VICTOR CHEUNG PORTFOLIO OF WORKS 2014 2015
ABOUT THIS PORTFOLIO This portfolio contains a sample of work from 2014 and 2015 from my first year at Ryerson University’s Bachelor in Urban and Regional Planning Program. During this period I developed a deep appreciate for the urban typology of streets, buildings, and public space. I try to convey this message throughout this portfolio. The works in this portfolio are based on a study area in downtown Toronto Ontario. The study area is bounded by Gerrard St in the north, Parliament St to the east, Shuter St to the south, and Bay st to the west. Special attention is paid to the Ryerson University campus.
Contents 004 DISTRICTS 005 LAND USE 006 BLOCK TYPOLOGY 008 RYERSON SECTION 010 RYERSON ELEVATION 013 RYERSON BUILT FORM 014 RYERSON STREET PERSPECTIVES 016 RYERSON PEDESTRIAN STUDY 017 DUNDAS STREET SECTION
DISTRICTS Districts are relatively large sections of the city distinguished by a specific character. The study area contains four distinctive districts. This portfolio focuses on Ryerson University. GERRARD ST E GERRARD ST E
GOULD ST GOULD ST ST ST SHERBOURNE SHERBOURNE
DUNDAS ST E BAY ST BAY ST
JARVIS JARVIS ST ST
YONGE YONGE ST ST
ST ST PARLIAMENT PARLIAMENT
DUNDAS ST E
SHUTER ST SHUTER ST
Shopping District
Ryerson University
Garden District
Cabbage Town
Study Area
Shopping District Major Arterial
Ryerson University Collector
Garden District Local
Cabbage Town Pedestrianized Road
Study Area 1: 4600
Pedestrianized Road
1: 4600
Major Arterial
Collector
Local
QUEEN ST E QUEEN ST E
4
LAND USE Land use is a key determinant of urban morphology. Each land use has a characteristic building size, setbacks, and type. These are the factors which help build the character of each street district. GERRARD ST E GERRARD ST E
ST ST ONTARIO ONTARIO
GOULD ST GOULD ST
ST ST PARLIAMENT PARLIAMENT
27.2%
ST ST PEMBROKE PEMBROKE
Residential - low density Residential - low density Open space - parks, ravines, Open space - parks, ravines, natural areas natural areas
GEORGE ST ST GEORGE
ST ST DALHOUSIE DALHOUSIE
Residential - medium density Residential - medium density
JARVIS ST ST JARVIS
ST ST MUTUAL MUTUAL
SHUTER ST SHUTER ST
ST ST CHURCH CHURCH
BOND ST ST BOND
ST ST VICTORIA VICTORIA
YONGE ST ST YONGE
28%
STREET LANE VICTORIA VICTORIA STREET LANE
ST ST BAYBAY
Commercial - high density Commercial - high density (Office) (Office) Commercial - low density Commercial - low density (Office - Retail) (Office - Retail) Residential - high density Residential - high density
ST ST SHERBOURNE SHERBOURNE
DUNDAS ST E DUNDAS ST E
DUNDAS SQ DUNDAS SQ
ST ST BERKELEY BERKELEY
WALTON ST WALTON ST
Open space - playing fields, Open space -hydro playing fields, cemeteries, corridors cemeteries, hydro corridors Open space - pedestrian malls, Open space - pedestrian malls, squares squares QUEEN ST E Open space - parking QUEEN ST E Open space - parking
17.1%
Retail Retail
Institutional Institutional
Mixed Use Mixed Use - - Residential Commercial Commercial - Residential Mixed Use Mixed Use - - Industrial Commercial Commercial - Industrial
18.3%
Study Area Study Area
1: 4600 1: 4600
5
2.6% 2.7%
6
BLOCK TYPOGRAPHY Street pattern is a key determinant of walkability and legibility. They form the basis of how people interact with the built environment as they travel from location to location. A grid street network provides users with the ability to see a maximum amount places as they wander the area. As well, this network allows for excellent connectivity between locations as there are many paths and directions one can take when traveling. The illustrations to the left provide an idea of the existing block structure in relation to the built form. A comparison of the building patterns in relation to the block patterns show a dense urban form with good street frontages which provide street users with quality opportunities to engage visually with the environment. The last illustration separates all blocks to display a sense of general continuity in block pattern. 7
RYERSON UNIVERSITY SECTION Quality public spaces are a sought after feature in all places. Ryerson University is a downtown campus on the fringes of medium to high density residential and high density retail, commercial, and office. With land being such a commodity, quality public spaces can be hard to come by. Ryerson does not lack quality public spaces with quasi-public indoor spaces such as Kerr Hall, and the South Bond Building, and quality outdoor public spaces, including The Quad and Gould Street.
