London Promenade Urban Integration Study

London Promenade

Urban Integration Study

Initial scoping report

April 2006

The Glasshouse

Melior Place

London

SE1 3SZ

United Kingdom

T +44 (0) 20 7407 6574

Contact for further information

Michael DavisExecutive Project Director

11 Riverside Studios

28 Park Street

London

SE1 9EQ

United Kingdom

T +44 (0) 20 7940 0000

F +44 (0) 20 7940 0005

[email protected]

www.spacesyntax.com

Contact for further information

Tim StonorManaging Director

Document reference

517_Report_100406

© Space Syntax Limited, 2006

Space Syntax

London Promenade Urban Integration Study 3

Insert scanned image of Thames

Space Syntax


The London Promenade: Synopsis

The London Promenade project is a proposal to create a new extension to the

existing promenade at the South Bank Centre, eastwards from Gabriel’s Wharf,

along the south bank of the River Thames, via Bankside, Borough Market, and

the Pool of London to connect with the existing jetty at Butler's Wharf.

It would be the logical conclusion to the successful but partial and piecemeal

improvements to the River Walk over the last decade. Significantly enlarged,

incorporating jetties and piers, over the water and under bridges, the London

Promenade would benefit the capital as a whole by creating a new, accessible,

major waterfront park for the 21st century.

The London Promenade would refocus attention on the River Thames at the

heart of London and revitalise the river; define the South Bank as the new

cultural quarter for London and provide a spectacular and safe venue for large

celebrations. Of utmost importance would be its reinforcement of London’s

image and identity, the perception in which it is held in the eyes of the world.

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Space Syntax


Introduction

The aim of this report is to present the findings of a scoping study of

the London Promenade carried out by Space Syntax. For this first

phase of work, Space Syntax has been commissioned by The Thames

Promenade Co. Ltd. to:

• carry out a desktop study by consolidating existing data held

by Space Syntax on pedestrian movement patterns along the

Thames in central London

• to create a ‘low-resolution spatial integration’ model of the

existing Thames Path and to analyse the spatial impact of the

proposed Promenade on the surrounding area

The study was made possible through partial funding by the Pool of

London Partnership.

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Project team

Client Michael Davis, Executive Project Director

The Thames Promenade Co. Ltd.

Concept Michael Davis

Michael Davis Designs

Architects, Masterplanners, Darrel Conybeare and Bill Morrison

Urban and Landscape Conybeare Morrison International Pty Ltd.

Design Consultants

Urban Integration Tim Stonor

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Space Syntax


Space Syntax


Original concept

Reconnecting people to the river

Showcase London to the world

Create a stage for great celebrations

The London Promenade

Prepared for: The Thames Promenade Co. Ltd.

Created by: Michael Davis Designs

In collaboration with: Conybeare Morrison International Pty Ltd,

Architects, Masterplanners, Urban and Landscape Design

Consultants

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Space Syntax


Consultation

GLA Paul Harper & Jamie Dean, AUU

Val Shawcross, GLA member

LB Southwark Cllr Nick Stanton, leader

Cllr Jeffrey Hook, head of regeneration

Paul Evans

CABE Selina Mason, director of design review

Julia Thrift

CRP Savas Sivetides

PLP Linda Houston

CLP Pat Brown

BETTER BANKSIDE Giles Semper

TATE Donald Hyslop

LIVING STREETS Tom Franklin

SBC Michael Lynch

Mike McCart

URBED Nick Faulkes

Esther Caplin

SBCA Rowan Moore

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Space Syntax


Integrated infrastructure

The new pedestrian and cycling artery will:

• improve the infrastructure of Central London and be a major incentive

for commuters to walk or cycle to work, relieving congestion on roads and

public transport

• provide an attractive alternative route to the City and the West End for

the increasing number of South Bank residents

• link major commercial employers along the whole of the south bank

directly to the Waterloo, Blackfriars and London Bridge suburban

interchanges of rail, bus and tube, and to the new pedestrian bridges at

Hungerford, Bankside and the proposed Jubilee Bridge at Cannon Street.

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Space Syntax


New cultural quarter for London

The new pedestrian and cycling artery will:

• benefit the capital as a whole by creating a new, metropolitan park of

international importance

• create a new visitor spine, relieving the Covent Garden, West End and

Knightsbridge axis

• link major visitor and cultural attractions from the South Bank Centre to

Tate Modern, the Globe, Vinopolis, Southwark Cathedral, City Hall, Tower

Bridge and the Design Museum

• capture the growth and wider regeneration benefits expected over the

next 10 – 15 years, through Elephant & Castle, London Bridge and Waterloo

opportunity areas

• allow the central urban section of the River Thames to be used as the stage

for great celebrations and festivals, including the Olympics in 2012. The

promenade itself will develop existing capacity by 150,000 spectators at

moderate density in safety.

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Space Syntax


2.5km recreation facility

The London Promenade will provide:

• a wide recreation facility with greater capacity for walkers, joggers,

runners, roller-bladers and cyclists

• a traffic-free environment, with piazzas opening on to it, as at Tate

Modern, Southwark Cathedral, The Scoop and Potters Fields Park

• diversity and interest through pavilions, kiosks, piers, different surface

treatments, and international public sculpture

• the climax of the long-distance Thames Path and a setting for major

events such as the London Marathon, the Lord Mayor's Show on the

river, the London International Festival of Theatre, Son et Lumière, and

New Year Fireworks displays.

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Space Syntax


Economic potential

The London Promenade will:

• further unlock commercial potential along its whole length, with

shops, cafés, bars, hotels, restaurants, galleries, markets and

performance arts

• promote the day-and night-time economies of London South

Central and benefit local businesses, creating jobs and

encouraging investment

• increase levels of visitors who will, in current terms, bring an

estimated extra £ 650 million pounds per annum to the area

• be a strategic project for London with the potential to generate

substantial economic and social benefits for London as a whole

as well as more localised impacts in Southwark.

