Planning Cities for People

How to Achieve High Quality Urban Places

Robert Salkeld

Ernst Basler + Partner

Kunming, April 22, 2015 Southbank, London, photo by Robert Salkeld

Contents

Planning for People

The Human Scale

The Human Mind

Aspects of Development Form

Urban Structure / Urban Grain

Landscape

Density and Mix

Height and Massing

Details / Materials

Prompts for Thinking about Urban Planning

Character

Continuity and Enclosure

Quality of the Public Ream

Ease of Movement

Legibility

Adaptability

Diversity

Trailer von The Human Scale

click for trailer

Bild(er) von menschenfeindlichen Orten

National Library, Paris, photo by Robert Salkeld

For decades the human dimension has been overlooked or strongly

neglected in urban planning …

Bild(er) autodominiertem Ort in Stadt

Bangkok, Thailand, photo by Robert Salkeld

… while the car has become more and more important and has and often

still does dominate planning decisions.

Singapore, photo by Robert Salkeld

Planning ideologies have

specifically put a low priority on

public space, pedestrians and the

role of city space as a meeting

place for urban dweller. The

planning ideology of modernism

has separated uses and has put

an emphasise on free standing

buildings.

Bild(er) von Hochhäusern

The Shard by Renzo Piano, London, photo by Robert Salkeld Swisshôtel The Stamford by Ieoh Ming Pei, Singapore,

photo by Robert Salkeld

Market forces and architectural trends have gradually shifted focus from

the interrelations and common spaces of the city to individual buildings,

which in the process have become increasingly more isolated,

introverted and dismissive.

April 2015 8 Marina Bay Sands by Mosche Safdie, Singapore, photo by Robert Salkeld

Buildings have become icons in the city scape to which local people can no

longer relate.

Bild von Menschen in der Stadt, Copenhagen, Barcelona etc

Square in Rome, photo by Robert Salkeld

Source text for introduction (slides 4 - 9): Jan Gehl, Cities for People

But planning has moved on,

at least in some places,

especially in economically

advanced countries and

people have moved into the

centre of planning once

again.

Bild von Menschen in der Stadt, Copenhagen, Barcelona etc

Singapore, photo by Robert Salkeld

Not only historic cities are

attractive for people but

also modern cities like

Singapore …

Bild von Menschen in der Stadt, Copenhagen, Barcelona etc

Westfield Mall Stratford, London, photo by Robert Salkeld

…or the Olympic Village with its open air shopping mall in London

provide a human friendly environments.

The Human

Body …

… and mind

April 2015 12

Vitruvian Man Posters by Leonardo da Vinci

The Thinker by Auguste Rodin

The Human

linear

frontal

horizontal

maximum 5 km/h

April 2015 13

Photo by Robert Salkeld

14

Sense and Scale

Source: J

an G

ehl, C

itie

s for People

We can see other people

form 100 m away, and if this

distance is shortened, we

can see a bit more. But the

experience only becomes

interesting at a distance of

less than 10 m.

Sense and Scale

April 2015 15

Biasca Switzerland, Photo by Robert Salkeld

National Library, Paris, Photo by Robert Salkeld

The “human scale” is within the

distance we can recognise people.

That’s the scale we feel comfortable

with.

Sense and Scale

16

Prime Tower, Zürich; Photo by Robert Salkeld

50°-55°

10°

70°-80° Adapted from Jan Gehl,

Cities for People

Photo by Robert Salkeld

Our sense of sight has developed to

enable us to walk on a horizontal

plane. We do not see much above

us and only slightly more when we

look down in order to avoid

obstacles in our path.

Sense and Scale

April 2015 17 Source: Jan Gehl, Cities for People

Up to the fifth floor, we can

recognise people at ground

level and talk to them, further

up it gets more and more

difficult and there is no more

personal interaction between

the people in the building and

the ground level.

Sense and Scale

April 2015 18

Source: Wikipedia Naples, Italy, photo by Robert Salkeld

When we walk, we have

time to see faces and

details. And it is still

possible to see a fair

amount of detail when

we bicycle (20 km/h) or

run (12 km/h).

Sense and Scale

5 km/h 60 km/h

April 2015 19

Naples, Italy, photo by Robert Salkeld Top: Opfikon, Switzerland, bottom, National Library Paris,

photo by Robert Salkeld

Human Needs

April 2015 20

The Thinker by Auguste Rodin

April 2015 21 Photo by Robert Salkeld

What are needs? Do we really need all these different plastic toys?

