Urban Design Handbook DRAFT

URBAN DESIGN

HANDBOOK

Fall 2014

URBAN DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS

1. LOCAL CULTURE Katelyn Milius

2. WATER & HYDROLOGY Katelyn Milius

3. VEGETATION Said Abiakl

4. SENSE OF PLACE Said Abiakl

5. SAFETY Matt Nykamp

6. MAINTENANCE Matt Nykamp

7. ANIMAL HABITAT Mykie Hrusovski

8. MATERIAL & TEXTURE Mykie Hrusovski

9. RHYTHM Clarisse Gates

10. WAYFINDING Clarisse Gates

11. PUBLIC AMENITIES Tyler Middendorf

12. SENSE OF HISTORY Tyler Middendorf

URBAN DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS

13. THRESHOLDS & BOUNDARIES Turki Alosimi

14. ZONING Turki Alosimi

15.

16.

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LOCAL CULTURE & IDENTITY

4LOCAL CULTURE & IDENTITY Venn Diagram of Stereotypes East vs. West Side of Cleveland.

WEST

Midwest, blue collar, new mon-

ey, conservative, ethnic, bowl-

ing, neighborhood bars

EAST

East Coast

blue blood, cultured, liber-

al, diverse, shopping, good

schools and high society

5LOCAL CULTURE & IDENTITY Cleveland’s parking culture.

Tailgating for Browns games as a positive element of the parking culture.

All other parking designed to get people to and from destination with as little interaction with the city as possible.

6LOCAL CULTURE & IDENTITY Cleveland’s Downtown Cultural Attractions.

SPORTS

SCIENCE AND MEDICINE

ROCK AND ROLL

THEATER

FOOD

7LOCAL CULTURE & IDENTITY The most recognized cultural attraction in the downtown region. Isolated from pedestrian traffic and other amenities.

8LOCAL CULTURE & IDENTITY Playhouse Square District. An area of diverse cultural activity.

ART GALLERY

UNIVERSITY

THEATER

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

PUBLIC SPACE

OFFICE

RESTAURANT

9LOCAL CULTURE & IDENTITY Cleveland’s Cultural Cast. People who have become part of our urban landscape.

10LOCAL CULTURE & IDENTITY Signage to assign identity to districts.

11LOCAL CULTURE & IDENTITY Signage advertising sports as 100% of Cleveland’s downtown culture.

12LOCAL CULTURE & IDENTITY Cleveland’s industrial identity. City’s industry is still at the root of its culture and identity.

13LOCAL CULTURE & IDENTITY Cleveland’s identity defined by media. Creating “hashtag” moments through urban design.

14WATER & HYDROLOGY Storm catchbasin during extreme rainfall event.

WATER & HYDROLOGY

16WATER & HYDROLOGY The annual rainfall experienced in Cleveland compared to other US cities.

17WATER & HYDROLOGYDowntown Cleveland is 80% impervious area which makes management of storms difficult and negatively affects the water quality.

9th Street Pier

Public Square

Cleveland Browns Stadium

Erie View Cemetery

18WATER & HYDROLOGY Section of East 12th Street and Superior Avenue. Combined Sewer 8 ft in diameter to manage flows.

19WATER & HYDROLOGY Lack of vegetated buffer along the Cuyahoga effects water quality. The minimal green space along river is not utilized.

Cuyahoga Riverfront

20WATER & HYDROLOGY Cleveland’s relationship to the Cuyahoga River through time.

1850

1900

1950

2000

1868FIRST FIRE

1912FIRE KILLS 5 PEOPLE

1936FIRE BURNS FOR FIVE DAYS

1972CONGRESS PASSES CLEAN WATER

ACT

1969RIVER FIRE GETS NATIONAL ATTENTION

1952WORST FIRE CAUSING $1M IN DAMAGES

2001FIRST ANNUAL BURNING RIVER FESTIVAL

21WATER & HYDROLOGY Bridges over the Cuyahoga River buffer the city from the river’s condition.

22WATER & HYDROLOGY The Goodtime III linking Clevelanders to their waterways.

23WATER & HYDROLOGY Public education and signage used to prevent water quality issues.

24WATER & HYDROLOGYCleveland’s Downtown Combined Sewer Overflows. Annually there are approximately 4,500 million gallons of untreated sewage spilled into Cleveland’s waterways.

VEGETATION

26VEGETATION

1. Plants considered collectively, especially those found in a particular area or habitat. 2. The action or process of vegetating.

Definition

27Uses of vegetationVEGETATION

The use of tree and vegetation in the urban environment brings benefits: 1. Mitigating urban heat islands. 2. Reduce energy use. 3. Improved air quality and lower greenhouse gas emissions 4. Enhanced stormwater management and water quality. 5. Reduced pavement maintenance.

28Mitigating urban heat island effectVEGETATION

Many cities are taking action to reduce urban heat islands using four main strategies: 1) increasing tree and vegetative cover, 2) installing green roofs (also called "rooftop gardens" or "eco-roofs"), 3) installing cool—mainly reflective—roofs, and 4) using cool pavements.

29Reduces energy useVEGETATION

Trees and vegetation that directly shade buildings decrease demand for air conditioning.

