project for public spaces tools and techniques for creating great public spaces translating ideas...
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PROJECT FOR PUBLIC SPACES
Tools and Techniques for Creating Great Public Spaces
Translating IdeasInto Action
Implementation
Underlying Ideas
Planning & OutreachTechniques
The community is the expert
You are creating a place not just a design
You can’t do it alone
They always say it can’t be done
You can see a lot just by observing
Develop a vision
Form supports function
Triangulate
Start with the petunias
Money is not the issue
You are never finished
PROJECT FOR PUBLIC SPACES
Principles of Creating Great Public Spaces
1. The community is the expert Involvement must
be early and continuous
PROJECT FOR PUBLIC SPACES
Design is only one tool of creating a place
More than a “project”
Placemaking is an ongoing process
2. You are creating a place not just a design
Principles of Creating Great Public Spaces
PROJECT FOR PUBLIC SPACES
Success depends on partnerships
Likely and unlikely partners
Expanding resources
Project for Public Spaces, Inc.
3. You can’t do it alone
Principles of Creating Great Public Spaces
PROJECT FOR PUBLIC SPACES
There are always obstacles, but don’t let them stop you.
4. They always say it can’t be done
Principles of Creating Great Public Spaces
PROJECT FOR PUBLIC SPACES
Start by looking at how spaces are really working.
Principles of Creating Great Public Spaces5. You can see a lot just by observing
PROJECT FOR PUBLIC SPACES
Observations of public space use Tracking and Counting of pedestrians
and automobiles Surveys of public space users as well as
employees and residents in adjacent buildings
Place Performance Evaluation Game with stakeholders
Websites
Information Gathering Techniques
PROJECT FOR PUBLIC SPACES
Time-Lapse Photography
PROJECT FOR PUBLIC SPACES
PROJECT FOR PUBLIC SPACES
Pedestrian Tracking
PROJECT FOR PUBLIC SPACES
PROJECT FOR PUBLIC SPACES
Astor Place
PROJECT FOR PUBLIC SPACES
Astor Place
PROJECT FOR PUBLIC SPACES
Place Evaluation Exercise
PROJECT FOR PUBLIC SPACES
Community Destination and Transit Route Mapping
PROJECT FOR PUBLIC SPACES
Walk-It Audit
PROJECT FOR PUBLIC SPACES
Place Imagination Exercise
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TOOL PREVIEWPlace Imagination Exercise
ObjectiveTo inspire (through photos) and
get ideas for improving a public space (based on PPS Place Diagram)
How AdministeredBy trained surveyors on the site in
question
ParticipantsTransit riders, site users
OutcomeNew uses and activities for the siteHow it could be made more
attractive and comfortableHow it could attract a more diverse
populationHow it could better serve transit
passengers
PROJECT FOR PUBLIC SPACES
PROJECT FOR PUBLIC SPACES
PROJECT FOR PUBLIC SPACES
PROJECT FOR PUBLIC SPACES
PROJECT FOR PUBLIC SPACES
Washington Square Park User Analysis
Behavior / Activity Mapping Entrance Counts Surveys (intercept and online) Informal Observations
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Light use
Heavy use
PROJECT FOR PUBLIC SPACES
PROJECT FOR PUBLIC SPACES
People / Diversity / Atmosphere Music / Performers / Entertainers / Artists The Park itself Proximity (Home / Work / NYU) Fountain Trees / Green Space / Open Space Relaxing History Quiet / Laid back Dog Run
Survey Question: What do you like best about the park?
PROJECT FOR PUBLIC SPACES
“It works beautifully for a great variety of people -- residents, tourists, families, couples, singles. It's informal and comfortable.”
Where are you from?
Surrounding Neighborhoods
Manhattan (other)
Brooklyn
Queens
Bronx
NJ
NV
OR
WAIL
Long Island
MAUpstate NY
CA
International
Park Users by Gender
Female
40%
Male
60%
What do you like best about the park?
PROJECT FOR PUBLIC SPACES
Maintenance (pavement, bathrooms, benches)
No changes Landscaping Concerts, entertainment Homeless issue / drug dealers Amenities (tables, benches, trash cans,
lights) Safety Sports activities Food
What improvements would you make?
PROJECT FOR PUBLIC SPACES
Be ambitious and create long term goals.
6. Develop a vision
Principles of Creating Great Public Spaces
PROJECT FOR PUBLIC SPACES
State goals Define how the space will be used Describe the character of the space Examine models of similar spaces Develop a plan Plan for how the space might evolve in the
future
What’s in a Vision?
PROJECT FOR PUBLIC SPACES
PROJECT FOR PUBLIC SPACES
Designs help people use a place.
7. Form supports function
Principles of Creating Great Public Spaces
PROJECT FOR PUBLIC SPACES
Cluster and connect uses
8. Triangulate
Principles of Creating Great Public Spaces
PROJECT FOR PUBLIC SPACES
Short term experiments to test ideas&concepts
Phased implementation
9. Lighter Quicker Cheaper
Principles of Creating Great Public Spaces
PROJECT FOR PUBLIC SPACES
Money follows vision
Small scale is cheaper
10. Money is not the issue
PROJECT FOR PUBLIC SPACES
Management is key There is always a
way to make it better
11. You are never finished
Principles of Creating Great Public Spaces
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Making Places
Newsletter
Training & Conferences
Publications & Resources
http://www.pps.org