Relationship between Street Furniture in and User’s Convenience

Ar. Pradnya Patki Sinhgad College of Architecture, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune,

International Journal of Research in Civil Engineering, Architecture & Design Volume 5, Issue 2, April-June, 2017, pp. 28-35 ISSN Online: 2347-2855, Print: 2347-8284, DOA: 27022017 © IASTER 2017, www.iaster.com

ABSTRACT

A Street is a public thoroughfare in the built environment. In an urban environment every person as an individual comes in contact either physically or visually with the street at least once in a day. Circulation, or transportation, is a street's most visible and important use. A very careful and detail analysis of design of such corridors is necessary to cater to all the users. At the urban scale the details of elements in the street may be as important as buildings in determining the aesthetic quality of the city. The study is aimed to find out the requirements of the users in Pune city and the kind of street environment they want to live in. Also there is a need to find out areas for improvement in the design of street furniture in Pune and to provide policy guidelines. The method employed is such that findings are obtained by interaction with people in order to know their views regarding street furniture today in Pune and the improvement they would like to see in future with the help of questionnaire tool. The hypothesis set for the research is that there is a relationship between the Street furniture and user’s convenience and satisfaction.

Keywords: Circulation, Public Thoroughfare, Street Environment, Street Furniture, User‟s Convenience.

I. INTRODUCTION

We normally relate the word furniture with indoor spaces rather than exterior elements on street. We pass through the streets without noticing the urban furniture, which are important elements capable of making life much more comfortable. Street furniture can be defined as fixed elements in the public right-of-way that are intended for use by the public and that require clear ground space for approach or use in an outdoor landscape. There are a variety of fixtures that we come across on the street which are relatively small in scale in the urban environment and tend to present in large numbers. It is often the small things that cumulatively, can have an impact on the quality of urban environment. (Davis C) A well distributed arrangement of these elements will contribute in making the streets more accessible, encouraging and a positive relation between the visitors could be formed. Not only can these items become a distinctive feature of a neighbourhood and of a town, but it is their design and the degree to which they address the solution to everyday problems that prove their validity. Today street furniture has not only practical use, but also visual pleasure vital to street scenery. The paper aims to find out whether street furniture in Pune contributes to the convenience of the people and is there is a relationship between the Street furniture and user‟s satisfaction. The objectives are to identify and classify the different elements of street furniture according to its use and to study the elements with respect to scale, style, colour, robustness, sitting etc. The subject street furniture covers wide range of items, but the scope of research paper is limited to city streets of Pune.

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II. BASIC COMPONENTS OF STUDY

The three basic components of study include the following

1.1. Streets

Street can be divided into different zones and colour coded as-

Development Pedestrian Green Parking and Vehicle zone

Fig.1 Typical Street Section Showing Different Zones Fig.2: Typical Street Plan Showing Different Zones

1.2. Street furniture

In India at present there is imbalance between needs and provisions of street furniture i.e. our needs are much more than the provisions. Each element of street furniture is meant to serve specific social need and public use. If improper provision of street furniture is provided, people tend to misuse the available spaces and street areas. Provision of appropriate street furniture can set up a cooperative relationship with the authorities. It creates interest in the outdoor living and people tend to spend much time in public spaces. Constant stream of public in several activities creates a „lively environment‟ in the urban areas and reflects healthy and happy living conditions of the society. Following are the points to be considered while designing street furniture: appropriateness, scale, modularity, detailing, aesthetic value, safety and security, maintenance, coordinated family of elements, materials, fabrication, installation, accessibility and universal design flexibility, sustainability and environmental issues, durability and resistance to atmospheric conditions, building and supporting city‟s identity

1.3 Multiple Users

1.3.1 Motorists-To meet motorists‟ expectations for safe and efficient travel, perfect conditions over the street network would include wide roads with minimal travel delays.

1.3.2 Pedestrians- Pedestrians expect and need more than just “walking space” to feel safe and comfortable. Safe short walking distances buffered from moving traffic. While designing the street furniture all user groups such as disabled, pregnant women, children, old people etc need to be taken into consideration.