30Improved air quality and lowered greenhouse gas emissionsVEGETATION

By reducing energy demand, trees and vegetation decrease the production of associated air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. They also remove air pollutants and store and sequester carbon dioxide.

31Stormwater management and water qualityVEGETATION

Vegetation reduces runoff and improves water quality by absorbing and filtering rainwater.

32Reduced pavement maintenanceVEGETATION

Tree shade can slow deterioration of street pavement, decreasing the amount of maintenance needed.

33Urban garden and open space recreationVEGETATION

34DiagramVEGETATION

35Public green spaceVEGETATION

SENSE OF IDENTITY

37DefinitionSENSE OF IDENTITY

Sense: 1. a faculty by which the body perceives an external stimulus; one of the faculties of sight, smell, hearing, taste, and touch. 2. a feeling that something is the case.

Identity: 1. the fact of being who or what a person or thing is. 2. a close similarity or affinity.

38SENSE OF IDENTITY

City Structure (Urban structure) can also refer to the urban spatial structure, which concerns the arrangement of public and private space in cities and the degree of connectivity and accessibility.

City structure

39SENSE OF IDENTITY

Neighborhoods Employment Centers Commercial Corridors

Streets, landscape and the development beyond comprise the visual and physical fabric of a city. The quality of design and organization of these components directly impacts the perception and experience of a place.

Community design & built form

40SENSE OF IDENTITY

The city’s character and identity are visible at the city’s edges and gateways is equally as important as the internal composition of the city.

Streetscape Design: Street design has a strong influence on the perception of the city. Regardless of mode of transportation, residents, workers and visitors must travel on streets—the experience on these streets is often the first impression of a community.

Identity and gateways

41SENSE OF IDENTITY Identity and gateways

42SENSE OF IDENTITY

Gateways: Gateways are a critical part of establishing the identity of the city. Gateways can be linear or singular elements, from specially-designed streets or landmarks to signage or public art.

Public Art: Public art plays an important role in relating the story and identity of the city, and in creating opportunity for residents and visitors to participate and share in its development.

Identity and gateways

43SENSE OF IDENTITY

The city’s varied topography provides breathtaking panoramic views to the Lake Erie. Views are enjoyed most from the shore way areas of the city.

Views

44SENSE OF IDENTITY

Preserving the city’s cultural and historic core adds depth to Cleveland’s identity in North East coast area.

Historic preservation

45SENSE OF IDENTITY Building scale

46SENSE OF IDENTITY Scale & textures

47SENSE OF IDENTITY Proportion

48SENSE OF IDENTITY Diagram

SAFETY

50<SAFETY> PERK PARK THEN & NOW

The design of a park can have a direct impact on people’s perceptions of safety and their willingness to use a space. The physical characteristics which park users associate with high-risk environments include:

-Poor lighting-Confusing layout-Physical and aural isolation-Poor visibility-No access to help-Areas of concealment-Poor maintenance-Vandalism-Presence of “undesirables”

THEN

NOW

51<SAFETY> Healthline

Positioning the bus stop in the center of a street, in this case euclid poses the threat that pedestrians will in an attempt to make a bus run into traffic without making sure that it is safe to do so. Considerations must be made for these cases as in all situations people do not always do what they are expected to do.

52<SAFETY> Cameras Cleveland Motorola Video Surveillance Case Study

Today, the city of Cleveland itself has 25 cameras and a growing number of cameras provided by local organizations and businesses are tying into the network.

Pros- -Greater sense of safety and security.

-Crime prevention

-A feeling of accountability which leads to increased action when witnessing a crime taking place

Cons- -There may be a decreased trust in Government.

-Increased Stress

-Negative effects on relationships/social interactions

- Conformity and a loss of creative problem solving

53<SAFETY> Access to aid

?Downtown Safety Ambassadors

-Assisted more than 85,000 pedestrians and more than 4,000 motorists-Regularly met with hundreds of business owners and retail managersPatroled more than 52,000 miles on bicycles-Removed 645,000 lbs of trash from the sidewalks and plazas of Downtown-Patroled for and quickly removed any instances of graffiti in the district-Spent nearly 1,000 hours removing snow from Downtown streets and sidewalks

Almost none in

ClevelandEmergency phone access

Should emergency Blue Phones be a common occurance in major cities?

-Easy access to Emergency aid.

-Creates a “Bubble” of “safe zone” around the emergency phone.

54<SAFETY> Bicycle Safety

Shared Roadways - roadways where motorists and cyclists both use a single

road.

Shared Roadways with pavement markers- Roadways where motorists and

cyclists use a single road with signage for Cyclists.

Seperated Bikeways - Roadways with striping and materiality to signify where

cyclists can/should ride.

Protected Bicycle lanes - A separated path for cyclists to use usually with

buffers.

It is to be noted that even if precautions are taken to prevent incidents there is still a chance that a small percentage of cyclists who see themselves as above the law will continue to cycle wherever they want not only endangering themselves but everyone else as well.

ClevelandCGSTypologiesplan2013.

55<SAFETY> Median pedestrian refuge: island

Median refuge islands are located at the mid-point of a marked crossing and help improve pedestrian safety by al-lowing pedestrians to cross one direction of traffic at a time. Refuge islands minimize pedestrian exposure by shortening crossing distance and increasing the number of available gaps for crossing. These can be combined with curb extensions for added safety.

