The Aberdeen City Design Campaign

Transcription

1 The Aberdeen City Design Campaign (Draft) Planning and Infrastructure Strategic Leadership Aberdeen City Council St Nicholas House Broad Street Aberdeen AB10 1BW May 2009

2 Design Campaign The 10 Challenges Aberdeen currently faces the challenge of delivering a significant number of new homes, infrastructure and employment opportunities identified in the Draft Structure Plan. The Draft Structure Plan also includes quality and design targets for new development, and recommends a design review process for masterplans and the most significant planning applications. The City Council is preparing a new Local Development Plan with Improving the quality of design in our everyday lives is a key objective of the Scottish Government, confirmed in publications such as Designing Places - A Policy Statement for Scotland and A Policy on Architecture for Scotland. A Design Campaign in partnership with key stakeholders in the design community is a way to raise design quality aspirations, stimulate discussion and debate, and involve communities in the future of the City with the ultimate goal of raising design standards. The design partners include: The Robert Gordon University Architecture + Design Scotland The Lighthouse Scottish Government Architecture and Place Unit This document identifies some of the challenges Aberdeen faces to increase the design aspirations of the private and public We can all make a contribution to improving our environments for future generations to enjoy and appreciate. A well designed environment can and does improve quality of life for everyone. Design Snapshot, Scottish Government sectors and promote a greater public awareness and debate on design issues. The 10 challenges are: 1. Design Champion 2. Engaging the wider public 3. Centre of Urban Design 4. The City Centre 5. City of Culture 6. Campus Linkages 7. Historic Celebration 8. Housing 9. Transportation 10. Conservation Areas of the Future The impact of the Design Campaign will be to: Achieve international design recognition for Aberdeen Increase quality of design aspiration and output Achieve project endorsement by North East Design Review; Deliver international award winning design-led projects; Stimulate public awareness and debate on design issues; Achieve sustainable development through high quality design.

3 1. Design Champion The Design Champion will reflect the particular design contexts for Aberdeen, the City s relationship to other cities in Scotland, and recognition of its place in the wider World. The Faculty of Design at the Robert Gordon University, through the Heads of School at Scott Sutherland School of Architecture & the Built Environment and Gray s School of Art provide this role. Role of the Design Champion Within the context of the Aberdeen Design Campaign and its 10 challenges, the Design Champion will: Act as an advocate and ambassador Help grow an audience for design and architecture by engaging with the general public in debates, via the media and other public forums Advise on the development of public programme/s liaising with partners and other organisations as appropriate Contribute to the interpretation and evaluation of significant development proposals in the public realm. To contribute towards a review of local plan design policy. Support the establishment of an Urban Regeneration Centre for Aberdeen utilising the resources and expertise of the universities. Develop an international urban design summer school. Champion the role of culture in urban regeneration. Utilise the university s research expertise to contribute to public engagement on new housing. Utilise the university s global network to gain international recognition for the design campaign. Use the resources of students to critically research and develop ideas. Link project work to live design issues in the City. Explore how the two universities might be reconnected with the city centre. Links to other challenges Aberdeen as Centre for Urban Design The City Centre Conservation areas of the future

4 2. Engaging the wider public A key aim of the Design Campaign is to expand the audience that is well informed about architecture and design issues. This will go beyond routine consultation and is more to do with celebrating Aberdeen as an outstanding urban place to live and work. Involving people in raising awareness of the issues at an early stage in the design process can ensure best value outcomes are achieved, and give a guarantee to local communities that they are able to help in shape the environment they live in. Effective Community Engagement means: Ensuring that people are made aware of proposals that affect them as early as possible. Appropriate systems are in place to allow their opinions to be made, shared, and considered. To allow better explanations to be made by the Council as to how and why specific decisions on design issues have been arrived at. Help to implement the principles of Inclusive Design. Help develop greater interest and transparency in the planning system. Involving people across the whole public spectrum. The Aberdeen Masterplanning Process states it is essential a communication and engagement plan is developed and agreed at project inception to ensure appropriate levels of community involvement can be maintained throughout the masterplan preparation, and that all interested parties are included. Possible Initiatives Masterplanning Process to involve communities at the start of the design process. Use the Enquiry by Design process. Engage with schools and local community groups. Programme of events/exhibitions and workshops to be developed with City Councils Arts Development Team and The Lighthouse. Develop links with Aberdeen Environmental Education Centre. Public lectures and debate, e.g. 57 o 10 lectures at Scott Sutherland s. Links with other Challenges Design Champion Aberdeen as Centre for Urban Design Aberdeen as City of Culture