Human Needs

Physiological Needs

Food, drink, physical integrity, oxygen, warmth, light, rest, reproduction

Individual Needs

Efficiency: maximise effect with minimal effort

Comprehend: understand ones environment and be able to make predictions

Competence: to deal with quality standards and enjoying to perform

Autonomy: feeling of self-empowerment, to recognise oneself as source of

ones own actions

Stimulation: pleasant sensory impressions, perception of variety

Identity: possibility for self-portrayal, personal activity options

Social Needs

Belonging: to experience positive social belonging, feeling of social belonging

Status: desire to belong to the upper segment of society

Privacy: control over the extent and nature of social contacts

Fairness: comprehensible and fair relationship between effort and profit

April 2015 22

Source: Alice Hollenstein, Introduction into Urban Psychology, 2014

April 2015 23 Photo by Rüdiger WölkI

Efficiency

Efficiency is maximise the effect

with minimal effort.

It is efficient to have a bicycle stand

next to the train station, but there

might be a more efficient way to

organise it.

Barbican, London, photo by Ewan Munro

Comprehend

Comprehend: the need to understand our

environment and be able to make predictions.

How to get to the other side of the pond?

Oerlikon, Zurich, Switzerland, photo by Robert Salkeld

Competence

Dealing with quality

standards and enjoying

to perform.

1 More London Place, photo by Robert Salkeld

Autonomy

To feel self-empowerment

and to recognise oneself

as source of ones own

actions.

Procida, Italy, photo by Robert Salkeld

Stimulation

Pleasant sensory

impressions and the

perception of variety.

Hong Kong, photo by Robert Salkeld

Stimulation

Acquarossa Switzerland, photo by Robert Salkeld

Identity

Possibility for self-

portrayal; to have personal

activity options; to be able

to chose.

Naples, photo by Robert Salkeld

Belonging

Positive social belonging;

to feel as part of a group.

Kunming, photo by Robert Salkeld

Status

Desire to belong to the

upper segment of society.

Hong Kong, photo by Robert Salkeld

Privacy

Control over the extent

and nature of social

contacts.

Favela do Moinho Brazil Slums, photo by Milton Jung

Fairness

Expectation of a fair

relationship between

effort and profit.

“Life, space, buildings –

in that order” Jan Gehl, Cities for People

Barcelona, photo by Robert Salkeld

Aspects of Development Form

Urban Structure / Urban Grain

Landscape

Density and Mix

Height and Massing

Details / Materials

April 2015 35

Source: By Design, Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions DETR, UK, 2000

Urban Structure / Urban Grain

The framework of routes and spaces that connect locally and more widely,

and the way developments, routes and open spaces relate to one other.

The pattern of the arrangement of street blocks, plots and their buildings.

Source: By Design, Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions DETR, UK, 2000

Barcelona, source: Google

Landscape

The character and appearance of land, including its shape, form, ecology,

natural features, colours and elements, and the way these components

combine.

Source: By Design, Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions DETR, UK, 2000

Naples, photo by Robert Salkeld

Density and Mix

The amount of development on a given piece of land and the range of

uses. Density influences the intensity of development, and in combination

with the mix of uses can affect a place’s vitality and viability.

Source: By Design, Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions DETR, UK, 2000

wikimedia.org blog.plancontrol.ro

Height and Massing

Scale is the size of a building in relation to its surroundings, or the size of

parts of a building or its details, particularly in relation to the size of a

person. Height determines the impact of development on views, vistas

and skylines.

The combined effect of the arrangement, volume and shape of a building

or group of buildings in relation to other buildings and spaces.

Source: By Design, Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions DETR, UK, 2000

Hong Kong, photo by Robert Salkeld

Details / Materials

The craftsmanship, building techniques, decoration, styles and lighting of

a building or structure. The texture, colour, pattern and durability of

materials, and how they are used.

Source: By Design, Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions DETR, UK, 2000

Ardez, Switzerland, photo by Robert Salkeld

Bringing Objectives

and Development Form Together

April 2015 41

High Quality

Urban Places

Local Context

Aspects of

Development Form

Objectives:

Putting Humans First

Prompts to Thinking about Urban Design

Character

Continuity and Enclosure

Quality of the Public Ream

Ease of Movement

Legibility

Adaptability

Diversity

April 2015 42

Source: By Design, Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions DETR, UK, 2000

Character

A place with its own identity

Consider the site’s land form and character when laying out new development

Integrating new development into its landscape sitting reduces its impact on

nature and reinforces local distinctiveness

Responding to the existing layout of buildings, streets and spaces ensures that

adjacent buildings relate to one another, streets are connected and spaces

complement one another.

Responding local building forms and patterns of development in the detailed

layout and design of development helps to reinforce a sense of place.

The use of local materials, building methods and details is a major factor in

enhancing local distinctiveness.

The scale, massing and height of development should be considered in relation

to that of adjoining buildings; the topography; the general pattern of heights in

the area; and views, vistas and landmarks.

