Thrive Zones - Pilots for a cleaner air Vauxhall and Oval

THRIVE ZO N E S FOR HEALTHY NEIGHBOURHOODS

VAUXHALL, LAMBETH

1

2

Gehl BvLF TSIP GSTC

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Contents Strategic vision

5

Challenges and opportunities

8

Everyday life

12

Pilot design concepts

16

Toward a cleaner air Vauxhall 4

Executive summary Air pollution currently kills over 9,000 Londoners a year. Yet, Lambeth Borough has committed to becoming carbon neutral by 2030 and to protect residents from poor health outcomes by improving air quality.

With support from Guy’s and St Thomas’ Charity, Bernard van Leer Foundation, and Lambeth Borough, Gehl has responded to this call for action. Our “cleaner air” temporary interventions aim to reduce exposure to air pollution for Vauxhall and Oval residents and test new solutions for the Local Authority.

Vauxhall and Oval is a dynamic and lively neighbourhood. It is a community with mixed residential areas, unique parks, a blend of businesses and civic amenities, and a strong local identity.

This project showcases pilots informed by local citizen and stakeholder input. We are recommending local small-scale pilots to achieve quick wins today, alongside strategies to support longterm plans tomorrow.

Utilizing a neighbourhood based approach the pilot interventions ensure to best serve locals, and allow people to access the good life wherever they live. A strong evidence basis for the pilots and their locations has been informed by lived experience data and air quality data.

Public engagement is the backbone of the pilot designs.

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BIG FUTURE,

We believe Vauxhall has a big future ahead of it. Through bold decision making to reduce emissions and improve people’s everyday health outcomes, Vauxhall has the possibility of becoming one of London’s healthiest hubs. Residents and visitors alike could thrive on a seamless network of cleaner air routes and destinations. Less car traffic, electrification of the bus system and greater availability of electric charging points will be key modal shifts in the journey towards a pollution-free public life.

LITTLE FUTURE, Overcoming systemic challenges requires long term shifts in policy, and those shifts don’t happen overnight. However, air pollution poses an immediate threat which calls for an immediate answer. We think that could be a quickly realisable ‘little future’. A short-term strategy that reduces people’s immediate exposure to air pollution in the places they spend the most time, whilst inviting them to spend more time in places of better air quality. Through developing a series of pilot projects, we can ensure that any future vision for a cleaner-air public life remains responsive to people’s everyday needs.

CLEANER AIR. 6

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I want to feel safe when I go outside with my children Interview with focus group of parents of children 0 - 5 years old. September 22, 2020.

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Challenges, we face today.

Today, Lambeth’s roads exceed the European legal limit for air pollution. In 2019, the Vauxhall Gyratory was the first location in London to record 36 consecutive days when PM10 particles passed the legal EU limit. Lambeth’s Air Quality Action Plan identifies air pollution’s adverse health effects on vulnerable populations and correlates susceptibility to poor health with areas of great inequality.

Vauxhall and Oval have a pockets of poor health outcomes and unemployment mixed across the wards. Finding solutions to reduce people’s exposure to air pollution especially in locations of poor health is a first step in improving our vulnerable residents’ well-being.

Small children experience air pollution in a hyper local way. They breathe faster than adults, making them an important target group when working with the adverse effect of pollution.

Road transport is one of the highest sources of pollution in Lambeth, especially in places where families and children are invited to spend time. Our observations show children’s caregivers primarily using A roads to walk to and from important destinations like school and parks. We’ve also seen a lack of people spending time in locations with the best air quality.

Cycle infrastructure is growing but good cycle links are missing.

People are cycling on busy roads squeezed by traffic, rather than in quieter neighbourhoods. Survey responses indicate a general discontentment with the physical quality and safety of cycle and public realm infrastructure and find re-routing confusing.

“I would cycle more often if there were more car free zones. I already avoid the main roads because of busy traffic and poor air quality.”

- Maptionnaire respondent 8

During Covid-19 alone we’ve seen car congestion play the biggest role in reducing pollution levels. Across London, a 17-24% drop in NO2 during walking hours occurred due to less traffic congestion.

A large majority of the traffic in Vauxhall is not produced by local residents but outside vehicular commuters despite up to 44% of local emissions coming from road transport.

While the first step is creating the conditions for people to spend time in places of better air quality, reducing the actual emission sources is the most important long-term strategy for the Local Authority to take.

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Opportunities, of tomorrow.

