URBAN DESIGN WORKS- TANAAZ BHALLA

U R B A N T A K E S Tanaaz Bhalla

Study Model of the Masterplan

AN INCLUSIVE TAKE

The Masterplan has been designed keeping the following urban design principles in mind:site analysis, recommendations, and proposals for the area’s unique population, economy of the area, housing requirements, transportation requirements, community facilities, and land use.

Emphasis has been given to engage the local community as well create a tourism hub for tourists while retaining the cultural heritage of the area.

The site is active at the main entrance points while slowing morphing into a calm, serene environment where users of all age may come and commune. Special niches has been created and care has been given to provide the best form of inclusivity to the community. The Masterplan is a true sense of the concept of the Port Credit City & its heritage.

Commercial hub at One Port Credit East Mississauga.

A gloomy day at the proposed Viewpoint

Masterplan of the propsed development

THE ZONING & LAND USE

A SUSTAINABLE TAKE

Sustainable 15-mins walking city in the GTA region

Nestled at the intersection of innovation and sustainability, Strahlende City stands as a shining example of a 15-minute walking city that seamlessly blends ecological consciousness with urban vitality. With a dedicated commitment to fostering a resilient, eco-friendly, and accessible urban environment, Strahlende City redefines urban living for the better.

One of the most remarkable features of Strahlende City is its emphasis on proximity and accessibility. The entire city has been thoughtfully designed to ensure that residents can access essential services and recreational areas within a 15-minute walking radius from their homes. This design philosophy not only promotes physical health but also minimizes the need for vehicular transportation, thus significantly reducing carbon emissions and traffic congestion.

One of the most remarkable features of Strahlende City is its emphasis on proximity and accessibility. The entire city has been thoughtfully designed to ensure that residents can access essential services and recreational areas within a 15-minute walking radius from their homes.

3D Visualization detailing how multipurpose the public space is and how they can be utilized in placemaking

A view of the commercial hub at Strahlende City that depicts the versatility of the space and can be utilized as a park to stay healthy , enjoy nature and appreciate the ecological environment while staying in the vicinity of amenities. The area also shows the viewpoints created in order for users to have a human scale.

One of the most remarkable features of Strahlende City is its emphasis on proximity and accessibility. The entire city has been thoughtfully designed to ensure that residents can access essential services and recreational areas

ACCESS & ROUTES

This design philosophy not only promotes physical health but also minimizes the need for vehicular transportation, thus significantly reducing carbon emissions and traffic congestion.

DIAGRAMS ON RIGHT:

LEFT-TOP: VEHICULAR CIRCULATION

LEFT-BOTTOM:TRANSIT SYSTEM

RIGHT-TOP: FIGURE GROUND MAP

RIGHT-BOTTOM:GREEN SPACE DISTRIBUTION

03 A CULTURAL TAKE

Revitalization of Facer Street, St.Catharines

Facer street, St Catharines, is one street that has major potential in terms of placemaking and public realm owing to its unique land use and rich cultural significance. The street is home to distinct small scale businesses which are well-loved through-out the city. There is a Boys and Girls Club and an elementary school – Prince of Wales Public School. This area has an equal mix of age group and there is a strong community sense ( 8 80 Cities).

When integrating play in the streetcape, safety must remain the top priority, especially when combining play props with streets elements that are also used by motor vehicles.

KEY SITE FEATURES

The street is a neighbourhood Main street but has the characteristisc of a Neighbourhood Residential Street.It is wellconnected to major streets (Niagara St. and Grantham Avenue) and its walkability ranks high with shaded reprise in the forms of trees planted throughout the streetfront. There is one bus route located in the area and the street connects to the QEW Highway.

Italian Cafe

St.Catharines Christian Centre

Boys and Girls Club of NiagaraSt. Catharines Club

WELL CONNECTED AVENUES DIVERSITY

Your Deli PolonezI

Canadian Polish Society

THE SITE is home to various churches of different communities and has several open spaces facing the street front. One part of the street serves as on-site parking while typically allowing access to the adjoining streets.

St. Joseph Bakery

St. George's Ukrainian Orthodox Church

Brethren Church

Prince Of Wales Public School

To further analyze the site, we performed a SWOT analysis of the street which culminated into the formation of GOALS for our proposal.

STRENGTH: The street is a well-connected walking street with UNIQUE small businesses littered across. There is a strong sense of community while maintaining the historical significance in the form of the historical architecture of the churches. THERE IS GOOD RANGE OF MIXED-USE BUILDINGS in the area with a major school. A responsive community adds to this. The existing mature trees at sidewalk decreases the heat island effect at such streets.

Analysis

WEAKNESSES: The major weaknesses of the street include a constraint R-O-W; with street width being more than necessary that results in fast traffic. Safety is a question due to this. The maintenance of public elements like curbside, pavers and landscape is missing. There is a lack of destination and excitement at the street due to unanimated store fronts and in the form of proper placemaking.