April 2015 43

Source: By Design, Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions DETR, UK, 2000

Character

April 2015 44

Kunming Southeast Development Area, Source: Kunming Planning and Design Institute

Character

April 2015 45

London, photo by Robert Salkeld

Continuity and Enclosure

A place where public and private spaces are clearly distinguished

Buildings that relate to a common building line reinforce and define the street.

The primary access to a building is best achieved form the street.

The front and back of buildings are often used in different ways, their design

can reflect this.

Clearly defining and enclosing private space at the back of buildings provides

for better privacy and security.

Development can help define streets and public spaces.

Defining the relationship between the fronts of buildings and the street benefits

their respective uses.

April 2015 46

Source: By Design, Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions DETR, UK, 2000

Continuity and Enclosure

Perimeter blocks can work at any scale

April 2015 47

Source: By Design, Department of the Environment,

Transport and the Regions DETR, UK, 2000

Semidetached

Housing

Terrace

Mews

Development

Apartment

Complex

Barcelona, Source: Google

Continuity and Enclosure

Kunming, photo by Robert Salkeld

Quality of the Public Realm

A place with attractive and successful outdoor areas

A successful place has a system of open and green spaces that respect natural

features and are accessible.

Ground floors occupied by uses that relate directly to passing pedestrians create

activity and interest.

Well-designed public space relates to the buildings around it.

Streets and spaces that are overlooked allow natural surveillance, feel safer and

generally are safer.

The design of public spaces should take account of the micro-climate.

Work of art and well-designed street furniture integrated into the design of

public spaces give identity and enhance the sense of place.

April 2015 49

Source: By Design, Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions DETR, UK, 2000

Quality of the Public Realm

System of open and green spaces

April 2015 50

Source: Urban Design Competition Niderfeld, Dietikon, Switzerland,

Team BASK, karres en brands, Ernst Basler + Partner

Quality of the Public Realm

Well-designed public space relates to the buildings around it

April 2015 51

Canterbury, UK (above and top right), London (bottom right), photos by Robert Salkeld

Quality of the Public Realm

Well-designed public space relates to the buildings around it

April 2015 52

Canary Wharf, London (left), 1 More Place London (right), photos by Robert Salkeld

Ease of Movement

A place that is easy to get to and move through

A well-designed urban structure has a network of connected spaces and routes,

for pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles.

Transport routes should reflect urban design qualities and not just traffic

considerations.

A development’s access and circulation should contribute to a fine-grain

network of direct and connected routes within and beyond the site rather than

creating big blocks.

The way development is laid out can encourage low traffic speeds.

The layout and density of development can help increase accessibility to pubic

transport.

Integrated transport interchanges promote the use of public transport and

provide for seamless movement between all modes of travel.

April 2015 53

Source: By Design, Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions DETR, UK, 2000

Ease of Movement

Car Access and Movement

April 2015 54

Pedestrian Access and Movement

Goods Delivery

Source: Draft Masterplan EMPA Dübendorf, Switzerland

Team BASK, Ernst Basler + Partner, Haag.la, IBV Hüsler AT

Legibility

A place that has a clear image and is easy to understand

Development that is sited so as to enhance existing views and vistas, and create

new ones, can help people to find their way around.

The design, location and function of buildings can reinforce the identity and

character of the routes and spaces they serve.

Well-designed corners enhance legibility by creating visual interest and

contributing to a distinctive identity.

The legibility of an area can be improved through the detailing and quality of

materials in new development.

April 2015 55

Source: By Design, Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions DETR, UK, 2000

Legibility

Well-designed corners

enhance legibility

April 2015 56

Hong Kong, photos by Robert Salkeld

Adaptability

A place that can change easily

Simple, robust building forms, not tightly designed to a very particular use allow

for the greatest variety of possible future uses to be accommodated.

Places should be capable of being used for a range of activities.

Developments that endure have flexible layouts and design.

April 2015 57

Source: By Design, Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions DETR, UK, 2000

Adaptability

The adaptable form of this

former commercial building

allowed it to be converted to

housing when the market

changed.

Source: By Design, Department of the Environment,

Transport and the Regions DETR, UK, 2000

April 2015 58

London, photos by Robert Salkeld

Diversity

A place with variety and choice

Creating a mix of uses can help to attract people to live, work and play in the

same area.

Getting the mix right is important.

Diversity of layout, building form and tenure can contribute to making

successful living and working environments.

April 2015 59

Source: By Design, Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions DETR, UK, 2000

Creating a mix of uses can help to attract people to live, work and play in

the same area.

April 2015 60

Paris, photo by Robert Salkeld

Diversity

Summary

April 2015 61

High Quality

Urban Places

Local Context

Aspects of

Development Form

Objectives:

Putting Humans First

“Life, space, buildings –

in that order” Jan Gehl, Cities for People

Barcelona, photo by Robert Salkeld