We can begin to reduce exposure by welcoming people to places of the best air quality in the Borough. Inviting for enjoyment in places of better air quality while lessening chances for exposure in places of poor air quality.

Vauxhall and Oval are walking communities, where few local people use vehicles daily and mainly commute with public transit.

We’ve found our Air Quality Design Principles present at a small scale, from planting projects in local neighbourhoods to green public spaces only a 5 minute walk from home.

Impressive cycle improvements have been made in recent years including CS5, CS7 and Quietway 5. Cycling is on the rise, and more and more people are transporting their children with bikes.

Despite fears of traffic accidents and pollution, people see cycling as their fastest mode of transportation at the local level.

Existing programs and initiatives overlap, including, School Streets, school green screens, Quietways, Low Traffic Neighbourhood, Cycle Superhighways, and the wider vision for Vauxhall Cross.

There is enthusiasm from citizens and local organizations to improve the neighbourhood while combating the effects of pollution. Therefore, an extra focus on including them in the process of envisioning the future of Vauxhall and Oval will strengthen each future project.

When surveyed, people identify many civic amenities and green parks as their favourite places. However, we observed few places where different generations interact, providing an opportunity to bridge single and multi-family households by focusing on these shared favourite destinations.

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In June 2020, we asked 286 people how they experience Vauxhall and Oval’s public realm. People acknowledged traffic and pollution concerns across the wards. 70% of respondents said they were concerned about pollution and were willing to change their own habits to avoid polluted areas if they knew how to do so.

Respondents also identified which public realm qualities they are currently missing - the biggest being nature, safety, quiet, comfortable public seating, serving areas outside, and clean air.

They also showed us where they perceive good air quality, which unsurprisingly is in close proximity to their favourite places in the area.

These insights provide us with exactly the information needed to make bold decisions about social and infrastructural solutions to air pollution.

Archbishop’s Park

Grosvenor Garden

Imperial Dog Park

Online Survey Respondents mostly local residents, identified on the map where they enjoyed spending time, and where they perceived the air quality to be good. Unsurprisingly, these places correspond closely.

St John’s Gardens

Vincent Square

St George’s Square

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n

Pedlar’s Park

The

Warwick Square

Lambeth Walk

Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens

Pas Pa

Them

The Oval

sen Vauxhall Park

Kennington Park

Good air quality Places you enjoy 11

Insights into Vauxhall’s public life.

Children under 5 spend most of their time in playgrounds and parks, close to areas exposed to poor air quality.

50%

105

Spend most time in playgrounds.

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Vauxhall walk playground Vauxhall park

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St. Mark’s Church Pleasure gardens

20 15 8

Dorset playground Vauxhall bus station

1

Trigon/Claylands Rd.

Most of the children observed in Vauxhall and Oval under 5 years old are physically active, playing, rather than socializing or being passive.

84%

Passive recreation

Physically active.

Active recreation

During weekdays, most children under 5 years old are moving about before and after kindergarten, while on weekends they are mostly observed in the morning up until noon. * Split across all surveyed locations of people moving

# Children moving

1980

1422

954

888

Weekday

894 462

312

258

372

08

09

10

408

318

324 186

78

12

Weekend

1308

1092

162

11

12

13 14 Time

15

246

16

210

192

126

126

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18

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Over the course of two days in September, we observed the public life behaviour of people across our study area. We surveyed the following locations:

