Mayfair and Belgravia Public Realm Handbook July 2009 Foreword Quis custodiet ipsos custodes? F Mayfair and Belgravia are celebrated internationally public realm is our vision, but recognising that as two of the finest locations in London in which to places are for people and that traffic should play a live and work. They are defined by a rich and complementary role in that vision and not a historic fabric dating from the 1700s and display dominant one. many examples of period buildings of exceptional quality and heritage value as well as more recent However, there are many ‘guardians’ involved in examples of buildings of outstanding architectural making the streets of our cities what they are. Peter Vernon, Chief Executive Grosvenor merit. They have played an important part in the From individual users and building occupiers, to Britain and Ireland development of our city. developers, utility companies, statutory authorities, highway engineers and, of course, land owners. However, London has become dominated by its All these bodies have a significant individual and traffic, and suffers not only from congestion and cumulative impact upon the quality of our streets pollution, but from the adverse visual effects that and spaces – our public realm. Unfortunately, it is traffic infrastructure brings to the quality of its often all too easy for them to consider and focus streets and public spaces. London’s historic areas upon their own individual activities and impacts have also experienced this intrusion. Whilst upon our streets rather than seeking a co-ordinated retaining the many fundamentals of high approach to today’s urban challenges. architectural and urban quality long associated with them, Mayfair and Belgravia have not been This Public Realm Handbook presents a set of immune to the adverse effects which the car has design standards that promotes consistency introduced. across the Estates of Mayfair and Belgravia, seeking in the long term to achieve a higher quality Grosvenor continues to proactively respond to and coherent public realm in these neighbourhoods. these challenges which Mayfair and Belgravia Improved management and co-ordinated design face today. Prominent among these is the desire of our streets and spaces is fundamental to to ensure that they retain and enhance their achieving a higher quality public realm. It is our reputation as places which set new standards for sincere hope that the Public Realm Handbook will urban life through a high quality environment. A help all of us with an interest in the public realm to key part of this is our aspiration to achieve an address this issue, and to work together to make appropriate balance between pedestrians and Mayfair and Belgravia better places for people vehicles. Delivering high quality streets and once again, and of which we can all be proud. spaces which fulfil the needs of all users of the Fig. C1. City of Westminster with Mayfair and Belgravia highlighted (© Google Earth) Contents PUBLIC REALM HANDBOOK TEAM: PART ONE: PART THREE: C 1.0 Introduction and Context 3.0 Design Guidance BDP Nick Edwards, Urban Design Director 1.1 Introduction 3.1 Introduction Martin Savage, Landscape Architect Associate Vision 3.2 Access and Movement Justin Morey, Senior Landscape Architect Purpose of the Handbook 3.3 Ground Surfacing Mark Ridler, Lighting Design Director How to use the Handbook 3.4 Street Furniture Melisa Stears, Lighting Designer What is the Public Realm 3.5 Orientation and Signage 1.2 Historical Context 3.6 Lighting MVA Consultancy The Mayfair and Belgravia Estates 3.7 Street Trees and Planting David Hampton, Managing Consultant Mayfair 3.8 Public Art Simon Adams, Principal Consultant Belgravia 3.9 Water Features The Public Realm in Mayfair and Belgravia 3.10 Events and Activities Grosvenor 3.11 Street Trading Nigel Hughes Planning & Environment Director PART TWO: 3.12 Management and Maintenance Niall Tipping Planning & Environment Manager 2.0 Design Approach 3.13 Sustainability Particular thanks is given to Chris Mason, Policy 2.1 Existing Guidance TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS: Manager (City Schemes), at Westminster City Places for People Council Manual for Streets Technical Specifications for materials The Westminster Way proposed within the estates are provided Acknowledgements 2.2 Design Approach and Objectives. on Grosvenor’s internet web site The Team would also like to express their thanks www.grosvenorpublicrealm.co.uk. to the officers at Westminster City Council and staff at Grosvenor for their continued interest and assistance. Fig. C2. Mayfair and Belgravia location plan (© Google Earth) PART ONE: Introduction and Context 1.1 Introduction Vision Purpose of the Handbook How to Use the Handbook What is the Public Realm 1.2 Context The Mayfair and Belgravia Estates Mayfair Belgravia The Public Realm in Mayfair and Belgravia I1.0 INTRODUCTION & CONTEXT Page 7 1.1 1.1 Introduction 1.1.1 The Grosvenor Estates of Mayfair and Belgravia philosophy which seems to promulgate this are two of the finest locations in London. Steeped imbalance is