St. James Rampire JAMES STREET- BATH SPA

PROPOSAL FOR REDEVELOPMENT OF PUBLIC REALM-BATH SPA

Presentation by

Surajit Bhattacharya Architect, Urban & Transport Planner

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1. Bath SPA- Location of the Town 2. Bath SPA- Background 3. Study Area 4. Study Area- look at Past 5. Study Area- look at Present 6. Data Collection 7. Key issues and problems- Present 8. Other key findings 9. Key stakeholders 10. Aim and objectives 11. Policy Context 12. Recommendations for re-design and enhancement 13. Sketches 14. Conclusion

Introduction

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Bath SPA- Location of the Town

Source: Google Map

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Bath SPA- Background

Geographically Bath is positioned between the Cotswold and Mendip Hills gives it a diverse and complex character. It is drained primarily by the River Avon. This is a historic Roman town and was inscribed as a World Heritage Site in 1987. The total population of the district at the 2001 census stood at 169,040 Bath is a town of international tourist attraction. The town has good communications, being located on the main transport corridor between Bath and Bristol, and close to the Avon Ring Road. Source: Bath and North East Somerset Local Plan

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Study Area- James Street , Birds View

Source: Bing Image

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Study Area- James Street-A look at Past

Source: Bing Image

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Study Area- James Street-A look at Past

Source: Bing Image

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Study Area- James Street-A look at Past

Source: Bing Image

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Study Area- James Street-A look at Past

Source: Google Image

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Study Area- James Street-A look at Present

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Source: Self Photograph 06-03-2012

Study Area- James Street-A look at Present

Source: Self Photograph 06-03-2012

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Study Area- James Street-A look at Present

Source: Self Photograph 06-03-2012

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Study Area- James Street-A look at Present

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Source: Self Photograph 06-03-2012

Data Collection

1. Qualitative Data - Bath trip findings 2010-2012, Black board 2. Quantitative data - Annual Average Daily Flow (AADF)-DFT - Bath and North East Somerset local plan-2007 3. Policy - Bath and North East Somerset local plan-2007 - PPG 13 - DFT Website 4. Literature Review 5. Web Search

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Key issues and problems-present

Pedestrian safety fallen No sense of place, pedestrian en route to other

destinations - little dwelling . Static space and no dynamic activity and lacks identity. Pedestrian areas low in aesthetics Pedestrian areas low in keeping with the environment More trees flower and shrubs required. Need more street furniture. Poor design of cycle storage Not much cycling Area is viewed as quieter than pre change Source: Bath trip findings on black board

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Other key Findings

Annual Average Daily Flow - 2010

-High level of Car use in 2010 Source: DFT website

Pedal Cycles Motor cycles Cars Taxis Buses

Coaches Light Goods

Vehicles All HGVs

All Motor

Vehicles

316 260 16419 421 2748 440 20604

1.53 % 1.26 % 79.69 % 2.04 % 13.34 % 2.14 %

100%

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Key Stakeholders

Residents of the area Business establishments Students of the college Tourists and visitors to the area Pedestrians Cyclists Motorist Bath and North East Somerset Council Bath Heritage Watchdog

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Aim and Objectives

AIM: The principal aim is to create dynamic space conducive for public interaction which in turn will have a sense of place and enhance the aesthetic quality of the space so that the space can be identified as a land mark by the different road users. OBJECTIVES:

- To create a vibrant urban space for the urban space users. - To enhance the safety of all the users including pedestrians and cyclist. - To Improve the aesthetic quality of the space. - Improve the quality of the space encouraging public interactions and provide a sense of belongingness to the space as a lively urban public space.

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Policy Context

National Policy The Government has defined sustainable development as ensuring a better quality of life for everyone, now and for generations to come (A Better Quality of Life 1999, DFT) Local Policy for Transport The Local Plan policy framework takes account of the National Sustainable Development Objectives: The five key themes of the Local Transport Plan: management of road traffic to minimise the adverse impacts of traffic promotion of better public transport and walking, cycling, safety and

community togetherness management and control of parking involvement of the public in the transport planning process for successful

implementation of transport and behavioural changes; improvement of the local environment through a transportation programme in

sympathy with the World Heritage Source: Bath & North East Somerset local Plan 2007

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Recommendations

The following recommendations are found to be appropriate considering the National and local transport policies as have enumerated in the Bath and North East Somerset local plan 2007.

- A shared space would provide enhanced safety and equal status

to all road users. - Creation of pedestrian zones will also facilitate greater safety

and obviously will encourage free movements of the pedestrians. - Introduction of Soft landscape elements will improve the

aesthetic quality of the space and provide a sense of plaza. - Coffee Kiosks will greatly enhance the possibility of public

interactions along with Kiosk for further information to the strangers.

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Recommendations

- There could be informal seating arrangements and adequate cycle storage within this space .

- Removal of on street parking from the area. - Use of different types of traditional paving materials for different

users on the shared space keeping in line with the environment. - Limiting of vehicle speed below 20 mph Home Zone (pp- 66) to keep up with the safety to the pedestrian and cyclist and other

road user. - All above together would craft an identity of a memorable urban

space in the Historic City as else where could be seen within the city of Bath SPA.

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Final Thoughts Creating effective Urban Public Space

- Everyone is welcome at all times in the space, regardless of age culture, wealth, etc (inclusive and democratic space)

- Sitting places are available - Well maintained and clean - Feels safe and unthreatening crime risk and incivilities are

under control - Distinctive character and identity that makes the space

memorable - Incorporation of natural elements (eg: trees, water) - Comfortable micro-climate (both sunny spots and shade, when

needed) - Vehicular circulation banned or tightly controlled Source: creating effective public places, Shaftoe, H 22

Interactive Urban Space (London, Swindon & Bristol)

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15-01-2014

Proposed Redevelopment Sketches

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Proposed Redevelopment Sketches

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Proposed Redevelopment Sketches

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Proposed Redevelopment Sketches

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Proposed Redevelopment Sketches

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Proposed Redevelopment Sketches

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Proposed Redevelopment Sketches

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Proposed Redevelopment Sketches

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Proposed Redevelopment Sketches

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Proposed Redevelopment Sketches

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