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In the modern world, the quality of public spaces directly affects the desire of people to spend time on the streets of the city.
This work is devoted to the study of the urban environment of the historical center of Irkutsk and its social life. Key recommendations and examples of their testing are given.

Date
Location
Study project


2020-2021
Irkutsk, Russian Federation
Moscow, Russian Federation











BACKGROUND

Due to the changing lifestyle and user requirements, public spaces in the 21st century face new challenges in order to be attractive. Since today's citizens have more free time, they will spend it in a public place only if it is of high quality, and access to it is simple and convenient.

One of the main criteria for the development of any city is the quality of public life.

Public life in the center of Irkutsk is not sufficiently developed to prevent people from migrating from the city.

This is due to the fact that the urban environment, although it has great potential, is now in an unsatisfactory state and needs a radical restructuring.


THE OBJECT OF THE STUDY

The center of Irkutsk as an object of research and design was not chosen by chance.

Historically established urban areas have greater advantages and better conditions for further development than younger areas. At the same time, the old center is the face of the city, it carries out the main social and commercial activities, there is a more active urban life.








1. AMENITIES


The historical features of the city are studied.












Key recommendations














Case “Glazkovsky Bridge”





Today, the Glazkovsky Bridge is a noisy and dirty place where you absolutely do not want to be. The cycling environment is not adapted here –there is nowhere to sit down, there is no opportunity to stop and enjoy the view. Road bumpers occupy the space of pedestrians and spoil the view.









 








Glazkovsky Bridge after transformations. There was a place for everyone: pedestrians, cyclists, and public transport. Now you can sit here and enjoy the view of the Angara River.







2. URBAN LANDSCAPE

The components of the urban environment are studied.










Key recommendations











Case “Irkutsk Courtyard”







Now Irkutsk courtyards are an empty space filled with cars, where there is no place to have a good time, gather with friends or have picnics.




CONTEXT

Historically formed courtyards of the city center have great potential for development: there is a lot of greenery, ancient architecture around, work, housing, children's institutions are located nearby – pedestrians of different ages walk along the street. Now yards are used as places for storing cars, although due to the human scale of the development and the historical value of the place, they have every chance of developing their potential.
3 STEPS FOR QUICK CHANGES.

1. Close the yard from cars to make place for pedestrians.

2. Organize a cafe with tables on the street for the development of a local hotbed of activity in the area.

3. Improve visual comfort by creating high-quality design: new paving, additional landscaping, restoration and repair of the surrounding buildings.












3. MOBILITY


Pedestrian and transport movements are being studied.











Key recommendations











Case “Stepana Razina Street”






CONTEXT

Narrow uncomfortable sidewalks, many obstacles in the way of pedestrians, lack of greenery, noise and unpleasant smell from cars do not allow you to enjoy the street. There are no conditions for having a good time here, urban life is not developing here.
POTENCIAL

  • The main street of the neighborhood
  • Historical heritage of different ages
  • A harmonious blend of housing, study, work and trade
  • Quite a lot of pedestrians
  • The tram route connects the center with the rest of the districts
  • The entire city center is within walking distance










POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS

1. Close the street for a private car.

2. Increase the width of sidewalks.

3. Organize a two-way bicycle lane as an alternative to personal transport.

4. Organize places for sitting on sidewalks.

5. Support sidewalk commercial activities, from tables in summer cafes to the sale of newspapers and magazines.
6. To make the intersection of tram tracks safe and convenient for all groups of the population with the help of special paving, ramps and crossing signs.

7. To promote pastime on sidewalks: to hold fairs, flea markets, children's parties.

8. Introduce a green infrastructure into the street to create comfortable conditions for moving around the city and managing stormwater.






Due to the central position and the structure of the human scale development, the street can become the best place for walking.




© Copyright Sych Eugenia 2024