Most children staying

Highest % of women walking

Most elderly staying AirQUALI TY_Focus_Areas

AirQUALI TY_Focus_Areas

RESPONSES

RESPONSES

CI VI C AMENI TI ES

CI VI C AMENI TI ES

GOOD AI R QUALI TY

GOOD AI R QUALI TY

BAD AI R QUALI TY

BAD AI R QUALI TY

ENJOY PLACES

ENJOY PLACES

DI SLI KE PLACES

DI SLI KE PLACES

gis_osm_traffic_a_free_1

gis_osm_traffic_a_free_1

TfL_Road_Network

TfL_Road_Network

gis_osm_buildings_a_free_1

gis_osm_buildings_a_free_1

gis_osm_natural_a_free_1

gis_osm_natural_a_free_1

gis_osm_water_a_free_1

gis_osm_water_a_free_1

Oval and princes

Most children moving

Oval and princes

OA_2011_London_gen_MHW 14. 3 - 15. 4

OA_2011_London_gen_MHW 14. 3 - 15. 4

15. 4 - 16. 6

15. 4 - 16. 6

Popular among teens 17. 7 - 18. 8 & young 18. 8 - adults 20. 0 16. 6 - 17. 7

16. 6 - 17. 7 17. 7 - 18. 8 18. 8 - 20. 0

20. 0 - 21. 1

20. 0 - 21. 1

OpenStreetMap

OpenStreetMap

Most % children under 5 walking independently

Measure of PM2.5

Responses

Popular weekend destination

Responses

14.3 - 15.4

Good air quality

Bad air quality

15.5 - 16.6

Enjoy places

Dislike places

16.6 - 17.7 18.8 - 20.0 20.0 - 21.1

*Public life survey conducted hourly on Thursday 17th sep. and Saturday 19th sep. 2020, between 08:00 - 21:00

High exposure to air pollution Survey Type

People moving

People staying

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Data driven site selection.

Durham St. This area has high noise and pollution levels that fail the annual mean objective, but is very busy for children and women, and in close proximity to family destinations like Vauxhall City Farm.

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24%

ug/m3 NO2

Children under 5

70-75 dB

The Oval This highly polluted transit hub has the highest number of people passing through and staying with children and on their own. 1/3 of the registered children here are active, making them breathe faster.

43% people counted are seated

1410 people in 1 hour

Dorset Rd. This street network has few invitations for people to stay, but has some of the best air quality in the study area. The area links local schools, but the majority of people here are adult men.

80% 56% 14

people counted are standing

men 25-64 years old

37 ug/m3 NO2

Kennington Ln

Kennington Rd

Durham St.

Ha

rle yfo

rd Rd

The Oval Fe n

tim

an

Rd

Cla p

ha m

Rd

Dorset Rd.

NO2 in the air may not exceed an annual average of 40 ug/M3 according to the EU Air Quality Directive.

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Pillars for Pilots.

Putting children first How can we ensure a healthy public life for children?

Pavements should have ample space for children to scoot and walk independently with plenty of safe crossings.

Reduced parking, diversified play options and an emphasis on physical and brain development will help promote children’s health.

Healthy everyday movement What kind of opportunities exist to move locally? An integrated transit network should prioritize pedestrians and cyclists. Clear wayfinding is supported with a consistent language on what actions people can take to choose healthier and more sustainable transit methods.

Greener waiting experiences What is a healthier way to wait for transportation? Bus stops can offer a healthier experience that supports small children and vulnerable users. Quality greening, visible communication, and good waiting spaces set far back from the road are the key.

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Neighbourhood family places Can neighbourhoods emphasize families? Family oriented local amenities and street design can make room for interaction, curiosity and activity supported by accessible hygienic public spaces.

Measure what you care about How do pilots catalyse long-term change? Collect data and make it transparent for better community buy-in. Involve local stakeholders to evaluate the success of projects.

Strategic communication Can wayfinding systems promote behaviour change? A clear communication strategy will help people act today to mitigate their exposure to air pollution. Linking up with existing infrastructure like Legible London will activate good decision making for everyday mobility patterns.

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Building up the vision.

We aim to make quality public realm available where people already spend time. This vision represents the long-term opportunities to reduce exposure to NO2 and PM10 pollution in the area, and indicates how each pilot can build on ambitious yet achievable goals. A cleaner air network made up of green mobility, school street upgrades, a holistic planting strategy, family oriented planning, and clear air quality mobility communication.

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Starting with pilots

Air quality communication

Super school streets

Walking and cycling routes

Green mobility street

Green space for families

Friendly air planting

Greener bus stops

Family amenities

Vauxhall Primary

1

Lilian Baylis

St Anne’s School

St Mark’s Nursery Henry Facett

Archbishop

Ashmole Primary

2

Whyvil School

Community Nursery

St Stephen’s

Community Nursery

3 1 2 3

Legend Pilot Locations Super School Streets Green Mobility Street Friendly Air Bus Stops Friendly Air Planting The Family Network New bike infrastructure Underground Stations Key local family destinations

Ray Primary

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A reduce and invite approach across the site.

Use a reduce and invite strategy to promote cleaner air projects across new development plans. Each street upgrade, new mobility development, and traffic change has the chance to both invite residents to places of better air quality, while reducing exposure in places of worse air pollution. This strategy can help promote better health for residents while bigger emissions targeting plans are in the pipeline.

Site selection indicators

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Reducing exposure

Invitations to stay

to areas of poor air quality

in sites with good air quality

Durham St.