5 3. Centre of Urban Design Aberdeen should aim to match international best practice in the development of architecture and the public realm. This challenge concentrates on demonstrating the effects of change upon the city s skyline, density, amenity, landscape and character. Aberdeen City Council will provide further guidance on design issues through the next Local Development Plan, with the aim to: Promote high standards of design throughout the city. Ensure architectural heritage is conserved and maintained to a high standard. Promote sustainable development. Encourage innovation in new forms of contemporary architecture. Develop a high quality local knowledge and skills base in subjects concerning the built environment. Possible Initiatives Urban Design Summer School Collaboration between Aberdeen City Council, Robert Gordon University and Prince s Foundation for the Built Environment. Creation of an Urban Design Centre To showcase upcoming architecture, design and planning projects, and, utilise the design expertise within the city. Urban Design Week An opportunity to showcase architects / students work, including design competitions winners. The New Local Development Plan will develop policies on Design and Architecture. School Competitions Pupils of school age encouraged to participate in team-based competitions and workshops about Urban Design. Business Sponsorship Encourage local businesses to sponsor design activities, competitions and public art. Design Advocacy Compile a list of architects that are willing to participate in school talks, debates and discussions. Links to other Challenges Design Champion Engaging the wider public Aberdeen as City of Culture

6 4. The City Centre Aberdeen City Centre faces a number of challenges in the foreseeable future. This is evident through a change of emphasis in retail choice with the development of Guild Square to the south, and the prospect of implementing the Bon Accord Quarter Masterplan to the north. Other significant changes include proposals for a new Council headquarters at Marischal College, The Green Townscape Heritage Initiative, and office and business developments in Union Row and the North Dee area. All of these present opportunities for debate as to how our City Centre is to be used in the long term future. Union Street arguably needs to regain its focus as the greatest street and centre piece of the civic realm in Aberdeen s City Centre. The City Centre Challenge will concentrate on an emerging Development Framework. The Framework will identify a strategy for the long term future of Aberdeen City Centre, providing a means to create a high quality urban core for Aberdeen. The Development Framework will challenge the way we currently use the City Centre during different times of the day. The Framework will follow the key themes outlined in the Aberdeen Masterplanning Process identity, context and connection. Movement patterns are also addressed and provide a direct link to the Transport Challenge. The Development Framework will: establish clear identity for areas of particular character in the heart of Aberdeen identify landmark developments and opportunities promote connection to those landmarks with high quality public realm in the central core promote pedestrian priority promote public transport promote appropriate car parking provision address how the City Centre should be used at different times of the day. Initiatives City Centre Development Framework Collaboration with RGU March students to carry out research and analysis of the City Centre Investigate innovative public transport options Links to other Challenges Centre for Urban Design City of Culture Transport

7 5. City of Culture Aberdeen has a rich cultural and design heritage; from the development of Old Aberdeen, and its medieval core, to the later Victorian expansion of the city. Culture-led regeneration can help to promote tourism, inward investment and economic development. Key considerations for Culture-led Regeneration Cultural activities placed within a wider city regeneration program. The means of changing peoples perceptions of the city are important for lasting change. Community participation helps foster ownership, civic pride and respect for the long-term survival of projects. Regeneration must be socially inclusive. The complexity of Aberdeen being a city of 2 extremes must be addressed. Monitoring through the development of cultural indicators. Possible Initiatives Promoting opportunities for public art. Creating new public spaces that encourage community interaction. Showcase citywide projects, competition winners and student projects in the new Peacocks Visual Arts Centre A new City Centre location should be researched to facilitate the creation of a specific Aberdeen City Museum, showcasing local history, knowledge and artefacts. The Aberdeen Leopard A three dimensional model of a leopard on the pavement, or a silhouette on a building elevation, could be temporarily installed in places of cultural, architectural or historic significance. School art projects about Aberdeen s architectural heritage. One-off events such as festivals and street markets. Links to other challenges Aberdeen as Centre for Urban Design The City Centre Engaging the wider public Historic Celebration

