MUDD 21 - City Visions II
Bathurst Street Cross Axis Public Domain Connectivity Michael Gheorghiu + Jia Qiuyu The area currently consists of numerous public transport services including the Town Hall Station and bus stops. A future light rail will service the study along George Street. Additionally, the area is proposed to be serviced by a future Metro railway system, with a station located on the corner of Park Street and Pitt Street. It is important to understand the public transport services that are available in the area as they contribute to how people access the area. Given the approved and proposed developments in the area it is assumed that these transport services will be more heavily used in the future. Further, the population of the area is forecast to increase significantly. As of 2011, the area had a population of 5,899 persons and a total of 26,417 employees. By 2041, it is projected that the population will be 6,725 persons and 33,941 employees.
Identification of key sites connecting main pedestrian activities
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The impact of this increase in density is that the public domain will be under pressure to provide safe and satisfactory accessibility for all users. This study explored the existing public domain connectivity across the study area and potential for new pedestrian connections. Three scenarios were investigated: (1) an underground connection north-south, on the western side of George Street, from the George Street cinema complex to Town Hall, (2) an underground connection from HSBC Centre to George Street cinema site via two links, and (3) an underground connection from HSBC Centre to George Street cinemas via a retail plaza. Scenario three is the preferred public scheme as it allows for more direct pedestrian connectivity as well as retail opportunities. The expected amount of retail area within the entire public domain connection is 2,150sqm.