Urban Interventions for Placemaking: Making Walkable Streets for Healthy Neighborhoods

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1 Urban Interventions for Placemaking: Making Walkable Streets for Healthy Neighborhoods Lunch Design for Health November 28 th, 2012 Janet L. Attarian, AIA, LEED AP BD+C

2 Livability and Sustainable Communities The urban form, with its density, public transit and walkable neighborhoods, is a sustainable way for humans to live. Its enhancement and maintenance for the safety and convenience of all users, is fundamental to creating a world where all humans can anticipate a good quality of life without depleting the world s natural resources.

3 Public Right of Way = Public Space The City s philosophy on how to design and maintain the public way is critical to its overall performance and sustainability.

4 Getting to Great Streets Safe Streets: A complete streets approach to designing, building & maintaining Chicago Streets Modal hierarchy & Mode share Safe, Sustainable, Beautiful Streets Sustainable Urban Infrastructure: Guidelines and policies for Chicago s public right of way Ecological Services Placemaking Streets for People: A placemaking guide for Chicago Streets

5 Data Driven - Public Health Obesity cost the state more than $700 million every year and cost individuals an additional $1,429 annually 42% more than normal weight persons. -Illinois Cardio Vascular Task Force, June 2000

6 Crime and Pedestrian Crashes Incidences of crime by Chicago Community Area (CCA). Years 2005 through 2009 were averaged and compared to the average number of fatal and serious injury pedestrian crashes over the same time period in each CCA. Crime was the only variable including income, race, language spoken at home, and Walk Scores that correlated to pedestrian crashes. There may be many variables responsible for this correlation. -City of Chicago 2011 Pedestrian Crash Analysis Technical Report

7 Source: LERN/Nine Shift Institute, based on data from the National Household Travel Survey from the FHA and USDOT

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9 CDOT Complete Streets Policy The safety and convenience of all users of the transportation system including pedestrians, bicyclists, transit users, freight, and motor vehicle drivers shall be accommodated and balanced in all types of transportation and development projects and through all phases of a project so that even the most vulnerable children, elderly, and persons with disabilities can operate safely within the public right of way. 9

10 Modal Hierarchies Very clear default, any proposed change must be justified and approved by compliance committee Goals 10% reduction in crashes & injuries each year 50% decrease by 2017 Elimination of traffic fatalities by 2022

11 Create spaces that cultivate community and culture Economic Development Increase property values for Chicago residents Economic benefit to local merchants Improve street safety (#18 from Transition Plan) Increase Access to Open Space (#28 from Transition Plan) Create a strong public health agenda for Chicago (#20 from Transition Plan) Encourage pedestrian activity MAKE WAY FOR PEOPLE

12 KEY FEATURES Must be on the public right of way. Must be open to the public. Must provide a public benefit. Requires a private partner. Is temporary in some form. Subject to the rules and regulations of the public right of way. Bottom Up Process Flexible MAKE WAY FOR PEOPLE

13 ENABLING LEGISLATION Ordinance passed in June. Use Agreement Developed Indemnify the City $1M insurance Maintenance responsibilities Programming responsibilities New Permits with New Fee Structure MAKE WAY FOR PEOPLE

14 People Spots (aka: parklets, pop-up cafes) are platforms built in the parking lane next to sidewalks in neighborhoods with narrow sidewalks or high pedestrian volumes. People Streets convert excess asphalt into hard-scape public spaces with the purpose of creating safer intersections and/or the addition of open space in neighborhoods with open space deficits. People Plazas will activate existing CDOT Malls, Plazas and Triangles with the introduction of new programming and retail/marketing opportunities with private partners. MAKE WAY FOR PEOPLE People Alleys enable the use of Chicago alleys for artwalks, seating, and other events that can activate these spaces for uses to support placemaking and economic development.

15 Goals: Expand on 2012 pilot; 1-3 locations - Spring 2013 Create public space at dead end streets, cul-de-sacs or areas of excess pavement Use recycled or overstocked CDOT planters/precast or delineators and paint/textured epoxy to delineate People Streets Temporary People Streets can be turned into permanent street closures over time, as funding allows MAKE WAY FOR PEOPLE

16 MAKE WAY FOR PEOPLE 2012 People Street Kenmore Ave. DePaul University The 2300 block of North Kenmore Avenue temporarily closed May 1 - May 30, DePaul University hosted a series of community and family-friendly events, including Pop-up Concerts and Kickin it on Kenmore.

17 Goals: Community participation/ unique to place Year-round operation & activation of all public way plazas Infrastructure upgrades when possible, ie. power, water, wi-fi Improved Maintenance, off-set city maintenance costs Public/Private/Non-profit partnership Equitable geographic distribution Arts Integration MAKE WAY FOR PEOPLE

18 MAKE WAY FOR PEOPLE Chicago Woodard Triangle Integrated performance space Permanent street closure Stormwater BMP s

19 MAKE WAY FOR PEOPLE Chicago Giddings Plaza Weekly summer concert series Highly active public space Operated and Maintained by chamber of commerce

20 MAKE WAY FOR PEOPLE Goals: Pilot 1 to 3 locations Spring 2013 Formalize application and permitting process Develop a range of possible models Expand program to other community-based organizations

21 MAKE WAY FOR PEOPLE Chicago Couch Place Activation of space through art walks, seating or performance arts

22 MAKE WAY FOR PEOPLE Goals: Expand pilot program Spring 2013 Formalize application and permitting process Prioritize locations along/adjacent to strong retail corridors Expand program to other community-based organizations

