Charlestown Streetscape Master Plan. Results of investigations into how the community are using Charlestown Streetscapes

Transcription

1 Charlestown Streetscape Master Plan Results of investigations into how the community are using Charlestown Streetscapes

2 Consultation Purpose Why a consultation process? understand the demographic how and when they use it likes and dislikes barriers to use & development aspirations verify claims about use with observation proposals are relevant to the community dispel misconceptions by designers engage with community: partner in a common goal encourage appropriate development encourage appropriate business encourage complementary programs explain processes & keep community informed

3 Use patterns Data Collection Data collected in 3 key forms: Have Your Say survey Consultation with target groups Recording use patterns on site (photography & user mapping)

4 Use patterns User mapping

5 Use Patterns Have Your Say Survey open for 6 weeks (Fri 26 th Nov to Sun 9 th Jan 2011) Advertised via: News story on council s website Flyers at libraries, CSC, Swim Centre & to target groups Direct consultation with target groups Ezine electronic newsletter Benchmark Random spot surveying in the town centres

6 Age? 183 surveys completed Provides a good idea of use but not a definitive answer Consider as one useful piece of information that helps paint a picture

7 Charlestown Streetscape Master Plan Results (General Questions)

8 Age? Most respondents were aged 23 62yo Younger and older ages also represented

9 Gender? More women than men responded but both well represented

10 Live where? 83% respondents from LM LGA 15% Newcastle 2% Maitland/ Cessnock/ Port Stephens/ Sydney None from Central Coast

11 Live where? Of LM residents: 62% from Charlestown the remainder well spread across city

12 Workers 30% of respondents work within the town centre or own a property there

13 Workers of which: nearly half work east of Pacific Hwy 20% Hilltop Plaza / Pearson St Mall only 4% Charlestown Square 25% elsewhere west of Pacific Hwy

14 Visit how often? Of all respondents, approx 75% visit Charlestown daily or weekly

15 Visit how often? Of the non-workers, visitation was slightly less frequent, however two-thirds still visit daily or weekly

16 Visit when? 70-80% in daytime hours Night time visitation was low (20-30%) but higher than anticipated

17 Visit where? Nearly all visit Charlestown Square, 80% often or always Visitation to other locations is well distributed: Approx 40% often/ always

18 Visit where? Non-workers, frequency of visitation: slightly higher at Charlestown Square lower at other locations

19 Transport? Nearly all drive 20% walk 10% bus 5% cycle 0.5% taxis 0.5% motor scooter (Note: Multiple answers allowed. Does not tally to 100%)

20 Park where? 70% Charlestown Square 30% Hill Top Plaza 25% Library 25% On street 15% private carparks 10% Smith & Frederick 4.5% Tallarah St 3% Elsewhere (Note: Multiple answers allowed. Does not tally to 100%)

21 Parking issues? Some trouble finding parking (orange) Slightly more didn t (brown) 2009 Charlestown Transportation Study: 85% use 150 future spaces (additional to DCP) required to reduce circulation and increase convenience

22 Parking issues? People would like amenity improvements to carparking eg: more shade (pink) better lighting (purple) better walking links (green) No improvements required (brown)

23 Cycling Some desire to cycle to Charlestown, but distances, topography & busy roads are deterrents.

24 Cycling Most important points for cycling: 1. cycleways separate from roadways, 2. pleasant streetscapes (trees, paving, furniture, public art) 3. more bike racks in safe locations

25 Charlestown Streetscape Masterplan Results (Pearson Street Mall Questions)

26 Mall activities Predominantly a thoroughfare Main drawcards are: PO & mail boxes retail shops, and banking

27 Mall activities More passive activities all rated quite low (eg. eating, sitting, reading, smoking, visit market stalls)

28 Mall activities The mall is reasonably well-used at lunchtimes. Workers like time out in an open setting.

29 Seasonal variation No real seasonal variations. People use the mall because they have to, rather than choose to.

30 Mall likes Things people like: quiet ambience and amenity providing respite from the busier Square, convenience of parking and accessing services such as PO and banks.

31 Mall dislikes However, people also feel: mall looks tired, and in need of update has few attractors such as shops and cafes standard of cleanliness is poor (bird poo & noise) unsafe (poor lighting, groups congregating) smoking and cigarette butts protected links (eg Square to mall)

32 To improve use To improve use: 1. lots of cafes and restaurants 2. market stalls, 3. better lighting, 4. organised events (eg. music, live sites ), 1. free wi-fi (internet access), 2. public art, and 3. children s play elements

33 To improve use To improve use: 1. lots of cafes and restaurants 2. market stalls, 3. better lighting, 4. organised events (eg. music, live sites ), 1. free wi-fi (internet access), 2. public art, and 3. children s play elements Few of these would discourage use High level of acceptability in the community Represents good value for money Mix of site works, business initiatives & organised activities.

34 Night use Half of all respondents would use the mall at night with better facilities Supported by the popularity of the South Piazza since opening. All 23-62yo Under 23 Over 62 No No No No Yes Yes Yes Yes

35 Charlestown Streetscape Masterplan Key Points

36 Key Points Repeat visitation by local residents of Charlestown and nearby suburbs is the key market Also workers, also young people Lots of potential for cafes and restaurants: alfresco dining quality and mid-pricing wine bars A village atmosphere with boutique/speciality shops (eg gift shops, art galleries)

37 Key Points More people are needed (a warm busy atmosphere) Live music and organised outdoor events would help achieve this & be well accepted eg. Newcastle Live Sites program, quality night markets (Newcastle s Mall Red Lantern) open air cinema One thing alone won t fix the problems streetscape, buildings, businesses, activities

38 Key Points Most of the upgrade works proposed in the masterplan will be longer term Loss of businesses to Charlestown Sq opportunity for renewal How to address a transitional period in the next 5-10 years needs consideration Critical mass will be an important issue, eg: facilitating a coordinated uptake of tenancies

39 Key Points Potential for the mall to operate in its current condition with some basic improvements: Better lighting (in mall & at carparking etc) Better security (in mall and at carparking etc) Cleanliness issues need addressing