PROJECT FOR PUBLIC SPACES Tools and Techniques for Creating Great Public Spaces Translating Ideas Into Action Implementation Underlying Ideas Planning

PROJECT FOR PUBLIC SPACES

Tools and Techniques for Creating Great Public Spaces

Translating IdeasInto Action

Implementation

Underlying Ideas

Planning & OutreachTechniques

The community is the expert

You are creating a place not just a design

You can’t do it alone

They always say it can’t be done

You can see a lot just by observing

Develop a vision

Form supports function

Triangulate

Start with the petunias

Money is not the issue

You are never finished


Principles of Creating Great Public Spaces

1. The community is the expert Involvement must

be early and continuous


Design is only one tool of creating a place

More than a “project”

Placemaking is an ongoing process

2. You are creating a place not just a design



Success depends on partnerships

Likely and unlikely partners

Expanding resources

Project for Public Spaces, Inc.

3. You can’t do it alone



There are always obstacles, but don’t let them stop you.

4. They always say it can’t be done



Start by looking at how spaces are really working.

Principles of Creating Great Public Spaces5. You can see a lot just by observing


Observations of public space use Tracking and Counting of pedestrians

and automobiles Surveys of public space users as well as

employees and residents in adjacent buildings

Place Performance Evaluation Game with stakeholders

Websites

Information Gathering Techniques


Time-Lapse Photography



Pedestrian Tracking



Astor Place


Astor Place


Place Evaluation Exercise


Community Destination and Transit Route Mapping


Walk-It Audit


Place Imagination Exercise


TOOL PREVIEWPlace Imagination Exercise

ObjectiveTo inspire (through photos) and

get ideas for improving a public space (based on PPS Place Diagram)

How AdministeredBy trained surveyors on the site in

question

ParticipantsTransit riders, site users

OutcomeNew uses and activities for the siteHow it could be made more

attractive and comfortableHow it could attract a more diverse

populationHow it could better serve transit

passengers






Washington Square Park User Analysis

Behavior / Activity Mapping Entrance Counts Surveys (intercept and online) Informal Observations


Light use

Heavy use



People / Diversity / Atmosphere Music / Performers / Entertainers / Artists The Park itself Proximity (Home / Work / NYU) Fountain Trees / Green Space / Open Space Relaxing History Quiet / Laid back Dog Run

Survey Question: What do you like best about the park?


“It works beautifully for a great variety of people -- residents, tourists, families, couples, singles. It's informal and comfortable.”

Where are you from?

Surrounding Neighborhoods

Manhattan (other)

Brooklyn

Queens

Bronx

NJ

NV

OR

WAIL

Long Island

MAUpstate NY

CA

International

Park Users by Gender

Female

40%

Male

60%

What do you like best about the park?


Maintenance (pavement, bathrooms, benches)

No changes Landscaping Concerts, entertainment Homeless issue / drug dealers Amenities (tables, benches, trash cans,

lights) Safety Sports activities Food

What improvements would you make?


Be ambitious and create long term goals.

6. Develop a vision



State goals Define how the space will be used Describe the character of the space Examine models of similar spaces Develop a plan Plan for how the space might evolve in the

future

What’s in a Vision?



Designs help people use a place.

7. Form supports function



Cluster and connect uses

8. Triangulate



Short term experiments to test ideas&concepts

Phased implementation

9. Lighter Quicker Cheaper



Money follows vision

Small scale is cheaper

10. Money is not the issue


Management is key There is always a

way to make it better

11. You are never finished


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Publications & Resources

http://www.pps.org

Documents

PROJECT FOR PUBLIC SPACES Tools and Techniques for Creating Great Public Spaces Translating Ideas Into Action Implementation Underlying Ideas Planning