marble arch/victoria corridor redevelopment masterplan (part 2)

II. MasterplanContents:

1. Vision, Objectives & Overview2. Proposal A: Grosvenor Gardens Proposal B: Grosvenor Place Proposal C: Hyde Park Corner & Wellington Arch Amphitheater Proposal D: Park Lane Proposal E: Marble Arch Square3. Strategy4. Conclusion

Vision, Objectives & Overview

Group 8D: Tom Booth, Joann Johani, Dahae Lee, Tunde Awofolaju

Our Vision and Objectives“Creating Vitality”

Vision:

To create a vibrant and well used Public Realm along the route, en-suring that the spaces feel safe and they harness the architectural and historical significance of the locality.

objectiVes:

• Increasing Permeability - improving the linkages between Park Lane and Hyde Park

• Improving Public Safety – balancing the needs of both pedes-trians and vehicular traffic

• Creating a Pedestrian friendly route – reducing the volume of traffic and capacity of local roads

• Accessibility - improving the pedestrian connections through-out the route by ensuring connectivity between its key spaces

• Creating new vibrant Public Spaces


Marble Arch SquareImproving connections between Oxford Street and Hyde Park, reducing car dominance at this location

Park LaneImproving Permeability and Access East to West across Park Lane

Hyde Park Corner & Wellington Arch AmphitheaterCreating a new Urban Square and reducing the dominance of Traffic

Grosvenor PlaceCreating a new Shopping Parade to create an active front-age to the Blank wall of Buckingham Palace Gardens

Grosvenor Gardens Creating a new pedestrian friendly shared space, reducing traffic speeds

Intervention Overview:


Proposal A: Grosvenor GardensBridging the space between the Grosvenor Gardens and their surrounding buildings to encourage cafe culture and a peaceful environment in London’s heart

Building on the architectural beauty and unique layout of the Grosvenor Gardens this proposal will seek to en-hance the use of the gardens by better connecting them to their surrounding environment to encourage a vibrant ‘urban vilage’ feel.Moreover this intervention also seeks to filter and reduce the amount of pri-vate vehicle traffic entering the corri-dor whilst allowing for the continued use of public transport.


A key feature of this proposal is to combine ideas taken from permeable paving and lawn tracks to bring greenery onto the street whilst allowing for emergency vehicles and some public transport to use the surface

This also adds much needed green drainage in central London


Two approachesUpper Grosvenor Gardens:

In Upper Grosvenor Gardens the architecture and current land uses of Grosvenor Garden House means that it lends itself to a proliferation of cafes and bistros. To maximise these uses and to increase pedestrian traffic in the area the garden is opened up to the street by resurfacing the road with turf and permeable paving. This road will now be closed off to almost all traffic, with a reduced number of permitted bus routes allowed through.

Lower Grosvenor Gardens:

The land uses along Lower Grosvenor Gardens are significantly different from those along the Upper gardens. Here the buildings are all offices with some residential properties also mixed in. As such a repeat of the same design solution would not be appropriate. Instead some minor adjustments are made to maintain the street’s vehicular use whilst continuing the greening of the area begun in the Upper gardens.


Proposal B: Grosvenor PlaceActivating the blank wall – Creating a new Shopping Parade and perforating the wall

Active frontages are important in order to create vibrancy and ensure pedestrian activity. The new shopping parade will help create a well-used vibrant public realm, ensuring it feels safe and is used well

Proposed perforated Wall:

Enables pedestrians to view the landscaped gardens of Buckingham Palace thus breaking the monotony created by the blank wall.


Proposal C-1: Hyde Park CornerReducing the dominance of Vehicles, valuing the historic monuments and cre-ating vitality

Trafalgar Square Redevelopment 1996 - 2003The north side of the Square was closed to traffic and a broad new terrace created in response to the need to reset a historic square which had been choked by the predominance of traffic on all four sides. A new setting was created for the National Gallery and a new café with outdoor seating.

Reducing the volume of traffic in Hyde Park Corner hinges on new congestion charging proposals outlined in our over-all vision, as well as the reduced capacity imposed by our interventions. Often choked by traffic, the historic monu-ments in the middle of the traffic island are currently dif-ficult to access. Creating a new plaza on the north side of the roundabout and re-routing the traffic to only three of its sides will help enable pedestrians to reclaim the space and the development of vital new connections of the cen-tral space with Hyde Park.


Reclaiming Hyde Park Corner for pedestrian use not only has the effect of creating a new space it also connects two spaces previously seperated by traffic. Hyde Park now runs directly onto the revitalised Wellington Arch. No longer an island Wellington Arch is now a penisula of Hyde Park.


Proposal C-2: Wellington Arch Amphitheatre

Creating a new attraction for the corridor - an amphitheatre for Wellington ArchThe new connectivity between Hyde Park and Wellington Arch creates the opportunity for a new attraction to attract and keep visitors in the area for longer periods of time, especially into the evening. An amphitheatre is ideal in these circumstances as it can be used both formally and informally; for sitting and relaxing or for special events such as concerts, talks and theatre.

