Chet
Cyburbian Emeritus
- Messages
- 10,623
- Points
- 34
OK all you Miinnesotans and Canucks, this one's for you... 
In designing cold climate pedestrian plazas boulevards and other outdoor spaces where people not only assemble, but are expected to travel extensively by foot, what are some of the design considerations you utilize. The site I'm dealing with is over a mile in length and links major attractions. Underground tunnel or full enclosure are not an option.
Here's what I can think of off the top of my head, please add to the list:
-Frequent places of interest to stop and warm up out of the elements. (Indoor kiosk type coffee stands, local culture or history exhibits, etc)
-Using outdoor public art spaces to double as wind breaks, bearing in mind prevailing wind patterns and snow drifting implications
-Recognize that building shadow lines can leave shaded spaces icy in freeze thaw cycles. Where space permits, use visual cues (pavers, art, light) to direct foot traffic to areas away from where building shadow lines are likely to fall.
-Landscape design that is multiseason, and not just a bunch of junipers.
-Transition landscape design themes to give visual cues that the person is making progress from one end to the other.
What else in genreal would you think of trying?
In designing cold climate pedestrian plazas boulevards and other outdoor spaces where people not only assemble, but are expected to travel extensively by foot, what are some of the design considerations you utilize. The site I'm dealing with is over a mile in length and links major attractions. Underground tunnel or full enclosure are not an option.
Here's what I can think of off the top of my head, please add to the list:
-Frequent places of interest to stop and warm up out of the elements. (Indoor kiosk type coffee stands, local culture or history exhibits, etc)
-Using outdoor public art spaces to double as wind breaks, bearing in mind prevailing wind patterns and snow drifting implications
-Recognize that building shadow lines can leave shaded spaces icy in freeze thaw cycles. Where space permits, use visual cues (pavers, art, light) to direct foot traffic to areas away from where building shadow lines are likely to fall.
-Landscape design that is multiseason, and not just a bunch of junipers.
-Transition landscape design themes to give visual cues that the person is making progress from one end to the other.
What else in genreal would you think of trying?