Public Spaces as a Critical Policy Element “Cities for People” video by Prof Jan Gehl
(“Life between Buildings”)
Mikel Murga
Fall 2006
Urban Transp Planning 2006
Point of departure
„
„
“In a world being steadily privatized, in
some cities public spaces are gaining in
importance… People respond enthusiastically
to these new opportunities for walking and
participating in public life in public spaces”
“People are invited to reposses their cities
and restrictions are being made to reduce
parking and traffic in city areas in order to
make room for more people oriented
activities”
Jan Gehl
Bilbao-Copenhagen
F. Salvucci, and M.Murga
2
Urban Transp Planning 2006
Jan Gehl
„
„
„
„
Architect and Head of the Urban Design Dept
School of Architecture, Royal Danish Academy
of Fine Arts in Copenhagen
Author: “Life Between Buildings – Using
Public Space”, “Public Spaces – Public Life,
Copenhagen 1996” and “New City Spaces”
Sir Patrick Abercrombie prize for exemplary
contributions to town planning by the
International Union of Architects
Consultant in Copenhagen, Vejle, Odense,
Oslo, Latvia, Stockholm, Edinburgh, Aberdeen,
Perth, Melbourne…
www.GehlArchitects.dk
Bilbao-Copenhagen
F. Salvucci, and M.Murga
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Urban Transp Planning 2006
Jan Gehl
„
Ströget as a pedestrian street?
„
„
Bilbao-Copenhagen
But, why? We Scandinavians stay indoors, not
like those in Southern Europe!
After all our weather is lousy
F. Salvucci, and M.Murga
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Urban Transp Planning 2006
Characteristics of a Good Place
„
Good to walk in and to stay for a while
„
„
„
Good for social and cultural exchanges
„
„
Comfortable, climate protected, benches, steps, cafes
Pleasant facades, pedestrian continuity, lack of barriers
Space for cultural activities, The Commons
Good for talking, watching and experiencing
„
„
Low level of noise, intimate public spaces
Fine views, window shops, exhibits, good details
Lively, diverse and safe to move around with
a wide variety of uses both day and night
Bilbao-Copenhagen
F. Salvucci, and M.Murga
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Urban Transp Planning 2006
Activities in Public Spaces
„
Necessary activities
„
„
Optional activities
„
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Urban recreation when quality is high (park
benches, trees, concerts..) Acid test is how long
do they stay
Social activities
„
Bilbao-Copenhagen
Going to school, waiting for the bus to go to work,
shopping, seeking medical attention…
Watching, listening, experiencing other people,
playing, talking to others, showing off…
F. Salvucci, and M.Murga
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Urban Transp Planning 2006
Actors of Public Life „
Tourists 65,000
Visitors 140,000
Every day users
„
„
Visitors/customers
„
Workers 136,000
„
„
Shoppers, seekers of services,
suppliers…
Recreational visitors
„
Residents 2100
Residents, office workers, street
vendors…
Outdoor café clients, park users,
runners, bikers, sun bathers, readers…
Event attendants
„
Concerts, festivals, cultural events…
Students 30,000
Figure by MIT OCW.
Bilbao-Copenhagen
F. Salvucci, and M.Murga
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Urban Transp Planning 2006
Data Gathering
M oy ú a: Pe ato ne s/H o ra se g ú n S e m áfo ros (A M )
3000
2500
1500
1000
500
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
Pa so s o Se má fo ros
3
C A
LL
E
Peatones por Hora AM
3
CO
LO
N
36
;
1
41
34
A
E
LL
34
PLAZA
39
7
JAD O
C
EL
O
46
1
AN
250
31
26
IPA
R R
AG
UIR
RE
LA
RR
EA
TE
GU
I
C
1.250
20
de Vizcaya
;
;
5
45
6
1
22
E
11
22
C
bis
;
;10
A
LL
R
C
IL
#
#
LA
35
17
E
19
21
2
2
42
37
1
36
Gobierno C ivil
44
33
;
18
30
10
;
32
DE
5
2.500
21
s
Bi
4
M oyua
PLAZA
16,91
3
FEDERIC O
6
8
40 Bis
M OYU A
40
en obras
38
;
2
C. D
;
OC
TO
R A
CH
UC
AR
R O
3
5
4
36
G R
AN
39
1
24
E
C
16
DE
L
4
4
;
3
;9
#
PU
ER
TO
43
29
„
Most cities have excellent
statistics about traffic flows
and parking patterns.
However, information is
sorely lacking about city
quality as experienced by a pedestrian and about how public spaces function
CA
LL
E
„
2000
A
LL
R
C
IL
;
LA
3
H acienda
E
Tributaria
23
26
;
7
Moyu
VIA
a
37
Moyua
6
35
33
D
2
31
9
14
29
25
27
Bilbao-Copenhagen
F. Salvucci, and M.Murga
8
DE
10
NO
CA
EL
8
11
10
23
9
12
B. G A R A I Z A R
M A
RQ
UE
S
PARR OC O
42
27
8
E
LL
CA
PLAZA
27
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Urban Transp Planning 2006
Field Work
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Motorized transport flows:
„
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Pedestrians flows:
„
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Street hierarchy, transit network, parking…
Test walks, wait at traffic lights push buttons,
crossing times, footpath interruptions, safety…
Facades and ground level activity
„
Bilbao-Copenhagen
Quality, duration of stays, sunshine and shade areas,
weather protection, trees, outdoor seating, cafes, day
and night activities…
F. Salvucci, and M.Murga
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Urban Transp Planning 2006
Generic Recommendations
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„
„
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Upgrade Squares
and Plazas
Rehabilitate wide
streets
Develop transit
Reduce through
traffic
Enhance Park Lands
Create pedestrian
and bike networks
Bilbao-Copenhagen
„
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„
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Mixed uses for day and
night livability
Attract residents
Foster markets, cafes
and educational
institutions
Improve ground floor
frontage
Organize public activities
and events
F. Salvucci, and M.Murga
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Urban Transp Planning 2006
Some ideas from the video…
„
Human dimension in city and site planning:
„
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People as walkers:
„
„
„
„
Bilbao-Copenhagen
Size and quality of public spaces, types of public
activities, the city as cultural birthplace
Sensory experience
Distance for public, social, private exchanges
Public and private spheres, and its transition
People, dressed with cars, moving at 50-60
km/hr, change the cityscape as they lack both
the sensory experience and the interaction
with others
F. Salvucci, and M.Murga
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Urban Transp Planning 2006
Hope you enjoy the video this comingTuesday!
(in Danish!)
… and please do send me an email with just three ideas that caught your attention
Bilbao-Copenhagen
F. Salvucci, and M.Murga
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