Oval Bus Stop

Dorset Rd.

• Worst air quality • Primary school street • Most children and women present here • Bridge to the Vauxhall Cross TfL development • Parents say they feel unsafe walking here • Crucial local link

• Worst air quality • Popular and busy location for commuters daily • Key transit hub for parents • Close proximity to Kennington Park and St. Marks Church

• Better air quality • High density of local families with dependent children • Opportunities to improve street quality • Opportunity to increase staying for local residents • Clear continuation of LTN efforts

The cleaner air Network.

Reduce exposure to air pollution Vauxhall Primary

Invite to cleaner air routes and spaces

1

Lilian Baylis

St Anne’s School

St Mark’s Nursery

Henry Facett

Archbishop

Ashmole Primary

Whyvil School

2 Community Nursery

St Stephen’s

Nursery

3

1 2

3

Legend Reduce exposure to air pollution “Reduce” Pilot Projects Invite to cleaner air routes and space “Invite” Pilot Project Secondary Schools Primary Schools Nursery Schools Bus Stops Underground Stations Destinations for younger children

Ray Primary

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Communication strategy for keeping residents informed.

We learned residents want to be informed about air pollution levels and given a reasonable way to enact self-efficacy.

Behavioural science research shows that when given information on air pollution levels in places visited often, and people feel empowered to take control (even if in small ways) of their health and the health of their families.

Inform Keep people up to date about air quality in their neighbourhood.

Invite Invite them to make conscious decisions to modify their behaviour.

Reduce Reduce exposure with nudges to where to spend time, and where to hurry.

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95 cm

Cleaner air signage

1

2

3 Legend Inform: Communication aimed at drivers Invite: Communication inviting people to spend more time in places with better air quality Reduce: Communication to reduce exposure to air pollution where small children spend time 1 Pilot project to reduce exposure at Durham St. 2 Pilot project to reduce exposure at Oval Bus Stop 3 Pilot project to invite at Dorset Rd. Nursery, Primary and Secondary Schools

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Piloting to get started Piloting is a people-centric way to test and then respond to people’s needs through physical change and activation. We use pilots as an engagement process, and a way to catalyse long-term change. The three pilots in this report address air pollution’s impact on children and their caregivers differently. Two tackle exposure by lessening exposure where people spend time everyday, while one is welcoming local people to better air quality locations.

Pilot Goals

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Reducing exposure

Invitations to stay

to areas of poor air quality

in sites with good air quality

Durham St.

Oval Bus Stop

• Invite people to move quickly where air pollution is bad • Prioritize pedestrians in busy traffic situations • Improve safety for children • Create the conditions to test new traffic management solutions in an unsafe crossing

• Invite people to wait further back from the road • Reduce exposure in wellused places • Introduce a new bus stop typology, by filling in untapped assets • Testing a bus stop planting strategy

Dorset Rd.

• Invite residents to use their community for meeting, playing, and relaxing and increase time spent in better air quality • Introduce soft landscapes and sustainable design into an urban upgrade • Assist LTN program in planned pilot project to test engagement as a tool to increase awareness of pollution strategies

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Durham St. From A well-used and popular street that prioritizes car efficiency, with two schools experiencing the worst pollution levels in the neighbourhood. Locals spend time here to visit businesses.

To A well connected street that gives pedestrians priority and supports people who want to spend time here. Systematic data collection of traffic and air pollution levels provide the needed evidence to make this intersection a safe, efficient and healthy crossing for children. In the future parents aren’t worried to send their kids to St Anne’s school because congestion levels have reduced.

Safe and Playful.

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A Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens

XL Crossing

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Ln.

ton Ln.

g Kennin

Route between key green anchors Lilian Baylis Technology School

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am S

Durh

St. Anne’s RC Primary School Ha

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rd Rd .

B Harleyford Rd Community Garden

Strategic diagram.

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Air quality measurements 95cm sensors

Public life information

.

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a rh

St

Du

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Durham St. Triangle.

Linking green anchor sites

Safe & easy connectivity

Pedestrian priority

Pilot visualisation.

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Durham St. Healthcheck.

Of the entire ward, Durham St. recorded the highest count of women and children moving Based on 8550 movement registrations 17th and 19th September 2020 between 08-20

0-4

23%

5-14

are children under 14.

48% are female.

Durham St. is a popular link for children to get between two popular anchor sites, Vauxhall Walk Playground and Vauxhall City Farm Chart Title

In Vauxhall Walk Chart Title

0-4

Playground...

