Northgate Waterfront Guidelines (1995)

8/3/2019 Northgate Waterfront Guidelines (1995)

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A C T I 0 NP L A N

AUGUST 1995

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URBAN INITIATIVES

CONTENTS

1. THE CONTEXT2. HIGHWAY PlANNING FRAMEWORK3. PUBLIC REALM STRATEGY4. GENERAL DESIGN GUIDELINES5. KEY REGENERATION SITES6. lANDSCAPE PROJECTS

Appendix Streetscape Design Guide

NORTHGATI WATERFRONT DEVELOPMENT GUIDELINES


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THE CONTEXT

HSTOR ICCENTREo FULLSTUDY AREA

The revitalisation of thewaterfronts is a cornerstoneof the Historic Centre Action Plan. The waterfrontstrategy promotes themore effective useofthe fabricfor improved living, recreation and leisure activitiesas well as providing a continuous urban quality thatredefines theRiver Lee as an important assetinCork.Consistent with the Land Use and TransportationStudy (LUTS) and theHistoric Centre Action Plan, thewaterfront strategy envisages a high quality boulevard, creating a series of development opportunity sites .Each site has special qualities to contribute to thestrategy . The purpose ofthedevelopment guidelinescontained in this document istoprotect and enhancethese special qualities and to promote an overallwaterfront vision.

Northgate waterfrontIn relation to theHistoric Centre

URBAN INITIATIVES CORK NORTHGATE WATERFRONT DEVELOPMENT GUIDELINES I


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HIGHWAY PlANNING FRAMEWORK

As part of the overall traffic plan for the city, theBachelor's Quay/Lavitt's QuayScheme forms partofthe north-west routing between Western Road andBlackpool Bypass.The Scheme involves thedevelopment ofa boulevardwith protected 2-lane routing for through traffic,separate accommodat ion for turning traffic andtourist coach parking, and enhanced pedestriancrossing facilities.Junction arrangements will be improved, includingenhanced signal controls .

The orthogonal road pattern at theGrattan Street/Bachelor's Quay junction will be retained withoutdemolishing the existing warehouse building .Awidening line will be established between GrattanStreet and Northgate Bridge. The proposed interimand future road alignment in this key regenerationarea, andimplications for development, are indicatedin the dimens ioned drawings below :

PROPOSED JUNCTION IMPROVEMENTS

Interim arrangementshowing Northgateredevelopment andlunctlon works.Existing kerb line andfuture building lineshown dotted.Dimensions refer tofootpath, roadwayand median widths

Future arrangementshowing fullredevelopment ofBachelor's Quayfrontlng newboulovard. Intorlmkerbllne showndotted.

Dimensions refer tofootpath, roadwayand median widths

URBAN INITIATIVES CORK NORTHGATE WATERFRONT DEVElOPMENT GUIDELINES 2


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PUBLIC REALM STRATEGY

The following principles are embodied in the publicrealm strategy: conservation and urban quality ; traffic and pedestrian safety; use by peoplewith disability; practical requirements of maintenance .

As part of this strategy, the following objectiveshave beenestablished for the waterfront: reduce the impact of traffic, improve the riverside walk, encourage the relocation of inappropri-

ate land uses.

landscape proposals for the waterfront include thefollowing projects, indicated above and describedlaterin this document:A Streetscape improvements associated with

the proposed waterfront boulevard. These willinclude a riverside walk with lights, seats, signage,newtree planting as appropriate, andimproved pedestrian crossing facilities.

B Afootbr idgelocated oppositeCorn Market Streetto alignwith Widderlings lane onthenorth bankand providing improved access to the Shandonhistoric precinct.

C Kyrl's Quay Park. A setting fora proposedpavilion building.