1.3.3 Bicyclists-Dedicated space for bicyclists is one way to create a good bicycle network on higher speeds, high volume streets.

1.3.4 Adjacent Land Users- These stakeholders will all want to feel safe and secure, to have access to their property, and to enjoy an aesthetically pleasing environment.

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1.4 Method

1.4.1 Sampling Criteria for selecting the street- The areas chosen are such that there is more public interaction and which are subjected to heavy pedestrian flow. Selection of the street was done on the basis of different areas depicting varied cultural background. They have similar characteristics but at the same time they have their own identity and activities taking place which differ from each other; thus making the study interesting. Commercial-Tilak road & Educational-Fergusson College road

1.4.2 Unit of analysis- Streets are the study areas, the unit of analysis is street furniture and the respondents are the people.

1.4.3 The study will comprise of two variables-Independent variable-street furniture & Dependant variable- convenience of the people

1.4.4 Observation protocol -The method used was time sampling i.e. Observations were noted at different times of the day-morning and evening. The human behaviour and actions was recorded by having direct interaction with people.

Each element of street furniture is studied in detail with the help of following modes of data collection.

Observation, mapping, photographic data, interviews of users, preparation of Interview schedule- 1.4.5 Face to face interview

A multiple response analysis survey was conducted by providing the users with a questionnaire which was intended to find out the users satisfaction regarding the different elements of street furniture. Attitude or perception related questions were asked. The survey was based on Qualitative analysis- phenomenology (something which is happening/ experience based). It depends on words, viewpoints, description given by people.

III. PUNE: CASE STUDIES AND ANALYSIS

Pune is now a fast growing metropolitan city of India. The population of the city is growing rapidly. The demand of living and transport has increased to a considerable level. The Pune Municipal Corporation has been working towards the betterment of the street furniture. Recently new furniture was installed during the Common Wealth Youth Games on most of the roads in Pune. But the old sign boards are not removed thus increasing clutter on the street. We need way to understand and to act on the street‟s strengths and weaknesses, to accentuate the positive and deal with the negative. It is also upto the users to maintain and not misuse the facilities provided to them.

The user group is classified into following categories Residents, Students, Shop keepers, Commuters and Office-holders. For the purposse of formulating results it has been divided in 2 categories and colour coded as follows- Frequent users Non Frequent users

Activities that take place on streets of Pune- walking with destination, hawkers, encroachment by shops, strolling, park vehicles, waiting, standing, interacting, sitting, reading, street barbers, cobblers, cycling, eating, street plays and rallies, ganpati and diwali celebration, shopping, maintenance and cleaning.

3.1 Case study 1-Tilak Road

Tilak road named after is one of the oldest planned roads of the city. It was built by Britishers to have a connection between the eastern and western part of the city. Issues- Insufficient parking, less space for pedestrian movement, traffic problem, congestion at the chowks.

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Fig 3: Section of Tilak Road Fig 4: Bar chart Showing Situation of Footpath

Following are the findings derived with the help of onsite observation done and interaction with users. (converted in bar charts)

3.1.1 Activity Specific Street Components

1. Footpath-The walkway width varies from 0.9m to 1.5m. At certain places pedestrians are forced to move on the road with heavy traffic movement. The footpath widens at the commercial area. Height of footpath is irregular. Average height is 0.2m. Continuity is lacking near the college building entrances. Paving-Shahabad tiles and interlocking tiles are used for the footpath, and also for curbing. The condition of the footpath is in bad state i.e. broken and messy. Different colours and pattern of tiles are used to demarcate entrances to buildings especially for the commercial buildings. It was observed that there are many obstacles on the footpath and the actual usable space available to walk is less than the required. At certain places manhole covers are not flushed/ levelled with the walkway surface which can cause accidental hazards to persons with vision impairment and other pedestrians. The frequent users were more observant wherein the manholes covers were concerned. The footpath width is not sufficient to walk.

