83 Re-integrate the River Torrens

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R e - i n te g ra te t h e R i ve r To rre n s
The river is a landmark of Adelaide and is fortunate to have
a wide selection of public spaces on its banks. The River
Torrens is a special part of Adelaide, which needs to
strengthen its significant position of being situated in the
Park Lands and at the city’s edge.
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Stitch river and city together by ensuring direct
access and visual links between North Terrace and
the River Torrens.
Strengthen the connections to and across the river
by strengthening the river identity and ensure good
distinct connections to the river.
Ensure various activities along and on the river by
providing a recreational programme with different
options and activities.
Recommendations • Gehl Architects • Public Spaces and Public Life Adelaide 2011
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The River Torrens meanders through Adelaide and softens
the layout of the city. There is a clear connection in the plan
between city, river and Park Lands. A connection which
today appears somehow lost.
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S t i t ch i n g r i ve r a n d c i t y t o g e t h e r
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Re-integrate the River Torrens
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North Terrace
Government
House
Garden
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New University of Adelaide Campus
Government
House
New University of Adelaide Campus
Garden
Inteface between the river and the city
City edge
Government House Garden and New Torrens River Park
Upgraded Riverfront Precinct
New University of Adelaide Campus
New Royal Adelaide Hospital Site
Railway
T h e G ove rn m e n t H o u s e G a rd e n
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Investigate the opportunity to open up the garden
around Government House for the public. The garden
could be a beautiful distinct physical and visual
connection between the city and the river - through the
Pioneer Women’s Memorial Gardens and the Parade
Grounds.
T h e U n i ve r s i t y o f A d e l a i d e a n d C u l t u ra l
P re c i n c t
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The University of Adelaide has expressed interest in
expanding into the old hospital site, a change of use
which would would open up new ways of addressing
the entire area. Currently the university area is quite
introverted, while a new addition could assist in
opening up the campus, especially towards the east,
but also towards Frome Road, which could be a strong
characteristic spine through the entire university
precinct.
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The university needs to address its uninviting frontages
along Kintore Avenue and Victoria Drive.
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A stronger mixed use should be encouraged with the
expansion of the university to reflect a city quarter,
where activity also takes place in the evening and
during summer holidays.
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Frome Street
Frome
Street
Pulteney
Street
Pulteney Street
Gawler Place
Gawler
Place
King
William
Street
King William Street
T h e C o nve n t i o n a n d F e s t i va l C e n t re
p re c i n c t
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Develop a holistic masterplan for the entire area, which
rethinks access, thoroughfares and interface with the
city and the river. The recently presented Riverbank
Masterplan is mentioning these issues.
Montefiore Road
North Terrace
Montefiore Road
West Terrace
West Terrace
Upgraded Riverfront Precinct
Upgraded Riverfront Precinct
Kintore Avenue
New Torrens River Park
T h e N e w R oya l A d e l a i d e H o s p i t a l s i te
New Torrens River Park
New Royal Adelaide Hospital site
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This new site holds a significant opportunity to deal
Po
rt R Hospital site
with the vast railway yards and turn this area into an New Royal Adelaide
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active and compelling part of the city, that does not rt Roa
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only hold qualities for the people working or visiting,
but also offers views to the river, activities within, high
quality architecture and a campus layout that balances
buildings and park in an intelligent way.
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Direct and attractive links through the NRAH site should
be prioritised.
King William Road
Between North Terrace and the River Torrens is a special
part of Adelaide, which needs to embrace its significant
position of being situated in the Park Lands, at the city’s
edge and at the riverbank.
Kintore
KingAvenue
William Road
The analysis outlines the current problems where
developments have gradually closed off the immediate
and direct contact between the city and the river. Access
to the river from North Terrace is difficult from a number
of spots and visually buildings are blocking the views.
This, together with the topographical setting, makes
public access to the riverfront unacceptably indirect and
complicated or not possible at all.
R i ve r i n t e r fa c e p ri n c i p l e
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Public Spaces and Public Life Adelaide 2011 • Gehl Architects • Recommendations
B l o cke d v i e w s a n d d i ff i c u l t a c c e s s
We a k i n t e r fa c e b e t w e e n c i t y a n d ri ve r
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D i re c t a c c e s s
Vi s u a l l i n k s
B
Bartels Road
Re-integrate the River Torrens
CHALLENGES
T h e G ove r n m e n t H o u s e G a r d e n
T h e wa l l c re a te s a b a rri e r
The wall around Government House forms a barrier
between the city and the river and blocks the visual
contact to the garden. The garden is private grounds
and appears introverted and under-utilised.
Government House Wall facing North Terrace
We a k l i n k s
The links between North Terrace and the river are
weakened and unattractive for pedestrians because
of the wall.
POTENTIALS
C e l e b r a t e G ove rn m e n t H o u s e G a r d e n a s
a p u b l i c ga r d e n
Investigate the opportunity to open up the garden
around Government House for the public. The
garden could be a beautiful distinct physical and
visual connection between the city and the river through Pioneer Women’s Memorial Gardens and
the Parade Grounds. Add recreational programs
with deckchairs and coffee ‘to stay’ as well as
temporary activities and events.
Vision for
Government House Garden
L o n g te rm s t ra te g y
S t a ge 1 - Vi e w s
S t a ge 2 - E ve n t s
S t a ge 3 - P u b l i c Pa rk
Strengthen the visual and
physical links between the
city and the river by providing
a fence offering unique views
into the garden (with reference
to the existing picket fence
along King William Road
offering views into the garden)
Let the garden come into
play by organising temporary
activities and events for the
public.