Landscape protects

URBAN INITIATIVES CORK NORTHGATE WATERFRONT DEVELOPMENT GUIDELINES 3


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PUBLIC REALM STRATEGY

Site assembly and demolition has left a series ofmajor vacant sites which are contributing totheblight in the waterfront area and elsewhere.Their infill represents a key issue and a majoropportunity. It isessential thatnew buildings arecompatible with existing urban character.The following key waterfront sites have beenidentified :1 Kyrl's Street Hotel Site2 Kyrl's Quay Pavilion3 Northgate4 Bachelor's QuayHousing5 Grattan Street CornerIt is proposed that landowners who choose toparticipate ina jointventurewith theCorporationmake their sites the subject of a developercompetition, informed by the urban designguidelines andsite development briefs thatfollowin this document.

Key regenerationsites

URBAN INITIATIVES CORK NORTHGATE WATERFRONT DEVELOPMENTGUIDELINES 4


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KEY REGENERATION SITES

KYRL'S STREET HOTEL SITE

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DRECT PEDESTRIANACCESSFROMMULTISTOREY CARPARK .t':.,....

ObjectivesPrestige tourism-related development screeningmu lti -storey car park.Preferred Use90 roomhotel including 6 suites .AreaSite area 2,500 msq. (approx.)OwnershipTo be confirmedAccessPedestr ianaccess and drop-off on Kyrl 's Street.Service access viaCorn Market Street.Parking provided intheexisting mult i-storey carpark, with pedestrian link to the hotel site.

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MassingL plan form ing rear planted courtyard wi th existingmulti-storey car park.5 floors facing the waterfront slepping down to 4floors .Roof profiled to perm it sunl ight penetration toKyrl'sQuay Park.FrontagesArticulated to reinforce the medieval grain of theCity, typically 5-10 metre frontages.Publicfacilities and pedes trian activityat street leve l.Treatment of the eastgable is important. This gablewill be visible from Corn Market Street and thewaterfront, and will form thevisual backdrop to theGarda building .MaterialsElevations to be stone clador rendered .

CORK NORTHGATE WATERFRONT DEVELOPMENT GUIDELINES

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ConstraintsProximity toGarda building.NotesAd jacen thostel siteredeveloped after relocation .

Kyrl's Quay Hotel Incontext

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KYRL'S QUAY PAVILION

Kyrl 's Quay Pavilionwill be a focal pointon the waterfront

ObjectivesA stopping point on the waterfront Artspromenadewh ichwill extend totheOperaHouse .A point of arrival from the proposed Shandonfootbridge.Awaterfront landmark oriented totheproposedKyrl's Quay Park for outdoor dining and/orexhibitions.Apresence onCorn Market, respecting theGardabuilding.Preferred UsesArts and culturalTourist informationCateringAreaBuilding area 250 msq. [opprox.]

URBAN INITIATIVES

OwnershipTo be confirmedAccessFrom Kyrl Street.MassingTwo storey including a double-height space.Cylindrical in overall form, inspired by other keyCork build ings such astheFirkin Crane, asymmetr icalin detail.FrontagePortico entrance toCorn Market.MaterialsCombination ofmasonry, metal and glass .

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Kyrl's Quay PavilionIn context



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KEY REGENERATION SITESNORTHGATEObjectivesBuildings visually linked across North Main Streetcreating a pedestrian scale gateway on NorthMain Street and a largersymbolic statement ofthe former Northgate on the waterfront.Corresponding threshold treatment atstreet level,and opportunity for public art.Preferred UseEastern site residential overshops.Western siteoffices over shops.AreaEastern site area 400 msq. (approx.).Western sitearea 800 msq. (approx .).OwnershipBoth sites are owned byCork Corporation .AccessFrom North Main Street and Bachelor's Quay.Access toupperfloors of eastern site viagateonNorth Main Street and covered external stairtoopen light well.Massing5 f1oors(including setbackattic floor) on NorthMain Street, stepping down to 4 floors on thewaterfront, and incorporating a feature at thetransition.Western site's frontage to North Main Streetdivided tocreatea frontage ofequaldimensiontotheeastern site, anda smaller frontage opposite7 North Main Street.Upper floors ofeastern sitedeveloped aroundalight well.FrontagesArticulated to reinforce themedieval grainof theCity, typically 5-10 metre frontages . Publicfacilities and pedestrian activity at street level.Correspondence between elevations facingacross North Main Street.MaterialsElevations tobe stone clador rendered.

