Skateboarding Facilities
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THESIS PROJECT- PLAN 4132 Planning for skateboarding facilities MV 06 Author: Michael Vine Student ID: 3061011 33061011061011 2250719835071983 Faculty of the built environment UNSW Abstract Skateboarding facilities are being built in Australia at a national rate of two per week with varying degrees of success. In terms of achieving positive planning outcomes in areas of urban open space, a great deal of potential exists in a facility that contributes to community cohesion, cultural expression and healthy living. The success of a skateboarding facility can be determined by its attraction and enjoyment of not only skateboarders but the variety of people involved in a community. This study examines the history and culture of skateboarding as an activity that relies on the built environment for expression and appreciation. It goes beyond the practice of skateboarding to examine the benefits and opportunities that a skateboarding facility has on the urban environment. In light of the benefits and opportunities, the study highlights integral factors that contribute to successful facilities and establishes a series of performance criteria to ensure quality outcomes. The establishment of an ideal set of criteria and objectives forms the basis of empirical research that aims to examine the degree of success Sydney has had in the provision of these facilities and hence determine if Sydney’s facilities are fulfilling their full potential. Skateboarding and the Urban Environment Source: Author, 2005 1 Table of contents Chapter One: Introduction to Area of Study Introduction 1 Problem setting 2 Significance of the study 4 Methodology 6 Authors profile: skateboarding experience 7 Chapter summaries 10 Chapter Two: Skateboarding and the urban environment The new wave of urban subculture 14 Skateboarders and the city 17 Participation at skateboarding facilities 19 Chapter Three: Influences of skateboarding facilities Perceptions of public space 24 Positive influences 26 a. Social benefits 26 b. Cultural expression 30 c. Case study: Washington street skatepark 33 d. Influencing healthy living 35 Constraints of skateboarding facilities 37 a. Antisocial behaviour 37 b. Graffiti 38 c. Costs 39 2 Chapter Four: Identifying the ideal facility The greater Sydney vision for skateparks 42 Consideration of design elements 43 a. Utilities 43 b. Skateability 47 c. Site selection 50 d. Unique feel and general character 53 Chapter Five: A study of Sydney’s skateboarding facilities Aims 57 Method 58 Results 60 Analysis 65 Chapter Six: Conclusions and recommendations Conclusions 73 Recommendations 75 Scope for further research 76 Final thoughts 76 Reference list 78 Appendix A 82 Appendix B 84 3 CHAPTER ONE IntroductionIntroduction TOTO ThesisThesis Problem setting 2 Significance of the study 4 MMethodologyethodology 6 Authors profile: skateboarding experience 7 Chapter summaries 10 Introduction Whilst studying town planning and working in the field I have established a personal interest in the functions of open space and its contribution to a greater quality of life in the urban environment. My professional interest extends beyond planning and I have managed to co-maintain a professional career in skateboarding for the past 5 years. It is the unique combination of being an accomplished skateboarder with a particular interest in planning that has provoked both interests and frustrations in this area of study. This thesis combines both insights in planning and skateboarding to examine the functions of skateboarding facilities in the context of the delicate and unique urban fabric of Sydney. The study draws upon international case studies and policy that have influenced the success of world class facilities and applies these findings to context of Sydney. The study then examines the success and short comings of the skateboarding facilities that exits within Sydney and make conclusions and recommendations where necessary. “Young people make a significant contribution to the economic and social vitality of city centres, yet others often frown upon their presence and activities. Skateboarders are a particular group of young people who make use of the urban fabric for their own activities” (Woolley and Johns 2001, 221). Skateboarding facilities are meeting places and areas with extensive potential for social interaction and cultural appreciation, however, often people feel threatened and intimidated by groups of youths participating in these activities and people associate skateboarding with antisocial behavior unlike conventional sports such as soccer and netball which essentially attracts the similar and in many cases the same types of people. In terms of achieving positive planning outcomes in areas of urban open space a great deal of potential exists in a facility that contributes to community cohesion, cultural expression and healthy living. These factors are evident in many successful skateboarding facilities around the world. This study will examine the history and culture of skateboarding as an activity that relies on the built environment for expression and appreciation. It goes beyond the practice of skateboarding to examine the opportunities and constraints that a skateboarding facility can bring to an urban environment. This thesis will highlight the integral factors that contribute to successful facilities and establish a series of performance criteria. This forms the basis of the empirical research that aims to examine the effectiveness of what exist in Sydney. This research is conducted in an attempt to identify the degree in which such facilities contribute to the urban environment in Sydney so that suitable recommendations can be made where necessary. Research statement Skateboarding facilities, when designed well, are significant contributors to a community that encourage active lifestyles, dynamic open space, community cohesion, and cultural expression. Sydney hosts a variety of facilities that fail to achieve their full potential, however, if strategically designed and operated they can change sterile and unsafe public spaces into integrated destinations of expression and activity. Problem setting Skateboarding facilities are unique spaces that require careful consideration when locating, designing and operating within a local government area. The skateboarding community is associated with the stigma of delinquent youths recklessly consuming alcohol, taking drugs and introducing crime to otherwise peaceful areas. This generalised perspective is often a byproduct of a facility that has been designed without careful consideration to a coordinated design criteria. Reoccurring antisocial behaviour reduces the potential for community cohesion, cultural appreciation and the quality of an urban public space. Sydney’s general lack of success stories with regards to skateboarding facilities has the opportunity to change as we draw insights from successful international examples where 2 a great deal of research is dedicated to ensure designs that are responsive to the needs and wants of the skateboarding and greater community. Unsuccessful skateboarding facilities would have most likely been designed by ‘out of touch’ professionals that have never had the opportunity to experience public skateboarding facilities. Given my experience I believe that I have the specialist insight into the distinctive culture and ‘scene’ that comes with the sport as well as landuse planning experience. Through this study I want to compile and analyse these insights to establish findings that contribute to better quality community skateboarding facilities throughout Sydney. With the continual growth of skateboarding as well as other sports such as BMX, roller blading and Scooter riding comes pressures to provide well planned and managed public recreation facilities. Skateboarding facilities are often quite expensive and can contribute to, or detract from, the character of an area. My fear is that local governments will continue to be build skate parks without a sound understanding of the factors that contribute to a successful facility and with no direction or guidance from the potential users. The intention of this study is to compile these insights and establish findings that may contribute to better quality skateboarding facilities throughout Sydney. This could be the beginning of a body of research that may ensure skateboarding facilities are designed in light of their true benefits and opportunities in Sydney. 3 Significance of the study The significance of this study lies in the immediate appropriateness of the following issues: Youth planning- Planning for young people is something that has taken the governments attention over the last few years. In October 2005 a parliamentary enquiry was initiated into Children, Young People and the Built Environment. The enquiry was based around the relationship between the built environment and youths. It was established that “unless specific attention is given to the needs of children and young people in key designs associated with the built environment, then there will be many long-lasting negative outcomes. Aggression, poor socialisation, limited opportunities for cognitive development, obesity, crime and anti-social behaviour are just some of the social and health consequences of poorly designed environments.” (NSW Commission for Children. 2005, 5) A significant portion of the built environment which is regularly used by young people are places of public open space. The requests for the provision of