45%

5-14 Weekday children under 5

Weekday - 67 children under 5

Weekend

Weekend - 38 children under 5

are children under 14.

Baby - Lying / Crawling

Children under 5 using the Vauxhall walk playground between 08-20

Toddler - Walking unconďŹ dently

Up to 5 - Walking conďŹ dently

The5-14 peak times of children moving are when NO220levels are highest, 0 10 30 40 50 60 25-64 and children are more susceptible to air pollution than adults

15-24

Chart Title

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Based of movement registrations from 19th of September along Tyers st., Durham st. and Harleyford rd.

800 700

*NO2 levels from 12th of September 2020 on Durham st.

600 500 400

NO2 levels*

300 200 100 0

Time

30

80

Children under 5 moving 1 09

2 11

3 12

4 13

5 14

6 15

7 16

8 17

9 18

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I use back roads when I’m with the grandchildren to avoid traffic and pollution Maptionnaire response when asked if people choose main roads or back roads as their main mobility choice.

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Measurement along the school street.

St Anne’s is located close to the ward’s most popular places for children and their families. St Anne’s students come from a small catchment area, making this a walking community.

This triangle of streets has the worst annual NO2 levels in Lambeth. Yet this is not the only problem, Durham consistently records damaging levels of noise pollution of 70-75dB.

Durham St. is one of the few locations we’ve observed a higher percentage of women and children under 5 years old than men. People’s movement at Durham St. peaks at 11am when NO2 levels are at its worst.

This pilot will positively impact children’s health as young as 3 years old.

Real-time public life & air quality sensors

256 025 18

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We recommend installing additional sensors on the Durham St. Triangle, a place of high pollution levels according to the models. Sensors counting pedestrian, cycle and car traffic will provide the Council and TfL with more clear evidence on how air relates to where people move the most.

Sensor wrap

D iff u

si o

nt ube

According to GLA standards sensors must gather 360 emissions.

We propose wrapping the sensor in a sensitive design piece.

Playfully informing people what we’re doing is key to reduce vandalism and garner wide-scale support.

95cm

St. Anne’s planting In a future phase, planting will replace St. Anne’s street parking. Super school streets should be for play and traffic safety, and also facilitate the healthiest environment for a child’s development as possible.

This strategy is a temporary pilot to measure the impact of planting on children’s exposure to pollution.

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Walking the green wave for shorter emissions exposure.

We envision a future where people can move quickly where they need to, and pause where they want to. Like cars, people feel joy when infrastructure feels purposely made for them. We’ve designed a data-driven concept to allow people to walk and cycle as efficiently as possible along routes of high pollution levels. Let people seek out the green wave.

XL Crossing The XL crossing is something we’ve seen before, but not as a cohesive strategy to help people move quickly. Our first XL crossing at Durham St. is meant

to help children cross safely and can be timed as a responsive signal to peak hours of car and pedestrian commuting hours.

From...

To

.

m

a rh

Du

34

St

“

This crossing is a hazard for both people and cars!

Maptionnaire response when asked which routes people take daily when cycling or walking.

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Oval Bus Stop.

From One of the busiest commuting locations in the area that hosts families and children daily on a heavily trafficked bus corridor.

To A new “cleaner air� bus stop typology, that is replicated across the ward in locations of generous set backs. Air pollution monitors collect evidence on how the bus stop design lessens direct exposure to harmful pollutants and tests how a planting strategy can benefit hyper-local pollution levels.

Healthy and Biodiverse.

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S rd

Kennington Park

Oval Tube Station

Ke n

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Bus stop set-back pilot strategy

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Strategic diagram.

Brix to

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St. Mark’s Church

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Planting integrated with public seating

Air quality measurements

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Bus stop set-back.

Inter-generational

Air quality flow

Seating set-back

Pilot visualisation.

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Oval Underground bus stop Healthcheck.

This location is busy for children and their caregivers, yet has bad air pollution levels predominantly from road traffic.

Based on movement registrations 17th and 19th September 2020 between 08-20 along Clapham Road by Oval Station

20% Of pedestrians are children under 5.

400

350

300

250

200

150

50

0 Weekday

492%

100

St. Marks Green is used as an everyday short-cut and the weekend farmers market is a big draw for the local population.

Based off 17th and 19th September 2020

62 users on a weekday

Chart Title

increase in staying activity on weekends

367 users on a Saturday

Weekend

1800

Parents identify this area as one of their most commonly used Chart Title transit routes.