Fig 5: Bar chart Showing Sign Boards Fig 6: Bar chart Showing Bus Shelter Condition

2. Streetlamp-If „h‟ is height of streetlamp then generally the distance between two streetlamps is „3h‟. Streetlamps are generally placed alternately. At some places there are street lamps placed only on one side of the road but they are adequate for the road. Streetlamps are also clubbed with other signboards and signal. Sometimes the streetlamps are kept on during the day. They are sufficient with adequate light.

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3. Sign board-There was a major change observed in the signboards in Pune after the Common Wealth Youth Games 08. Contrast colours and bold letters are used in the new signage. This makes it easy to identify. There is inconsistency in placement of road signage boards. Old Signage boards are obstructed by hoardings/trees etc. and are not immediately obvious.

4. Bus shelter- All the bus stops are covered. The heights of the metal seats vary at every bus stop. No light system was observed for illumination during evening/night. But Overall condition of the bus shelter is good. The seats are not maintained. At some bus stops Bus route map/information board and seating arrangement is missing.

5. Dustbins- Some trashcans overflow and are without lids. The trashcans are mostly placed near the bus stops where people take a halt. The dustbins are not sufficient and sometimes smell badly.

3.1.2 Environment specific street components

1. Trees- The roadside trees provide ample shade and soften the rigid edges of buildings. But there are trees only for a certain stretch of road. There are fewer trees at the commercial strip of the road which goes towards . There are no tree guards or proper growing space for the trees. Trees are not used for leisure purpose. There is a contradictory thought regarding the issue of trees obstructing the sidewalks. The frequent users think that they do hamper the movement on the footpath.

2. Traffic -There is a lot of pedestrian and traffic congestion as well as chaos in Swargate chowk due to transportation and small scale commercial activities on road.

Signalized intersections traffic conflict pollution noise problem Fig 7: Bar chart Showing Traffic Issues Fig 8: Bar chart Showing Building and Street Facade Details

There often happens conflict between the motorists and the pedestrians. There is air and noise pollution observed on Tilak road. Noise problem is mostly faced by the buildings at the chowk.

3. Building and facade- There are many institutional buildings and public activity centres on this road.G+3 R.C.C. structures are dominant alongside the roads. There is less vegetation as compared to the built mass. There is dull use of colours for the buildings. The buildings do not have a character. There are narrow setbacks to the buildings.

Positive points-Signboards make it easier for the users to get information. The overall condition of the footpaths has been improved thus giving a clean and neat look. The bus service or transport facilities are better on Tilak road. It is clean due to presence of dustbins.

Negative points- It is not conducive for pedestrian movement and leisure activities. There is no planned public interaction spaces.The fast and urbane nature though promotes the metropolitan status of Pune, and redefines the status of the roads which was previously educational transformed into busy vehicular road. Unnecessary signboards should be removed.

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3.2 . Case study 2- Ferguson College Road (FC Road)

FC Road is named so because Fergusson College is located here.Issues- Insufficient parking facility, less space for pedestrian movement, crowded during evening and also on weekends, road width is not adequate for existing traffic flow

3.2.1 Activity Specific Street Components

Footpath-Footpaths are paved with concrete blocks and Shahabad tile. Proper slopes of footpaths are not maintained . There is level difference in paved area. Intresting patterns and colours are used at the entrances of retaurants. Pedestrian areas is not maintained they are with open telephone wires, raised drainage chambers. Use of footpath by cobbler, eatery shops creates obstruction in movement.Gutter grating is not provided throughout along the footpath so rain water is not properly drained.

Fig 9: Section of FC Road Fig 10: Bar chart Showing Situation Of Footpath

Fig 11: Bar chart Showing Sign Boards Fig 12: Bar chart Showing Bus Shelter Condition

Street lamps- Street lights are located on the main road at a distance of 15m centre to centre. Light of varying heights have been provided at various points.

Sign boards- The sign boards on the road are placed right in the centre of the walkway. Because of the branches of trees the sign boards get hidden behind it and the passersby find it difficult to find way.

Bus shelter -There are less number of bus stops on the road. Bus stop seats are not proper.

Dustbins-There are garbage bins placed at some important points only. There has been only two sightings of the garbage bins along the whole length of the road. The number of garbage bins should also be looked upon so that it is in reach for the people staying there as well as it‟ll make it easier for the municipality personnel.

