention areas
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1. Sewage Treatment Site: Create an alternative route with new public realm design.
2. Cherry Blossom Park: planting new cherry trees and creating a new “heart” of the neighbourhood and a place for festivals.
3. Pedestrian Crossings: paint current crossings along the Wandle Valley trail to improve wayfinding and enhance vibrancy.
4. High Road Green Walkway: create a green buffer zone between the big box retail and a busy high road.
5. Big Box Retail Green Roofs: installing green roofs with the accessible entrance on the top of the retail stores’ flat roofs.
6. Street Planting: planting cherry blossom trees outside of the key intervention areas to encourage the spread of an action.
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Poplar: regenerated, green, connected Institution: The Bartlett School of Planning, University College London (UCL) Module: Urban Design: Placemaking Project type: groupwork Module Coordinator / Lecturer: Prof. Matthew Carmona Tutor: Wendy Clarke Project Description: The module was focused on the delivery of better places for the people and improvement of the areas through design. The aim of the assignments given was to boost the creativity of the students and provide proposals for better places through innovative design and strategies. Teamwork contribution: Overall concept development, report layout, site location maps and SWOT analysis, improve streetscape section, regenerate Poplar’s housing section, AutoCAD base for the masterplan (drew and designed new urban blocks and road structure), unify local communities section.
Site Location
SWOT Analysis
Key issues of the site
SITE DISCONNECTED FROM CANARY WHARF BY THE MOTORWAY
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POOR PERMEABILITY WITHIN THE SITE, WITH NUMEROUS CUL-DE-SACS
LOW DENSITY AND POOR QUALITY HOUSING
HIGH UNEMPLOYMENT, LOW EDUCATION ATTAINMENT AND SOCIAL ISSUES
Vision Diagram
Masterplan
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Improve Streetscape
TURNING GARAGES INTO COMMUNITY SPACE
MINIMISE PARKING SPACES OF NEW DEVELOPMENTS TO DISABLED UNITS ONLY
MAKE USE OF “LEFTOVER SPACE”
THE USE OF URBAN LIGHTING TO IMPROVE SAFETY AND ANIMATE THE SPACE
REPLACE RAILINGS WITH STREET FURNITURE
THE USE OF COLORFUL MATERIALS AND INTERCTIVE OBJECTS TO ENHANCE USER’S EXPERIENCE
Regenerate Poplar’s Housing THE USE OF SUSTAINABLE BUILDING MATERIALS AND RENEWABLE ENERGY
Unify Local Communities FIghting current common problems in Poplar through the community activities in collaboration with Canary Wharf through CSR strategy
INTEREST AND ACTIVITY CLUBS
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TALENT SHOWS AND COMPETITIONS
SPORTS ACTIVITIES
EDUCATION SUPPORT EXTRACURRICULAR CLASSES
SELF-DEFENSE AND SECURITY CLASSES
EMPLOYMENT SUPPORT WORKSHOPS
Build a Green Bridge
Connect London’s Natural Spaces
Create Urban Farms
Phasing
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Earl’s Court and West Kensington Opportunity Area SPD Institution: The Bartlett School of Planning, University College London (UCL) Module: Urban Design: Guidance, Incentive and Control Project type: groupwork Module Coordinator: Prof. Colin Haylock Tutor: Wendy Clarke Project Description: The module aims to understand the planning background of urban design and the selection of different types of tools available when delivering the plans. In the assignment, each group was randomly allocated a site. This project focuses on the area of Earl’s Court and West Kensington. In the first part of the assessment current, existing SPD for the opportunity area was under review against the observations and primary research conducted by the group. In the second part of the assignment, which is displayed in this portfolio, the revised SPD has been prepared, with new strategies and policies introducted. One of the key objectives of the task was to provide a document with a wider variety of different tools. Teamwork contribution: Site location, site context and accessibility maps, vision diagram and overall strategy development, contribution to the masterplan (linear park idea, road structure and new block structure), placemaking strategy, phasing.
Site location and site context
Site location in relation to central London
Strategic context
Policy objectives priority
Vision diagram
People’s Plan
London Plan
SPD
Revised SPD
Masterplan
Accessibility map
Character areas
Linear Park Creative Enterprise Zone Mixed Use Regeneration
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Character areas: visualisation Linear Park
Creative Enterprise Zone
Mixed Use Regeneration
The summary of new policies
Guidance
Control
Incentive
Informal
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Strategy 06: Placemaking Policy Objectives • Provide good quality public open spaces, which provide a range of recreational activities and create an opportunity for the variety of cultural and community events. • Maximise the use of a flat rooftop space for the sustainable green roofing or a community leisure space. • Make an effective use of the potential of unused development land for the meanwhile uses to boost the economy and enhance cultural qualities of the Opportunity Area.
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Phasing and delivery
socio-economic interventions socio-economic outcomes
connectivity interventions connectivity outcomes
cultural interventions cultural outcomes
Funding
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