hulme - generating a safer community

hulme - generating a safer community

VivaCity2020 has conducted an in-depth case study of the regeneration of Hulme, Manchester to find out how targeted regeneration can aid in the reduction of crime and the construction of safer communities.

Hulme lies approximately one mile from Manchester and has suffered from housing and development problems over the last 30 years. Plans for regeneration began in 1992 and are still continuing today. VivaCity2020 consulted a wide range of sources— information from residents, local authorities, crime statistics and town planners—to build a clear picture of the regeneration project.

They found that poor maintenance of the typically high-density public spaces, lack of pedestrian movement, poor parking facilities and social divisions between residents all contributed to an absence of self-supervision and subsequently to higher crime rates.

These findings point to a ‘New Urbanism’ solution that advocates generating an increased feeling of community spirit to combat crime, with a 21st century twist. Within New Urbanism,walking and cycling are advocated over car use, and streets are designed to be permeable (accessible from every direction) to encourage pedestrian movement. Permeable and open spaces that are self-supervised by constant activity are believed to result in reduced crime rates and less fear of crime. However, care has to be taken not to increase opportunities for crime by, for example, providing potential burglars with access to the back of properties.

The work has produced new evidence on how regeneration can aid the reduction of crime and how to reap the benefits of engaging with local community and campaign groups. It also highlights the importance of Police Architectural Liaison Officers, architects and planners working in partnership.

For more information please contact: Joanne Leach at joanne@joanneleach.co.uk or visit: http://www.vivacity2020.eu/vivacity-toolkit/spatial-data-analysis

the future of public toilets

It’s a dirty job but someone’s got to do it.

Research consortium Vivacity2020 has rolled up its sleeves and delved into the murky world of the public toilet to find out why this most basic of facilities has gone from public convenience to embarrassing nuisance.

Vivacity2020 has produced an assessment tool and a wealth of evidence to improve the design of public toilets and ensure modern British cities are well equipped for a twenty four hour lifestyle with accessible, sustainable and more desirable public loos.

By looking at the range of users, VivaCity2020 was able to identify a number of common requirements linked by needs and disabilities and then to design templates that best fulfilled all the requirements. The result is an accessible and inclusive toilet design that incorporates recommendations from a wide range of British Standards.

The Accessible Toilet Design Guide is now in use by Tesco, the Olympic Delivery Authority and the DCLG, as well as being featured on BBC Radio 5.

For more information please contact: Joanne Leach at joanne@joanneleach.co.uk or visit: http://www.vivacity2020.eu/vivacity-toolkit/spatial-data-analysis

using the vivacity toolkit - how diverse urban environments impact on quality of life

Researchers from the Vivacity 2020 consortium have conducted three detailed case studies of diverse urban environments in London, Manchester and Sheffield, to measure the quality of life actually experienced by residents and the decision-making rationales used by stakeholders in their development of these environments.

City dwellers were found to be very adaptable, often preferring some spatial separation between residential and night time activities. However, they were willing to make trade offs: a lack of external space could be sacrificed as long as they had access to views. Residents would alss forfeit car use in exchange for access to public transport.

Indicators of poor quality of life (litter, waste, noise and anti social behaviour) were associated with mixed-use areas where residential housing and the lure of urban living (shops, cafes, bars, pubs, clubs and restaurants on people’s doorsteps) were in close proximity. But equally ready-access to amenities such as local shops and park space was a requirement for good quality of life.

Vivacity 2020 synthesised this social analysis wherever possible with geographical data collected from 2D plans and 3D modelling to map the case study areas using GIS. Researchers also developed a Space Syntax-based tool for analysing, interrogating and explaining the links between diverse urban environments, crime and quality of life.

This research has also produced a huge body of evidence about how the process for making urban design decisions works in practice and how it can be improved to facilitate urban sustainability. This knowledge was taken to Sheffield and Islington Borough Councils in the form of internships to give these key public sector decision-makers an opportunity to consider how sustainability can be better incorporated into the design, development and planning of their local areas.

For more information please contact: Joanne Leach at joanne@joanneleach.co.uk or visit: http://www.vivacity2020.eu/vivacity-toolkit/spatial-data-analysis

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