cities built for change - adaptable public realm

Cities Building for ChangeResearch Project for the

Vancouver City Planning Commission(VCPC)

Keltie CraigUBC SCARPDec.19, 2007

VCPC Public Realm Subcommittee

Agenda

1. Introduction2. Drivers of Change

-Physical

-Social/Cultural

3. Case Studies-Portland

-Chicago-Glasgow

4. “Idea Bits”5. Questions/Comments

Introduction

Urbanization:60% of world’s population will live in cities by 2030

RESPONSE:

Building for Change

-Flexible, temporary, moveable architecture

-Adaptable public space

-Supportive public policies

Drivers of Change

Physical and Social/Cultural Factors

1. Physical-Climate Change

-Peak Oil

-Energy Efficiency in Material and Construction

-Developable Land Supply Constraints

Drivers of Change

Physical and Social/Cultural Factors

• Social/Cultural-Aging Population

-Multi-Ethnic, Multi-Cultural Societies

-Non-Traditional Family Structures & Living Arrangements

-Politics of Development

-Advances in Communication Technology

-Search for Personal Meaning

Case Study: Public Art in Portland

Art and Planning –

part of larger discussion about the shared values of the city.

1. Outdoor Rooms

2. Shared Visions

3. Support for Artists

Pod, 2002. P.Beeman

Intersection Repair

Case Study: Green Permitting in Chicago

Green Permit Program provides developers and owners with an incentive to build green by streamlining the permit process timeline for their projects.

more green building elements = shorter timeline to get permit

Chicago's first green roof, atop City Hall

Case Study: Public Realm Planning in Glasgow

Glasgow City Centre Millennium Plan Public Realm Programme – Phase 1

-Perimeter Gateway Projects

-Address the Civic Squares

-Primary Retail Streets

Idea Bits

Visual dictionary of firecracker ideas

Experimental Space:

Brooklyn Parking Lot – to – Plaza

Pearl Street Triangle Plaza, a similar project Willoughby Pedestrian Plaza, Brooklyn

Mobile Community Tea House

The T-Horse is a winged vehicle that travels to and transforms

neighborhood events throughout the city during the summer months.

Design for a changing demographic: children

Colourful panels are hung at a child’s eye level

to create a more visually stimulating environment

Stairways have multi-level railings so

small children can learn to climb stairs

“Living Smart”: In-fill houses in Portland, OR

Vargas Plan, 1700 square feet

Car-Free Streets in France: Paris Plage

Pedestrians enjoy the Paris Plage

Retractable Bollards:

Controlled Access Pedestrian Zones

Rising bollards near Darwin College, Cambridge. Removable bollard, Seattle, WA

Festival Streets

Davis Festival Street, Portland, OR

Water and Change:

Stormwater Management and Recreation

Children's Rain Garden in Arlington VA.

Fountains at Hastings Park, Vancouver BC

Park(ing) Day, San Francisco

Swing Space, New York City

Outdoor Market, Paris

Photo: Frank Ducote

Photo Frank Ducote