8 6. Campus Linkages Aberdeen s two universities The Robert Gordon University and The University of Aberdeen (and their substantial seasonal populations) are located on the periphery of the City Centre. How to capture the activity and vibrancy of our student population in the heart of Aberdeen presents a significant challenge. The Robert Gordon University was named after the 17 th Century philanthropist, and is the leading modern University in the UK and has an outstanding record for graduate employment. It has further plans of 110 million investment in new facilities to improve its modern campus further. The Aberdeen College at Gallowgate is the largest college in Scotland and already boasts good links with RGU through its 2plus2 study programme. Aberdeen College is a vital part of the student population and can help retain and connect student activity within the City Centre. The University of Aberdeen was founded in 1495 and has a student population around 10,000 studying within the 5 th oldest University in the UK. It consistently climbs the Good University ranking each year and is beginning work on a major new iconic library facility. The combination of two Universities and a college creates a student population in Aberdeen of around 30,000 students. Connection of these segregated student populations is therefore essential in promoting vibrancy in the City Centre, alongside the economic benefits it provides. There is need to assess and improve how the two University campuses can effectively connect to the City Centre and contribute to the vibrancy it should offer. Possible Initiatives Aberdeen University s presence in Marischal College. The role of Schoolhill and links with the RGU Masterplan. Provision of clear and safe links for pedestrians and cyclists through and between campuses to allow better connections. Improve campus routes into the City Centre. Appropriate public transport routes to connect University campii, major residences and the City Centre. Improved signage and campus wayfinding. Develop co-operative student facilities in the City Centre. E.g. student internet café, night time bar/club, student shop, function rooms and touchdown zone. Student accommodation links to City Centre. Links to other Challenges The City Centre Transportation

9 7. Historic Celebration Aberdeen has a rich cultural and architectural history. The Historic Celebration challenge of the Design Campaign aims to promote the conservation of key historic sites within the city through design and cultural initiatives. Aberdeen s two historical centres, the medieval core of the City and Old Aberdeen, are both compact, walkable, and have their own unique urban forms. They offer the chance to celebrate the history of Aberdeen. They contain a rich mix of building types and design, which includes numerous architectural assets such as the symbolic King s College, Marischal College and Union Street. Possible Initiatives Promote Old Aberdeen as a candidate for World Heritage Site Old Aberdeen was originally one of 2 burghs of Aberdeen up until the 1980s. It still retains some of its separate and distinctive identity today. Old Aberdeen is a possible candidate for a World Heritage Site: such status would greatly boost local tourism. The World Heritage programme names and conserves sites of outstanding cultural or natural importance to the common heritage of humanity. The Green Townscape Heritage Initiative makes grants available that help communities regenerate conservation areas displaying particular social and economic need. The Conservation Area Appraisals all Conservation Areas are assessed to evaluate and record its special interest, architectural and historic value. Historic Scotland Listed Buildings resurvey of the City to keep an up-to-date record of listed buildings in Aberdeen. Celebrate lesser known historical gems for example Union Bridge as the largest single-span granite bridge in the world, the famous Kelly s Cats, and the unique association with Leopards on the city s coat of arms. Rationalise space, signage and lighting around historic sites. Celebrate scheduled Ancient Monuments, such as Mercat Cross. Raise awareness of local historic importance such as Union Bridge largest single span granite bridge. Promote Heritage Trails. Encourage school participation. Links to other challenges The City Centre Aberdeen as City of Culture Aberdeen as Centre for Urban Design

