Desirable Spaces
The video breaks down the components of plazas in search of what makes great spaces. In the video the narrator discusses various topics and options of what these components are. There are many components, but the main one is activity - the more people in a space, the more other people want to be there.
When creating a space a few amenities are essential to make it work. There needs to be various types of seating in order to give people the option of where and on what to sit. There needs to be places to walk and congregate, a sense of security, and above all, there needs to be people.
Spaces are not always used in the way the designer intended. People do not necessarily want to sit the way the designer places seating or in the style of seating that was chosen. In the video the narrator mentions that many designers place seating in a linear and isolated fashion in order to punctuate architectural drawings, not to provide social seating for users. In some cases it seems that property managers did not want people in the building’s plazas. In some cases they place additions into the sitting areas such as metal ridges and uncomfortable stones to discourage people from sitting there.
To better understand why big empty plazas were built we need to take a look at the New York City building code. The height allowance of the building is proportion to the size of the plaza - the bigger the plaza, the taller the building. Taller buildings mean more rentable space and therefore more profits. The reason for this rule is beyond the scope of this paper. In the past, building owners did not see the potential of active plazas. But what they missed was if a space is designed for interactions a whole new market opens up. Instead of the plaza being a loss of rentable space, these spaces can be rented as cafes and snack bars. Since then the New York City building codes have been adjusted to improve street life. These codes also help the profitability of the space by allowing 20 percent of the plaza to be used for food oriented amenities. Although 20 percent may not seem like a lot for a big plaza many more people will come to enjoy the space of a nice atmosphere, and in the end might buy from their venders.
Other important features need to be in place for the space’s success. Scale is one of them. It is important to remember bigger is not always better. The size of an urban space depends on two factors. One; the proportion of the plaza should be linked to the size of the building which surrounds it, and two; the size of the plaza should accommodate the amount of potential users. As was pointed out in the video, people do not like wide open spaces. People tend to stay to the sides of large spaces. Talking is done in the path of traffic. This is not done intentionally. It happens because that’s where chance meetings occur. When people meet, they talk without thinking about moving to the side. This type of activity is not bad either in fact it helps to create a more vibrant and lively place. Therefore creating tight spaces can provide a more active environment. For instance, 20 people standing in a 20 square foot space will seem busier than 20 people standing in a 100 square foot space. Another phenomenon is that those 20 people in the bigger space will congregate near each other.
For a space to reach its highest potential, the first floor of the building should relate to the plaza or active space. Adding retail spaces on the ground floor which connect to the outside spaces will help create an open and friendly environment. Although it might seem undesirable, street performers and vendors should be allowed into the building plaza. Such amenities provide interaction between strangers, and provide spectacles for them to watch. People will gather together to watch something entertaining. Moreover, the presence of these performers means that it is a good space. Performers are looking to draw a crowd and therefore will not go to a dead space to do their act. Above all, the plaza’s life needs to be visible and easily accessible from the street, so that passersby can be engaged and drawn in.
Lastly there is the issue of security. All spaces should have a governor watching over them. The people should know there is someone there to help in case they need assistance. Security cameras can only do so much. Maintenance is also important to the security of the plaza. If the plaza is well maintained and kept clean it will provide for a friendlier environment. That will draw in more local people and fewer undesirables.
In summary, a space needs to have ample and comfortable seating. That means fewer benches and more ledges with planters, stairs, or anything else at a comfortable sitting height and width. They need to have amenities to achieve street life, and the ability to people watch. They need to provide people with choices, where to sit, where to eat, what or who to watch, and what to do. There needs to be a connection between the street/sidewalk, plaza, and the building. When a space can provide for these things, it brings with it a sense of security.
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| employ cleaning fountain |
By cleaning the plaza it show that the space is monitored, and therefore gives the appearances of a safe place.
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Monument of Columbus
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The base of the monument is used for a multitude of purposes. Generally it is used as a seat and a table, still others modify the corners and use it for sports purposes.
Spaces such as this are use as gathering places.
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| entry way |
The change of marital emphasis the entrances importance and acts as a transition point between public and private spaces.
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| Raised Plaza |
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| bikes chained to sign posts |
Stair act as a visual transition of spaces, it make the border of a public owned space and private owed space. Stairs also provide for various types of siting providing people a place to gather.
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| guard rail |
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| street artist |
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| street vender |
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| Times Square Pedestrian Plaza |
Chaining a bicycle to a tall sign makes it hard for someone to lift it over the top. the sight of bikes left unattended lets people know that the space in which it was left is safe.
Guard rail act as a safety precaution when one there is a large drop between spaces. These rails also provide visual interest through their patterns, lets passerby's know that there is a space below. People can also lean against them such as in this picture.
Street artist provided a space with an activity. Their art becomes a backdrop for the sidewalk and provides visual interest.
Street vendors provide life to a space, these people are usually interacting with tourist shouting their sales pitch adding to the life and sounds of the space.
Pedestrian plazas provide a place to sit and relax, eat, and congregate. these spaces add to the life of the space by adding another dynamic to the spaces activity.
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| Duff Square TKTs grandstand roof |
The bleacher style seating roof add a place for people to sit and people watch. by giving over the roof to the people the TXT booth has added interest and another social space instead of taking away from the space by building a standard four wall structure.
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| separate vehicular, bike, and pedestrian paths |
In this picture the path of travel have been separated protecting each type of user and provides for faster traffic in all spaces. on the left is a sidewalk for strolling and walking in the middle there is a two way bike path also used for running, and to the far right is the street for motorists.
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| Homeless people sleeping in park |
There are a few homeless people sleeping in a green space only a hundred feet down form the picture above although there are spaces to sit near this space no one stops and mothers with strollers sped up.
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| water feature |
Water features proved white noise blocking out much of the sounds of the city, making the space around it pleasant and relaxing.
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| art work |
The big teddy adds to the space by braking up the space and adding interest to the space. It becomes a talking point for passerby's.
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| sidewalk venders |
Street vendors provide activity to spaces, visual interest, and interactions between people.
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| construction protection scaffolding cover |
Covered walkways act as a colonnade, the space underneath feels protected, from the construction above and shelter from bad weather
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| street signs |
Street signs tell people what is allowed or not allowed in a place, but are only as good as the willingness to enforce the rules on the sign.
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| Advertisements |
Advertisements provide life to the street, adding visual stimulus and back drop to the space. interactive advertisements such as the forever 21 jumbotron in the photo draw crowds and cause other interactions as a result.
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| Police presence |
Police presence is important to maintain a safe environment and order. Their presence gives the average person a sense of security, while at the same time deters people for braking the law.
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| security camera |
The addition of private and police security cameras help keep eyes on the street although they are usually used to catch and prosecute suspects as and after crime it helps deter people knowing that they can be identified.
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| street performer |
Street proformers both paid employees or independents, add to the life of the space.