URBAN INITIATIVES CORK NORTHGATE WATERFRONT DEVELOPMENT GUIDELINES

Buildings visuallylinked across NorthMain Street

Cork Corporationownership of westernsite showing newkerb line. Existingk er b and buildinglines shown dotted

Traditional frontageconstructed opposite7 North MaIn Street.

Modern gatewaybuildings, Includinglandmark sculpture.

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ConstraintsThe possible location oftheNorthgate andCity \1Wall on the site would necessitate extensivearchaeological investigation prior todevelopment. The location of the wall etc., mayaffect the form of development.

URBAN INITIATIVES

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CORK NORTHGATE WATERPRONT DEVELOPMENT GUIDELINES

'Gateway' elements:

Pedestrian accessfrom North MainStreet

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BACHELOR'S QUAY HOUSING

t!--L-GObjectivesI In Dubl in recently, a groupof architects, projectmanagers, quantity surveyors, engineers,lawyers, valuers and graphic des ignerscollaboratedona demonstration project, Makinga Modern Street.The project for apartments, shops, workshopsandoffices ona site owned byDubl inCorporationstressed the importance of small-scale infll inrebuilding the city. Seven adjoining plots ofequalarea butvarying depth and frontage werecreated, each assigned toa different architect.According to the organisers, '...the intentionwas to reinterpret the traditional Dublin urbanhouse and to bring to a range of new urbanhouse types, which could be usedto repair thefabric of the innercity, the qualities offered bytheGeorgian terrace.'Asimilar approachcould beadopted inCork, tocreate, ultimately, a terraceon4 floors tomatchthe scaleof the North Mall frontage opposite .The terrace will inevitably have a north-facingriver view and sunny backelevation. Plans willbe required tomaximise sunlight penetration tothe accommodationand, tothe extent possible,allow sunl ightto reach thewaterfront.

URBAN INITIATIVES

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CORK NORTHGATE WATERFRONT DEVELOPMENT GUIDELINES

Modern variety of useand expression withina traditionalframewark

A consistent buildingline to thewaterfrant, a varietyof heights andsetbacks ta the south

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KEY REGENERATION SITESOwnershipThere are a number of sections in differentownerships which could be part of the overallredevelopment of the area.As a first stage, the layout below showsdemonstration housing onCork Corporation land,and indicates how this could be extendedwestwards as conditions allow. The central partoftheblock could then become a parking area.AccessBuilding entrances on Bachelor's Quay.Existing back laneentered from Grattan Street .Massing4 floors .Articulated roofline .Modest corner expression to Grattan Street .FrontagesArticulated to reinforce themedieval grainoftheCity, typically 5-10 metre frontages.To Bachelor's Quay:Consistent building line.Elevations to read as windows in walls ratherthan contnuous glazing .Variation in frontage width acceptable between5 and 10 metres.Pedestrian-friendly ground floor, with doors tohouses and flats.Individual garagedoors (where proposed) limitedto 1/3 ofeach frontage.To the south :Lively variety ofheights and setbacks, includingsunny roof gardens.MaterialsStone clad or rendered elevations.Metal balconies and balustrades.ConstraintsThe possible location of theNorthgate and CityWall on the site would necessitate extens ivearchaeological investigation prior todevelopment. The location ofthewall etc., mayaffect the form of development.