Statement based off Maptionnaire online survey and focus group workshop

1600 1400 1200

Data based off movement registrations along Clapham rd.

September 17th and 19th 2020

1000 800 800

Weekday

600 600 400 400

Weekend

200 200 0

0

8 08

9 09

10

11 11

12 12

13 13

Weekday

40

14

15 15

Weekend

16 16

17 17

18 18

19 19

“

Clapham road feels unsafe, noisy and has bad air.

Maptionnaire response when asked which routes people take daily when cycling or walking.

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Necessary activities don’t have to be unhealthy activities.

The weekend farmers market and Kennington Park successfully bring children and adults to the area. This crossing has the highest quantity of children under 5 moving from A to B. Especially on weekends. But noise and air pollution levels are very high here.

Parents say this is part of

their daily commute route and using this transit hub is unavoidable. They feel unsafe due to the traffic and pollution levels.

People are presented with invitations to come, but are met with a lack of basic comfort and health promoting design for their visit.

Integrated planting

Bus stops are positioned along busy roads forcing people to interact with traffic related pollution daily. Here we re-imagine the bus stop to improve the waiting experience.

Vegetation is integrated across the bus stop enhancing local biodiversity.

Friendly air hedges face Clapham Road but do not impede sight lines to the bus and the street. This helps

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to buffer the new bench from roadside pollution particles. An additional layer of planting is facing Hanover Gardens to further protect those waiting. The hedge height is perfect for protecting children in strollers.

Another layer of planting is integrated into the set back. The plants are here to welcome people and provide a nice visual.

Inter-generational

We will test the impact of nudging on different user groups to lessen exposure to harmful pollutants in places people must be.

We’ve created a bus stop waiting environment for all ages as far from the street as possible.

Thrive zone

Seating set-back

Due to seating set back, live information about the bus schedule should face the seating. This will nudge users to wait comfortably until the bus is near, then head to the street to hail the bus.

INFO SCREEN 1 155 2 333 3 N155

ELEPHANT & CASTLE ELEPHANT & CASTLE ELEPHANT & CASTLE

due 3min 25min

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Measuring and responding to a change in air quality.

Air quality and public life measurement

Monitoring changes in air quality and behaviour will help us understand the level of impact from this bus stop pilot.

We will measure air pollution close to the street and toward the back of the set back. We will also measure air quality at 95cm, the average height of a young child.

Our previous research on UFP indicates that distance matters for exposure to pollution levels. Therefore, keeping a systematic measurement going for one year, across seasons, will help us identify how impactful a street level planting scheme is for protecting people from unnecessary exposure on well-used locations.

The measurement over the course of the pilot will give us an indication of how exposure changes based on where people wait for the bus. Do people wait further back from the street? Is the relationship with the bus driver working? Is this a bus stop typology that is replicable?

Additionally we recommend clear communication on existing infrastructure. Inform people why this change in seating and planting has occurred, and why it may be beneficial for their health! This will improve uptake in a new behaviour, and lessen risks of vandalism.

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Replicability

Yes, but...

I feel that...

We’ve identified locations in Lambeth that follow this same set-back bus stop typology.

By observing the progression of use over the course of a year, we can begin to understand how behaviour is evolving in this new typology.

We believe collecting data will indicate how replicable this is across the Borough. Once data indicates the success in reducing exposure during wait time, we recommend applying this in more locations.

Air quality flow

This design is responsive to the canyon effects of air pollution flow.

Seating is placed in the middle of the site for optimal air flow, ensuring people wait where air quality is best in this location.

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aspect ratio aspect ratio aspect ratio

w street canyons) w street canyons) w: street canyons) : :

es es es

ep (nearly regular; ep (nearly regular; t canyon ep (nearly regular; t canyon :t canyon : :

es es es

e street canyons) e street canyons) e: street canyons) : onally (small, : onally (small, crowned species, onally (small, crowned species, bly planted only on crowned species, bly planted dward side)only on bly planted only on dward side)

dward side) es es es 46

A healthier air planting strategy.

Plants can capture pollutant particles, on their leaves, taking them out of circulation and improving local air quality. All leaves trap small amounts of air pollutants and the larger surface areas of complex leaf shapes are more effective than simpler ones. The amount each plant can trap depends on the concentration of pollutants in the air, humidity, wind speed and direction, and temperature. In some settings, such as street canyons, hedges can outperform trees. A hedge barrier is effective from the ground level, which is particularly beneficial for children who are closer to the Table 5. Generic features for street canyons Table 5. Generic features for street canyons ground and, thus, to the source of emissions.

