PLACE briefing WORKSHOP REPORT A+DS SNH sustainable placemaking programme
INTRODUCTION This report summarises the outcome of a Scottish Natural Heritage workshop on placemaking which was held on Wednesday 1 st May 2013. The event was co-facilitated by A+DS and SNH as a placemaking training event, and highlighted work being enabled as part of the joint sustainable placemaking programme, which starts by asking what do you want to do?. This joint initiative has been providing practical assistance in the preparation of development plans. Following introductory presentations (see appendix) participants were invited to visit the hypothetical site adjacent to the venue (chosen for educational purposes) and consider 3 aspects: the unique DNA of the place what people need if they lived here where people might meet This introduction helped to explore and understand the characteristics and features of the site, and establish criteria to evaluate briefing proposals.
SITE VISIT hedgerows, paths, tree belts, etc help define landscape structure open space provision that is leftover and poorly integrated river walkway with potential to connect more widely + suburban style housing doesn t front onto or link well with river a minimal path that might have been a more generous connection as part of a strategic path and green network strong sense of enclosure and distinct landscape character areas existing features provide sense of scale and provide focal points
GROUP WORKING Following the site visit, each group was set the task of producing key information to proactively lead and guide a masterplan briefing process. Whilst certain concepts were suggested (e.g. dormitory suburb, urban village or new positive edge to a future settlement extension), each group was invited to work towards briefing their own concepts and visions for the future of the site. Once all of the groups had gathered to provide feedback, each one was asked to clarify their: Concept / Vision Non-negotiable principles/must haves Desirables / like to haves Key spatial strategy diagram
GROUP FEEDBACK - 1 Group A - Concept / Vision active, re-energised river village Non-negotiable principles/must haves Positive edge + views to the river SUDS link with green network Safe walkable environment Density to support facilities Desirables / like to haves Mix of high and low density Central bus stop Allotments Group B - Concept / Vision quality-of-life satellite Non-negotiable principles/must haves old railway line to provide active transport connection Green corridor network gggg Desirables / like to haves Green energy production / solar farm Food and energy independent Central communal meeting point
GROUP FEEDBACK - 2 Group C - Concept / Vision Work with strong character and identity of woodland Non-negotiable principles/must haves Protect landscape / tree buffer Ensure public transport links consider re-instatement of rail link Active green network Group D - Concept / Vision high-quality suburb Desirables / like to haves Permeability Mixed use + hot-desk working Scale of space informed by existing Non-negotiable principles/must haves Equitable links to river benefit all Work with existing features of amphitheatre bowl, clock tower and views to provide site orientation Shared surface home zones to manage traffic speeds Desirables / like to haves Central hub with links out Social rehabilitation community project, e.g. allotments
SUMMARY CONCLUSION INTRODUCTION The workshop was intended to provide participants with a impression of the work that is being carried out under the joint A+DS / SNH sustainable placemaking programme that is helping to inform the preparation of development plans. The essential starting point is to ask what do you want to do?, and an early consideration of place assets is prompted by reviewing: the unique DNA of the place what people need if they lived here where people might meet This introductory session helps to provide clarity about criteria against which to evaluate scenarios and briefing proposals; which could, for instance include: Make the most of existing assets Create a place that enables peoples lives; for a diverse range of ages and user groups Create a place that is well connected and socially cohesive For the purposes of this workshop, different scenarios were developed through group working that considered: Concept / Vision Non-negotiable principles Desirables / like to haves Key spatial strategy diagram A cross evaluation of the scenarios against evaluation criteria is possible using a traffic light system of red, amber and green to rapidly assess and rank scenarios (see example). Common agreement can be reached about which proposal is the most desirable for the future wellbeing of the site, that accounts for judgements and trade-offs that may be necessary. Having identified a preferred scenario (or combination of ideas) it is then possible to explore this further to set out clear guidance to help brief the preparation of a masterplan as part of supplementary planning guidance.
APPENDIX SUMMARY - CASE STUDY PRESENTATIONS STORYBOARD
CASE STUDY DESIGN SKILLS SYMPOSIUM CONTEXT MAKE CONNECTIONS PRIMARY ROUTES WALK BANDS URBAN STRUCTURE STREETS & BLOCKS Context A heavily engineered infrastructure barrier on the edge of Dundee; large areas of countryside and a golf course Concept Overcome the barrier of the Kingsway Non-negotiables Working with the public open space and landscape; break down the barrier presented by the Kingsway Streets and structure A street pattern that builds on existing infrastructure The new hierarchy of streets is proposed in which the primary streets relate to public transport proposals. Existing green belts are enhanced, Public open space Create a new network of large public open spaces ranging from formal spaces to natural green belt More formal public open space will relate directly to the neighbourhood Development will define the proposed open spaces Blocks and buildings Identifiable development blocks The block structure will be easy to subdivide The most important buildings sited at key points in relation to the urban structure and open spaces
PRESENTATION SUMMARY - SNH The planning system should proactively support development that will contribute to sustainable economic growth and to high quality sustainable places. Achieving sustainable economic growth requires a planning system that enables the development of growth enhancing activities across Scotland and protects and enhances the quality of the natural and built environment as an asset for that growth. SPP para 33 Frazer McNaughton of SNH provided a national policy overview, to highlight the important role of natural heritage in planning for places. He identified how (soon to be revised) SPP and other documents set a positive policy agenda for Place Design. The policy on Green Infrastructure and SNH s Better Places for People and Nature offer particularly important principles to help realise the multiple benefits that are derived from interconnected and multi-functional open space. 5 key principles to help guide delivery of better natural heritage outcomes: 1. work with natural assets 2. Integrate the natural heritage vision with the place vision 3. Plan for multi-functionality/ multiple benefits 4. Plan for a hierarchy of spaces (and structural landscape elements) 5. Plan for inter-connectivity Green infrastructure is the physical environment within and between our cities, towns and villages. It is a network of multi-functional open spaces, including formal parks, gardens, woodlands, green corridors, waterways, street trees and open countryside. It comprises all environmental resources, and thus a green infrastructure approach also contributes towards sustainable resource management. Green Network: The linking together of natural, semi-natural and man-made open spaces (which may include leisure or recreational facilities) to create an interconnected network that provides opportunities for physical activity, increases accessibility within settlements and to the surrounding countryside while enhancing biodiversity and the quality of the external environment
PRESENTATION SUMMARY A+DS Place is where multiple policy agendas align; in this context, place is not about imposing answers, but in seeking to understand questions about what is distinctive and unique. planning authorities should be clear about their expectations [and] commit to the creation and maintenance of high quality places SPP Eric Dawson from A+DS described how the joint A+DS/SNH Sustainable Placemaking Programme has been assisting in developing better briefing by asking What do you want to do? In his presentation he challenged the notion of masterplan by others and noted that the public sector has an important role in informing the briefing for developing masterplans. Scottish Government policy such as SPP, Designing Places and the Masterplan PAN identify issues of leadership, being clear and certain about outcomes, and the ability to promote sustainable development through influencing the form, layout and design of new development. Masterplanning can: unlocking potential of what exists Integrate with context Stimulate what might happen beyond the site boundary through considering: 1. Internal 2. Adjacent 3. Outwith 4. Strategic 5. Whole place 6. Time: S, M, L 3 1 2 4 5
STORYBOARD OF THE EVENT