100 Midrand UDF100 Midrand UDF

INTRODUCTIONFor too long, Transit Orientated Developments ( TODs ) have not been considered in sufficient detail at the point where they meet and holistically integrate with ‘nodes’ such as Interchanges, Stations, Precincts and Stops. This lack of consideration has resulted in varying and disparate quality offering little incentive to public transport use.

Whilst the causes of this are complex, this Urban Development Framework aims to aid a process of cohesiveness that improves this integration, and in effect this Framework forms a key part in promoting this qualitative improvement.

102 Midrand UDF102 Midrand UDF

Transit Orientated Development needs to be seen in this broader qualitative urban and transport context of :

• The concept of holistic design: in other words, considering the whole working of the node environment in relation to TOD’s.

• The Design Vision.

• The ability to generate shared themes and common architectural languages, unifying design.

• The value of good design to encourage civic responsibility.

• The civic role of nodes in society.

• Improving safety and security at nodes.

• Providing qualitative improvements in a pragmatic yet practical manner.

• Promoting effective integration among land uses and operational functions.

• Unlocking development value in and around transport nodes.

• Creation of local landmarks in the urban landscape.

• Be sustainable; economically, socially and in terms of resources.

• Enhance local communities, sense of place and integrate into those communities .

• Become a centre for community activity.

• Be immediately identifiable by utilizing easily identifiable imagery.

• Transport Interchange as catalysts for urban regeneration.

• Aid security and safety.

• Promote transparency and legibility of use.

• Integrate Public Art within Urban squares and avenues.

• Provide clear movement routes to and from transport vehicles.

• Aid security and safety.

• Promote transparency and legibility of use.

• Enhancing Experience.

• Ease of use.

• Common themes - styles, colours, surface finishes.

• Visual consistency - to enhance sense of unified space .

• Holistic approaches - aiming at design integration of all elements of the facility.

• Ease of understanding for users, recognition by others .

• Establishing control of various design elements within projects. An integral part of the qualitative improvement as outlined above, is thus the Interchange and its environs. A key series of Principles have been used to inform this qualitative improvement cycle.

TRANSIT ORIENTATED DEVELOPMENTS CONTRIBUTION TO THE URBAN REALM

102 Midrand UDF102 Midrand UDF

DESIGN PRINCIPLESINTRODUCTION

The following key Design Principles :

• Accessibility of movement into and within an interchange and its environs.

• Constructability and Phasing working around physical and financial constraints.

• Development Value identify opportunities for private development.

• Integration amongst transport modes and other facilities at the interchange and its environs.

• Liveability ensuring that the result enhances the urban experience for people.

• Operations recognizing that an interchange has to be pro actively managed.

• Sustainability appropriate responses for the location and context.

These Design Principles are explored in the following chapter on a Principle by Principle basis, by :

• Elaborating of the Principle.

• Tabulating the Key Actions required to meet the Principles.

• Explaining the rationale for undertaking the Actions.

• Analysing the Principle in the Midrand context.

• Reporting on the key findings in the Midrand context.

• Finally, proposing a Principle Strategy (along with an Illustrative diagram)

The purpose in summary, is to explain in more detail how these Principles were applied in Midrand to inform the Urban Development Framework.

104 Midrand UDF104 Midrand UDF

ACCESSIBILITY

• Permeability to accommodate movement across precinct.• Connectivity radiates outwards from the Gautrain Station to link other key areas within the precinct.• Station accessibility Strategy• Integrated high level pedestrian boulevard connecting the Gautrain Station to the Midrand BD.• Reorganization and connection of all modal facilities of both existing and proposed.• Creating a gesture towards the marginal areas.

DEVELOPMENT VALUE

• Development opportunities along Grand Central Boulevard, Dale Road and the K 101.• Densification and diversification along Old Pretoria Main Road.• Overall precinct upgrade to create desirable environment.• Diversification of functions.

CONSTRUCTABILITY

• Phasing program is key to success.• Upgrading of taxi facilities.• Reconfiguration of Gautrain Station support facilities, such as bus depot , taxi pick up and drop off areas and feeder route depots.• Construction of public boulevard.

Transit Orientated Development Strategy

104 Midrand UDF104 Midrand UDF

INTEGRATION

• Relocation and upgrading taxi and bus facilities.• Densification around the station; the boulevard link to the BD; the Old Pretoria Road and Dale Road.• Connecting link through the Zonk’izizwe development to provide an opportunity for the marginal areas to be integrated into the Gautrain Station precinct.• High level Boulevard connection.• Medium Density residential developments.

LIVEABILITY

• Activation of retail activity along precinct desire lines.• Streetscape design and upgrade.• Diversification of functions• Balance and integration of formal / informal trading.• Formalization of pedestrian routes , the main route existing as a high level pedestrian boulevard.• Improving safety and security within the public realm.• Introduction of green spaces and urban public squares.

OPERATIONS

• Detailed transport planning analysis.• Way finding and signage strategy.• Relocation and redesign of multimodal interchange facilities.• Detailed feeder route networks reinforce the use of the Gautrain within the precinct.