Table 5. Generic features for street canyons

Sketch Sketch (wind direction roughly perpendicular to the street) Sketch General Recommendations: (wind direction roughly perpendicular to the*street) (wind direction roughly perpendicular to the street)

Design Design parameter Design parameter Location parameter Location Location

Considerations Considerations Considerations If the prime objective is to reduce exposure for pedes If the prime objective is to exposure forthe pedes should be planted close toreduce the road, between road If the prime objective is to reduce exposure for pedes should be planted to the road, between the road Green walls can beclose constructed on the pillars of flyove should be planted close to the road, between the road Deep or Narrow Street Canyons Green walls can be constructed on the pillars of flyove other boundary walls.

Green walls canto be2constructed on the pillars of flyove Height / Width ratio: more than or equal other boundary walls. other boundary walls.

Selection of In deep street canyons, no forms of vegetation except Recommendations: Selection of In deep street canyons, no forms of vegetation except vegetation recommended.

In mid-depth street canyons (Table 4), Selection of In deep street canyons, no forms of vegetation except Trees: No vegetation recommended. street 4), green walls can In bemid-depth planted, but treescanyons are not (Table recomm Hedges: No vegetation recommended. In mid-depth street canyons (Table 4), green walls can be planted, but treescanyons, are not recomm trees should be avoided in all street but sma Green walls: Yes green walls can be planted, but trees are not recomm trees avoided in all street canyons, but sma trees should may bebe planted in shallow street canyons. trees should be avoided in all street canyons, but sma trees may be planted in shallow street canyons. trees may be planted in shallow street canyons.

Spacing Spacing Spacing

Continuous hedges (with no gaps or spacing) provide Continuous (with noand gaps or spacing) in exposure hedges for pedestrians cyclists.

If treesprovide are to Continuous hedges (with no gaps or spacing) provide in exposure forthey pedestrians and cyclists.

If trees areapa to canyons only), should be spaced generously Moderately Deep Street Canyon in exposure for pedestrians and cyclists. If trees are to canyons only), they should be spaced generously apa Height / Width ratio: less thancanyons 2 only), they should be spaced generously apa

(nearly regular; i.e. w=h) street canyon Height For hedges, a height of around 2m is recommended.

Height

Recommendations: Height Thickness Trees: No Thickness Hedges: Yes Thickness Density (leaf Green walls: Yes Density area) (leaf Density (leaf area) area)

For hedges, a height of around 2m is recommended.

For hedges, a height of around 2m is recommended.

For hedges, a thickness of 1.5m or more is recommend For hedges, a thickness of 1.5m or more is recommend For hedges, a thickness of 1.5m or more is recommend In street canyons, a higher density for hedges and low In street canyons, a higher density for hedges and low recommended (see Table 3).

In street canyons, a higher density for hedges and low recommended (see Table 3). recommended (see Table 3).

Shallow or Wide Street Canyons Height / Width ratio: less or equal to 0.5 Recommendations: Trees: Yes but conditionally. Must be small lighter-crowned species, preferably planted on the windward side Hedges: Yes Green walls: Yes

Preliminary species list.

Woody plant species that are considered to be effective for air pollution abatement, based either upon experimental findings, an exhibition of beneficial traits, or a combination of both*

Wild cherry Prunus avium

Red maple Acer rubrum

Eastern red cedar American elm virginiana Ulmus americana

Juniperus ARCHIE ARCHIE TREES TREES

MARA A TREES TREES

False acacia Swedish whitebeam Robinia pseudoacacia Sorbus intermedia

Callery pear Pyrus calleryan

Rhyus typhina Staghorm sumac

Celtis occidentalis Common hackberry

White poplar Populus alba

Stone pine Pinus pinea

Scots Pine Pinus sylvestris

Vegetation suitable for hedges:

Suggested Groundflora species to test:

Leyland cypress, Cuprocyparis leylandii Common yew, Taxus baccata Box, Buxus sempervirens Western red cedar, Thuya plicata Chinese juniper, Juniperus chinensis Amur maple, Acer tataricum subsp. Ginnala Downey serviceberry, Amelanchier arborea Common hawthorn, Cratageus monogyna

Japanese spiraea Lady’s mantle, Alchemilla mollis or Alchemilla vulgaris

*Source: Implementing Green Infrastructure for Air Pollution: General Recommendations for management and plant species selection. Prashant Kumor, K.V. Abhijith and Yendle Damise. 2019

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Dorset Road.