ClevelandCGSTypologiesPlan2013

56<SAFETY> Street Material

Street Material - Textured street material, such as the use of

pavers, creates visual stimuli and a feeling of a special district

or pedestrian-oriented area which can help to calm traffic.

57<SAFETY> High Visisibility Crosswalks

High Visibility Crosswalks - A marked crosswalk signals to motorists that they must stop for pedestrians and encourages pedestri-

ans to cross at designated locations. Installing crosswalks alone will not necessarily make crossings safer, especially on multi-lane

roadways. However, High visibility crosswalks make crossings more visible to motorists and add a sense of security for pedestri-

ans. High visibility crosswalks should be combined with advanced stop bars and other toolsto increase safety. At mid-block loca-

tions, crosswalks can be marked where there is a demand for crossing and there are no nearby marked crosswalks. It should be

noted that crosswalks should be similar in appearance to others in the area to decrease any confusion by both pedestrians and

motorists.

58<SAFETY> Signage

Proper signage in an area helps both motorists and pedestrians guage when and where they are permitted to safely cross streets as well as what to do in order to avoid incidents that may put themselves or others in danger

59<SAFETY> Signs of a unsafe environment

-Areas of concealment-Confusing layout-Physical and aural isolation

-No access to help

-Poor lighting-Poor visibility

While Back alleys may be required to provide access to areas of buildings that otherwise would be unaccessible it needs to be noted that a poorly designed alleyway can and will be a issue for safety.

200ft

MAINTENANCE

61<MAINTENANCE> Vegetation

Dry Soil Perennials

1. Amsonia

2. Lavender

3. Artemisia

4. Wormwood

5. Butterfly Weed

6. Milkweed

7. Baptisia

8. Indigo

9. Yarrow

The benefits of using plants that do not need to be re-planted

every year as well as requiring little watering means that once

they are placed in the scope of the city little else needs to be

done to maintain them.

1 2 3

4 5 6

7 8 9

62<MAINTENANCE> Awnings

Providing either structural awnings or temperary coverings can help protect a building/storefront from receiving damage due to weather such as hail, wind, snow and other hazards.

63<MAINTENANCE> Water retention

Making sure that water has somewhere to go is essential for easy maintenance. In many instances when water is allowed to continuously go through a freeze/thaw cycle it will slowly destroy the material underneath.

64<MAINTENANCE> Material Selection for

Asphalt - has a life expectancy of 20 years before it needs resurfacing depending on how it was constructed, the traffic it must bear, as wel as the climate it must endure. Asphalt is durable, can be used year round, inexpensive to maintain, and easily marked. Houwever it has a relatively high installation cost.

Concrete precast pavers - eliminates the cracking often found in asphalt. Pavers also reduce the amount of surface glare at night as moisture typically migrates through the cracks into the ground. Pavers can withstand at least 8000 pounds per square inch.

Brick - a popular paving material because it is easy to produce, easy to use in small, hard to reach areas, can be used with other paving materials, is flexible, and is readily available in a variety of shapes and colors. However brick costs more to install than bulk material such as concrete and asphalt. It also can create an uneven surface for snowplows.

Stone - Reduces erosion and promotes infiltration in areas receiving runoff. It has a relatively low installation cost, high porosity and enhancement of community character. However it generates dust and weed growth, rutting from tires, displacement of stones during plowing.

65<MAINTENANCE> Access panels/ Utility Lay-

Gratings and access panels for building utilities that are easily accessible from the street provide a number of benefits to both the urban system as well as the maintenance of the individual building. They decrease the amount of required alleyways which helps make a space feel safer. They also may provide heat to the sidewalk which helps melt snow/ice.

66<MAINTENANCE> Wind/Corner Conditions

Take wind into consideration when designing for easy maintenance.If a corner condition is created that is in line with prevailing wind directions it becomes a area that will collect over a short period of time a large amount of debre. This will become a point that must be cleaned and maintained often.

67<MAINTENANCE> Broken Window Theory

Consider a building with a few broken windows. If the windows are not repaired, the tendency is for vandals to break a few more windows. Eventually, they may even break into the building, and if it’s unoccupied, perhaps become squatters or light fires inside.

Or consider a pavement. Some litter accumulates. Soon, more litter accumulates. Eventually, people even start leaving bags of refuse from take-out restaurants there or even break into cars.

68<MAINTENANCE> SID

SIDs are mechanisms that permit stakeholders in an area to provide funding for that area’s development. Property owners pay assessments on their property values which provide the resources needed to create enhanced services for the district. SID-supported services do not replace existing City services, but augment them in ways that strengthen Downtown’s economic viability through incentives, programs and working with local government.

Downtown Cleveland’s Special Improvement District is smaller than what is traditionally defined as “Downtown”. The boundaries of the district are the railroad tracks north of Lakeside Avenue (North), East 18th (East), the Innerbelt (South) and Cuyahoga River and West 10th (West). By law, services paid through assessments are only provided within these districts.

One of the best ways to ensure that a space will be taken care of is by making the citizens feel responsible for the area either by including them in the design process or helping them network with their neighbors to form a community.