SUSTAINABILITY

• Integrated ecological and socio – economic sustainability strategy for the Gautrain Precinct.• Job generation opportunities• Safe environment.• Integration and inclusion of the people from the marginal areas.• Diversification and densification of precinct.

Transit Orientated Development Strategy

106 Midrand UDF106 Midrand UDF

Example of Taxi interchange facilities at Dunoon Cape Town. October 2007

106 Midrand UDF106 Midrand UDF

ACCESSIBILITY• Regional access to station• Local access to station• Through-site connections

KEY ACTIONS REQUIRED TO MEET ACCESSIBILITY PRINCIPLES

• Establish clear current and future patronage / passenger numbers• Undertake Passenger modelling• Visually represent the above modelling to facilitate stakeholder under standing of the challenges• Develop area schedule, based on the above modelling results and passenger Level of Service Space Standards and requirements• Undertake accessibility audits

WHY UNDERTAKE THESE ACTIONS?

• Ensures efficient space design• Allows optimization of the operational environment• Allows maximization of commercial and retail opportunities• Enables a fair and equitable access strategy for all users to be put in place

108 Midrand UDF108 Midrand UDF

( See opposite page for location of photographs)

1 2 3

54 6

87 9

ACCESSIBILITY ANALYSIS• A main axis exists along Grand Central Blvd., from the Boulders Retail Node to the Gautrain Station.

• The natural gradient of Midrand is not conducive to easy movement for mobility impaired persons (including those in wheelchairs and those with prams/trolleys).

• Lifts have been provided for in the planning of the Gautrain Station.

• During construction of the Gautrain Rail alignment and the Gautrain Station, closure of certain access routes may occur.

• The catchment area of the Gautrain Station will include taxis coming from more marginal areas such as Ivory park, Tembisa, Rabie Ridge, Kaalfontein, Ebony Park and Olienvenhoutbosch. Further areas include those commuters traveling by car from Kyalami, Glen Austin, President Park and Vorna Valley.

• The station is easily accessible by road, along the K101 and the Old Pretoria Main Road. Congestion along these routes does occur during peak-times, concentrated at main intersections such as the Dale / K101 intersection; the K101 / Allendale intersection; and the intersection of Old Pretoria Road and Church Street.

• Access to the station for pedestrians is fairly limited as the K101 creates a barrier in terms of existing fast moving traffic along a wide street-way.

• Feeder and Distribution Routes begin and end at the station. The Feeder and Distribution systems depot exists at ground level, thus requiring a vertical link to the station platform. These routes travel outwards in a Westerly direction with a complete absence of feeder routes connecting the marginal areas of Ivory Park, Rabie Ridge, Kaalfontein and Ebony Park.

• Feeder Buses and the BRT system are accommodated within the station precinct plans. Most of the Feeder Buses and BRT buses will run at peak times, with a reduced service at off-peak hours.

• The key issues for Accessibility remain:- ineffective way-finding (diminishing the Civic and Public symbol of the Midrand Gautrain Station Precinct), poor lighting and significant safely and security concerns.

• Passenger way-finding through out the precinct remains a key issue.

No direct link exists to the areas of Greater Ivory Park Complex.

108 Midrand UDF108 Midrand UDF

4

5

6

8

1

2

3

7

Proposed Gautrain Station

( See opposite page for photograph numbering)

9

KEY FINDINGS• Access: A pedestrian link across the barrier of the K101 is needed.

• Lighting: Lighting needs to be improved around the entire precinct.

• Way-finding: Signage needs overall improvement, from leading commuters into the station through to easily understand boards within the station.

• Environment: Mobility impaired people prefer to travel with everybody else as in this way they are not singled out. The pedestrian environment needs to be upgraded throughout the main access routes within the area.

• Security: The surrounding areas need to have security upgraded, especially for persons traveling any distance from the station.

• Access: various pedestrian connections are needed over Dale Road connecting to the Zonk’izizwe development.

• A localized transport hub is needed to facilitate the marginal areas.

110 Midrand UDF110 Midrand UDF

ACCESSIBILITY STRATEGY • Create a network of linkages which radiate outwards from the Gautrain Station to surrounding key areas. • Extend a high level pedestrian boulevard from the level of the station platform to terrace down to Church Street creating a sense of permeability into the Midrand BD.

• Improve the street edge of Grand Central Boulevard creating a vehicular accessible axis to the station as well as providing active street frontages activating the existing street in a positive manner.

• Create a vertical connection from the high level boulevard to the BRT depot on the K 101 aiding the connection between all transportation interchanges.

• A defined route creates a link between the Gautrain Station and poorer marginal areas of the Greater Ivory Park Complex.

• A direct connection is created between the Grand Central Airport and the Gautrain Station.

• Connections from the Boulevard to Galagher Estate create a link to the existing conference facilities.

• The taxi rank within the business district needs to be upgraded and reorganised.

12

3

4

5

67

89

1011

12

12

12