London's Green Spaces The Design Challenge.

Marcus Shields Colvin & Moggridge

London’s Green Spaces. The Design Challenge. The subject of a recent TFL / Urban Design seminar. Open space within the city is a limited thus valuable resource. Consequently, the existing policy framework aims to provide access to high quality open space dispersed throughout the city with important initiatives such as the Greater London Authorities 100 Pocket Parks programme. This presentation reviews the type and scale of London’s green spaces, then moves on to discuss how we can make the most of our small-scale local community green spaces, or Pocket Parks.

Design of green space How might a green space develop? Considerations of size and intensity of use. Review of roles and responsibilities of those involved and ways in which people can be engaged to shape a successful scheme.

•  Urban Green Spaces •  Policy Context •  Strategic location •  Design challenge •  Scheme Design

Urban Green Spaces. Definition: An urban park is also known as green space as it provides some trees, grass or plants in an area that is otherwise made up of concrete and pavement. Urban parks are accessible to the public. The amenities these open green spaces offer vary depending on each park.

Benefit and aim “More opportunities for people of all ages to enjoy the space on their doorsteps, whether they want to relax in the sunshine, experience nature, grow vegetables, play, compete in sport, or simply chat with their neighbours in a safe and pleasant environment.” CABE 2010

Burgess Park, Southwark, London

Urban Green Spaces: Integrated Strategy

Landscape Institute: Local Green Infrastructure extract.

Green Spaces: Type & Scale

Large Scale Green Space: Hampstead heath, Corporation of London

Green Spaces: Type & Scale

Small Local Scale Green Space: Talacre Park, Camden London.

Intensity of use: The Case for Green Spaces

Green Space Publication Landscape Institute Publication

CABE Space (Design Council) Publication

Historic streetscene – safe and playable

Car-free streets - gird & cleek 1900 Improvised play - hopscotch

“ In pre-industrial societies, common land between buildings and workshops existed automatically – so it was never necessary to make a point of it. The paths and streets which gave access to buildings were safe, social spaces, and therefore functioned automatically as common land.” Christopher Alexander, A Pattern Language.

Concept of Integrated urban green-space

Ebinezer Howard, Garden Cities of Tomorrow, 1902

Urban masterplan: Hampstead garden suburb.

Hampstead garden suburb trust, architect: Sir Raymond Unwin, 1906

Historic urban open space wealthy context

Russell Square, Bloomsbury, London 1800 Google maps

Historic urban open space deprived context

Boundary Estate, Arnold Circus, Shoreditch. 1900. google maps

Quality versus Quantity - S.L.O.A.P Space Left Over After Planning - undesignated areas

Hackney – Shoreditch - figure ground Hackney - site picture

“ Outdoor spaces which are merely “left over”, will in general, not be used.” Christopher Alexander, A Pattern Language.

Quality versus Quantity - S.L.O.A.P space left over after planning - undesignated areas

Castlehaven Open Space, Camden.

Brief

Policy

Design Guidance

Regulations

Roles & Responsibilities, Policy Context. •  National Policies,

NPPF, SPG, PPG •  Local Policies, Local Development framework, Open Space Plan, Mayor of London

•  Mayor of London •  Borough Design Guides •  Framework Plans •  Open Space Plans •  Design for London •  Design Council

•  DDA guidance •  Part M •  British standards •  TPO •  BREAM

•  Community Group •  Client •  Local Planning Authority •  Developer

Client & Community

Design Considerations ideas

proposals di

still

ed

Community driven process

Placemaking – Green Space Location Strategic approach

Footfall and activity

Traffic and transport

Placemaking – Green Space Location

Existing site amenity- Any features of high amenity value? Such as large trees, Natural elements? Any unattractive elements?

Connections & desire lines Well connected & active spaces create vibrant communities.

Placemaking massing options

enclosed space

Southern aspect - sunlit

Northern aspect - shaded

Open South facing - open to light

Enclosed North facing – shaded by buildings

Placemaking – building heights

Placemaking – Edges

Defensible space – no access

Activated edge – direct access

Activation and overlooking

Activities & Use: What goes into a green Space?

Building Examples: Library: Books, Education, interpretation, computers.

Hotel: Rooms, Reception, bars, conference facilities.

Common Activities and themes

Hierarchy of spaces – Who is the space for?

children and families

young people

Consideration of local demographic, population, intensity of use.

elderly

Community activities

Market space

Allotment - growing space – community facilities

Community allotment, Borough, London

Market Square, Mansfield Park, Partick, Glasgow

Circulation and access

Desire lines – axial path

Edge footpath undefined cross paths

Mansfield Park, Partick, Glasgow

Shoreditch Park, London

Enclosure - open or enclosed aspect.

Open

Enclosed

Bryant Park, New York, USA

Grahame Park, Colindale London

Sports facilities, Play or Playable Space

Play area

Natural Playable Park

St Mary’s Playpark, Elephant & Castle, London

Storm King, New York State, USA

Seating. Location & Number

Overlooking Edge Seating

Feature bench, Flying Angel, Newham Victorian Benches, Dulwich Park, London

Art or is the entire space Art?

Sculpture

Landscape as sculpture

UOL Quad, Liverpool

Charles Jencks landform, Scotland

lighting and security

lighting – footpath delineation

enclosure – railings - gateways

Primrose Hill, London

St Mary’s Churchyard, Elephant and Castle, London

The Landscape as a system.

Reed bed planting – integrated SUDS Accordia, Cambridge

•  Integrated SUDS •  Reed Beds •  2 stage surface drainage. •  Rainwater harvesting •  Stormwater cells / soakaway •  Swales •  Porous paving •  Reduction of heat sink effect

Planting and biodiversity

low maintenance – ground cover. Flying angel, Newham

spring colour – magnolia tree grid UOL Quad, Liverpool.

formal avenue cherry trees, Surrey.

Biodiversity - Wildflower Planting, Hyde Park Rose Garden

Roses, Summer colour - Hyde Park Rose Garden

Planting and biodiversity

Lifecycle costing

Lifecycle costing - capital works and future maintenance. •  materiality - simple robust materials - locally distinctive •  who funds? adoptable space, service charge, management company. •  supervision. local authority, friends group. volunteers, park attendant?

Options – re-visit the brief and key aims.

brief

policy

desi

gn

guid

ance

regulations

client and

community

Proposals, Creation of a successful Greenspace

www.colmog.co.uk m.shields@colmog.co.uk Marcus Shields, Colvin & Moggridge. Landscape Architect & Urban Designer.

“Modern tower blocks tend to dominate their surroundings. Preservation of existing tree groups and careful ground shaping with very broad simple treatment integrates them happily into the landscape. Close co-operation between Architect and Landscape Architect is needed at the outset.” Brenda Colvin 1962