Can town centres retain the social heart of our communities?

Transcription

1 Urban Design Group Solent - June 2013 Can town centres retain the social heart of our communities? Examples of strategic masterplanning and public realm design to re-invent urban centres Peter Frankum Director Masterplanning and Urban Design Dulcie Lucas Associate Landscape Architect

2 Structure 1. Reinventing town centres? Threats and opportunities Master planning for an integrated approach Public realm enlivening town centres 4. Summary 2

3 Reinventing town centres? Threats and opportunities Key Threats Economic down turn Rise of online shopping ( 50 billion in 2012 and continuing rise (ease of access and money saving) Out and edge of town parks (now also under threat) Contraction and focus of multiples Old rent charges based on more prosperous times Declining town centre high streets only in some locations The zoned place v mixed place 3

4 Reinventing town centres? Threats and opportunities Key opportunities Opportunity for some centres to reinvent themselves and back to basics the heart of the town Town centres are not just about retail Town centre as a community hub (living, working, shopping) Increasing stay and the social/ leisure experience Business start ups Town centres creating successful places and destinations (learning from the historic model) Marketing and rebranding Robust and dynamic centres Increase footfall Integrated approach to reinventing town centres 4

5 Master plan approach: Activities and uses Avoid segregating facilities from housing which will only encourage reliance on the car. Master planning quality places

6 Kettering Town Centre Kettering Futures study and AAP savills.co.uk

7 Key facts Regeneration of the whole town centre Population of 40,000 people (town area) Borough 80,000 people Declining town centre SE Midlands Growth Area GAF Funding to regeneration initiatives

8 Kettering Futures outputs: Regeneration Master Plan Area Action Plan Briefs for key sites Design Guidance 3D intelligent model (+ data) Public realm SPD Public Realm design (RIBA E) To deliver: 1,200 new homes 38,000 sqm commercial mix 20,500 sqm Retail 26 ha Open space

9 Kettering Town Centre AAP Outputs KF1 AAP KF2 Baseline Report KF3 Public Realm and Art SPD KF4 Intelligent 3D Model (linked to GIS) KF5 Web site Sustainability Appraisal Summary leaflet 9

10 Western Quarter Town centre north The Yards (specialist) Station Quarter Silver Street (craft and start ups) Headlands heritage Quarter Market Place (social) Church Place (civic)

11 Qualities (via engagement process)

12 Kettering Futures Parameter Plans

13 Area Action Plan Urban quarters and codes Quarters approach and areas Each Quarter sets out: Strategy and role Key sites Activities/ quantum Design concepts and sections Code elements: (roof/blocks/elevations/boundaries/materials) Sustainability appraisal context Implementation

14 Kettering Town Centre AAP AAP Codes 14

15 Kettering Town Centre AAP Intelligent Model Vox Vue with Savills 15

16 Kettering Town Centre Market Place Public Realm Detailed Design (with Alan Baxter & Form Associates St Peter & St Paul Church setting Historic market place, since 1785 Limited retail and restaurant offer Identified for early intervention in AAP process Key aims: Removal of unregulated parking Re-active market place to stimulate local economy Local planning authority purchase of adjacent land to release development sites New multi-use public space 16

17 Kettering Town Centre Market Place Outcomes Increased pedestrian activity Events space fountains, Kettering by the Sea sandpit, Christmas tree, classic car rally Stimulated business interest - incoming i restaurants & retail 17

18 Kettering Market Place 9 May 2013

19 Derby Full Street Corridor Derby City Council (Derby Cityscape) savills.co.uk

20 Derby Full Street Corridor Derby Full Street Corridor: Regeneration masterplan Development site testingti Valuation/ market advice Development Briefs for key sites 3D models Leading on Public Realm design (RIBA Stage D), with Alan Baxter & SLR To deliver: >300 new homes >4,000 sqm Retail >3,000 sqm employment 1,000 sqm cathedral extension Traffic calmed streets and enhanced public realm Public Realm 20

21 Derby Full Street Corridor Derby Full Street Corridor context: The Derby City Masterplan (January 2005) Derby City Centre Public Realm Strategy t (2007) & Public Art Strategy Riverside Guide to Design for Nature (2007) and Nature Conservation Strategy (2006) Derby Full Street Corridor aims: Comprehensive regeneration of city centre area ( 1bn overall investment secured) Radical changes to roads, roundabouts and traffic movement to create new vibrant public realm Stimulate inward investment through road and public realm improvements Connections between existing retail offers, to historic features and to riverside Long term vision for change 21

