The Real Value of Investing in the Public Realm

I invited EDSA, Planners, Landscape Architects & Urban Designers, for a virtual coffee in my lounge to discuss the importance of the Public Realm within design and planning. I have worked with EDSA on several large pioneering Master Plan developments over the years and it has always been a pleasure to work with such an experienced and hardworking team - who also know how to have fun. The team takes their work seriously and you can feel their incredible work ethic, from the moment they sit down with their extensive range of sketching stationery (those that know me well, know I get stationery envy). These guys love what they do - and they work together in quite an amazing way, a true good vibe team.

Introducing:

 

Bob Behling (Fort Lauderdale, Florida) Chairman & Principal, (famous for his red-framed glasses) with more than 300 projects in 40 countries, his credits include a fusion of award-winning works that enhance ecological, social and financial capital through design excellence. Assignment after assignment, Bob has created urbane, dynamic and timeless spaces that are visually exciting, operationally functional and highly profitable.

 

Rich Centolella (New York City and Baltimore, Maryland) Principal - knows the importance of project design creating memorable impressions. Rich looks at ways to improve the experience of guests, residents and visitors through the integration of programming with EDSA’s Planning and Design work.

 

Gregg Sutton (Fort Lauderdale, Florida) Principal - has an approach which resonates as an ability to design projects that not only programmatically function but also entice visitors to explore and return. 

 

Courtney Moore (Fort Lauderdale, Florida) Associate Principal - has an appreciation for how the environment meets the needs of diverse populations, this leads to innovative designs solutions that transform communities and habitats into better places.

 

The following notes are a summary of our discussions held.

 

Let’s describe Public Realm and Urban Spaces

 

The Public Realm may be described as the space between the buildings on a development, or within a city plan. Arguably, it is the most important space right now, as the world is in varied states of isolation. Public Realm is the space outside the buildings, anywhere the public has access to, connecting landmarks and communities together, comprising; roads, pathways, streetscape, parks, squares, plazas, gathering spaces, play spaces, activity spaces, cycle tracks, running tracks, nature trails, the re-purposing of easements and corridors to allow for pedestrian use as well.

 

Often, the Public Realm is what you remember most about your favourite cities.

 

What are some of your favourite Public Realm spaces in the world?

 

Bob - Chicago’s River Walk and Millennium Park, New York’s Central Park and The High Line and Colorado’s extensive Biking and Trail system.

 

Rich - As a native New Yorker, Central Park has to be at the top of my list. Then there is Hyde Park in London, the Piazza del Campo in Sienna, Italy and The Djemaa el Fna in Marrakech, Morocco.

 

Gregg - Downtown Dubai, Istanbul, Dublin, Savannah, GA., Raleigh Durham, NC. 

 

Courtney - Miami Beach, while somewhat disjointed: Lincoln Road, Deco Drive and the beach down to South Pointe Park makes for a good day. Also, Chicago.

 

The Return on Investment (ROI) for Public Realm budgets can be blurred as it is indirect. How would you explain the importance of the Public Realm element of a budget. Why is this Public Realm element so important?

 

There are many benefits of the Public Realm, particularly relevant and brought to mind right now, as we all socially isolate.

 

Economic drive - Well designed and usable outdoor spaces are known to increase the value of property resulting in a direct rise in rental and sale rates, often proven with before and after sales figures. This has been seen with many city regeneration and repurposing projects across the world.

 

Desirability - City dwellers want to have access to green space or open space in their social time, so it is a direct attractor to decision making when looking for a home or office.

 

Smart business model - Everyone enjoys access to outside space, particularly in cities, where green space can be in short supply.

Health & wellness - There are benefits to increasing availability of outside space. People wish to be active, increase their steps, get fresh air and top up vitamin D. People are seeking quiet space, away from traffic noise and pollution.

 

Brings people together - Outside space encourages sociability. These spaces can be enjoyed by all, increasing community opportunities and encouraging families to spend time together. Does the design have opportunities for people to gather, play sports, eat together? Also, cities need to understand that intentional programming can enhance the success of the public spaces with scheduled events such as concerts, weekly markets, etc. as well as being planned with specific uses in mind like trail / pathway systems, sports fields, food and beverage venues and entertainment venues.

 

Sustainability - Is not only landscape, grassed areas (less paving) and green walls; sustainability relates to a much broader aspect of overall balance of health and ability for a space to survive and flourish, to carry into the distant future.  It is the respect to the environment and natural resource conservation of a particular region.  It also relates to economic sustainability; designing with the operational cost involved, so the health and welfare of the space can prosper beyond the ribbon cutting ceremony.  It includes all living things not only human, but the flora and fauna.  Sustainability is something that has been handed down from ancient time, not a trend that was started 15 years ago.  EDSA has practiced sustainable principles since our inception in 1960.  

 

Sustainability is something that has been handed down from ancient time, not a trend that was started 15 years ago.  EDSA has practiced sustainable principles since our inception in 1960.