Regent’s Park Open Theatre


The amphitheatre is shaded to provide shelter against rain and most particularly, sun. The layout of the amphitheatre is orientated towards the west so as to best capture the summer light as the sun sets above Knightsbridge. To ensure comfort at minimal cost and to retain the maximum amount of greenery in the area the seats of the theatre are turfed.

Keeping the amphitheatre simple, open and free to the use of the public continues and extends Hyde Park’s tradition as a centre for gatherings, freedom of speech and political action onto the revamped Wellington Arch peninsula. The two nearby tube stations, as well as exellent bus connectivity, makes this a viable location and adds vibrancy to the area.

Proposal D : Park LaneThe idea is to give viability and improve permability along the Park Lane.

Due to the heavy traffic on the overground, it is unpleasant for pedestrians to walk. There are several un-derpasses, but they are considered to be uncomfortable and unsafe too. We saw a potential of green land-scape between roads as public open space as well as a connector between Hyde Park and East Block. Thus we propose to make a good use of it by: - de-escalating green landscape and making public space - allocating shops, cafes and other activities - enhancing street light and street furnituresThere are two public spaces (public space 1 & 2), each having diffrent activities from one another.


Diagram 1 showing active use of opend underground Diagram 2 showing a rough section of space

Concept Picture

Public space 1

Public space 2

Courtesy crossing

One of the problems that Park Lane has is high speed of vehicles. By introducing three courtesy crossings overground, one could expect traffic to be slowed down. What is more, permeabil-ity between East and West would be generally improved.

We want to improve permeability and at the same time slow down traffic.

To the East blocks as well as between Public space 1 and 2, 4 stairs are to be put in order to connect our new space to overground. To the Hyde Park side, smooth passages are to be put, instead of stairs, which would allow a smooth flow between our new spaces and Hyde Park.

Stairs and smooth passage

Means to improve permeabilityGroup 8D: Tom Booth, Joann Johani, Dahae Lee, Tunde Awofolaju

Botanic garden1

Water feature3

Greenhouse2

Playground4

A places used by diverse users including Families with kids

Public Space 1 is an extension of Hyde Park as it has green spaces and water features. Whereas Hyde Park could be less used during the winter time or under some weather condi-sion due to the lack of shelter, this space with Greenhouse enables to be enjoyed throughout the whole year. It is a place for family with kids.


Restaurant & Cafe5

We want to give viability to the space through active frontage.

Restaurant & Cafe6

View of the Space 2

Public Space 2 is a place with active frontages. One of the problem of Marble Arch/Victoria Corridor is the lack of com-mercial use. This place with different restaurants, cafes and shops could bring viability and liveability to the whole area.


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Proposal E: Marble Arch Square


The idea is to attract people to stay at Marble Arch and to create a seamless connection into Hyde Park.

Concept Picture


Creating vitality to Marble Arch Square

Landscape Lighting

Adding a new nightime aesthetic dimension for delight as well as for safety and security.

Allows users to stay and enjoy the Marble Arch Square.

Cafe Outdoor Seating

To create a pleasant envirnoment, a spot where people go to socialise.


Marble Arch Traffic Plan

Before

After

Diversion of traffic route is vital to reduce the traffic congestion that blights the link between Marble Arch and Hyde Park.

Adding two-way lanes at Oxford Street towards Bayswater Road for public transporation.

Closure of the front road of Cumberland Gate by merging Marble Arch Square and Park Lane will create a bigger green space.


Marble Arch Square Pedestrian Route

Installation of 20mph shared surface lane along Cumberland Gate and Park Lane is aim to eliminate the dominance of vehicles by getting pedestrian and vehicles to share the same road space.

Improving connections between Marbe Arch Square and Hyde Park.

Strategy


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Creating a new pedestrian friendly shared spaceCreating an active frontage to the Blank wall of Buckingham Palace Gardens

Making Park Lane an enjoyable place to walkCreating a new Urban Square at Hyde Park CornerImproving public safety

Improving permeability and access East to West across Park LaneImproving connections between Oxford Street and Hyde ParkReducing car dominance as well as car speed at this location through variety of physical interventions


SummaryThis Marble Arch/Victoria Corridor Plan is based on a clear and simple vision which is “Creating Vitality”. We are committed to creating a vibrant and well used Public Realm along the route, ensuring that the spaces feel safe and they harness the architectural and historical significance of the locality while ensuring it serves all our other objectives.

The Analysis of the proposal is the key reference for us to identify the existing problems along the corridor, in which we identified that whilst the route is extremely well connected to much of central London the corridor fails as a route for pedestrians. Moreover the entire corridor is characterised by a general lack of amenities and the attractions that do populate it are disserved by the current urban form.Our Masterplan attempts to remedy this by proposing design interventions as solutions to resolve the problems the corridor has. The Masterplan does this by consistently attempting to bring a greater diversification of uses along the corridor which serve as new magnets for activity. The plan is also consistent in its attempt to anticipate the declining use of private cars in London by reclaiming street space for the pedestrian. These interventions link up along the corridor to effect a cumulative reduction in the volume and speed of traffic whilst at the same time enhancing and developing the corridors appeal as a unique blend of hard urban form and open park space.

marble arch/victoria corridor redevelopment masterplan (part 2)

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