2. Reimagine Kings Way Undercroft As a Community Space
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FEDERATION SQUARE FLINDERS STREET T STATION T EE EE R R ST ST S NS ER ND COLLI FLI ER HAMER V E GAT HALL YARRA RI UTH SO NUE 2. reimagine kingsAVE way undercroft as ALEXANDRA AVENUE R ATE SHW FRE CE PLA T ARTS ST KILDA RO EE CENTRE G T a community spaceN TR E S NU NI EE AVE T N W TR O R G S U H FA A IT T L S D IN NATIONAL L The Kings WayG AUndercroftLLERY OF and the undercroft space that cannot be VICTORIA N T surrounding area presents opportunities accommodated in the park. SOUTH BANK REE BOUL T H for pedestrianE and cyclist improvements S VA G RD E T This action looks to build on the G ANA as well as potential open space V D P OW REE S A T T K S D R E upgrades. success of the Boyd Community Hub by A EE R S BRI T N expanding activity into the redundant CITY RO QUEE The undercroft is located adjacent to spaces of the Kings Way Undercroft B A STREELS T O the Boyd Community Hub, which since (see figure 3.24). By reclaiming some N T opening in July 2012, has attracted an road space and consolidating this BOYD average of 7000 visitors per month. with existing pedestrian spaces, three Boyd has been described as the new distinct areas can be formed to create a KI NG ‘heart’ of Southbank and offers a diverse combined area of one hectare of useable MORAY STRE Y S W FREEWA A TE range of community services, helping to public space. CL Y GA EST A W R CL foster civic activity in the area. K A E E R S T This project aims to: E T N R D EE A concept for the Boyd park on the site O T N CECIL S • Incubate local community activities T is currently being developed, however RE S E and local businesses. T T there is seen to be further scope for RE E T additional and complementary uses in Figure 3.23: Location of Kings Way Undercroft. POTENTIAL PUBLIC REALM ACTIVITIES N PARKOUR SCALE COMPARISONS SKATE PARK PLAYSPACE TRAFFIC SCHOOL TABLE TENNIS CLIMBING WALLS BIKE HOCKEY MULTIPURPOSE COURTS GROUP FITNESS OUTDOOR CINEMA GRAFFITI / URBAN ART STUDIO SPACES COMMUNITY ART SPACE TEMPORARY ART INSTALLATIONS THEATRE A Queens Bridge Street DANCE SPACE LIGHTING / SOUND WSUD OPPOLegendRTUNITIES City Road WORKING SHED POP UP PAVILLIONS SCULPTURAL LANDSCAPENorthern Undercroft B GREEN SPACEA CIVIC SPACE TRAM STOP City Road Park EXERCISE CIRCUITB BOYD SEATING / MEETING SPACE DIRT BIKE TRACK ACROBATICS C Southern Undercroft TRAMPOLINING Potential road space reclaimed for use as pedestrianised Moray Street Clarke Street C public space STUDY AREA TRAM ROUTE Kings Way (above) BRIDGE STRUCTURE P0ROPOSED DEVELOPMENT SITE50m 100m City Road Figure 3.24: Kings Way Undercroft and surrounds 58 participate.melbourne.vic.gov.au/cityroad • Further integrate the recently ‘Surely something more upgraded tram stop and bus stop with the surrounding public spaces. presentable can be achieved at Kings Way • Address flooding issues and the urban heat island effect. Undercroft.’ • Consider the role this space could play in complementing the Mike, resident existing Boyd Community Hub and upcoming Boyd Park. Design concepts on the following pages illustrate ways each of these three sites could be re imagined. We want to start a conversation about ways the undercroft could better serve the local community. Figure 3.25 presents a design concept The following experiences of the Kings Northern Undercroft for re imaging the Northern Undercroft Way Undercroft were shared by the design concept as a multipurpose space that provides community: for a range of community activities. The Northern Undercroft is located Possible uses and improvements of the ‘Safety is an issue at under Kings Way overpass on the Northern Undercroft could include: northern side of City Road. night under Kings Way • Skate park / parkour for pedestrians. This is It is currently occupied by a large a common short cut for redundant taxi rank and provides on and • Climbing walls Crown workers who finish off ramps to the Crown Casino car parks. • Sports courts It connects to rear service lanes for at night.’ properties facing Queens Bridge Street • Group fitness space and City Road. Large concrete pylons • Play spaces support Kings Way overhead. Steven, resident • Temporary art installations / events By consolidating redundant space, an area of approximately 5000 m2 can be • Pop up pavilions / studios created. This is the equivalent in size to approximately 12 basketball courts. After Multipurpose Street art spaces sports courts Figure 3.25: Artist’s impression of potential uses that could occur in the Kings Way Northern Undercroft space 60 participate.melbourne.vic.gov.au/cityroad Commonly used pedestrian route to Redundant taxi rank Proposed and from Crown Casino with very poor development sites amenity and a lack of surveillance will front the space Before Figure 3.26: Existing conditions of Kingsway Northern Undercroft Poorly lit and Large, poorly maintained unsafe space spaces prone to flooding Studio spaces / makers’ spaces / Climbing walls Seating art spaces / equipment storage City Road Draft Master Plan 61 Figures 3.28 and 3.29 present design The following experience of City Road City Road Park concepts for reimagining City Road Park Park was shared by a member of the design concept as an attractive, sheltered public space community: with opportunities to sit and gather. The redesign of City Road Park could City Road Park is a small park on the ‘A playground for the kids corner of City Road and Queens Bridge include features such as: Street directly opposite the Boyd would be nice.’ • Art and sculpture installations Community Hub. • Play elements Alan, resident The park is owned by the City of Melbourne, however currently contains • Water Sensitive Urban Design two covenants that restrict the height opportunities / rain garden of planting and other structures to a • Interactive music and sound maximum of 1.5m. • Seating City Road Park currently lacks adequate shelter, seating or protection from traffic. • Greening It is exposed to the adjacent roadways and is dominated by a large advertising billboard. Blank wall and large Outdated street furniture and Inconsistent Poor bicycle advertising billboard inappropriate landscaping material palette access Before Figure 3.27: Existing view of City Road Park looking south towards Boyd Community Hub 62 participate.melbourne.vic.gov.au/cityroad Green walls Water sensitive Seating integrated in New tree planting to landscaping landscaping provide shade After Figure 3.28: Artist’s impression of potential changes to City Road Park looking south towards Boyd Community Hub After Consistent materials Planting around perimeter of site to Figure 3.29: Artist’s impression of potential palette provide separation from traffic changes to City Road Park looking south towards Boyd Community Hub City Road Draft Master Plan 63 Southern Undercroft Possible opportunities for improving the ‘The area around the Southern Undercroft could include: intersection of Kings Way design concept • Removing barriers to pedestrian with City Road has lots access of potential but actually The Southern Undercroft is located • Tree planting to the south of City Road adjacent to looks awful. There is much Moray Street. • Green open space potential for planting trees • Play elements on the south-west corner The Southern Undercroft accommodates of the intersection.’ a recently upgraded tram stop, large • Water Sensitive Urban Design fenced gravel areas that cut across this space and a cut-through road and • Rain gardens Angelo, resident bicycle connection from Queens Bridge • Seating Street to Moray Street. This space is very difficult for pedestrians to move through. • Further tram stop upgrades Fences, a lack of paving, flooding issues • Lighting upgrades and poor signage all contribute to a feeling of a leftover and forgotten space. Figure 3.30 presents a design concept for reimagining the Southern Undercroft as a green open space with trees and direct bicycle and pedestrian connections to Boyd and the tram stop. After Figure 3.30: Artist’s impression of potential open space upgrades looking Opportunity for Integration with north towards Kings Way Southern Undercroft tree planting tram stop 64 participate.melbourne.vic.gov.au/cityroad Barriers to pedestrian movement Bicycle lanes to be prevent direct access to tram stop retained and upgraded Before Fast moving traffic through to Figure 3.31: Existing view looking Moray Street creates unsafe Area is prone north towards Kings Way Southern pedestrian environment to flooding Undercroft Safe bicycle Increased permeable surfaces Water sensitive access help address flooding issue urban design City Road Draft Master Plan 65.