- As a city we need to re-evaluate our goals for open space acquisition -- connectivity, trails, and community benefits through the use of the land should be a primary priority.
- General Question: I don't quite understand why I see no minority faces in this crowd. I have already heard criticism of the city's plans for downtown and we should be trying harder to involve the whole community in these discussions.
- Also, I was glad there was discussion of streets and historic streetscapes as important public spaces. Most great public spaces are a combo public private which was sort of not said out loud, but Austin is retrogressive not progressive in saving its historic streetscapes but allowing private activity behind the frontages. Other communities have had regulated historic districts for 50 years (not by owner petition necessarily)
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Comments From Easels 3
- What about public space etiquette?
- Lesson from San Antonio: What "type" of person should be the City of Austin's project mgr/single point of contact for the Waller Creek Tunnel and District Plan so that the vision is implemented?
- So many of the projects discussed are larger projects. What to do to promote a pocket park for a space of 400 sq ft surrounded by 2 collectors and a residential street with no water source? Is a bench and a tree enough?
- FUND: "Great Streets" program and prioritize to 1) Public Spaces, 2) Open Space Network, 3) Public/Private Investments (Green Water Treatment, Seaholm, etc...)
- Lesson from San Antonio: What "type" of person should be the City of Austin's project mgr/single point of contact for the Waller Creek Tunnel and District Plan so that the vision is implemented?
- So many of the projects discussed are larger projects. What to do to promote a pocket park for a space of 400 sq ft surrounded by 2 collectors and a residential street with no water source? Is a bench and a tree enough?
- FUND: "Great Streets" program and prioritize to 1) Public Spaces, 2) Open Space Network, 3) Public/Private Investments (Green Water Treatment, Seaholm, etc...)
Comments From Easels 2
- Questions for Earl B: 1) Can anything be done to keep something from becoming cliche, or is it in god's hands? 2) Does everything commercially viable have to be a cliche? Examples of anything not?
- Not everyone likes "weird" art. (e.g. mushrooms, big red balls, etc...) Not everyone likes the Cap 10K closing streets "disrupting" traffic. Since many of these projects require a level of public investments, how can we -- those here today and those with similar goals -- evangelize about the benefits of public space, public art, etc...?
- How can we balance the need for public gatherings with individuals private activities? They have their own lives and may not want to participate in a road race for example.
- Not everyone likes "weird" art. (e.g. mushrooms, big red balls, etc...) Not everyone likes the Cap 10K closing streets "disrupting" traffic. Since many of these projects require a level of public investments, how can we -- those here today and those with similar goals -- evangelize about the benefits of public space, public art, etc...?
- How can we balance the need for public gatherings with individuals private activities? They have their own lives and may not want to participate in a road race for example.
Comments From Easels 1
-DO: Get children involved in the Planning Process!
-DON'T: One way streets
- One-way streets are easier to cross for cyclists due to less complicated traffic patterns
- Two way streets promote safety, business, and therefore "street life."
- Want park concessions like beer gardens, coffee and sandwiches in parks. Currently many parks are stale unlived places. Combine (tactfully) commercial and public spheres.
-DON'T: One way streets
- One-way streets are easier to cross for cyclists due to less complicated traffic patterns
- Two way streets promote safety, business, and therefore "street life."
- Want park concessions like beer gardens, coffee and sandwiches in parks. Currently many parks are stale unlived places. Combine (tactfully) commercial and public spheres.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Capstone: A Vision for Austin
Synopsis
After a full day of ideas, experts in various aspects of public space implementation and advocacy evaluate potential strategies for Austin. The panel looks ahead to initiatives like the Waller Creek redesign, the Downtown Plan, the Waterfront Overlay, and the Comprehensive Plan to seek opportunities for new ideas and cutting-edge strategies.
Dave Anderson Waller Creek Citizen's Advisory Committee
Bobby Garza Office of Council Member Mike Martinez and Live Music Task Force
Sara Krause Urban Transportation Commission
Kathy Tovo Families and Children Task Force
Alex Tynberg Principal, Tynberg LLC, Policy Chair CNU-Central Texas
Steve Zettner Sustainable Neighborhoods of North Central Austin
Moderator: Charlie McCabe, Austin Parks Foundation
Big Ideas
-Austin seems to have the will, and the desire to create great public spaces, but the framework is still very young (especially when compared to cities like Houston and Chicago.) As a city, we need to help the framework mature from increasing private and public funding systems, to ensuring we are building a vibrant, urban city.
