Christchurch Tram Network - Urban Development

URBAN DESIGN

Urban redevelopment and revitalisation of the areas surrounding the Christchurch tram line network.

BAUD700 URBAN DESIGN | 2016 Designers | Julia Hamilton, Jarred Walker, Henry Dunford-Baker

DESIGN INTENTIONS

PROJECT 2 | CHRISTCHUCH TRAM NETWORK

Redevelopment and revitalisation of the areas throughout the tram line and activating space surrounding the tram network: 1 Re-route and expand existing network to the existing attractions, incorporating the Christchurch masterplan/blueprint.

2 Utilising heritage to further enforce the identity of Christchurch.

3 Promoting pedestrian use around the tram network through street scape design, appropriate massing, proportion of buildings, maximum heights, set backs and mixed use.

CURRENT TRANSPORT NETWORK PROJECT 2 | CHRISTCHUCH TRAM NETWORK

bus

Metro is the public transport service that operates in Greater Christchurch and Timaru. Highquality, efficient, reliable and affordable public passenger transport system will help manage traffic demands to and within the Central City and off er residents a genuine transport choice for journeys about the city.

bike

Christchurch is a relatively compact city with a dry climate and flat topography, where more daily journeys to, from and within the Central City could easily be undertaken by cycle. The cycle network on the city’s streets will link up to leisure routes and parks within the city, particularly along the Avon River/Ōtakaro.

tram

The Christchurch Tram is a major city attraction that holds an important place in the garden city’s culture. It is a unique yet effective way to travel round the Christchurch CBD. Trams operate over a short track that runs through central Christchurch from New Regent Street through Cathedral Junction to Cathedral Square and along Worcester Boulevard. It also runs along Cashel Street past where the Re-Start mall is situated. This is a great sightseeing option for those wanting to visit some of the Christchurch rebuild in action and our existing heritage buildings using heritage transport.

CASE STUDIES

PROJECT 2 | CHRISTCHUCH TRAM NETWORK

Melbourne Tram Network

Transport underpins the liveability, efficiency and productivity of cities

DIRECTIONS Provide an integrated transport system connecting people to jobs and services, and goods to market Transform the transport system to support a more productive central city Improve access to job-rich areas across Melbourne and strengthen transport networks in existing suburbs Improve transport infrastructure, services and affordability in Melbourne’s newer suburbs Improve local travel options to increase social and economic participation Improve the efficiency of freight networks while protecting urban amenity

KEY ASPECTS •

Implemenation of phased design

• transform the transport system to

support a more productive central city •

new programs to improve road efficiency

• expand and harmonise public services •

improve cycling and walking paths

CASE STUDIES

PROJECT 2 | CHRISTCHUCH TRAM NETWORK Nottingham Old Market Square What considerations are important when designing streetscapes incorporating active rail or tram lines?

At old market square we were aware that leaving the square open to the movements of the tram would leave unsafe and vulnerable edges. These would be most apparent when the city wished to place major events and diverse activities adjacent to the tram route. By placing raised seating terraces and a water feature at the edges of the square adjacent to the tram line we framed the pedestrian entrances into the square ensuring that people walking through, or using the centre of the space, did not randomly come into conflict with its presence. As a result these seating terraces have become a place where people wait for the trams and buses as they move around the city.

How would you set about redesigning a multi-transport public space to boost aesthetics, cultural activity and safety?

Routes through a square that connect it with the major pedestrian and vehicle routes of the surrounding city enable simple and safe road and tram crossings. These routes also lead to chance encounters, and encourage its use as a place to meet and socialise. Understanding the movement of sun and shade and topography, combined with an understanding of the natural movement routes, provides an understanding of where people wish to sit, wait, relax, perform and watch the world go by. Once these are known and the movement and settled areas of the square agreed, one can plan a flexible and layered approach to how cultural events, markets and installations occupy the square, creating a safe and popular destination within the city.

Luxemburg Tram System What considerations are important when designing streetscapes incorporating active rail or tram lines?

We worked hard to reduce to a minimum signaling, furniture, lighting and graphics to allow the city to emerge from its existing clutter. Hard landscape was inspired by the tram rails with linear stone lines interspersed with tarmac for the pavements; only at key junctions are the surfaces fully paved with stone. The sculptural masts supporting the catenary wires also support signage and street furniture, again to reduce obstructions to a minimum. Illumination was divided into flying saucer fittings for vehicles suspended from the catenary cables over the road and smaller, more frequent fittings for pedestrians at lower levels over the pavements.

