Occupying Streets @ StreetsMethodologies2011

Over 24 hours between 5 and 6 May, eight people from many different discipline backgrounds joined the workshop on street analysis methodologies. After a briefing and discussion at Slade Research Centre in Woburn Square, there was a walking introduction to the audit tools, and team members returned to observe at various hours of day and night.
Some sounds were recorded, notes and maps were made, and all of the resulting drawings, sounds and photographs were shared on Friday morning at the Slade.

See/listen also http://audioboo.fm/streetsatnight

UCL CitiesMethodologies2011 

details (https://www.facebook.com/notes/gregory-cowan/24-hour-street-design-analysis-workshop-occupying-streets/10150218300975330)

Occupying Streets (updated 04.05.2011)
24 hour Street Design analysis workshop
Greg Cowan, assisted by Izis Salvador Pinto

Brief
>>10.00am Thursday 5 MayCitiesMethodologies2011: UCL Slade Research Centre, (Woburn Square, WC1H 0A)

Briefing: We go on a field work excursion to Caledonian Road, Kings Cross; 1 mile along Euston Road.
Complete worksheet, parts a/b/c/d at agreed time within 24 hrs
return by 10.00 on Friday 6 May / Pin up worksheets at Slade Research Centre Woburn Sq, compilation of findings and discussion with facilitators (online http://lnkd.in/7ptS3b)

Seminar
1.Briefing: Practical field work street appraisal exercise: observe, record and engage with the study area, testing a) analyse users, b) analyse building form and use, c) analyse permeability, and legibility (map)
consider drawn and three-dimensional modelled analyses, including scale analysis and use-coding.
TIMELINE: 11.00 ----16.00 --- 21.00 --- 01.00 --- 06.00
a/.USER ANALYSIS: shopper, worker, 'street population', commuter, child, visitor/tourist, etc

b/. BUILT FORM ANALYSIS
use – function (residential, entertainment etc)
form – age, height, style
legibility – what is it – can I find it? - is it useful to me?
permeability – can I get through – can I see in? – do I feel safe going in or through? - accessible along my way?

c/ MAPlocal observations
wider links
social and physical
transport issues

d/
SUGGESTIONS

making street safer

more accessible

more enjoyable as a place  
W. H. Whyte suggested that by observing and by talking to people, we can learn a great deal about what people want in public spaces and can put this knowledge to work in creating places that shape liveable communities. We should therefore enter spaces without theoretical or aesthetic biases, and “look hard, with a clean, clear mind, and then look again – and believe what we see.” (pps.org)

>>10.00am Friday 6 May
Pin Up at Slade Research Centre Rm 5 or hand to GC

Further References
William Holly-White (1975) 'Street Life Project' in Ewing, McGowan, Speed & Bernie, eds (2010) Architecture and Field/Work 2010, p72 [see also http://www.pps.org/articles/wwhyte/ accessed 4 May 2011]

Peter Jones, Marion Roberts, Linda Morris 2007 'The contribution of local high streets to sustainable communities' JRF Joseph Rowntree Foundation [online] http://www.jrf.org.uk/publications/contribution-local-high-streets-sustainable-communities accessed 4 May 2011

Chartered Institute of Highways and Transportation 2010 'Manual for Streets 2; Wider Application of the Principles' http://www.tfl.gov.uk/corporate/modesoftransport/1638.aspx accessed 4 May 2011
Transport for London (nd) London Streets [online] http://www.tfl.gov.uk/corporate/modesoftransport/1638.aspx  accessed 4 May 2011

Transport Advice Portal 2011 Vulnerable Road Users [online]: http://www.tap.iht.org/en/topic/vulnerable-road-users/pedestrians/pedestrian-audit/ accessed 4 May 2011

Public Realm Information and Advisory Network (2011) 5 Easy Wins [online] http://www.publicrealm.info/prian_toptips.html accessed 4 May 2011

English Heritage (2010) Street Clutter Audit [online] http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/professional/advice/advice-by-topic/planning-and-transport/streets-for-all/street-clutter-audit/ accessed 4 May 2011]

Street: Caledonian Road, Town: King’s Cross
Observe and note:
Who and what occupies the street
moving people and animals
stationary people and animals
moving vehicles
stationary vehicles

Street: Caledonian Road, King’s Cross
Buildings and Active Frontages / Activities
Footway sentient / inanimate occupations

Carriageway
people
motorised/unmotorised vehicles
nature
upload sounds: http://audioboo.fm/livingstreetskx

location  ___ Caledonian Rd / __ cnr _________St.  
comments
your rating  ------secure/safe
your rating  ------attractiveness
your rating  ------usability/condition -

Suggestions – street improvements
notes

(use a separate sheet)

feedback on Methodology

(see also - http://architectswithoutborders.blogspot.com/)
(this note: http://www.facebook.com/notes/gregory-cowan/24-hour-street-design-analysis-workshop-
occupying-streets/10150218300975330)

Sin Map of Victorian London

1. Circus Road "Suspect Books beneath Floorboards"
7. Euston Road "Tableaux Vivants"
14. Willis's "Indelicacy in the Dancing"
35. Bow Street "Visitors.. often indulged with a lewd song or half-naked dance"
53. Rotten Row "the cream of the courtesans rode in their carriages"

pilot interviews

Participants K Stok, C-M Teon, C Naki, S Char,  T Newl, Y-K Hin, L Chau, J Polv, R Sal Pin, abs M Whit, Y dl B