69<MAINTENANCE> Seasonal Threats

Consideration should be taken when designing for seasonal/

weather effects. As shown no heating or water control was

used for the arches of the Playhouse square district. Because

of this a hazardous situation can be created by falling icicles

as well as creating a undesirable water torrent at the ends of

the arch onto pedestrians walking past.

70<MAINTENANCE> Construction Methods

It is important to minimize the negative side effects of construction such as:

-limiting parking-limiting pedestrian traffic-vehicular traffic-unsightly construction sites

x x

x

x

ANIMAL HABITAT

72ANIMAL HABITAT

Often, animals in urban environments must go deep undercover.

73ANIMAL HABITAT

Conflicts with humans can be commonplace. Not even boaters are safe.

74ANIMAL HABITAT At each magnitude of urban scale, the range, size and quantity of species

changes. Note that some animals may reside here only seasonally.

x1

x100

x10

x10,000

75ANIMAL HABITAT Urban environments provide animals with opportunity and conflict high

above and deep below. Think beyond the street and canopy level.

76ANIMAL HABITAT Animals can be attracted to certain urban areas intentionally or unintentionally. Birds are nice,

but rabbits and coyotes are going to cause some grief in that garden and chicken coop!

77ANIMAL HABITAT We must be careful about the consistency of our green message. Preserved bird habitats

and wind farms are fantastic, but they really need to be placed with each other in mind.

ScrantonPenninsula

Wendy Park

Kirtland Park

Cleveland LakefrontNature Preserve

Great LakesScience Center

CSUPlant Services

Tri CProgressiveField

Whiskey IslandTreatment Plant

Lake Erie Route

Lake Erie Shore Route

Doan Brook Valley Route Cuyah

oga R

iver V

alley

Rou

te

78

MATERIAL & TEXTURE

79MATERIAL ANDTEXTURE

The urban texture: the amount of green to built space looks lacking to begin with; it’s even worse

when your realize most of the “rec spaces” are actually pro sports fields. The red are vacancies.

Brown’sStadium

Indian’sField

Cavalier’sArena

Mall

Cemetery

L A K E E R I E

C U Y O H O G A R I V E R

2000 ft


Texture after-hours: E4th Street has a dozen different lighting types, multiple hardscape materials

and planters of varying scale and mounting heights. This reads as active even with no people present.


Greater than the sum: when we see some planning, execution of that plan and continued adherence

as here on W 6th Street, a pleasant image emerges. Probably not memorable, but a positive moment.


Materials as memory: a mural from a closed restaurant is planned to remain. The tooling of stone

shows the hand of yesteryear. Snapshot of the river captured on perforated metal panels.


Materials as message: a long and rich story can be told by a city through its materials. What kinds

of deep undercurrents are flowing beneath these seemingly direct messages?


Material sourcing: much of the common materials for streetscapes are brought

in from local suppliers. LEED strongly encourages this for building materials too.

DowntownCleveland

PlantsRockefellerGreenhouse

LimestoneIndiana

SandstoneBerea

TreesBrecksville

Brick PaversSugarcreek

16mi80mi17mi

5mi

367mi


Material tactility: creating rubbings of urban materials provides a tool to compare the texture of

unlike materials. Darkest areas represent raised surface and the feeling of positive space.

Brick

Sandstone

Concrete

Stucco


Uniqueness: whether it’s wood wainscoting outdoors, (not the ideal rainscreen), urban scale

mirrors or yes, even crystal, Cleveland’s palette is expanded with these unusual choices.


It may be demonstrated that at some vertical datum, materials transition from shape and texture to

pure formal expression, similar to the building as base, shaft, capital condition of classical work.

Perk Park

RHYTHM

RHYTHM DATUM

Datum lines connect buildings with dissimilar geometries, rep-

etition, and materiality. Overall, datums are essential to street

rhythm and can either strongly support the rhythm, or break it.

RHYTHM BROKEN DATUM

Breaking the datum causes buildings to feel out of place and

allow for different effects on the sidewalk and public realm

due to change in standard.

RHYTHM GEOMETRY

Rhythm can be created through similar geometries when ar-

eas may not usually contain certain forms.

RHYTHM RELATIVE PATTERN

Patterns in rhythm may not be as obvious unless there is a

relative comparison. The pattern of Superior can be compared

to an EKG reading.

RHYTHM REPETITION

Repetition creates a postive rhythm. Repetition can be created

by fenestration, bollards, planters, trees, or other items.

RHYTHM REPETITION

Repetition creates a positive rhythm. Repetition can be creat-

ed by fenestration, bollards, planters, trees, and other items.

RHYTHM MATERIALITY

Materiality allows these rhythms to transfer if the rhythm

would otherwise be broken

Materiality on Rockwell allows buildings to create a positive rhythm even

though the buildings do not share datum lines or geometries

RHYTHM MASS

Larger masses require rhythm to integrate into existing

conditions. Smaller masses fit within the city as supporting

growth.

Large masses grounded by equivalent mass.

Smaller masses creating infill for the larger growths of the city.

RHYTHM MASSLarger masses require rhythm to integrate into existing condi-

tions. Smaller masses fit with the city as supporting growth.

RHYTHM SCALE Scale can create rhythm, or break rhythm.

The existing buildings have been designed on different scales

creating a rift in rhythm.