-Any plans for public space should be bold and fit the people who are going to use it. As citizens and planners we should not be afraid to peruse this option.
-Most importantly, the dialogue should continue. The only way we can imporve the public spaces in Austin is to continut to talk about what it is that we want and how we can work to build a world class collection of public spaces.
After a full day of ideas, experts in various aspects of public space implementation and advocacy evaluate potential strategies for Austin. The panel looks ahead to initiatives like the Waller Creek redesign, the Downtown Plan, the Waterfront Overlay, and the Comprehensive Plan to seek opportunities for new ideas and cutting-edge strategies.
Dave Anderson Waller Creek Citizen's Advisory Committee
Bobby Garza Office of Council Member Mike Martinez and Live Music Task Force
Sara Krause Urban Transportation Commission
Kathy Tovo Families and Children Task Force
Alex Tynberg Principal, Tynberg LLC, Policy Chair CNU-Central Texas
Steve Zettner Sustainable Neighborhoods of North Central Austin
Moderator: Charlie McCabe, Austin Parks Foundation
Big Ideas
-Austin seems to have the will, and the desire to create great public spaces, but the framework is still very young (especially when compared to cities like Houston and Chicago.) As a city, we need to help the framework mature from increasing private and public funding systems, to ensuring we are building a vibrant, urban city.
-Any plans for public space should be bold and fit the people who are going to use it. As citizens and planners we should not be afraid to peruse this option.
-Most importantly, the dialogue should continue. The only way we can imporve the public spaces in Austin is to continut to talk about what it is that we want and how we can work to build a world class collection of public spaces.
Session 5: Policy Tools: Best Pratices in Public Space Strategies
Synopsis
The public sector’s traditional model of public space implementation – find some land and buy it – remains a valuable tool, but is an incomplete one in the era of urban infill and high land prices. Increasingly, cities are looking to density bonuses, public-private partnerships, design guidelines, and other strategies to build out their public space networks. This panel explores lessons from Boston, Denver, Round Rock and other cities to seek out and evaluate new ideas for Austin.
David Buzzell, RLA, ASLA Park Development Manager, City of Round Rock
Round Rock's Game Plan 2020 (Parks Plan) and Citywide Trails Maser Plan have been a major tool used to create parks and public spaces today and has been a valuable tool to showing developers and other stakeholders the value of individual projects to the larger Round Rock park and public space scheme and coordinating dedications, etc...
Joan Hyde City of Austin Design Commissioner
Public space has been a part of Austin since the inception of the original plan. While Austin does have a great park system, there is certainly room for improvement. The commission looked at many other cities across the country to prepare a number of recommendations to Austin City Council to streamline and coordinate public spaces and parks in the City of Austin. Boston provides a prime city with coordinated parks including the Emerald Necklace, Freedom Trail, the Big Dig, and others.
Garner Stoll Assistant Director, Neighborhood Planning and Zoning
As the former Planning Director in Boulder, Colorado, Stoll explains how different programs in Boulder, Parker, CO, and Austin have yielded vastly different results. For all communities, open space must be viewed as a necessity, and a valuable amenity.
Big Ideas:
- Context counts, but strategies many not necessarily be transferable from community to community.
- A vision is important; that way a city has something to shoot for.
The public sector’s traditional model of public space implementation – find some land and buy it – remains a valuable tool, but is an incomplete one in the era of urban infill and high land prices. Increasingly, cities are looking to density bonuses, public-private partnerships, design guidelines, and other strategies to build out their public space networks. This panel explores lessons from Boston, Denver, Round Rock and other cities to seek out and evaluate new ideas for Austin.
David Buzzell, RLA, ASLA Park Development Manager, City of Round Rock
Round Rock's Game Plan 2020 (Parks Plan) and Citywide Trails Maser Plan have been a major tool used to create parks and public spaces today and has been a valuable tool to showing developers and other stakeholders the value of individual projects to the larger Round Rock park and public space scheme and coordinating dedications, etc...