Cork Corporationownership showingnew kerb line.Existing kerb an dbuilding l ines showndolled

Init ial ly two plots willbe developed on CorkCorporation ownedland

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KEY REGENERATION SITESGRATTAN STREET CORNER

ObjectivesForm appropriate street corner in relation tocorresponding site across Grattan Street.Preferred UseResidential over non -retail workshop/studio/office .Area200 msq. (approx.)OwnershipTo be confirmedAccessFrom Bachelor's Quay.Service access from Grattan Stree t.Massing4 floors including setbackattic floor.Articulated roofline.Modest corner expression .FrontagesArticulated to reinforce the grain of the City,typically 510 metre frontages.Correspondence between facing elevationsacross Grattan Street.MaterialsStone clad or rendered elevat ions.ConstraintsPart of the sitewould be single aspect due tosurrounding buildings . This may be offset, forexample, bysubstantial rooflights anda dramaticglazed stair.

URBAN INITIATIVES

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CORKNORTHGATE WATERFRONT DEVELOPMENTGUIDE LINES

The buildIngs shouldrelate visually to th esI te opposIte

One unI t has singlea sp ec t d ue t osurroundIng buildings

Roofllghts an d adramatIc openstaIrwell cantransform a singleaspect s i te

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I LANDSCAPE PROJECTS

Streetscape design, often reduced toa matter offurniture selection, is really part of a largerurban design process intended tobring coherenceand legibility to the city.Most successful places occur where a simplerange of materials - often derived from thelocal ity - has been used to great effect. Fussyschemes quickly become dated. They drawattention to their own deficiencies rather than tomore successful aspects of their surroundings,andaredifficultandcostly toinstall andmaintain.A consistent approach can help unify thestreetscape and createa distinctive identity.We propose a restrained palette ofhigh qualitymalerials, for clarity of purpose, economy ofmeans, and long-term cost-effectiveness .Working together, landscape architect andtrafficengineer can integrate theessential elements ofthe traffic management system withoutmultiplyingthe number of obstructions and visual clutter.A hol istic approach considers services at theoutset, and identifies opportunities toensure thatresources are used where they can be seen andenjoyed, rather than requiring costlyrearrangements underground for little landscapebenefit. Equally, where major works areindicated, theapproach helps toachieve addedvalue.Aresilient, simple design, commitment toplannedmaintenance and co-ordination betweenhighways andutil itieswill gofartoavoid adhocrepairs and unsuitable modifications .Above all, the scheme must draw insp irationfrom thebest qualities of theplace, and respondto the needs and aspirations of those who useand maintain it.

Proposals for thewaterfront include a footbridge,small park, pavements, tree planting , lighting,seating, directional signage, pedestriancrossovers, and opportunities for art and craft.

URBAN INITIATIVES CORK NORTHGATE WATERFRONT DEVELOPMENTGUDELINES

Some of the shapes,textures andmaterials envisagedfor the waterfront

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LANDSCAPE PROJECTS

WATERFRONT BOULEVARD :0:/ I

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Section at Kyrl'sQuay illustratingprinciples which willbe adoptedthroughout theNorthgate waterfront

2 3 4 5 6

Footpath improvementsRiverwall repairsLightingSeatingPlanting in continuous tree pits

2 Median lighting3 Footpath improvements

LightingSeatingPlantingSignage

4 Features such aswater, sculpture, informationkiosks

5 Shared usepavements inlimestone setts withflush kerbs

6 Building thresholds marked byspecial pavingGeneral design considerations and preliminaryproposals for these streetscape elements areincluded intheAppendix.