From An under-performing local neighbourhood street with small businesses and residential council estates that don’t have a supporting public realm. Existing concerns of anti-social behaviour from businesses stop them from providing seating.

To A “friendly air� street, that encourage locals to feel a sense of belonging and ownership. This local residential community with public green space welcomes locals to stay. Businesses generously unfold into the public realm and invite for the mixing of different communities. Newly established play and pause areas are used by all. People know this is a great place to walk to avoid traffic and let their kids walk independently.

Local and inviting.

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Unused green space

Unused space in front of shops

bb

St.

Ric

Do

rse t

Rd .

hb

ett

on

Co

eT err ac e

Broadstone House

Unused green space

Holland Rise House

Cl

ap

ha

m

Rd .

Strategic diagram.

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Inviting for community ownership

Local businesses and residents

Temporary programmes / events

Community engagement

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Primary school bake sale pilot visualisation.

Reclaiming underused green spaces

Co-design processes

Co-design pilot visualisation.

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Dorset Road Healthcheck.

The inner street network does not invite locals to stay or provide a comfortable setting for socializing.

Only

19%

Standing

81% 13%

Commercial seating Informal seating

of people staying were seated.

2% 4%

Public seating

Many children and families live in this neighbourhood, but few use it for recreation or interaction.

Only

15 children were observed over two days

Weekday

11 Children under 5

Weekend

4 Children under 5

The air and noise pollution levels are low here, but people don’t stick around to enjoy it.

Chart Title

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2%

4500

4500

4000

4000

3500

3500

3000

3000

of people moving through are staying

2500

2500

2000

2000

1500

1500

Based off movement and stationary counts during September 17th and 19th 2020, between 08-20 along Dorset Road

1000

1000

500

500

0

0

71 staying

61 staying

4212 moving

2514 moving

Weekday Weekday

Series1

Weekend

Series2

Weekend

“

Better air quality would encourage me to go out with my children more often Maptionnaire response when asked what would encourage people to use more sustainable modes of transportation.

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The heart of the community.

City data shows this community has many families with dependant children and high unemployment rates. Yet, this is the most under-used location we surveyed. Dorset has every opportunity to provide a new kind of residential experience.

A variety of ages use this street to move from A to B, but nothing invites them to stay.

Caregivers tote kids here and there in the afternoon hours during the weekday. While weekends host teens and young adults for passive activities.

Most observed activity happens the closer to Clapham Road you get. The local businesses, street, and estate areas could use a sensitive and locally embedded upgrade.

Community engagement This residential community should be invited to participate in co-designing this pilot. Consultation through the Low Traffic Neighbourhood have already begun with the local businesses. We will assist with hands-on engagement with the institutions and residents in the estates to provide insight into how their hopes, dreams and expectations for their home can be embedded in the LTN pilots.

We are prepared to consult the LTN programme and the LA on engagement activities that could be conducted to gather useful feedback on the kind of activation they would best respond to.

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Community co-design process Workshops

Increase perceived self-efficacy by involving people in the development process.

Listen and implement local people’s vision for the future in order to set yourself up for quick wins later on.

1

Programming

Behaviour is contagious.

Provide opportunities to host events, organize gatherings, and socialise. Seeing other people act will allow others to adopt new behaviours.

2

Pilots

Once we’ve listened and invited, pilot new ideas to get people’s feedback. Monitor how people use the pilot by letting people vote with their feet! Use these learnings to develop permanent change.

3

More seating please

I like all of this new planting

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“

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I’m too frightened to cycle along main roads with my children Maptionnaire response when asked if people use main roads when walking or cycling.

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Get in touch: sophia@gehlpeople.com

With thanks to:

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Laura Cheyne Anthony Mysak Cecilia Vaca Jones

Oliver Lord Joe Lindsay Matthew Browning

Gary Fuller Kieran Taylor Andrew Round Sabrina Chiaretti Henry Fawcett parents Tyler Fox Marcus Tayebwa Paul Addae Elizabeth Fonseca Gyirgyi Galik

Raj Upadhyaya Simon Philips Kieran Hutley David McKenna Cllr Claire Holland Bill Legassick Peter Massini Kevin Morris Cllr. Jon Davies

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