10 8. Housing Aberdeen has a wealth of high quality housing set within remarkable designed streetscapes. The lack of comparable ambition or design skill in many recent developments is of concern. The Design Campaign aims to target, in particular, the design quality of new housing with the support of design partners, private sector house builders, housing associations, local communities and the general public. Aberdeen has a history of mixed-use residential areas. Reference to local characteristics and their context is important for good design to evolve. Awareness of best practice in Scotland and Northern Europe, together with emerging design guidance review, and public engagement on issues regarding housing design, will be required to deliver housing that is efficient, effective and sustainable, and that will leave a lasting legacy for the City. New Housing should: Respond to local context Be designed around streets Promote sustainability Introduce mixed use The provision of high quality, well-designed, fit for purpose housing around Aberdeen can improve the quality of life for all its residents, while enhancing the attractiveness of the city as a place to live, work and do business. The use of the 6 criteria of successful places which are outlined in the Scottish Government s policy statement Designing Places, along with the CABE Build for Life criteria, can ensure that Aberdeen will have developments that promote the city to a wider audience. This is essential for long-term, and sustainable, economic growth. Possible Initiatives Masterplans for new housing development following the principles of the Aberdeen Masterplanning Process Create the opportunity for sustainable mixed use communities Promote the Scottish Sustainable Communities Initiative Summer School with the Robert Gordon University and the Prince s Foundation for the Built Environment Local Design Review to share best practice and critique. Links to other Challenges Engaging the wider public Transportation Conservation Areas of the future

11 9. Transportation The layout and use of roads, has increasingly constrained modern design. Road engineering has been aimed at increasing traffic safety in some places, but has resulted in increased road speed, where the presence of people should have suggested it should be reduced. This has led to some roads belatedly having speed humps, chicanes and other traffic calming features introduced. The application of road design standards has also led to an enforced regimenting of layout design, especially within new housing areas. Less attention has been paid to the needs of people walking from place to place within such areas so that it is easier to take a car than move around on foot. Roads have correspondingly become faster, more congested, and less welcoming for people to use. Attractive and well-connected permeable streets encourage more people to walk and cycle. Good-quality environments engender a higher sense of ownership and civic pride. Positive outcomes of good streets More people on the streets lead to increased personal security and reduced travel speeds. Casual social interaction strengthens communities. Designing Streets Key Principles Help build and strengthen the communities that they serve. Meet the needs of all users, embodying principles of inclusive design. Form part of a well-connected network. Streets are attractive and have their own distinctive identity. Cost-effective to construct and maintain. Safe. Mixed and walkable neighbourhoods. Good quality streets encouraged. Transportation Hierarchy 1. Pedestrians 2. Cyclists 3. Public transport users 4. Specialist service vehicles 5. Other motor traffic Possible Initiatives Pedestrian priority city centre. Improved public transport connections. Street design. Appropriate city centre car parking. Sustainable mixed communities to reduce travel need

12 10. Conservation areas of the future Some national commentators on design have lamented modern design. They point to the character and value of historic areas and asked where the conservation areas of tomorrow are to be found. Conservation areas are designated to conserve their: special architectural and historic importance. distinctive character. uniqueness or value as a good example of an unusual local or regional type. value within the wider context of the village, town or city. present condition and identify the scope for significant improvement and enhancement. Conservation Areas of the Present There are currently 11 designated in Aberdeen. Conservation areas contribute significantly to Aberdeen s heritage and also allow opportunity for public involvement in the various land use issues affecting conservation area policy. 1. Old Aberdeen 2. Union Street 3. Bon-Accord / Crown Street 4. Albyn Place / Rubislaw 5. Marine Terrace 6. Footdee ( Fittie ) 7. Great Western Road 8. Cove Bay 9. Ferryhill 10. Pitfodels 11. Rosemount / Westburn Conservation Areas of the Future Leaving a lasting legacy for future citizens of Aberdeen is a crucial aspect of new development. The Design Campaign will create the opportunity to bring together the challenges facing the City Centre, Housing and Transportation and enable the creation of sustainable new places of sufficient design quality that could merit conservation area status in the future. Important characteristics of future new developments Must demonstrate high quality architectural design. Use of high quality sustainable materials sympathetic to Aberdeen s Granite City reputation. Show uniqueness and distinctiveness of design that can be valued as a good example of unusual or local architecture. Use of sustainable building techniques, incorporating energy efficient building design Where possible the use of sustainable materials. Encourage local interest in conservation, architecture and design issues. People should be involved in the process of creating new conservation areas which are attractive and full of character, as well as been modern and adaptable. Links to other challenges The City Centre Housing Transportation Aberdeen as Centre for Urban Design

