University of Cincinnati

UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI Date:___________________ I, _________________________________________________________, hereby submit this work as part of the requirements for the degree of: in: It is entitled: This work and its defense approved by: Chair: _______________________________ _______________________________ _______________________________ _______________________________ _______________________________ Rethinking the Process and Role of Redesigning Public Spaces A Thesis submitted to the Division of Research and Advanced Studies of the University of Cincinnati in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Community Planning School of Planning College of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning University of Cincinnati 2008 by Soumi Basu Bachelor in Architecture, Maharaja Sayajirao University, India, 2004 Committee: Chair: Menelaos Triantafillou, AICP, ASLA Advisor: Nnamdi Elleh, Ph.D. Abstract Public spaces have always been an important component of urban design and city making. With the changing dynamics of cities, the public realm has been substantially affected and has changed the way such spaces are perceived and used. Substantial literature is available on public spaces and their design, the star designer associated with the space, and the description of the design virtues. In addition, there is a growing body of literature focusing on the production of space, the concept of place, and cultural/sociological issues on the use of the space. However, there is a substantial lack of knowledge on the redevelopment and redesign processes, or how redesigning can potentially destroy the character and meaning of a public space and how a designer should ideally approaches the process. The focus of this research is to identify all the factors that play an important role in the proper redesign and redevelopment of a public space project, more specifically urban parks. Understanding the important dominant factors guiding such projects will contribute to a more effective planning and urban design for public spaces. The main case study is Washington Square Park, which is undergoing an expensive redevelopment amid controversy and opposition from the public. On the basis of personal observations supported by literature review, this thesis identifies the important attributes and issues surrounding the redesign of this important public space in New York City. Furthermore, recommendations based on the study findings are advanced, directed towards the designer of the public space proposed to be redesigned. These recommendations can be used as guidelines to facilitate the redesigning process. The main intention of this research is to raise sensitivity among the key players, especially the designers, toward the whole process so as enable them to tackle the complex issues associated with the redesigning of public spaces in a well-informed manner. - iii - - iv - Acknowledgement I would like to express my sincere gratitude to my Chair, Professor Menelaos Triantafillou, whose constant guidance, mentoring, and valuable advice assisted me and kept me motivated throughout the thesis, from choosing the topic through revisions and corrections of the writing. Without his direction and the many discussions we had, it would have been very difficult to accomplish this study. His immense knowledge, enthusiasm, and patience will always be an inspiration to me in my future endeavors. I would also like to thank my Advisor, Professor Nnamdi Elleh, for his detailed and constructive comments and input, which helped me to stay focused on my work and gain a broader perspective on the observations I made. I am thankful to Dr. Xinhao Wang for working with our class to organize our thesis proposals at the initial stages, and special thanks to Dr. David J. Edelman for his guidance and encouragement all through my study in the School of Planning. I want to specially thank Ethan Kent from Projects for Public Spaces for sharing the User Analysis Study with me. I would also like to thank Katie Glynn for her timely help in editing my document. I am grateful to all my friends from the School of Planning, University of Cincinnati, University of London, for their immense moral support and countless wishes, which kept me going. I also take this opportunity to thank them for being a family to me during the last two years and making my experience in Cincinnati one to cherish. Finally, I am forever indebted to my father, Dr. S.P. Basu; my mother, Mrs. Purnima Basu; and my beloved sister Sayanee for their love, understanding, emotional support, and encouragement when it was most needed and always. Also, special thanks to Prerak for his continuous motivation and for cheering me up in my low phases. - v - Table of Contents • Abstract………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..iii • Acknowledgements…………………………………………………………………………………….