Joan Hyde City of Austin Design Commissioner
Public space has been a part of Austin since the inception of the original plan. While Austin does have a great park system, there is certainly room for improvement. The commission looked at many other cities across the country to prepare a number of recommendations to Austin City Council to streamline and coordinate public spaces and parks in the City of Austin. Boston provides a prime city with coordinated parks including the Emerald Necklace, Freedom Trail, the Big Dig, and others.
Garner Stoll Assistant Director, Neighborhood Planning and Zoning
As the former Planning Director in Boulder, Colorado, Stoll explains how different programs in Boulder, Parker, CO, and Austin have yielded vastly different results. For all communities, open space must be viewed as a necessity, and a valuable amenity.
Big Ideas:
- Context counts, but strategies many not necessarily be transferable from community to community.
- A vision is important; that way a city has something to shoot for.
Session 4: Public Spaces in Private Developments: Why, What, How?
Synopsis
Public spaces are not only good for the community – done right, they can be good for developer’s bottom line. Two developers and an architect who have included significant public spaces into greenfield and infill project explain the thought process that goes into evaluating and maximizing the value of public spaces. What are some bang-for-the-buck ideas for cost-effective public spaces? How do public policies shape development decisions regarding public space design?
David Sington Southwest Land Services
Developer of Goodwater (near Georgetown, TX) describes how the community plan incorporates many of the principles of the New Urbanism, and specifically how the public spaces (parks, lakes, etc...) make the development richer.
Larry Speck, FAIA Page Southerland Page
Great public spaces have economic value for cities and developers. This can even occur in a non-traditional sense: In one case involving a Houston outreach center operated by a local church, public space granted by the church, the space buffered the negative effects of the outreach center from the streetscape.
Tom Terkel Executive Vice President, Cencor Realty Services
Terkel explains how the Triangle located in north-central Austin provides proof positive that true public space can be beneficial to a new development. While management cannot charge rent in the public spaces, the benefits to adjacent lessees can certainly be remarkable. Terkel explains many of the issues management at the Triangle has encountered with the public-private setup.
Moderator: Rachel Proctor May, CNU
Big Ideas:
- Public spaces in private developments may not be profitable to developers in the traditional sense, they can often be beneficial to a project.
Places:
Discovery Green; Houston, TX
How is privately developed public space activated? The beauty of privately funded private spaces is that they are funded by the surrounding developments (for example, upkeep for Triangle is indirectly supported by those who live there, the lessees, and visitors.
What are effective ways to work with property owners to gain land for non-automobile connectivity? Speck points to the River North project which drew it's plan looking at publicly owned land, rather than drawing a path and soliciting cooperation from land owner.
Public spaces are not only good for the community – done right, they can be good for developer’s bottom line. Two developers and an architect who have included significant public spaces into greenfield and infill project explain the thought process that goes into evaluating and maximizing the value of public spaces. What are some bang-for-the-buck ideas for cost-effective public spaces? How do public policies shape development decisions regarding public space design?
David Sington Southwest Land Services
Developer of Goodwater (near Georgetown, TX) describes how the community plan incorporates many of the principles of the New Urbanism, and specifically how the public spaces (parks, lakes, etc...) make the development richer.
Larry Speck, FAIA Page Southerland Page
Great public spaces have economic value for cities and developers. This can even occur in a non-traditional sense: In one case involving a Houston outreach center operated by a local church, public space granted by the church, the space buffered the negative effects of the outreach center from the streetscape.
Tom Terkel Executive Vice President, Cencor Realty Services
Terkel explains how the Triangle located in north-central Austin provides proof positive that true public space can be beneficial to a new development. While management cannot charge rent in the public spaces, the benefits to adjacent lessees can certainly be remarkable. Terkel explains many of the issues management at the Triangle has encountered with the public-private setup.
Moderator: Rachel Proctor May, CNU
Big Ideas:
- Public spaces in private developments may not be profitable to developers in the traditional sense, they can often be beneficial to a project.