22 Derby Full Street Corridor Key assets: Derby Cathedral Church & new public Green, and Conservation Area River Derwent & Lombe s Silk Mill (part of World Heritage Site) Active covered market, Guildhall, ll Assembly Rooms & Civic buildings Westfield shopping centre and specialist shopping in historic quarter near Cathedral Key projects: Derby QUAD arts centre Derby Riverlights new bus station and mixed use development with retail/leisure Council House refurbishment Castleward area improvements including railway station frontage Traffic/transport improvements 22

23 Derby Full Street Corridor Process & Outputs Detailed site analysis for public realm and development sites Public exhibition and stakeholder workshops Design rationale & proposals Comprehensive and detailed Design Statement clear strategy and tool for detailed design and funding applications Street quality audit Landmarks and nodes Public transport 23

24 Derby Full Street Corridor Public Realm design proposals and interventions Rejuvenated, connected streets and spaces Pedestrian prioritised in movement hierarchy Junction changes, narrowed & re-aligned roads, widened footways, parking rationalisation New Squareabouts shared public spaces Simple palette of high quality materials/planting Reduced street clutter Phase 1 The Morledge now completed alongside delivery of a new bus station as part of the Riverlights mixed use scheme. Urban Transport Design Award 2012 (Large Projects) 24

25 Derby Full Street Corridor Development brief site design proposals and interventions Derby Cathedral extension multifunctional space overlooking waterfront Glass-covered orangery extension to covered marketplace, creating all- weather public space Residential, commercial & retail development proposals Council House refurbishment now completed (Corstorphine & Wright Architects), incorporating surrounding public realm enhancements and access to a renovated River Derwent waterfront 25

26 Derby Full Street Corridor Design Statement Comprehensive document & appendices covering: Tree survey Statutory utilities survey Site assessment & evaluation Design development & proposals Highway & landscape details Public realm materials palettes Stage 1 Quality & Safety Audit Implementation strategy Management & maintenance plan Development Briefs Cost schedule for road & public realm, and development brief sites ( 15m, 43m) 26

27 Derby City Update Derby City Council update: City Centre Regeneration Framework (2012) Single document and vision for city centre investment, enabling a joined-up approach to delivery of projects Produced by Derby City Council integrates Masterplan and Public Realm & Arts Strategies, aligns with the Derby Plan Full Street Corridor Design Statement remains live Marketing tool to potential ti investors which h identifies investment opportunity sites office retail & leisure focus Derby Workstyle a new collective approach to integrated, cross-departmental working, within refurbished Council House. Extracts from Derby City Centre Regeneration Framework 27

28 Derby City Update Derby City Council projects and targets: Improving under-performing areas Cultural & arts projects community project to improve dark spaces created by inner ring road flyovers with lighting and art Creating dwell points & congregation spots to promote retail beyond covered shopping centre Interactive public art e.g. movement-sensitive lighting Prioritising public realm improvements City centre usage - cycling in pedestrianised areas to encouraging cycling to work/shop Shopfront improvement grants, licensing outdoor covers to food outlets & display for organic grocer Integrated approach roads, streets, public art and technology Derby QUAD arts centre cinema, gallery, cafe bar & workshop 28

29 Derby City Update Financial, social and economic gain from public realm improvements: Council recognition of importance of attractive streets through evidence of continued inward investment Railway Station rear entrance linked to Derby College. Front entrance now improved Eurostar CEO commented he can now confidently invite business people to Derby and meet at the station Grants for shop front improvements to buildings opposite station ti New Bus Station improved transport hubs create better image on arrival Anecdotal evidence, a feeling of change Derby Station frontage public realm improvements (source: Derby College 29

30 Derby City Update Support, funding and measuring success: Support and drive from the Director of Regeneration, Chief Executive, officers, and City Councillors Regeneration Framework single vision & sense of ownership Regeneration fund established by Council Local Transport & Sustainable Transport funds English Heritage Townscape Heritage Initiative grants S.106 contributions Cycling initiatives increase sustainable transport and spend din city shops; reduced dcongestion aids business operations Footfall cameras Vibrant City Centre Group private sector partners with City Council. Listen & respond; priorities for future improvements BID feedback public realm is important to business Derby City public realm improvements 30

31 Conclusions Online threat to high street retail is here to stay Town centres need to reinvent and learn from successful places A comprehensive approach not just about public realm Planning strategy/ support All inclusive quality locations Town centres as the social hub (increase footfall and social interaction) 31

32 Thank you Savills Urban Design 32 savills.co.uk