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Space Syntax


The Thames

The London Promenade will:

• celebrate the historic central urban section of the River

Thames, the dramatic ebb and flow of the tide, its bridges, its

ever-changing river activities, and the views of the urban north

bank

• provide greater access to the foreshore, whose ecology will be

protected and enhanced

• create a “Blue Ribbon” park, which will connect North London to

South London, and will revitalise and promote the use of the river.

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Spatial Accessibility Transport

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Easily accessible by all means of public transport

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odel of Elephant & Castle development proposal showing the connection to Tate Modern

Commissioned by The London Borough of Southwark

Spatial Accessibility North - South Connections

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Tying together the key north-south routes adding value to the new creative

industries quarter in London South Central

Ease of movement along the London Promenade and new identities will open up the north-south routes which it will

make easier for pedestrians to move into the new creative industries quarter in London South Central.

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Site Context Development Sites

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Part of the continued regeneration process of London’s south bank

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Riverside Walk Peak Pedestrian Flows

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Pedestrian flows are high throughout

Information based on pedestrian movement data collected by Space Syntax between 2000 and 2005.

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Riverside Walk Width

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Several segments of current route are narrow

The width of the Riverside Walk was measured based on OS map 2002.

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Riverside Walk Peak Pedestrian Density

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Pedestrian comfort is compromised

Density was calculated by dividing pedestrian flow levels (hourly basis) by the width of the Riverside Walk (in linear meters). Pedestrian comfort, in this

particular instance, refers to increase in density (over-crowding). Other factors may also affect comfort, but were not part of the scope of this study.

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Twists and Turns Existing

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Too many twists and turns causing confusion and preventing visitors from spending

more time and money along the south bank

A legible route encourages pedestrians to explore, and spend more time along the promenade and in the surrounding area. A higher number of

visitors will bring more money to the whole area benefiting both new and existing local business.

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Twists and Turns Proposal

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Enhanced way-finding and visitors can now enjoy the river walk and its views

The increased width allows improved management of cyclists and pedestrians

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Spatial Accessibility Increase compared with existing

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A much more accessible route

For a technical description of ‘accessibility increase’, refer to ‘Space Syntax Methodology’ at the end of this report. The current analysis

does not include access between bridges and walkways which will be the subject in further studies.

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Space Syntax

London Promenade Urban Integration Study 452006 New Year celebrations

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Pedestrian Movement Current and Potential Use of the Riverside Walk - South London

0

1,000,000

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10,000,000

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people per year

location

Waterloo Bridge

OXO Tower

Blackfriars Bridge

Tate Modern

Southwark Bridge

London Bridge

More London

Shad Thames

Existing data by Space Syntax on pedestrian flows show that 30 million people a year currenlty use the Riverside Walk. The construction of

the London Promenade will increase the accessibility to this area. Based on the increased levels of accessibility, it is estimated that a further

30 million people will use the Riverside Walk. These visitors will, in current terms, bring in an extra £650 million pounds per annum1 to the

area.

1. Based on a marketing survey commissioned by the Pool of London Partnership on visitors’ spending levels in the area (2002).

Space Syntax


Pedestrian Movement Current and Potential Use of the Riverside Walk - South London

60 million people

30 million people

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Space Syntax


Space Syntax methodology

Spatial accessibility values can then be

calculated from the spatial accessibility map by

first selecting a line, then calculating how many

other lines must be used wholly or in part to reach

every other line in the whole spatial accessibility

map. When this calculation is made for each line

in the map it turns out that some lines require

fewer changes of direction than others in order to

cover the rest of the spatial accessibility map.

In every processed spatial accessibility map each

line has a ’spatial accessibility value’ assigned to

it. This value reflects the complexity of routes

from that line to all the others within the system.

This complexity should influence movement in

two ways. First, an accessible line is more easily

accessible than a segregated one because it can

be reached by simpler routes from other lines –

thus it should receive a high degree of ‘to’

movement.

Second, a more accessible line should be more

likely to be selected as part of a route between

other pairs of lines: that is, it will attract more

‘through’ movement. It is the combination of their

role in ‘to’ and ‘through’ movement that make

spatial accessibility values a reasonable measure

to consider in estimating movement potentials.

Space Syntax specialises in the analysis and

design of urban environments and, in particular,

the design of pedestrian linkages and public

spaces.

We make direct observations of pedestrian and

vehicular activity patterns, identify the important

factors that influence these patterns, and then

use purpose-designed computer programs to

incorporate these factors into models that

forecast the effects of new developments.

Spatial integration

An important measure that helps us understand

the spatial structure of an area and its effects on

pedestrian activity is called ‘spatial accessibility’.

Accessibility is based on a map of spatial

connections called ’spatial accessibility map’. The

’spatial accessibility map is constructed on the

basis of an accurate scale map, by drawing the

longest and fewest straight lines, or ‘lines of

sight’, that pass through all the accessible space

in an urban area. The resulting pattern of

intersecting lines is then digitised and the inter-

relationships amongst the lines are analysed

using a bespoke software package. Through this

process an understanding of the essentially

spatial structure and features of an area is built

up.

Movement patterns: the influence of spatial

configuration

Independent research has consistently shown

that spatial configuration as measured by

integration is one of the key factors that influence

movement in urban areas.

Spatial accessibility maps frequently provide a

robust forecast of actual patterns of movement,

with the distribution pattern of movement closely

following the distribution of accessibility values.

We call the amount of movement that can be

accounted for by spatial configuration the ‘natural

movement’ of an area.

London Promenade Urban Integration Study

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