………v • Table of Contents…………………………………………………………………………………………,…..vi • List of Figures…………………………………………………………………………………….………………viii • Chapter 1: Introduction……………………………………………………………………………………01 1.1 Problem Statement………………………….………………………………..………….03 1.2 Research Question………………………………………………………………….………05 1.3 Goals and Objectives………………………………………………………………………05 1.4 Roadmap to the Document…………………………………………………………….06 • Chapter 2: Methodology……………………………………………………………………………………07 2.0 Methodology……………………………………………………………………………………07 2.0.1 Literature Analysis 2.0.2 Case Study Analysis 2.0.3 Research Participants, Data, and Data Collection Tools 2.1 Study Limitations…………………………………………………………………………..13 • Chapter 3: Understanding of public spaces – urban parks…………………….…14 3.0 Literature Review…………………………………………………………………………..14 3.1 Public Space……………………………………………………………………………………15 3.2 Meaning and Character of a Public Space….…………………………………18 3.3 Meaning for Whom?..............................................................22 3.4 The Role of Redesigning Public Spaces…………………………………………24 - vi - Table of Contents 3.5 Design Trends of Urban Parks………………………………………….………….25 3.6 Process of Redesigning Spaces…………………………………………………...28 3.7 Elements of a Successful Design………………………………………………….32 • Chapter 4: Case Studies……………………………………………………………………………………38 4.1 New York and its Public Spaces - Urban Parks……………………………38 4.1.1 Bryant Park 4.1.2 Union Square Park 4.1.3 Paley Park 4.1.4 Battery Park 4.1.5 Other Public Spaces 4.2 Washington Square Park……………………………………………………………..57 4.2.1 Brief History 4.2.2 Existing Condition Analysis 4.2.3 Problems 4.2.4 New Redesign Plans 4.2.5 Reasons for Controversy 4.2.6 Impacts of the New Design and Observations • Chapter 5: Conclusions…………………………………………………………………………………….89 5.1 Findings……………………………………………………………………….…………………89 5.2 Recommendations……………………………………………….…………………………91 5.3 Conclusion……………………………………………………………………………………...94 • Bibliography……………………………………………………………………………………………………….95 - vii - List of Figures Figure 2.1: Methodology…………………………………………………………………….………………………….13 Figure 3.1: Diversity – activities & users………………………………………………………………………16 Figure 3.2: Perceived, Conceived & Lived Space – Standard Placemaking Process…...20 Figure 3.3: Ideal Placemaking Process………………………………………………………………………….21 Figure 4.1: One New York Plaza, NY…………………………………………………….……………………….39 Figure 4.2: Plan of Bryant Park…………………………………………………………….……………………….41 Figure 4.3: Architect Thomas Hastings’ basic design………………………….………….……………42 Figure 4.4: Lusby Simpson’s design………………………………………………….………………………….42 Figure 4.5: Movie time at Bryant Park during the summer…………….…………………………..43 Figure 4.6: Shops during the winter holidays…………………………….………………………………..44 Figure 4.7: Bryant Park during winter…………………………………….…………………………………….44 Figure 4.8: People playing games…………………………………………………………….…………………..45 Figure 4.9: Bryant Park during lunch hours………………………………………….……………………..45 Figure 4.10: Temporary bowling area…………………………………………………………….…………….46 Figure 4.11: Open-air library…………………………………………………………………….………………….46 Figure 4.12: Seeking refuge………………………………………………………………….………………………46 Figure 4.13: Canopy of tall trees………………………………………………………………….……………….46 Figure 4.14: Union Square Park…………………………………………………………….……………………..47 Figure 4.15: New redevelopment area………………………………………………………………… ……..47 Fig. 4.16: Union Square Greenmarket…………………………………………………………………………..48 Fig. 4.17: Variety of seating options……………………………………………………………………………..48 Figure 4.18: Paley Park constructed as a memorial……………………………………………………..49 Figure 4.19: View from the street………………………………………………………………………………….50 - viii - Table of Contents Figure 4.20: Canopy of trees and waterfall at the backdrop..............................…...50 Figure 4.21: 20-foot cascading waterfall……………………………………………………………………….50 Figure 4.22: Seating arrangement in Paley Park……………………………………….………………..50 Figure 4.23: Battery Park, N.Y……………………………………………………………………………………….51 Figures 4.24 & 4.25: Sculptural landscape…………………………………………………………….…….52 Figure 4.26: Shopping and eating places……………………………….…………………………………….52 Figure 4.27: Live performances…………………………………………………….………….…………………..52 Figure 4.28: Magnificent riverfront and views………………………………………..…………………….52 Figure 4.29: Esplanade along the Hudson River………………………….…….…………………………53 Figure 4.30: Variety of spaces along the walkway……………………….……….…………………….53 Figure 4.31: Square within the park……………………………………………………………………………..54 Figure 4.32: Docking area……………………………………………………………………………………………..54 Figure 4.33: Live performance with Statue of Liberty in the backdrop................…...54 Figure 4.34: Small green spaces along the walkway……………………………….…………….……54 Figure

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