Adding repetition of plantings has brought rhythm to the

existing conditions

RHYTHM SCALE Scale can create rhythm, or break rhythm.

Before Perk Park, the existing buildings did not carry a consistent

rhythm

Adding trees caused the existing buildings to

better relate through landscape

RHYTHMParking lots can be a major rhythm breaker in terms of a city

with density.

Before

After

The section above display the current view of a parking lot on

Euclid Boulevard. The parking lot breaks the street rhythm, but

has been remedied by adding vegetation to carry the datum

line across the street.

RHYTHM PARKING LOTSParking lots can be a major rhythm breaker in terms of a city

with density.

In this example, the section above is what this city block’s sec-

tion would look like. The the left, is an image of what it actually

looks like. The trees allow the datum to be carried from the

existing building over the parking lot, and across the street. In

this situation, a simple addition of trees repaired this street’s

broken rhythm.

RHYTHM GREEN SPACEGreen spaces such as cemeteries and parks create their own

rhythms while leaving the rest of the city undisturbed.

Eastman Reading Garden creates a completely differently rhythm by

being surrounded by buildings without the feeling of being surrounded by

massive density.

The Erie Street Cemetery has dense greenery

that has changed the rhythm of the dense

downtown and created a separate escape

WAYFINDING

WAYFINDING

Signage is essential to every city, and a primary item for

wayfindingWAYFINDING WAYFINDING SIGNAGE

The “ideal” street sign, according APA’s planning & urban design standards, is above pedestrian traffic to avoid sidewalk

clutter, and high enough to be seen from a car with adequate time to make a decision.

WAYFINDING DISTRICT IDENTITY

Areas such as the Theater District identify themselves through

lighting, signage, style, and overall decor.

WAYFINDING BUILDING MONUMENTS

Buildings have consistently been used as monuments to orient

visitors to cities. The Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame can be seen

from mulitple points throughout the city. It serves as a monu-

ment to where the lake meets the city of Cleveland.

WAYFINDING BUILDING MONUMENTS

Buildings have consistently been used as monuments to

orient visitors to cities. The Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame can be

seen from multiple points throughout the city. It serves as a

monument to where the lake meets the city of Cleveland.

WAYFINDING ART MONUMENTS

Art serves as another form of monument, but like a building, is

completely unique, and can relate more to the entire area than

just one particular place

Euclid Corridor

The Malls

Near E. 9th and Lakeside

WAYFINDING MATERIALITY Materiality can indicate areas, neighborhoods, and streets.

The picture above is of the malls. The buildings around the malls were designed to

all share commonalities in materiality and style. By knowing what just one the these

buildings looks like, it can be recognized that the location is the malls.

This is a photo of the sidewalk

along Euclid Boulevard. This pattern

continues consistently through

downtown. By finding the patterning of

sidewalk, it indicates Euclid Boulevard.

WAYFINDING LIGHTING

Lighting can be the most influential aspect to a visitor. Light-

ing makes people feel secure, and able to see where they are

going.

Fireworks guiding to Progressive

Field

East 4th street has consistently

had this lighting setup since its

restoration

Iconic lamp posts styles such as this, which

identifies the Society of Savings building,

become landmarks

WAYFINDING

Maps can be placed around cities for orientation, such

as the one on the left, or can be seen while using public

transportation, in order to find popular sites or navigate

around the city.WAYFINDING MAPS

WAYFINDING BODIES OF WATER

In Cleveland, knowing which direction Lake Erie or the

Cuyahoga River is, can help orient a visitor.

WAYFINDING BRIDGES In Cleveland, bridges the cross the river can give clues to

where the viewer is standing.

Lorain-Carnegie: Viewer is either near Progressive Field, or West Side Market

Detroit-Superior: Leaving Ohio City, or leaving Tower City & Warehouse District

Standing higher on the east bank of the flats

Standing down on the west bank of the flats

WAYFINDING HIGHWAYS

Knowing the general orientation of highways in a city can help

determine where in the city you currently are.

State Route 2 and Interstate 90 are the two major

highways through downtown. After crossing them,

the visitor will know that they have left the main

region of downtown Cleveland.

AMENITIES

PUBLIC AMENITIES

What Are Amenities?:

Amenities are physical objects provided for a user by a group, organization, or company are intended to provide the user

with comfort of pleasure. These objects are not given to the user, but the user is permitted to use them.

Roman baths were originally public amenities

Hotel gyms, pools, and conference rooms are examples of private amenities

Often times, the only free, truly public amenities we can find are garbage cans and smoking poles

PUBLIC AMENITIES

Public

User $

Public/Private

Private

What Amenities Are For the Public?:

Truly public amenities are those which require no fee to use and are available for anyone to access. Most amenities avail-

able are not public in this sense, as they require a fee for use or are at the very least paid for with tax money. Generally,

the more one pays to use a service, the more exclusive and private that service is.

PUBLIC AMENITIES

Public Space:

Public space is one of the most commonly discussed and debated public amenities. These spaces are supposed to be

open to all users, though their use is often highly regulated in terms of time, function, and sometimes even who may use

the space. Public spaces can include parks, plazas, large sidewalks. Downtown Cleveland has few public spaces, as

historically the area was intended primarily for

business transactions and for the physical labor of

many lower income laborers.