Places:
Discovery Green; Houston, TX
How is privately developed public space activated? The beauty of privately funded private spaces is that they are funded by the surrounding developments (for example, upkeep for Triangle is indirectly supported by those who live there, the lessees, and visitors.
What are effective ways to work with property owners to gain land for non-automobile connectivity? Speck points to the River North project which drew it's plan looking at publicly owned land, rather than drawing a path and soliciting cooperation from land owner.
Lunch: Lessons from San Antonio River Improvement Project
Synopsis
The San Antonio River Improvements Project is a $279 million on-going investment by the City of San Antonio, Bexar County, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the San Antonio River Foundation in flood control, amenities, ecosystem restoration and recreational improvements along 13 miles of the San Antonio River. The project began a decade ago, and has involved extensive community dialogue, creative partnership ideas, and innovative funding strategies. What can Austin learn from this project as it just begins to undertake the ambitious Waller Creek Project?
Kim Abernethy Executive Director, River Foundation
Lori Houston Special Projects Manager, City of San Antonio
Irby Hightower Principal, Alamo Architects, and Co-Chair of the River Oversight Committee
Introduction, Bill Spelman, Austin City Council Member
More Information: http://www.sanantonioriver.org/, http://www.sariverfoundation.org/
The San Antonio River Improvements Project is a $279 million on-going investment by the City of San Antonio, Bexar County, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the San Antonio River Foundation in flood control, amenities, ecosystem restoration and recreational improvements along 13 miles of the San Antonio River. The project began a decade ago, and has involved extensive community dialogue, creative partnership ideas, and innovative funding strategies. What can Austin learn from this project as it just begins to undertake the ambitious Waller Creek Project?
Kim Abernethy Executive Director, River Foundation
Lori Houston Special Projects Manager, City of San Antonio
Irby Hightower Principal, Alamo Architects, and Co-Chair of the River Oversight Committee
Introduction, Bill Spelman, Austin City Council Member
More Information: http://www.sanantonioriver.org/, http://www.sariverfoundation.org/
Session 3: Principles in Action: Green Doors
Synopsis:
Green Doors is currently developing a public space plan for Pecan Springs an affordable housing project in Northeast Austin. Greg Esparza of Green Doors will introduce the project, then the panelists, joined by participants from Panel 1, will explore how to apply the principles discussed in their sessions to this real-world project.
More Information: http://www.greendoors.org
What elements can be introduced to improve the projects Green Doors is working on?
Green Doors is currently developing a public space plan for Pecan Springs an affordable housing project in Northeast Austin. Greg Esparza of Green Doors will introduce the project, then the panelists, joined by participants from Panel 1, will explore how to apply the principles discussed in their sessions to this real-world project.
More Information: http://www.greendoors.org
What elements can be introduced to improve the projects Green Doors is working on?
Session 2: The Do's and Don'ts of Public Space Design
Synopsis
As Austin continues to grow, preserving, rehabilitating, and creating public spaces will remain integral to maintaining our sense of community and our unique identity. When designing these spaces, it is important to understand why do some public spaces bustle with activity, while others sit empty? Designers will share the secrets of great public space design. This session will explore the physical design elements that create safe and inviting public spaces.
Sinclair Black, FAIA, Principal, Black & Vernooy/Placemaking Studio
According to Black, great public space can take many forms or typologies (from very symbolic spaces to plazas and streets, but successful spaces should consist of these elements:
- An abundance of shade and trees
- A reason to be there
- Structured activities
- Animation
- Surrounded by diverse uses
- Comfort and safety
- Memorability
- Immersivity
Elanor McKinney, ASLA City of Austin Design Commissioner
Question: Are we satisfied with the public spaces in Austin, or can we do a better job. What elements will help improve public space in Austin? McKinney expands on the idea of public space typologies by offering the following:
- Street Plazas
- Corporate Foyer
- Grand Public Plaza
- Pedestrian Mall
- Thru-Block Pedestrian Corridor
- Public Square
- Green Roof Plaza
McKinney further highlights aspects to consider when designing public spaces like seating, use of plants to enliven space, civic art, interactive fountains, food service, safety (way-finding, lighting, and visibility,) and future operations and maintenance.