 

What aspects of Urban Design and Public Realm are important in the planning of a design?

 

The design needs to have variety and appeal to a cross-section of residents, visitors, and the workforce.

 

A good design has a carefully weighted mix of experiences planned and aims to tie a community together. These include: outdoor space, food and beverage, people watching, seating, buffer parks / passive parks, links / connections, hard surfacing, softscape and planting. They can include celebration spaces, play areas, trails and amphitheatres. Having destination points encourages people to get out and exercise, use the spaces, walkways, trails, etc. A good space will integrate the older parts of the neighbourhood with the newer parts in an interesting transition.

 

Good design embraces the human scale element and makes the area walkable and easy to circulate within. Amenities are well planned out, including areas where cars may be parked and forgotten about.

 

Many of the major cities in the world have evolved over time, with transportation being added as a retrofit element: cars, trains, metro systems, trams, airports. The charm of those Public Realm areas that pre-date the automobile now serve as a precedent for urban infill development as we are seeing a move towards more pedestrianised developments with good transport links.

 

How can we place a ‘value’ on Public Realm and place-making?

 

The space is there to be enjoyed by the inhabitants and to enhance their experience of a neighbourhood or city. Elements that we would consider to be valuable are:

 

• Connectivity of the spaces in the vicinity

• Usability of the space for a variety of user groups across the generations

• Planning of the spaces, e.g. quiet spaces away from sports areas

• Composition of green space vs hardscape

• Sociability: spaces for people to gather, spaces for quiet activities

• The differentiator: what makes this space stand out and be different?

• Walkability rating: Urban planning can be rated on the ‘walkability’ rating of a development. Can a community park their cars and then access the area by foot easily? Can visitors get around OK? Are amenities provided within a short walk?

• People gathering: Are there seating areas? Areas for people to rest in the shade?

 

Soft programming and activation of the space: how people use the space, plan events, public coordination of the space; art, shows, lighting, food and beverage offerings

 

Rich told a story of a small urban open space called Hanna Park that surrounded City Hall government offices, near where he grew up. The space was used well for public events, concerts and was always bubbling with activity. Activity has to be an attractor to a space.  We have witnessed during these unprecedented times that when open spaces are barren and empty they have a much different feeling.

 

What trends in Urban Design are you seeing right now?

 

Private Clients, Developers and City Planners are keen to make their developments and existing cities more competitively attractive; some of these elements include:

 

Activity (wellness) - An increase in the proportion of activity spaces for all age groups.

 

Real estate impact - A drive towards wanting to create a seamless development, with clear real estate value.

 

More single occupied buildings - There seems to be an increase in city living, hotels and studios.

 

Urban living - There is a current push towards urban living. More and more people are moving towards city life.

 

Re-purposing of land - We have seen many areas re-purposed to maximise a change in the demand. 

 

Regeneration and adaptive re-use - Older industrial and urban areas that have become run-down are seeing investment, with a push towards economic improvement. Adaptive re-use takes buildings and spaces that were built for an intended use that is not valid today and re-purposes the space for a use or activity that is relevant and supports the economics of the area. Many times, these older structures are in poor condition or disrepair and they are given new life, provide architectural character and embrace a bit of history. The re-use aspect contributes to the intent to be conscious of sustainable practices by reducing urban sprawl, reducing construction waste and reducing overall construction costs.

 

What is the best thing about your job?

 

This was the best part of the conversation for me and reminded me why I enjoyed working with this team - the teams’ response to this question was each other…along with:

 

• Travel opportunities - Getting to work in some of the most fabulous places, such as the Middle East and throughout the entire MENA region such as Bahrain, Morocco, Lebanon, etc.  Many other regions of Europe, Asia and even the Bahamas, Caribbean and British Virgin Islands.

• Great teams - The company you keep, the teams you work with and the people you meet. Large project environments are special in the fact that you work with so many globally-spread teams at one time. 

• Rewarding to see a project taken from paper design through to media launch and operational, when you visit in the following years.

• All projects are different – there is no such thing as a cookie cutter project, with large scale Master Planning.

• New opportunities and challenges.

• Lifelong friendships. 

• Affect change in frontier projects:

 

Courtney talked about VinHomes Central Park, Vietnam: ‘the park was one of the first we saw in Vietnam that featured a variety of programmable spaces and commercial activity within the park.  We created some elements to recreate the historic shoreline of the river and provided a major open space for the city to come together’.

 

Readers: We are already seeing a drive towards more outdoor food and beverage seating areas, with wider streets and outdoor markets. What are your initial thoughts on how Covid-19 may influence design in the future?

 

Who is EDSA? 

 

EDSA is a Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning company founded in 1960, in Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA. EDSA now has around 120 staff in 5 cities, working on projects in 26 countries. You can find out a little more about them here: edsaplan.com or please do reach out to them to talk about your project, you may drop them a line here: info@edsaplan.com