3.3 The Public Realm
Methodology
The Public Realm Strategy and Guidance (contained in part 5)
for Sheffield city centre was developed through a series of cognitive
mapping and surveying exercises, meetings with key officers, a
review of improvements implemented to date and pending in the
city, and an understanding of best practice. It was informed by
the following process:
-
An audit of the existing public realm in the city centre
to:
-
develop an understanding of the existing palette of materials
and determine any consistency which positively contributed
to the legibility and permeability of key routes;
-
ascertain the consistency and quality of design of street
furniture and determine any impact (positive or negative)
that its layout may have on ease of movement for the pedestrian;
-
provide an understanding of the existing open space network
and identify opportunities for improving connectivity through
such a network.
-
A survey of the existing cafe zones and identification of
opportunities for further outdoor dining facilities.
-
A survey of the facades of buildings and their relationship
with the street, including identification of active and animated
ground floors, or blank facades which deleteriously affect the
surrounding urban environments.
-
Discussions with the principal landscape architects of the
Council about the aspirations for the public realm and where
material palettes had been established within the city centre.
-
A review of the Council’s accessibility requirements and
an understanding of the Disability Discrimination Act and its
impact on the urban environment.
-
A review of the literature relating to the design and choice
of materials for the Heart of the City.
-
A review of the guidance contained within action plans relating
to material selection and detailing of streets within the CIQ
and Devonshire Quarter.
-
Discussions with city centre management and the Streetforce
team about management, maintenance and the selection of materials
within the city centre.
-
Workshops and meetings with the Stakeholders Group to address
the issues on the design standards and maintenance of the public
realm.
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