2.3 Use & Perception
Legibility
 The
spires and towers of the key buildings such as the prominent Arts
Tower are visual orientation tools within the city. The strong
grid pattern or axiality of some streets affords framed views
to landmark buildings, focal points or green spaces outside of
the city centre, thereby assisting in way finding. The Parkhill
flats provide an important landmark on the centre’s edge from
many vantage points in the city, as do the residential tower blocks
which step up and accentuate the slopes of the city.
Although there is a certain degree of legibility within the city,
its overall clarity is undermined by a number of factors:
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In many cases the distinctive towers and spires of the religious
and civic buildings of the city are obscured along the skyline
by the tall buildings of slab like forms which step up the hill.
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The postwar road network has greatly reduced the legibility
of the city, fragmenting the urban form and severing pedestrian
routes through and out of the city. Poorly designed pedestrian
crossings and junctions add to this lack of permeability by
creating barriers to pedestrian movement which exacerbates this
severance of connection.
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The lack of clear visual and physical connections between
the valleys and the heart of the city centre, caused partially
by the distinct changes of level along key pedestrian routes
and partially by the siting of monolithic impermeable buildings,
reduce the connectivity between the quarters. An example of
this occurs upon arrival by train where the route to the city
centre is convoluted and unclear, with a vast change in level.
This problem will be rectified by the forthcoming Midland Station
Project and Howard Street link upgrade.
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There is a lack of consistency and coherence in the public
realm along many of the key pedestrian routes or within the
quarters. In the majority of the city’s streets, different materials
have been used along the footways. Street furniture and signage
is ad-hoc in its layout and design. These factors combine to
visually detract from the continuity of routes and identity
of character areas.
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The confusing signing system in the city is not well integrated
into the streetscape nor is it easily understood, by pedestrian
or vehicular users. This is being addressed as part of the Connect
Sheffield project.
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Some quarters have gap sites and empty buildings which undermine
their character and the user’s ability to develop a mental map
of the area.
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