OPPORTUNITIES: Opportunities for Facer Street is numerous and the exisiting strengths adds to it. The street size allows for a WIDER PEDESTRIAN walkway, the on-street parking can be further adjusted to fit in the existing landscape buffer. PARKLETS, PARKETTES can be introduced at the corners. Emphasis should be given to cultural and historical representation in the form of placards. This also encourages the community. The STOREFRONTS can be further animated to encourage businesses and organic set-ups. The further open spaces can be utilized to many public uses like seasonal farmer’s markets, gatherings, club meetings etc.

THREATS: Threats to Facer street include COMPETITION from neighboring more developed streets and UNDER-MAINTENANCE of these proposed and existing public elements; effects of PANDEMIC; BUDGET constraints; in turn resulting in change in user behaviour; community resistance which may have adverse effects on the placemaking of the whole street.

STREETS Improve ACCESS

PLAY Reinforce sense of COMMUNITY

Low maintenace of existing vegetation

Run-down hardscape elements Empty lots with potential

Unanimated streetfrontsLandscaping potentials around curbs Lack of lighting and maintainance

PARKLETTE!

The goals were developed based on the analysis of the street.

GOALS

Goals

To make FACER STREET a space that: Acts as a Living room Acts as a Canvas Serves pedetsrians safely & effectively Acts as a place for experiment

The secondary goals for the street : Make it a destination Improve sustainable modes of access Generate revenue for local businesses

Sense of Community Enriches the historical nostalgia

Sketching our proposal

PLACES FOR IMPROVEMENTS IDENTIFICATION- MARLBOROUGH AVENUE

PLACES FOR IMPROVEMENTS IDENTIFICATION- THE CHRISTIAN CENTRE

PLACES FOR IMPROVEMENTS IDENTIFICATION- ST. GEORGE’S UKRAINIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH

THE RECOMMENDATIONS

THE RECOMMENDATIONS

RECOMENDATIONS BASED ON TACTICAL PUBLIC REALM & PLACEMAKING TO MAKE THE EXISTING PUBLIC AND OPEN SPACES INVITATIONAL

HARDSCAPE

BUS STOPS AND BENCHES CAN BE REVITALIZED TO PROVIDE BETTER USER EXPERIENCE WITH REGULAR MAINTENANCE

PART BETWEEN CURRIE STREET AND SHERBOURNE STREET- THE CENTRE OF THE STREET CAN HAVE A DIFFERENT MATERIAL PALETTE IN TERMS OF PAVERS, COLOR COMBINATION AND FEEL.

STREET MURALS & ARTWORK

BASED ON THE GOAL OF THE STREET TO BE A CANVAS & A PLACE FOR EXPERIMENTATIONW HERE ALL COME TOGETHER, TEMPORARY ARTWORKS CN BE INSTALLED PREPARED BY THE COMMUNITY AND THE STREET CAN THEMSELVES BE PAINTED, EVEN CROSSROADS

BANNERS

A SINGLE THEMED, CONTINOUS COLOR PALETTE COULD BE APPLIED TO IDENTIFY THE PLACE AND THE COMMUNITY. BANNERS AND PLACARDS DENOTING THE VIBRANT STREET AT JUNCTIONS ARE PROPOSED.

FLOWER ARRANGEMENTS DURING THE SUMMER CAN BE PLACED AT STREET LIGHT AREAS.

BETA BLOCKS

BETA BLOCKS PRPOSED AT STRATEGIC LOCATIONS LIKE CURBSIDE, CORNERS, DIVIDERS TO PROVIDE A PLACE FOR EXPERIMENTATION WHERE IDEAS AND TECHNOLOGY CAN BE EASILY PILOTED AND MONITORED.

04 A GREEN TAKE

Redevelopment of Erin Mills Town Centre, Ern Mills Parkway

The development of Erin Mills Town Centre incorporates green practices and sustainability as guiding principles.

With a strong focus on reducing the environmental footprint, the aim is to create a better working environment for employees and tenants.

By promoting enhanced sustainability practices through public-private community partnerships and in private sector development, the project aims to create renewable and eco-friendly solutions.

The development ensures governance and international standards are met for sustainable urban design.

VIEW OF THE CENTRAL PUBLIC PLAZA

THE CONCEPT OF A STRUCTURE THAT GROWS WITH THE COMMUNITY

THE CONCEPT OF MEANDERING LINES TO RELIEVE SYMPTOMS OF PTSD & STRESS

PROPOSED MASTERPLAN OF THE SITE

The site is self-sustainable and aims to achieve LEED Platinum certification. It has its own rain water harvesting, collection system coupled with a green belt surrounding the area for air purification. The bioswales help in reducing the heat island effect further.

The image that communicates, lingers in our memory.