Pictured at left is the Eastman Reading Garden

of the Cleveland Public Library. It incorporates

a comfortable tree shaded canopy, a variety of

movable seating options, a central water feature,

and public art

Downtown Cleveland Rating: 2/5

0ft 10ft 20ft

PUBLIC AMENITIES

View:

Pleasant views can be considered public amenities, especially if they are paired with ample, safe, and well lit seating

options.


-Ample seating, but view is only of parked cars +Scenes of nature water, encompassing but not confining barriers, and access to vegetation are considered pleasant views by nearly all peoples from all cultures.

PUBLIC AMENITIES

Public Restrooms

There are very few public restrooms in downtown Cleveland. One of the few examples is within the Cleveland Public Library.

This example is good in that it offers multiple formats for reading the signage, though it is incredibly difficult to find and the

door operation requires use of a handle, which is not possible for all people. In lieu of doors, many public restrooms are

opting for the maze entry, which allows hands-free entry. This is seen to be more democratic, not to mention more sanitary.


PUBLIC AMENITIES

100,000 Workers in Downtown Cleveland

75,000 Cars to Work

82.7% Belong to Day Workers.

162 Square Feet Per Parking Space,

10,048,050 Square Feet Total, or 230.7 Acres

23 Public Squares

that drive

there are

every weekday. of those,

each of these cars requires at least

which equals

that’s the equivalent of

Public Parking:

Public parking is paradoxical, as are most planning issues related to automobiles. In short, there are never enough parking

spots available. When more are added, more drivers are encouraged to use them, and demand continues to rise instead of

being quenched. Public parking is parking available to

anyone, not just permit users or residents, though its

use often incurs a fee.


PUBLIC AMENITIES

Bike Lanes, Racks, Air Pumps, and Tools:

Cleveland is making steps to become more bike friendly, though the many amenities are simply not present currently.

Bike racks are often built to encourage bike riding patrons to stop at or near certain businesses, so their true “public”

nature may be called into question. There is a severe shortage of safe bike riding lanes, buffer between traffic, prioritized

signaling for bikers, access to tools and air pumps, and general education of the public about the rights of bicycle riders.


+Artful, well-placed bike rack -Lack of bike rack; leads creative user to leave bike in area that may impede other functions or cause hazard during emergency situations

PUBLIC AMENITIES

Waiting Areas:

Waiting areas are intended to be used by bus system users. These should protect waiters from the elements without isolat-

ing them. ADA seating should be provided. No element of the waiting area should interfere with other sidewalk functions,

such as crosswalks, garbage disposal, safe walking and efficient maneuvering. Many of the wait areas in Cleveland do not

provide safe setbacks from the road, do not keep all users out of inclement weather, and do not have proper spacing be-

tween elements to allow for unimpeded movement. Many are also poorly lit, posing a severe danger at night.


-Poorly spaced elements, water drains unto outside seating area, inadequate setback from road, poor placement of information

+Well lit, interior information sign, ample space for all functions to be performed effectively, safe setback from road.

PUBLIC AMENITIES

ATMs:

ATMs can be used by most credit and debit card holders for a fee, putting them in a nearly public category of amenity.

ATMs should not isolate the user, and should be operable from variable heights. A shelf may be provided so users might

write or set small objects without fear of theft. A mirror or reflective surface above will inform users that someone may be

approaching behind them.


-Dark and isolated

PUBLIC AMENITIES

Landscaped Traffic Barriers/Buffers:

Landscaped traffic barriers serve many public functions, including aesthetic appeal, protection for pedestrians as well as

drivers from oncoming traffic, and sound buffering.


SENSE OF HISTORY

SENSE OF HISTORY

“ Cleveland, having been a major industrial cities at one time, was an

attraction to a lot of immigrants. The different ethnicities that came to Cleveland

... brought their culture, in their food, their music, and their art, with them. You

have a Bohemian community, you have a Slovak community, you have Russians,

and people coming up from the south in the 20s and 30s, leaving the farms ... and

looking for better jobs--they brought the blues with them. That’s a big part of how

a city develops its culture. Those [cities] that survive are the ones in which the

communities remain strong.

All that is probably more in peril now than it ever was prior because of the digital age, because of a generation ... that isn’t

so interested in what came before and where their roots are. They just want to do what is current. -Mike Rubin

Spoken History and Local Figures:


SENSE OF HISTORY

Historical Reference Points:

Our understanding of history comes from our relation to it. When we read historical texts or listen to spoken history, having

common reference points helps our understanding significantly. Here in Cleveland, those reference points are highly visible

and easily relatable, and include elements such as large geographic features (like the Cuyahoga River and Lake Eerie), long-

standing street names (such as the Great Lake Streets as well as several others), and surviving public spaces.


Common Geographical Features

Surviving Public Spaces

Surviving Street and Street Name

Common Extents

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0ft 2000ft

SENSE OF HISTORY

Ethnic Culture:

When one encounters an ethnic neighborhood, food, music, or cultural element, they are engaging with a history that

extends well beyond the internal history of the City, State, or even Country. The conditions that brought groups to the city

and the skills that those people carried with them shape the city as it is today, and maintain a strong link to our shared and

divergent pasts.


