3.3 The Public Realm

Activity

A focus for the strategic planning of towns and cities must be the creation of environments that encourage street life and activity, support the economy and foster the identity of a place.

Mixing uses
Planning and design policy must have a degree of sophistication that allows the sometimes conflicting activities of city life to be held in balance. It is often the very conflict between adjacent activities that can bring interest and dynamism to urban centres. The role of the design in the public realm is to accept and manage the tensions that exist between activities. Streets and spaces in the city must be welcoming and flexible enough to accommodate a variety of users and activities.

The land-use mono-culture which exists in many areas of Sheffield city centre brings sterility to the street. Street life and activity depends on designing environments which attract a variety of uses and people.

Creating a mix of uses within a precinct or a particular development site will have a range of benefits including increasing diversity and maximising efficiency of land use. Where mixed-use developments are not wholly appropriate, such as in residential areas, carefully managed through traffic can enliven the street. Increased activity can provide a greater sense of security particularly at night time.

Facades
Opportunities will be presented with new development proposals, or the refurbishment of existing buildings, to introduce active ground floor uses and permeable facades along the key pedestrian routes of the city centre. Promoting connection between internal spaces and the activity of the street in this way will improve the appearance, amenity and ambience of the city centre.

Particular locations where these connections are vital include:

Within each quarter key pedestrian links or focal points have also been identified that would benefit from active facades in the ground floors. For example, the connection between Portobello Street and West Street could be strengthened to link the activity of the university precinct to the Devonshire Quarter urban village.

Street life and celebration
Thoughtful management and design can bring additional life, and a sense of spontaneity, to the city’s streets and spaces. Well organised cafes or stalls spilling onto the street will generate colour and bustle. Ad-hoc activities such as street theatre, buskers and performers can enliven city.

Seasonal activities such as Christmas events, festivals, processions or weekly traders’ markets are an important part of civic life. In Sheffield city centre, the principle pedestrian routes such as Division Street, High Street or the Moor and spaces such as Devonshire Green, Peace Gardens or Tudor Square could be particularly suited to this type of activity. In the detailed design of public spaces, such activities can be provided with dedicated service points or other such facilities they may require.