Open Goverment House Garden as
an an attractive public garden and a
strong link netween North Terrace and
the river. Develop a garden program to
keep the garden actvated.
Recommendations • Gehl Architects • Public Spaces and Public Life Adelaide 2011
85
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Strengthen the connections between the river and the city
Railway
Proposed connections that could be established
Existing connections that can be strengthened:
1. Morphett Street Bridge / Montefiore Road.
2. Adelaide Convention Centre.
3. Adelaide Plaza.
4. Station Road / Festival Drive.
5. King William / Festival Centre Plaza.
6. Kintore Avenue.
7. Path through the University of Adelaide.
8. Frome Road.
R i ve r l i n k s p ri n c i p l e
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Frome Street
3.
New University of Adelaide Campus
Pulteney Street
2.
North Terrace
Kintore Avenue
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Gawler Place
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Government
House
Garden
King William Street
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Upgraded Riverfront Precinct
Montefiore Road
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West Terrace
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King William Road
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New Torrens River Park
New Royal Adelaide Hospital site
I m p rove a c c e s s i b i l i t y
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Add more pedestrian/ bicycling bridges across the river
eg. at Kintore Avenue or at the Festival Centre.
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Ensure a distinct and direct connection along the river
to the new development at Bowden for walking and
bicycling.
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Create strong links between Linear Park Trail, the Park
Lands trails and trails to the landscape surrounding
Adelaide.
C o m p l i c a te d l a b y ri n t h
I n a c t i v e g ro u n d f l o o r s
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S t re n g t h e n t h e ri v e r i d e n t i t y
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Create a unique design profile to strengthen the
character and identity of the River Torrens. The design
profile can cover paving, landscaping, street furniture,
lighting, artwork and a signage program.
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Activate the ground floor frontages facing the river
to create a lively river promenade for walking with
interesting experiences and with a mix of uses.
(The Convention Centre, the Festival Centre and the
University of Adelaide).
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Access to the river is difficult and the essential problem
with the existing conditions is the rather massive building
front which is situated between North Terrace and the
River Torrens. This makes public access to the riverbank
unacceptably indirect and complicated or not possible
at all. Attempts have been made through the recently
released Draft Riverbank Masterplan but more needs to
be done.
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S t r e n g t h e n t h e c o n n e c t i o n s t o a n d a c r o s s t h e r i ve r
E n s u re go o d c o n n e c t i o n s to t h e ri v e r
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Re-establish the passages from North Terrace to the
River by ensuring clear, direct and distinct physical and
visual passages to the river.
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Ensure significant physical and visual links to the river
through the future development of the New Royal
Adelaide Hospital and any development that may occur
on the old hospital site.
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Re-integrate the River Torrens
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Public Spaces and Public Life Adelaide 2011 • Gehl Architects • Recommendations
Distinct connections
Ac t i ve s t re e t s c a p e
Views to the water, Malmø, Sweden
New Campus
Re-integrate the River Torrens
E n s u r e v a r i o u s a c t i v i t i e s a l o n g a n d o n t h e r i ve r
The riverbank must continue to provide a flexible
framework for many varied activities from large events
that require massive organizational planning and many
people to carry out the work, to small daily errands
that take place automatically. A good framework for
accommodating fixed, flexible and fleeting activities is
an important precondition if many different activities and
many different people with different opinions are to meet
and benefit from the varied life that the river can provide.
T h e f i xe d a c t i v i t i e s
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Fixed activities like a restaurant, a theatre, a park etc.
The activities people choose to visit regardless of the quality of the public space.
L i n e a r Pa rk Tr a i l
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Ensure that the Linear Park Trail along the river is joined
together and that it is easy to navigate.
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Improve guiding to and along the trail.
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Ensure resting opportunities on comfortable benches
and human scaled lighting along the trail.
Copenhagen, Denmark
York, England
The flexible activities
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Flexible and optional activities that follow seasons and day; sailing with canoes / kayaks
and model ships, enjoying the sun or fishing from pontoons, paddling in shallow water
etc.
The activities people choose to do, because the public space is inviting.
Berlin, Germany
Paris, France
Copenhagen, Denmark
The fleeting activities
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Fleeting and spontaneous activities like exploring art exhibitions, attending festivals,
events, dancing lessons, parades, happenings, political demonstrations etc.
The activities people deliberately plan in the public spaces.
Copenhagen, Denmark
Copenhagen, Denmark
R e c re a t i o n a l p ro g r a m m e
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Develop the river into a connecting ‘blue’ recreational
public space.
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Invite people to enjoy the water and the scenic
landscape providing pleasure and excitement.
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Develop recreational programs on land with deckchairs
and coffee ‘to stay’, art and sculpture walks, artistic/
scenic lighting, water zoo, playgrounds, fitness, dog
training etc.
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Current recreational activities of casual jogging, bike
riding, outdoor fitness for all ages and rowing on the
river should be encouraged and further strengthened.
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Explore the possibilities of recreational programs
related to the water like: sailing with canoes / kayaks
and model ships, fishing from pontoons in the water,
events on the water etc.
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Explore the possibilities for placing bathing/paddling
pools for children or a simple outdoor public bath for all
ages in the river.
S u s t a i n a b i l i t y p ro g r a m m e
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Develop outdoor information on the riverbanks
informing the public of water shortage, ways of reusing water and saving water.
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Ensure storm water collection at the river banks.
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Create an overview of the flora and fauna along the
river and ensure that species are recorded and kept.
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Gradually install measures to improve the water quality.
Copenhagen, Denmark
Recommendations • Gehl Architects • Public Spaces and Public Life Adelaide 2011
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Public Spaces and Public Life Adelaide 2011 • Gehl Architects • Recommendations