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LANDSCAPE PROJECTS

SHANDON FOOTBRIDGE

Objectivelocated opposite Corn Market Street to alignwith Widderlings lane on the north bank andprovid ing improved local access totheShandonhistoric precinct.The footbridge and/or adjacent embankmentcould become amooring forfloating restaurants,etc. Metal and timber construction

Minimum 3m clear footway Maximum gradient 1 in 15 Special lighting Public art location


A strategic link

A lightweightsculptural designcould be a str ikingaddit ion to thewaterfront

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STREEfSCfiPE


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URBAN INITIATIVES

CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

SURFACES

STREET FURNITURE

LIGHTINGFEATURES

PLANTING

SIGNS

DESIGN GUIDELINES


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INTRODUCTION

The public realm isused byall,andadministeredbymany organisations with overlapping powers,duties and aspirations.The worst examples of streetscape while oftenbearing the signs ofpoordesign andspecification- are usually as much the result of a lack ofcoordination among thebodies and individualsresponsible.With hindsight the problems seem obvious: novisual logic to relate streetscape elements confused zones for furniture and people too many distracting colours spaces and objects thatare difficult to

maintain and dean obstructive objects and facilities fussy pavingmaterials a confusing and unsafe environment,particularly forthedisabled, infirm, blindand partially sighted

URBAN INITIATIVES DESIGN GUIDEUNES


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SURFACES

URBAN INITIATIVES DESIGNGUIDELINES


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PAVING

Paving canbeconsidered as a neutral backdropto activ ity or as a meaningful and distinctivefloor pattern in its own right. Designs which areneither meaningful nor neutral are like ly to beperce ived as restless and arbitrary.Paving in muted, light, neutral colours withoutfussy ordistracting patterns focuses attention onpeople, buildings and essential streetscapefeatures. A simple, adaptabledesign isusuallyeasier to install and maintain effectively, with alonger design life. Carefully considered changesoftexture andscalewill make thescheme readilylegible toitsusers, be they drivers, pedestrians,infirm , blind or partially sighted . Paving cangive a sense of continuity to different areas,particularly where a single material is used foredgesand channels.A basicdistinction is that between unit pavingand poured, in-situ materials such as asphalt,concrete or gravel.Unit paving lends itself to patterning which canbe used to emphasise function and direction ortomanipulate thesense of scale and proportion .Poured materials aremore responsive toirregularedges, changing slopes and random intrusionssuch as manholes, but unobtrusive repairs aremore difficult to achieve.The main factors which affect the choice ofpaving material are: appearance strength - particularly where vehicle useis

planned or intended durability slip resistance availability easeofcutting and removal toaccommodate

underground services and access points capital and maintenance costs.

URBAN INITIATIVES DESIGN GUIDELINES

People as pattern

Exuberant designseems appropriate tothis beach promenade

Contrast theunintentional,distracting pattern,above, with thevisual Integrity ofsimple functionalmaterials, below


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PAVING

Predominant paving materials in Cork arelimestone slabs and concrete used in-situ and inprecast units. Because the limestone slabs havetended towear rapidly and are slippery whenwet, they are nolonger recommended for largescale use.limestone setts are inherently more slip-resistant,but less convenient for wheelchair users andunsteady pedestrians; theiruse isrecommendedfor rumble strips, entrances to historic precincts,and to form dished channels in roads wherecontinuous surfacing is required.Where a unit paveris indicated, a high qualityconcrete flagstone such as Marshall Silver GreyPaving is suggested.High quality in-situ concrete work is alsoproposed, including exposed aggregatepanelsusing local stones.Dropped kerbs atcrossings often result in complexcutting and flexing of paving materials. Asimpler, more elegant detail isillustrated. Placingan essential sign post reduces any tendency forpedestrians to 'cut' thecorner.


Sett. are Ideal fDrdemarcation but le. .suited to widespreadpedestrian use

Large In-situ panelsneed to be subdivided forconstruction.Hardwood strip Istraditional

An elegant droppedkerb design workingwell with rectangularpaving


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MEDIANS

The waterfront boulevard median, whilefacilitating essential vehicle manoeuvres, isanimportant visual design element in itself.The median includes lighting, bollards and atextured surface intended as a signal to drivers.Limestone setts may be considered but a moreeconomical method may be exposed aggregateconcrete incorporating large diameter stones.Lighting and protective bollards are located onaraised plinth formed bypouring smooth concreteinto a steel permanent formwork.

