The public realm has a unique role in the creation of multifunctional urban places that play their part in physical, mental and social well-being while fostering connections to nature and promoting active lifestyles. These spaces need to be resilient and adaptable while providing a feeling of safety and security.
At the latest Public Realm and Urban Design Smart Class in Newcastle, our Associate, Luke McGuinness, our Technical Director, Tina Glover, and our Regional Director, Andrew Georgeson, discussed the elements involved in creating a positive people-focused public realm.
Our slides featured examples from delivered schemes and included elements of urban regeneration, Sustainable Drainage Systems, School Streets, low-traffic neighbourhoods, active travel routes, placemaking and inclusive landscaping.
Why focus on designing healthy places?
The public realm plays a crucial role in fostering a sense of community, promoting inclusivity, enhancing quality of life and contributing to local economies.
Creating attractive environments encourages residents and visitors to opt for more sustainable modes of transportation, such as cycling and walking. NHS studies show how increased physical activities can significantly improve both our mental and physical health. This also has a cascade effect on the local business and the environment, lowering emissions and enhancing air quality.
Government bodies are also recognising the importance of promoting active travel and designing healthier places. This is shown in many policies and guidance such as the Biodiversity Net Gain, the Liveable Neighbourhoods and the Urban Greening factors. The goals of these policies are to:
- Transform streets from being car-dominated to spacious and safe routes
- Develop outdoor seating and public space to promote and enable community events
- Decrease flooding liability and increase biodiversity
- Increase active travel and sustainable mobility
- Long term, improve air quality and the health of the local community
Our expertise in enhancing the public realm
Project Centre’s highly talented people are passionate about creating places that are attractive, innovative, sustainable, and safe. Our Landscape and Urban Design team works closely with our inhouse multi-disciplinary teams to provide clients and communities with sustainable design proposals in a variety of scales and typographies.
Transforming Gainsborough Town Centre
Project Centre produced a masterplan and public realm regeneration strategy to transform Gainsborough into an identifiable, vibrant and exciting new quarter.
Our masterplan and strategy are built around:
- Restructuring and bringing to life the underused spaces within the town centre
- Identifying sites for redevelopment or repurposing
- Promoting active ground floors
- Creating a hierarchy of connected spaces and streetscapes
The enhanced character of the public realm will create an inviting visitor experience, encouraging people to dwell, discover and enjoy what the town offers.
Improving the Cumbernauld Village greenspace
North Lanarkshire Council commissioned us to reimagine several vacant and unused land sites to improve for community use. Cumbernauld Village was one of the first feasibility sites developed, for which we delivered:
- Baseline studies
- Community engagement
- Concept design proposals, including biodiversity improvements, new social spaces, additional footpaths and car parks
- Outline costings to present the best solutions for creating a large multi-functional community greenspace with a unique identity.
Our design presents an opportunity for the Council to create a large multi-functional community greenspace with a unique identity, also offering a sustainable connection between Springfield and Jubilee parks.
Creating the greenest borough in the country
We worked with the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham, responding to the ambitious agenda of becoming the “greenest borough in the country”.
Through the introduction of multiple parklets, traffic calming elements, electric vehicle chargepoints and better facilities for cyclists, pedestrians and visitors, we substantially transformed the character and use of Hammersmith’s town centre, giving it back to its people. The scheme provided better facilities for cyclists, pedestrians and visitors.
We have seen an increase in green spaces and several people gathering within the borough’s outdoor spaces and deciding to opt for sustainable transportation. In summary, our measures are making the borough a healthier and safer place to live.
Watch the full recording of Luke’s presentation here. Or speak to our team to find out more about our services.