Population of Cleveland - 1850

Total: 381, 768

Total Foreign Born Population: 32.6%

Northern Europe: 7.8%

Western Europe: 15.9%

Eastern Europe: 4.8%

Southern Europe: .8%North America: 2.3%Other: >1%Total Domestic Born Population: 67.4%

SENSE OF HISTORY

Long-Standing Institutions:

Organizations and institutions that still exist also aid our relation to history. Cleveland has a great wealth of these as well.

Shown below are the Union Club, Electric Illuminating Company, Indians, and the Cleveland Federal Reserve.


1872

1892

1894 1915

1913 1923

Now

Now

Now

Now

142 yrs

122 yrs

099 yrs

91 yrs

Existing Matches Group Plan Closely

Existing Matches Group Plan Slightly

Existing Does Not Match Group Plan

SENSE OF HISTORY

Continuation of Function--Urban Plans:

While less conspicuous to the casual observer, continuation of urban plans and design features also helps ground a city

in its history. One such example, among several, is the Cleveland Group Plan of 1903.

This plan set limitations and general design criteria for the grounds of the Mall and the

buildings that surround it. Some features and intentions of the original plan have

ceased to be expressed, though the general sentiment of the plan seems to

remain.


N

0ft 1000ft

SENSE OF HISTORY

Standing Structures:

Long standing structures are one of the most powerful devices to evoke a sense of history. To the casual observer, they

are easily recognized simply because they are different. However, to the trained eye they show signs past functions,

past fashions, cultural influences, and political influences.

The city of Cleveland has maintained a strong historical

presence simply by the sheer abundance of buildings dating

from many different periods ranging from the mid- to late

19th C. to now. Some of the most recognizable include

the Lorain-Carnegie Bridge, Cleveland Grays Building,

Rockefeller Building, Old Stone Church, Arcade, May

Company Building (pictured on left), and Terminal Tower

(pictured on left).


pre-20th C. - mid-20th C.

mid-20th C. - late 20th C.

20th C. - present

SENSE OF HISTORY

Ornamentation and Detail:

American building ornamentation and stylings have changed significantly over the last one hundred years. From the mid-

1800s to the mid-1900s, deep relief and intricate details were common. Around the 1950s in America, this intricacy was

replaced to a large degree by more simple geometries, but a

heavy emphasis on relief and tonal contrast was still present.

As we continue into the 21st century, even this relief seems

to be disappearing in favor of ever more simple and cheap

construction materials and methods. The presence of all

three general approaches in Downtown helps an observer

gauge his or her place in the history of the city.


SENSE OF HISTORY

Building Contrast:

When buildings are positioned next to one another, many of their

differences become immediately evident. The types of materials

used, the expression of geometries, and the details are put into

contrast from one structure to the other. This helps give each

building a unique identity, but also helps to place some buildings

and areas into a historical context. This can aid in understanding

the chronology of city development.

On the left, the image of the Society and Savings Building (1889)

adjacent to Key Tower (1990) illustrates the power of this stark

contrast. The difference between Society and Savings’s rough

dark red stone and terracotta presents its age in contrast to Key’s

polished warm grey stone veneer. Of course, the difference in

scale takes precedence when discussing differences between the

two.


SENSE OF HISTORY

Continuation of Forms--Symbols:

Certain forms naturally develop as historical symbols. This

typically occurs when they are prevalent in one era and fall

out of use in later periods. For Cleveland, one of those

symbols is the trolley car. Cleveland never fully committed

to a subway system, so smaller scale transportation has

always predominated, from the horse drawn carriage to the

omnibus, the street car to the electric trolley.

The trolley buses operating downtown Cleveland now are a

novelty but certainly do remind the user that the city has a

somewhat lengthy lineage.


SENSE OF HISTORY

Signage:

While buildings on their own can tell stories, additional educational and directional signage can aid the user in understanding

the buildings’ broad significance, and might even inspire the user to enter a space or research topics related to the

structure’s history after the initial encounter. While most residents will

already know many of the stories that these brief summaries tell, they

are a great introduction to the city’s history for children and tourists.

Pictured at left is the sign standing outside the Civil War Soldiers’ and

Sailors’ Monument in Public Square.


THRESHOLDS & BOUNDARIES

Thresholds and boundaries | Fences

Fences that surround a park or open space could be considered negative attri-butes, because they may give an impression that it is a private place for particular people.Fences are important in parking lots, because they make the parking space more controlled, safe, and attractive.

Fences and walls are one of the popular ways to enclose an area of

ground or to mark a boundary. People usually use fences to control

access.

Thresholds and boundaries | Fences

Sometimes people use fences to indicate a particular space for a

particular activity or to protect people from a dangerous area.

Fences have used to determine the allowed area for drinking alcohol.

While it looks ugly but its idea to protect people from fall-

Thresholds and boundaries | Walls

It is completely cut all the connection between the inside and out side

Walls are working even more than fences, they are also prevent a

visual contact and give the place more privacy.

Thresholds and Boundaries | Gateway

Gateways are not placed to control access to a place, but rather

they are used to emphasize and give importance to the place.

As in the Playhouse Square they reflect the value of the theater as one of the largest theaters in US.

