PROJECT FOR PUBLIC SPACES Tools and Techniques for Creating Great Public Spaces Translating Ideas Into Action Implementation Underlying Ideas Planning & Outreach Techniques 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 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 Spaces 5. 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

Pedestrian Tracking

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

PROJECT FOR PUBLIC SPACES TOOL PREVIEW Place Imagination Exercise Objective To inspire (through photos) and get ideas for improving a public space (based on PPS Place Diagram) How Administered By trained surveyors on the site in question Participants Transit riders, site users Outcome New uses and activities for the site How it could be made more attractive and comfortable How it could attract a more diverse population How it could better serve transit passengers

PROJECT FOR PUBLIC SPACES

Washington Square Park User Analysis Behavior / Activity Mapping Entrance Counts Surveys (intercept and online) Informal Observations

PROJECT FOR PUBLIC SPACES Light use Heavy use

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.” 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

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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