Robert Pilgrim, ASLA TBG Partners
Overview of the City of Austin's Children and Families Task Force. How can Austin become friendly to Families and Children?
More Information: http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/council/fctf.htm
As Austin continues to grow, preserving, rehabilitating, and creating public spaces will remain integral to maintaining our sense of community and our unique identity. When designing these spaces, it is important to understand why do some public spaces bustle with activity, while others sit empty? Designers will share the secrets of great public space design. This session will explore the physical design elements that create safe and inviting public spaces.
Sinclair Black, FAIA, Principal, Black & Vernooy/Placemaking Studio
According to Black, great public space can take many forms or typologies (from very symbolic spaces to plazas and streets, but successful spaces should consist of these elements:
- An abundance of shade and trees
- A reason to be there
- Structured activities
- Animation
- Surrounded by diverse uses
- Comfort and safety
- Memorability
- Immersivity
Elanor McKinney, ASLA City of Austin Design Commissioner
Question: Are we satisfied with the public spaces in Austin, or can we do a better job. What elements will help improve public space in Austin? McKinney expands on the idea of public space typologies by offering the following:
- Street Plazas
- Corporate Foyer
- Grand Public Plaza
- Pedestrian Mall
- Thru-Block Pedestrian Corridor
- Public Square
- Green Roof Plaza
McKinney further highlights aspects to consider when designing public spaces like seating, use of plants to enliven space, civic art, interactive fountains, food service, safety (way-finding, lighting, and visibility,) and future operations and maintenance.
Robert Pilgrim, ASLA TBG Partners
Overview of the City of Austin's Children and Families Task Force. How can Austin become friendly to Families and Children?
More Information: http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/council/fctf.htm
Big Ideas
- There are two types of good public spaces: Ones that are poorly designed or non existent, but citizens take over, and truly well designed public places.
- Shade is very important in Austin!!
Places
- Paley Park; New York City, NY
- 17th Street Plaza; San Francisco, CA
- Park Mall; Tuscon, AZ
- Brenham Alley, Brenham, TX
- Times Square (Newly Created) Pedestrian Plaza; New York City, NY
- High line; New York City, NY
- Jamison Square; Portland, OR
What additional do's and don'ts would you add?
How would you rank Austin's public space program from 1-10 (1 being the worst; 10 being the best)?
How do libraries fit into the scheme?
Session 1: Why Public Space Matters
Synopsis:
Parks, trails, streetscapes and other public spaces – we know we love them, but why? Beyond being places for day-to-day enjoyment, great public spaces are a critical piece of great cities because they are the vehicles through which a city’s public identity is created, acted out, and preserved. Without spaces like Barton Springs, Lady Bird Lake, Zilker Park, South Congress, would Austin have ever become the creative, outdoor city that it is known as today? Recognizing this identity-forming nature of public space is elemental to any discussion of planning public spaces, because, in shaping public space, a city is shaping its identity for the future. The collection of speakers on this panel offer different perspectives on how public space preserves
and inspires the public life that defines the identity of a community and a city.
Earl Broussard Founder and President, TBG Partners
What makes places special is when they become sacred or ritualistic to us as a people. Any space can become sacred to a group of people; even football fields. This opening presentation explained what true public space is and introduced several new ideas into the typical public space conversation.
Megan Turner, Coordinator City of Austin Art in Public Places Program
Public art as a catalyst for community engagement and innovative uses of public space. The unpredictability is what contributes to the experience people have in public places. Turner explains about how art is contributing to the public space experience in Austin.
More Information: http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/aipp/
Alex Gilliam Director, PublicWorks
Gilliam discusses ways to make cities and public spaces children and family friendly. Here are his emerging tactics in great public spaces for children and family:
1) Strengthen cities by building play spaces (for everyone -- not just children and the elderly)
2) Make things messy!
3) Permanent is good, but temporary might be better!
4) Play a game
5) Children and children should be architects and designers of 21st centry Austin.
Chris Riley, Austin City Council Member
Austin has several successful and up-coming public spaces. These include Woolridge Square Park, The Pfluger Pedestrian Bridge, and many more. Riley discusses Woolridge Square Park's history and recent centennial.