13 Appendix Relevant Policy 1. Design Champion The Aberdeen Local Plan Policies 1, 2, 5, 6, 8 2. Engaging the wider public Local Government Scotland Act 2003 : Community Planning Advice Note 5. Aberdeen Community Plan and Single Outcome Agreement 2007/2008 Planning Advice Note 81 : Community Engagement; Planning with people. Planning Advice Note 78 : Inclusive Design. 3. Centre of Urban Design A Policy on Architecture (2001) Designing Places : A policy statement for Scotland (2001) Scottish Planning Policy 1 : The Planning System (2000) Planning Advice Note 68 : Design Statements (2003) Building Our Legacy : Statement on Scotland s Architecture Policy (2007) Planning Advice Note 59 : Improving Town Centres (1999) Scottish Planning Policy 8 : Town Centres and Retailing (2006) Planning Advice Note 68 : Design Statements (2003) Building Our Legacy : Statement on Scotland s Architecture Policy (2007) Planning Advice Note 59 : Improving Town Centres (1999) Scottish Planning Policy 8 : Town Centres and Retailing (2006) 5. City of Culture A Policy on Architecture (2001) Designing Places : A policy statement for Scotland (2001) Scottish Planning Policy 1 : The Planning System (2000) Planning Advice Note 68 : Design Statements (2003) Building Our Legacy : Statement on Scotland s Architecture Policy (2007) Planning Advice Note 59 : Improving Town Centres (1999) Scottish Planning Policy 8 : Town Centres and Retailing (2006) 6. Campus Linkages SPP 20 : Designing Places : A Policy Statement for Scotland (2007) Designing Streets : Consultative Draft (Spring 2007) 4. The City Centre A Policy on Architecture (2001) Designing Places : A policy statement for Scotland (2001) Scottish Planning Policy 1 : The Planning System (2000)

14 7. Historic Celebration SPP 20 : Role of Architecture and Design Scotland. SPP 23 : Planning and the Historic Environment : Consultative Draft (February 2008) Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) (Scotland) Act (1997) Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act (1979) Scotland s Historic Environment (Historic Scotland) Policy 1 The Stirling Chapter (Historic Scotland) 8. Housing A Policy on Architecture (2001) Designing Places : A policy statement for Scotland (2001) Scottish Planning Policy 20: The Role of Architecture and Design in Scotland Scottish Planning Policy 1 : The Planning System (2000) Planning Advice Note 68 : Design Statements (2003) Building Our Legacy : Statement on Scotland s Architecture Policy (2007) Planning Advice Note 67: Housing Quality Other considerations CABE Build for Life : The 20 Criteria Prince s Foundation for the Built Environment Enquiry by Design planning tool 9. Transportation 10. Conservation Areas of the Future Urban Realm Strategy 2001 National Planning Policy Guide 18 : Planning and the Historic Environment Civic Amenities Act 1967 Town and Country Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas (Scotland)) Act Further Information For further information or if you would like to help facilitate any of the possible initiatives, please contact: Aberdeen City Council Planning and Infrastructure St Nicholas House Broad Street Aberdeen AB10 1BW Tel: (52) 3470 Fax: pi@aberdeencity.gov.uk