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3.2.2 Environment Specific Street Components

Trees- Most of the F.C. road is flanked with tree avenue. Large dia. Trees covers almost complete road width providing shadow to pedestrian road side parking area.At some portion of road one side is having dense vegetation. Compound walls of residential area have creeperies on it. Small plants are newly planted & are protected by tree gaurds. Trees have concrete band around it for protection. Traffic- The traffic situation on F.C. Road is usually smooth flowing except at the major junctions and at peak traffic hours of the day. A major reason to this is that the divider is continuous and without a break which prevents vehicles from turning midway. At the main nodes on the road congestion occurs. Building and facade- Some of the old bungalows have retained their character. Some of them lower floor converted into shops. Shops are on ground floor and offices are on the upper floors. Buildings have high commercial value. On one side of road is having low maintained old structures & clumsy corners.Other side is with highly developed commercial area. Buildings have similar character.

intersections traffic conflict pollution noise problem

Fig 13: Bar chart Showing Traffic Issues Fig 14: Building and Street Facade Details

Positive points- The environment on F.C. Road is livelier because of the extensive food outlets which act as a magnet for young crowd. The number of plantation is more than on Tilak road.Negative points- Road width is not sufficient for the traffic volume. There is no crossover junction for pedestrian movement. Strom water drainage is not properly planned. Road face of buildings is seen as commercial front compulsorily. We can see an imminent pressure on the street to develop its commercial nature. The distinctive academic flavour of the street is slowly losing out to flashy new age additions. Today the emphasis has shifted from the academic front and the street has more weight as a commercial retail outlet.

IV. CONCLUSION

Well designed, well ordered and well maintained streets are an expression of a confident and caring community. The finest townscapes often have the minimum amount of street furniture. That which is essential is sited carefully to reinforce an underlying sense of visual order. Pedestrianisation schemes should reinforce those qualities which make an area special and not create sterile precincts cluttered with street furniture. All movement corridors are getting sophisticated in terms of its use especially in the developing world where all the modes of transport from pedestrian to mass transport ply on the same corridor. Our country is not systematic in designing street furniture and it is planned and installed in haphazard manner. A very careful and detail analysis of design of such corridors is necessary to cater to all the users. Thus a disciplined study is necessary to streamline the process.

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Recommendations- Street furniture should be reduced to minimum and carefully grouped away from pedestrians' desired lines of movement. Signage should be minimized, and located on existing lamp post or buildings. Needs of pedestrians with disabilities should be duly taken into consideration. The impact of clutter should be further reduced by co-ordinating the colour of posts and supports for traffic signs, traffic signals, and bus shelters with the colour of lighting columns, bins and other street furniture in a locality. Surface of paving should be smooth and level, continuous, firm, non-slip and even. Every change in level on the pathway should be made clearly visible through the use of bright contrasting colours. Proper illumination for all the facilities provided is necessary. All manhole covers should be flushed with walkway surface. Textural difference can be provided around the manholes for warning/alerting persons with low vision and vision impairment. Tree branches should be periodically pruned. Bus bays can be provided. Regular management and maintenance of street furniture is necessary.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

Without the guidance and constructive criticism of Prof. A.A. Bhagwat and Dr. A.S. Natu the paper would have not been possible.

REFERENCES

[1] Brambilla R and Longo G, for Pedestrians Only-Planning, Design, and Management of Traffic Free Zones, Edited by Rudofsky B.

[2] Davis C, Improving Design in the High Street, Second Edition (Rfac Guide), Royal Fine Art Commission, (Http://Www.Amazon.Com).

[3] Greenbie B (1981), Spaces-Dimensions of the Human Landscape, New Haven and London Yale University Press.

[4] Krauel J (June 2007) Street Furniture, Links International Data, (Http://Www.Amazon.Com).

[5] Pegler M, Streetscapes-Facades, Entrances, Storefronts, Retail Reporting Corporation, Inc New York.

[6] National Building Code 05- Bureau of Indian Standards, Part 10, Section 1, Landscape.

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