Moderator: Greg Esparza, Green Doors
Big Ideas:
- New public spaces should not only try to keep Austin weird, but make it weirder.
- Good public spaces become sacred; poor ones become irrelevant or cliche.
- Public spaces should reflect on the communities they are a part of
Places:
-University of Texas Alumni Center; Austin, TX
-Auction Oaks
-Hey Cupcake!; Austin, TX
-Sheffield, England
-Woonwerf (Netherlands) - Former streets where automobiles are now subservient to pedestrians and play.
- Various Art in Public Places projects in the City of Austin and across the country.
Parks, trails, streetscapes and other public spaces – we know we love them, but why? Beyond being places for day-to-day enjoyment, great public spaces are a critical piece of great cities because they are the vehicles through which a city’s public identity is created, acted out, and preserved. Without spaces like Barton Springs, Lady Bird Lake, Zilker Park, South Congress, would Austin have ever become the creative, outdoor city that it is known as today? Recognizing this identity-forming nature of public space is elemental to any discussion of planning public spaces, because, in shaping public space, a city is shaping its identity for the future. The collection of speakers on this panel offer different perspectives on how public space preserves
and inspires the public life that defines the identity of a community and a city.
Earl Broussard Founder and President, TBG Partners
What makes places special is when they become sacred or ritualistic to us as a people. Any space can become sacred to a group of people; even football fields. This opening presentation explained what true public space is and introduced several new ideas into the typical public space conversation.
Megan Turner, Coordinator City of Austin Art in Public Places Program
Public art as a catalyst for community engagement and innovative uses of public space. The unpredictability is what contributes to the experience people have in public places. Turner explains about how art is contributing to the public space experience in Austin.
More Information: http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/aipp/
Alex Gilliam Director, PublicWorks
Gilliam discusses ways to make cities and public spaces children and family friendly. Here are his emerging tactics in great public spaces for children and family:
1) Strengthen cities by building play spaces (for everyone -- not just children and the elderly)
2) Make things messy!
3) Permanent is good, but temporary might be better!
4) Play a game
5) Children and children should be architects and designers of 21st centry Austin.
Chris Riley, Austin City Council Member
Austin has several successful and up-coming public spaces. These include Woolridge Square Park, The Pfluger Pedestrian Bridge, and many more. Riley discusses Woolridge Square Park's history and recent centennial.
Moderator: Greg Esparza, Green Doors
Big Ideas:
- New public spaces should not only try to keep Austin weird, but make it weirder.
- Good public spaces become sacred; poor ones become irrelevant or cliche.
- Public spaces should reflect on the communities they are a part of
Places:
-University of Texas Alumni Center; Austin, TX
-Auction Oaks
-Hey Cupcake!; Austin, TX
-Sheffield, England
-Woonwerf (Netherlands) - Former streets where automobiles are now subservient to pedestrians and play.
- Various Art in Public Places projects in the City of Austin and across the country.
Friday, June 19, 2009
Welcome to the Great Public Spaces Summit Blog!
Even after the Summit ends, the conversation continues! Please check back here regularly to share ideas and questions on the topics we discussed today, and learn about people and places you may have missed. Also, visit this site during the duration of the day Thursday for join in the conversation live.
About the Great Public Spaces Summit:
Parks. Paseos. Gardens. Trails. Plazas. Bridges. Streetscapes. Promenades. These are the places that strengthen our identity, nurture our community, and make Austin great. But while the vision of an interconnected network of public spaces is clear, it is just as clear that we have a long way to go in order to fully realize it.
Great Public Spaces is a one-day action session to figure out what’s working, what’s not, and what we need to do in order to more quickly and thoroughly implement this compelling community vision. Architects, designers, city council members, trail-builders, community art promoters, neighborhood association activists, and others will share their expertise on the design and implementation of spaces in which the community can meet, mingle, and share. In addition to the on-stage panels, throughout the day we’ll ask all attendees to use the ideas being discussed to help us shape a policy agenda for future action. Drawing on national best practices and each others’ examples, we will strategize how to support each others’ efforts and together create a built environment that inspires.
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