increasingly being challenged. in history, carefully planned and managed over the Particularly as our cities increasingly bear witness centuries by Grosvenor, the Estates continue to to the problems of congestion, pollution and safety attract high accolades for their architectural (not to mention visual intrusion and community beauty, quality and rich heritage. Grosvenor isolation) which have been caused by a combination recognises its responsibility to continue to perform of the saturation of our streets by motor vehicles its stewardship role, and to fulfil this through an and an overindulgence in accommodating them as approach which seeks improvement and they encroach upon pedestrian space. continuous enhancement of the Estates for the benefit of those who live and work within them or Our vision and innovation in proactively responding 1.1.2 who visit them. to this challenge are becoming increasingly well known and recognised. This Public Realm Part of this process lies with embracing the Handbook is a key element in the realisation of contemporary and long term challenges which the that vision. Our aspiration is that it will play a Estates face today - proactively addressing them fundamental part in helping Grosvenor, working in a way which not only conserves their with our partners and everyone who has an interest architectural, social and economic integrity, but in the Estates, deliver our vision in a physical form also improves their environment and the on the streets and spaces of Mayfair and experience of being there. Yet it must also create Belgravia. opportunity for imagination and innovation, the outcome of which will be a successful addition to the patina of historical development on the Estates 1.1.3 which has evolved over time. Our firm desire and vision is to ensure that the Fig 1.1.1 Estates retain, indeed regain and enhance, the Generously proportioned white stucco houses enclose Eaton Square, one human scale which lies at their heart. This is part of three garden squares in Belgravia, built by the Grosvenor family in the 19th Century. of the challenge we face today - a result of the Fig 1.1.2 wider imbalance in priority currently accorded to Peaceful and characterful Mews, like Eaton Mews in Belgravia, provide the convenient movement of motor vehicles rather desirable residential locations. Fig 1.1.3 than pedestrians in our cities. The institutional Red brick and decoration helps to characterise Duke Street in Mayfair. Introduction Page 8 1.1 1.1.4 Vision Purpose of the Handbook Mayfair and Belgravia have considerable potential This Public Realm Handbook follows on from the for once again setting new standards for urban life strategy prepared by Grosvenor and Gehl in London. Creativity and improved management Architects - “Places for People: Public Realm of their streets and spaces can achieve a more Strategy for Mayfair and Belgravia”, 2007. The interesting public realm, a higher quality of urban strategy sets out a series of principles and advice environment and a stronger identity. At the heart for improving the quality of the public realm on the of this is our vision to achieve a proper balance Estates. This handbook develops and expands between pedestrians and vehicles, with priority upon these principles and presents detailed accorded to pedestrians. guidance as to how they may actually take shape on the ground in terms of physical 1.1.5 This approach is not about the exclusion of traffic implementation. from Mayfair and Belgravia, but about recognising that places and streets are for people and that There are a range of circumstances in which traffic should play a complementary role in that development interventions in the public realm on vision and not a dominant one. We recognise that the Estates may occur, including: creating high quality public spaces is about more than just addressing traffic issues and we seek to • Property development schemes advanced by achieve our vision by once more recreating Mayfair Grosvenor which necessitate works to the and Belgravia as Places for People. public realm. • Property development schemes advanced by other developers or property companies. • Property schemes being undertaken by 1.1.6 occupiers on the Estates which may also require works to the public realm. • Streetworks or other schemes advanced by statutory authorities. Fig 1.1.4 • Infrastructure works by utility companies or The public realm can be enhanced through the promotion of outdoor providers. shopping and dining. Fig 1.1.5 • Grosvenor’s own proposals for improvements A place for people - events or trading can animate the public realm and to the public realm. make places all the more memorable Fig 1.1.6 Lighting can add a new dimension to the public realm and its enclosing building during hours of darkness. Page 9 Introduction 1.1 The impact upon the public realm of a variety of Grosvenor is working closely with Westminster 1.1.7 property development projects from a range of City Council on a series of long-term public realm different sources over time could potentially be a improvement projects in Mayfair and Belgravia.