23 MAKE WAY FOR PEOPLE Chicago Pilot People Spots Andersonville Andersonville Development Corporation Clark & Olive N. Lincoln Ave. Lakeview Chamber of Commerce

24 MAKE WAY FOR PEOPLE Chicago Pilot People Spots - Activation N. Lincoln Ave. Lakeview Chamber of Commerce

25 MAKE WAY FOR PEOPLE Chicago Pilot People Spots 47 th & Greenwood 47 th & Champlain

26 People Spots Design & Construction Professionally certified set of drawings required for approval Pilots built using adjustable pedestal system that allows for leveling or slopes no greater than an ADA accessible sidewalk Site plan and survey required to show feasibility of decking system on street cross section MAKE WAY FOR PEOPLE

27 People Spots ADA Design Considerations Platforms designed to be as flush as possible with the sidewalk and curb. An industrial grade transition plate may be used to provide wheel chair access, where required. A minimum dimension of the platform at its transition with the sidewalk shall provide clear wheelchair access. MAKE WAY FOR PEOPLE

28 Before and After Ped Counts Pilot People Spots MAKE WAY FOR PEOPLE

29 MAKE WAY FOR PEOPLE Attitude and Behavior Sense of Community 6.9 to 7.7 (Out of a scale of 1 to 10) Meeting City Green Objectives Increased by 23% Mode Share 7% more walked 17% more rode bikes 5% fewer drove Activity Mapping Greatly increased diversity of activities +24% in sitting, +9% in socializing, +26% in eating and drinking, +17% phone use

30 MAKE WAY FOR PEOPLE Arts Integration Art on the Spot Potential for arts integration into People Space Design Art on the Spot can happen via commissioned work or other partnerships

31 People Spots Lessons Learned An Accurate survey of curb lane should be conducted early in the design process A design should take into consideration perimeter openings to prevent accumulation of debris A trash can should be designed into People Spots if one is not readily accessible nearby Plant size and density should be selected to allow for landscaping to thrive Designers should budget project management time into their budgets, whether or not they are providing pro-bono services Aldermanic buy-in is essential, especially if metered parking relocation is necessary Support from local merchants helps activation & maintenance MAKE WAY FOR PEOPLE

32 MAKE WAY FOR PEOPLE Partnerships City Task Force To identify areas of synergy or conflict and to help determine which current procedures, policies and laws can be used to achieve our objectives, or how can they be changed to allow us to achieve our objectives. Law Department Business Affairs and Consumer Protection Department of Cultural Affairs Department of Health Department of Housing and Economic Department of Housing and Economic Development

33 Partnerships Civic NPO Task Force To identify creative solutions that build capacity on a local level, CDOT has formed a task force of local organizations to assist. Civic Consulting Alliance Assistance with Legal Counsel around CDOT s rights and abilities for bid process structure and economic analysis partnered with Jones Lane LaSalle and Baker McKenzie Project for Public Spaces Potential assistance with sponsorship as well placemaking education and capacity building for local community groups and organizations Metropolitan Planning Council Potential assistance with capacity building for local community groups and organizations. Local partner to PPS Architecture for Humanity Citywide placemaking competition. Potential partnership to include CDOT malls and plazas in this year s competition. Chicago Architecture Foundation Possible Education & Awareness to general public via an exhibit. Potential for design-build exercise with high school students. The task force will help CDOT (a) scale the program, (b) add to CDOT s capacity, (c) identify solutions where there are no suitable local partners, and (d) involve local community organizations and businesses in the decision-making process. MAKE WAY FOR PEOPLE

34 Next Steps 2013 Potential Locations Potential Locations Location Sponsor Program N. Milwaukee Ave. at Chicago W. Ave. West Town Chamber/SSA #29 People Spot 415 N. Milwaukee Ave. Paramount Room People Spot/Bike Corral 2936 N. Clark St. Lakeview East Chamber/SSA #8 People Spot Alley btwn W. Oakdale Ave & W. Surf St. Lakeview East Chamber/SSA #8 People Alley Alley btwn W. Oakdale Ave & W. Surf St. Lakeview East Chamber/SSA #8 People Alley S. Blue Island Av. & S. Laflin St. People Street 26th St. & California Ave. Little Village Chamber/SSA #25 People Street 26th St btwn Troy Ave. & Albany Ave. Little Village Chamber/SSA #25 People Spot State Street Active Transportation Alliance People Spot TBD (4) Lakeview Chamber/SSA #27 People Spot Berwyn & Clark Andersonville Development Corp./SSA #22 People Street TBD (2) Andersonville Development Corp./SSA #22 People Spot MAKE WAY FOR PEOPLE

35 PEOPLE STREETS Flexible Streets Programming Create flexible streets that can provide community event space through infrastructure and programming. Festivals can be spread throughout the neighborhoods for a variety of event types/audiences: Music/Dance League of Chicago Theaters Fashion Shows Potential Locations Gunnison Street and Ainslie Street, between Broadway and Magnolia Clifton Avenue between Wilson and Broadway Argyle Street between Broadway and Sheridan Motor Row on Michigan Avenue Fulton Street Roosevelt Road

36 OPEN STREETS Open Streets on State Street Photos by Steven Vance, Chad Magiera and YooperAnn via Flickr

37 Thank You!