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2mwide

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Section and plan ofmedian Island withlight column,limestone bollardsand exposedaggregate rumblesurface


Smooth concreteIsland and exposedaggregate rumblemedian


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STREET FURNITURE



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SEATING

Clearly, seating is best located where there isreason to sit and a pleasant environment inwhich to do so. In this country, a locationsheltered from wind and rain, opento sun butwith a choice of shade is likely tobe favoured.Seating with a view of activity, butoutof directcirculation, is usually preferred.Studies have shown that moveable furniture ismost popular with users (who, as a result, areableto position themselves and form groups atwill) but this is not always practicable inuncontrolled settings.Benches without backrests are less welcomingbutprovide greater flexibility inuse, aregenerallyless vulnerable to vandalism and are easiertomaintain.

A comfortable,verlatlle de.lgn

likeotherstreet furniture, the presence of seats(and thelikelihood ofoutstretched legs) needs tobe signalled to the blind or partially sighted.The designation ofa textured 'furniture zone isone solution .Timber slats area traditional material, warm tothe touch and draining freely. Robust andattractive metal andstone seats arealso available,though these tend tobe less favoured in colderlocations.Seatwalls and steps canbeeffective alternativesfor informal seating, particularly where there isplenty of activity and a pleasant environment.

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Backle . . benches areflexible In u.e. A'furniture zone' help.reduce conflict andaccident


Soat walls can bou.ed by Individualsand group.


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LIGHTING



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FUNCTION

Increasingly outdoor lighting is being recognisedas more than just a matter of providing enoughillumination . Indiscriminate urban light wastesresources, causes light pollution, and obscuresthenight sky.A city-wide lighting strategy should focus onquality rather than quantity; resist uniformity;establish a hierarchy of spaces and subjects;improve legibility; and reinforce localdistinctiveness.Without an overall strategy, attention is drawntocrude over-lighting ofunworthy subjects ratherthan sensitive illumination ofspecial landmarks.Well-considered lighting, though, can enhanceperceptions ofplaces, andassist in revitalisation.Having decided that illumination is required,there are several considerations. These include,the type of lighting - floodlighting, spotlighting,highway and pedestrian area lighting; thelocation of the light source - high mast, lowpole, bollard, building-mounted; the colour ofthe light and its effect on the appearance ofobjects.Often, street lights are expected to light theroadway aswell as pedestrian areas. Typicallythis results in high mast lights staggered alongroadways. For thepedestrian, particularly, thiscreates unwelcome uniformity at night and anunattractive street scene byday.Where small-scale replacement of lights incoherent historic places isrequired, a number ofmanufacturers are abletosupply reproductions.More often thechallenge isto find durable lightsof contemporary design that look good bydayandprovide good quality illumination bynightat reasonable cost.


Light pollution causedby excel5lve securitylighting

Feature lightingwhich enhances thebasic bridge structure

A good balance oflighting In Edinburgh


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LOCATION

Lampas L16V galvanised fitting proposed forinstallation at Dunne's store at the Bachelor'sQuaycoach bay.

Wall-mounted light.help free footpath.

Lampas L207 galvanised fitting proposed forinstallation adjacent tothe river wall and in Kyrl'sQuayPark.

Modified LampasL16galvanised fitting proposedfor installation inthewaterfront median.


A robu.t, elegantpede.trlan-.eale light,ultable for a rangeof location.

A low-ma.t roadwayde.lgn


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FEATURES



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PUBLIC ART


In Barcelona a rellofplan of th e city 15 th e.ettlng fo r a lIfeslzebronze figure

Wiry .culpture at areclaimed site

Railings ar e anopportunity for craftInvolvement


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PUBLIC ART

As partofa largerartsandcultural programme,it is proposed that a number of projects bedeveloped, including:A sculpture at theNorth Main Street gateway,

perhaps fixed to a buildingB treegrille design forwaterfront plantingC design of focal markerso sculpture adjacent totheShandon FootbridgeE a water sculpture for Kyrl's Quay Park


Potential public artlocation.


