Open space within the city of London is limited. Consequently, the existing policy framework aims to provide access to high quality open space dispersed throughout the city with important initiatives such as the Greater London Authorities 100 Pocket Parks programme. This presentation reviews the type and scale of London’s green spaces, then moves on to discuss how we can make the most of our small-scale local community green spaces, or pocket parks.

1. London's Green Spaces
The Design Challenge.
Marcus Shields
Colvin & Moggridge

2. London’s Green Spaces. The Design
Challenge.
The subject of a recent TFL / Urban Design seminar.
Open space within the city is a limited thus valuable resource.
Consequently, the existing policy framework aims to provide
access to high quality open space dispersed throughout the
city with important initiatives such as the Greater London
Authorities 100 Pocket Parks programme.
This presentation reviews the type and scale of London’s
green spaces, then moves on to discuss how we can make
the most of our small-scale local community green spaces, or
Pocket Parks.

3. Design of green space
How might a green space develop? Considerations of size
and intensity of use. Review of roles and responsibilities of
those involved and ways in which people can be engaged to
shape a successful scheme.
• Urban Green Spaces
• Policy Context
• Strategic location
• Design challenge
• Scheme Design

4. Urban Green Spaces.
Definition: An urban park is also known as green space as it
provides some trees, grass or plants in an area that is
otherwise made up of concrete and pavement. Urban parks
are accessible to the public. The amenities these open green
spaces offer vary depending on each park.
Benefit and aim
“More opportunities for people of all ages to enjoy the space
on their doorsteps, whether they want to relax in the sunshine,
experience nature, grow vegetables, play, compete in sport,
or simply chat with their neighbours in a safe and pleasant
environment.” CABE 2010

5. Urban Green Spaces: Integrated Strategy
Landscape Institute: Local Green Infrastructure extract.

6. Green Spaces: Type & Scale
Large Scale Green Space: Hampstead heath, Corporation of London

7. Green Spaces: Type & Scale
Small Local Scale Green Space: Talacre Park, Camden London.

8. Intensity of use: The Case for Green Spaces
Green Space Publication Landscape Institute
Publication
CABE Space (Design
Council) Publication

9. Historic streetscene – safe and playable
Car-free streets - gird & cleek 1900 Improvised play - hopscotch
“ In pre-industrial societies, common land between buildings and
workshops existed automatically – so it was never necessary to make a
point of it. The paths and streets which gave access to buildings were
safe, social spaces, and therefore functioned automatically as common
land.” Christopher Alexander, A Pattern Language.

10. Concept of Integrated urban green-space
Ebinezer Howard, Garden Cities of Tomorrow, 1902

11. Urban masterplan:
Hampstead garden suburb.
Hampstead garden suburb trust, architect: Sir Raymond Unwin, 1906

12. Historic urban open space
wealthy context
Russell Square, Bloomsbury, London 1800
Google maps

13. Historic urban open space
deprived context
Boundary Estate, Arnold Circus, Shoreditch. 1900.
google maps

14. Quality versus Quantity - S.L.O.A.P
Space Left Over After Planning - undesignated areas
Hackney – Shoreditch - figure ground Hackney - site picture
“ Outdoor spaces which are merely “left over”, will in general, not be used.”
Christopher Alexander, A Pattern Language.

15. Quality versus Quantity - S.L.O.A.P
space left over after planning - undesignated areas
Castlehaven Open Space, Camden.

16. Brief
Policy
Design
Guidance
Regulations
Roles & Responsibilities, Policy Context.
• National Policies,
NPPF, SPG, PPG
• Local Policies, Local
Development framework,
Open Space Plan, Mayor
of London
• Mayor of London
• Borough Design Guides
• Framework Plans
• Open Space Plans
• Design for London
• Design Council
• DDA guidance
• Part M
• British standards
• TPO
• BREAM
• Community Group
• Client
• Local Planning Authority
• Developer
Client &
Community

17. Design Considerations
ideas
proposals
distilled

18. Community driven process

19. Placemaking – Green Space Location
Strategic approach
Footfall and activity Traffic and transport

20. Placemaking – Green Space Location
Existing site amenity-
Any features of high amenity value?
Such as large trees, Natural
elements?
Any unattractive elements?
Connections & desire lines
Well connected & active spaces
create vibrant communities.

21. Placemaking
massing options
enclosed space Southern aspect - sunlitNorthern aspect - shaded

22. Open South facing -
open to light
Enclosed North facing –
shaded by buildings
Placemaking – building heights

23. Placemaking – Edges
Defensible space – no access Activated edge – direct access
Activation and overlooking

24. Activities & Use: What goes into a green Space?
Building Examples:
Library: Books, Education, interpretation, computers.
Hotel: Rooms, Reception, bars, conference facilities.

25. Common Activities and themes

26. Hierarchy of spaces – Who is the space for?
children and families young people
Consideration of local demographic, population, intensity of use.
elderly

27. Community activities
Market space
Allotment - growing space – community facilities Community allotment, Borough,
London
Market Square, Mansfield Park,
Partick, Glasgow

28. Circulation and access
Desire lines – axial path
Edge footpath undefined cross paths
Mansfield Park, Partick, Glasgow
Shoreditch Park, London

29. Enclosure - open or enclosed aspect.
Open
Enclosed Bryant Park, New York, USA
Grahame Park, Colindale London

30. Sports facilities, Play or Playable Space
Play area
Natural Playable Park
St Mary’s Playpark, Elephant &
Castle, London
Storm King, New York State, USA

31. Seating. Location & Number
Overlooking Edge Seating
Feature bench, Flying Angel, NewhamVictorian Benches, Dulwich Park, London

32. Art or is the entire space Art?
Sculpture
Landscape as sculpture
UOL Quad, Liverpool
Charles Jencks landform, Scotland

33. lighting and security
lighting – footpath delineation
enclosure – railings - gateways
Primrose Hill, London
St Mary’s Churchyard, Elephant
and Castle, London

34. The Landscape as a system.
Reed bed planting – integrated SUDS
Accordia, Cambridge
• Integrated SUDS
• Reed Beds
• 2 stage surface drainage.
• Rainwater harvesting
• Stormwater cells / soakaway
• Swales
• Porous paving
• Reduction of heat sink effect

35. Planting and biodiversity
low maintenance – ground cover.
Flying angel, Newham
spring colour – magnolia tree grid
UOL Quad, Liverpool.

36. formal avenue cherry trees, Surrey.
Biodiversity - Wildflower Planting, Hyde Park Rose Garden
Roses, Summer colour - Hyde Park Rose Garden
Planting and biodiversity

37. Lifecycle costing
Lifecycle costing - capital works and future maintenance.
• materiality - simple robust materials - locally distinctive
• who funds? adoptable space, service charge, management company.
• supervision. local authority, friends group. volunteers, park attendant?

38. Options – re-visit the brief and key aims.
brief
policy
design
guidance
regulations
client and
community

39. Proposals, Creation of a successful
Greenspace

40. www.colmog.co.uk
m.shields@colmog.co.uk
Marcus Shields, Colvin & Moggridge.
Landscape Architect & Urban Designer.
“Modern tower blocks tend to dominate their surroundings.
Preservation of existing tree groups and careful ground
shaping with very broad simple treatment integrates them
happily into the landscape. Close co-operation between
Architect and Landscape Architect is needed at the outset.”
Brenda Colvin 1962