How would you set about redesigning an urban corridor to boost aesthetics, cultural activity and safety?

Instil clarity and simplicity, identify key nodes and secondary spaces and treat them accordingly. Work with natural assets and existing conditions, open up lost connections and create new ones between buildings and spaces.

Guide rather than command cyclists and pedestrians. Impart a sense of looseness and overlapping in the public realm and share rather than segregate streets between pedestrians and cyclists, buses and taxis, cars and trucks.

ISSUES + STRATEGIES

PROJECT 2 | CHRISTCHUCH TRAM NETWORK

key issues concerning the existing tram network: DIRECTIONS

The systems lacks a more diverse and interesting route throughout the city The network was designed around a pre-quake christchurch cbd and hasn't been adapted to a post earthquake christchurch The line lacks practicality for the cities residents and is only seen as tourist attractions.

The service is currently underused and therefore overprice The current line fails to encompass, activate its surrounding streetscape The line doesn't yet provide a practical means of transport for the citizens of christchurch to use on a daily basis in place of more vehicles The streetscape surrounding the current routes lack a diverse range of spaces and activities to help promote pedestrian movement and flow throughout the city The current routes lacks a diverse surrounding range of surrounding scapes and fail to promote pedestrian activity surrounding the line.

•

A place that is easy to get around

•

A vibrant mix of uses and activities

•

A high quality built environment

KEY MOVES 1

Upgrade of existing transport system to become a viable means of commuting within the core cbd

2

Extended network to link attraction

3

Create a walkable & cycle friendly city

LOCATIONS + ATTRACTIONS PROJECT 2 | CHRISTCHUCH TRAM NETWORK

PROPOSED TRAM ROUTE EXTENSION PROJECT 2 | CHRISTCHUCH TRAM NETWORK

carlton corner

victoria street

town hall victoria square

canterbury museum

arts precinct

margaret mahy playground new regent street

cathedral square

high street hospital

bus interchange

ara

existing lincoln road

north tram-line south tram-line

TRAM LINES

PROJECT 2 | CHRISTCHUCH TRAM NETWORK

existing *each route can be implemented in phases

north tram-line

south tram-line

TRAM STOPS + STREETSCAPES PROJECT 2 | CHRISTCHUCH TRAM NETWORK

tram stops pedestrian/narrow retail/medium commercial/wide residential/wide

PEDESTRIAN/NARROW STREETSCAPES PROJECT 2 | CHRISTCHUCH TRAM NETWORK

The following street scape drawing and illustrations show the proposed layout to incorperate the tram within the pedestrianised streets within the Central Business District

route

plan view

zone regulations building setback building height

n/a 10,000

RETAIL/MEDIUM STREETSCAPES PROJECT 2 | CHRISTCHUCH TRAM NETWORK

The following street scape drawing and illustrations show the proposed layout to incorperate the tram within the double laned streets with meadium to heavy traffic within the Central Business District

route

zone regulations building setback east (tram) 14,000 west (bus) 10,000 building height

15,000

plan view

PARKSIDE + RESIDENTIAL/WIDE STREETSCAPES PROJECT 2 | CHRISTCHUCH TRAM NETWORK

The following street scape drawing and illustrations show the proposed layout to incorperate the tram within the wide streets that fall next to the Avon River and open green space.

route

zone regulations building setback building height

9,000 15,000

plan view

COMMERCIAL/WIDE STREETSCAPES PROJECT 2 | CHRISTCHUCH TRAM NETWORK

The following street scape drawing and illustrations show the proposed layout to incorperate the tram within the commercial and wide streets identified.

route

plan view

zone regulations building setback building height

10,000 15,000

DESIGN INTENTION

PROJECT 2 | CHRISTCHUCH TRAM NETWORK

MOOREHOUSE AVENUE

REFERENCES

PROJECT 2 | CHRISTCHUCH TRAM NETWORK

Tram Image https://annettewoodford.files.wordpress.com/2013/12/dsc01958-f.jpG Melbourne Tram Network http://www.abc.net.au/news/image/6319636-3x2-940x627.jpg Nottingham Old Market Square https://www.architectural-review.com/competitions/competition-mason-street-improvements-fort-collins/10007933. article

PARK TERRACE

Luxemburg Tram Station https://www.architectural-review.com/pictures/1180xany/4/9/9/3026499_Luxtram-by-LDS.jpg Tram Image http://www.digitaljournal.com/img/8/4/7/1/2/1/i/6/6/2/o/IMG_2548.JPG