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WATER

Awater feature albeitona smaller scale thanthat shown opposite is envisaged for Kyrl'sQuay Park.


Raising the fountainbowl Increases thepresence of waterwithout the need forlarge volumes


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s ~ G N S

URBAN INITIATIVES DESIGN GUIDEUNES


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SIGNS

The proliferation of messages in the urbanenvironment is increasingly being recognised ascounter-productive, andunaHractive. Thoughtfulselection and siting of signs can help.Signage can be rationalised according to itsfunction -whether for traffic or forpedestrians,directional, foridentifying buildings and places,for traffic control, forinformation, forcommercialpurposes. Fixing signs to walls and buildingsavoids exposing the reverse. low signs are lessobtrusive and more in scale with pedestrianareas. Pedestrian information boardsare bestlocatedwhere there is space to pause withoutobstructing passers-by. While signs designedfor traffic use needto be legible at speed andfrom a distance, forpedestrian usemore detailedinformation can beconveyed using a hierarchyof sizes and type faces.Signs which are legally enforceable shouldcomply with published standards.Informational signagecan more readily reflectlocal characteristics.The minimum number of traffic signal posts, andinformation signs should be used, sited andcolour-coordinated to reduce obstruction andvisual duller. Signs should be combined onessential poles, where possible, and designedwith concealed fixings.

URBAN INITIATIVES

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DESIGN GUIDELINES

Shop fronts need tocontribute to thes treet scene yetharmonise with thematerials, form andstyle of buildings

Slgnage can create anIdentity for a districtor city. real orImagined

Signs should becombined on essentialpoles, where possible


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FORM & LOCATION

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Information slgnagewithin the currentstyle, colour andtypography of thePast, Present andFuture slgnage.

Kiosks combineInformation andlandmark, and areIdeal for thewaterfront.

Banners and flagsenliven thestreetscape and lenda festive air . Theycan help IdentifyImportant buildingsor places, Inform,advertise, or bepurely decorative.



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I PLANTING



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TREES

Trees incities contribute enormously to physicaland physchological well-being, yetthe city is ahostile environment for trees, and there areimportant practical considerations.Freestanding planters, often an attempt toovercome underground obstructions, aredifficulttocultivate successfully, they obstruct pedestrianmovement and tend to collect litter.Street trees are best planted directly into theground. Even so, their roots are likely to becramped by building and street foundations,and constrained by underground cables andpipes. They face damage from vehicles andvandals, and contend with air pollution andcontaminated runoff. Surrounding pavementstypically allow neither air norwatertoreach theroots which extend below them.Tree planting locations must be carefullyconsidered forlight and shelter andcoordinatedwith underground services topromote successfulestablishment. Suitably protected and off themain circulation route, survival rates are furtherenhanced byplanting rows of trees inextendedpits rather than in individual holes.If sufficient suitable space cannot be found, itmay bewiser to forgo street trees altogether.

Sometimes a singletree can transform ascene

Raised planters Inurban areas are oftenInhospllable for bothplants and people

In Ihe shadow of Ihebuilding Ihe Ireesreceived IIl1le lightand waler. Had theysurvived, Ihere IsIIl1le room for Ihelrcanopy 10 develop



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TREE PITS & GRILLESThere are a number of trees on thewaterfrontand more would be desirable to increase thesense of continuity.However, because a number oftheexisting treesare in poor condition it isproposed thatdetailedplanting proposals should follow a study ofopportunities and constraints, including groundconditions, space requirements andmicroclimate.

A continuous lineartr pit with acombination of metalgrille and sellsbedded In sand Isparticularlyappropriate wherefootway width Islimited

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Northgate Waterfront Guidelines (1995)

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