Kerr Hall North
The Quad
Gerrard St
Theatre School
8
Recreation and Athletics Centre
Kerr Hall So
One important aspect to creating a quality public space is giving a sense of enclosure to street users. Enclosure is a perceived sensorial value evoked by the ratio of height to width when experiencing streets widths and building heights. Gould Street, an important third place and pedestrian right-of-way, has a ratio of approximately 1:2 which is considered ideal.
outh
Heidelberg Centre
Gould St
South Bound Building
Dundas St
Oakham House
St. George’s Greek Orthodox Church
Bond Place
9
RYERSON UNIVERSITY ELEVATION O’Keefe House and the Ryerson Student Union Building are indicative of change from old to new. O’Keefe House was built in the 1850s while the Student Union Building was built in 2008. Both buildings are owned by Ryerson University and function as community hubs for students and locals. Located on Gould Street, the area in front of the Student Union Building is often the location of activist gatherings.
Ryerson Student Unio 10
on Building
O'Keefe House 11
RYERSON UNIVERSITY BUILT FORM A three dimensional illustrate provides an understanding of both the built form and land use in the study area. Ryerson University is a dense campus with a significant student population on a relatively small campus. For instance, compare Ryerson University to The University of Toronto. Ryerson has approximately 4470 students per hectare versus University of Toronto, 665 students per hectare. Ryerson has established not just a institutional campus, but a functioning community with a mix institutional, residential, commercial, and open space uses.
12
Institutional Residential Commercial Parking Open Space
13
RYERSON PERSPECTIVES The intersection of Gould Street and Victoria Street is a significant street for the greater community and Ryerson students. At this corner we find a nexus of street activity, recreation, gathering, and transportation. The focal point includes Lake Devo, the various boulders placed
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throughout the corner, and a mixture of informal and formal seating. Activating outdoor public spaces can be difficult in environments with colder winters. This problem is solved by filling Lake Devo with water in the winter to serve as an ice rink and a skate park in the summer.
15
PEDESTRIAN STUDY Ryerson University should, justifiably, be as pedestrianized as possible. A preliminary study was conducted on occurrences of j-walking along entry points into Ryerson University. Our survey demonstrates a justification for increased pedestrian amenities in areas with medium to high occurrences of j-walking. Specific actions include pedestrianization of streets or the implementation of shared space. In areas where there is more vehicle traffic, additional crosswalks may be justified. GERRARD ST E
Pedestrian Right of Way Green Space and Plaza
GOULD ST
Areas of Mid-Block J-Walking
CHURCH ST
YONGE ST
High Occurrence
DUNDAS ST E
16
Medium Occurrence
DUNDAS ST E
Low Occurrence
1: 4600
DUNDAS STREET SECTION
PROPOSED Dundas st @ Bond st looking east
Providing safe opportunities for cycling as a mode of transportation has been proven to promote cycling. The street section is of Dundas Street at Bond Street looking east and illustrates the proposed and existing lane hierarchy. The proposed plan replaces one east bound lane with a two way protected cycling path leaving vehicle traffic to share the street car lane.
CURRENT Dundas st @ Bond st looking east 17
VICTOR CHEUNG v10cheung@ryerson.ca www.linkedin.com/in/victorfromvancouver