While it looks ugly but its idea to protect people from fall-

Thresholds and Boundaries | Gateway

Gateways also gives the sense that you are entering another place

Thresholds and Boundaries | Boundaries of building Height

Building height and density could create a boundaries

Height boundaries

Height boundaries

Highway 90 is a strong boundary for the downtown. No body considers any thing pass 90 as a downtown, but if 90 was not there downtown may extend little bit further

Thresholds and Boundaries | Highway

Highway could be thresholds and boundaries for pedestrian, neigh-

borhoods, and future growth

Thresholds and Boundaries | Highway

Highways and wide streets could be a pedestrian threshold. It is really

difficult to cross and sometime people must wait to cross. So it may

block people from walking

Highway 90 is a strong boundary for the downtown. No body considers any thing pass 90 as a downtown, but if 90 was not there downtown may extend little bit further

Thresholds and Boundaries | breakwalls

Even in the water people create boundaries to calm the harbor area and

sometimes it could be to direct access.

Thresholds and Boundaries | Rivers

As the man made could be boundaries also natural elements could

be boundaries too.

In the districts map of Cleveland city the river considers as a boundary between district 3 and 2

The river make natural boundaries between the downtown and the residential area.

ZONING

Zoning and regulatory framework | land use

In the area of downtown Cleveland there are some of general retail

business and residence office, but the majority of land uses are limited

retail business.

Zoning and regulatory framework | Zoning map

In the zoning map of downtown Cleveland there are a three

major land use, general retail business, semi-industry (cont),

and general industry. The majority of the land use of the

In the districts map of Cleveland city the river considers as a boundary between district 3 and 2

The river make natural boundaries between the downtown and the residential area.

Zoning and regulatory framework | Zoning map

According to the zoning map there are a lot of things going to

change. Most of the downtown going to be general retails.

Zoning map Land use map

Zoning and regulatory framework | Building height

The City is hereby divided into nine (9) height districts which

shall be known as Height Districts Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8

and 9, respectively, and so designated on the Building Zone

Districts map

Zoning CodeFirst two letters indicate the zoning use of the district and the last letter indicates zoning area district. The number represents the zoning height district.

Zoning and regulatory framework | Building height

Zoning and regulatory framework | Setback Regulations

1 1 502 1/2 903 1/3 1754 1/4 2605 1/5 375

Height District Number

Above Height Limit: Setback for Each Foot of Additional Height (Feet)

Maximum Height Above Grade Level*(Feet)

Setback Regulations and Maximum Height:

Any portion of a building may be erected to exceed the height limit specified in

Section 353.01(b), provided that such portion is set back from all building lines

or required yard lines the distance specified in the following table, and provided

further that such portion does not exceed the maximum height specified in that

Zoning and regulatory framework | Required parking space

The area of downtown Cleveland public library is about 60000

square feet per floor. the required parking space should be 50

for each floor. plus 1 parking space for each 4 employees.

Required Parking SpacesOne-family or two-

family dwellings and Class A Multiple Dwellings

1 for each dwelling unit.

Rooming houses, dormitories, fraternity and sorority houses, YMCA, YWCA

1 for each 4 beds, plus 1 for the owner, operator or manager living on the premises, plus 1 for each other employee, expected on premises.

Hotels

1 for each employee, plus 1 for each 100 square feet of floor area devoted to patron use or 1 for each 4 seats based on maximum seating capacity, whichever is greater.

Public libraries and museums

1 for each 4 employees, plus 1 for each 1,200 square feet of gross floor area.

Restaurants and other eating places

1 for each 2 seats based on maximum seating capacity.

Cleveland Public Library

Zoning and regulatory framework | Required parking space

Constantino’s Market in downtown Cleveland it’s area about 20000 square feet.

According to the Cleveland zoning code, the required parking space are approx-

imately for 133 Vehicals, but because the downtown is a special situation and

because they encourage the pedestrian there are no need for all these parking

space.

Cleveland Public Library

Food stores, supermarkets

For establishments having less than 2,000 square feet of gross floor area, 1 for each 500 square feet of gross floor area. For establishments having 2,000 square feet of gross floor area up to and including 4,000 square feet of gross floor area, 1 for each 300 square feet of gross floor area. For establishments having over 4,000 square feet of gross floor area, 1 for each 150 square feet of gross floor area.

Bars, taverns, restaurants, luncheonettes, cafeterias, boarding houses and other eating places

1 for each employee, plus 1 for each 100 square feet of floor area devoted to patron use or 1 for each 4 seats based on maximum seating capacity, whichever is greater.

Restaurants and other eating places

1 for each 2 seats based on maximum seating capacity.

Zoning and regulatory framework | Parking, Access

Only one (1) such driveway shall be permitted for each one

hundred (100) feet of frontage of the lot providing such parking

spaces.

Zoning and regulatory framework | Parking, Maintenance

Accessory off-street parking spaces, driveways and maneuvering areas shall be properly graded for drainage

so that all water is drained within the lot providing such parking spaces, surfaced with concrete, asphaltic con-

crete, asphalt or similar surfacing material and maintained in good condition and free of debris and trash.

Grading the site of the parking lot so that will help to direct the overflow to the catchments.

Planted strip buffer between the parking lot and the sidewalk help to slow down the flow.