PUBLIC REALM + STREET DESIGN |
Lewisham Public Realm Technical Manual | Lewisham Council
UM led the production of the Lewisham Public Realm Technical Manual for Lewisham Council in London.
The initial stages involved gaining an understanding of the street design issues and local context. Engagement and site visits with a range of officers was carried out to understanding their experiences of delivering street design projects directly, indirectly or through development. We also gained an understanding of the key priorities and challenges faced, such as delivering green and blue infrastructure and adopting nature based solutions. This provided useful insights into how the guide could be used by officers, and the common pitfalls it could address. We also undertook site visits around all areas of the borough to build a picture of common street design approaches, issues and successes. This also enabled the identification of different street types in the borough, adapted from the Roads Task Force categorisation.
The design guide comprises several sections, firstly setting out the key principles for street design in Lewisham, a basic approach to street design and how the guide should be used.
Next, the guide introduces the 10 street types in Lewisham, and an illustrated vision, design principles and exciting precedents for each. This was particularly useful for engaging with local members and communities.
The components section dives into the different features that make up streets, such as footways, carriageways, cycle infrastructure and green infrastructure. Detailed design principles for each are set out, with best practice examples and conditions to avoid creating. References to existing guidance are provided where appropriate.
The penultimate section sets out an illustrated materials and street furniture palette for the borough, based on the local context and place-value. Four overarching palettes are provided, covering prestige areas such as main town centres, enhanced areas such as local high streets, standard materials for typical streets and a conservation palette to provide sensitive treatments in historic environments.
The final section provides an extensive set of template design drawings that can be rolled out in different scenarios, for example side road entry treatments and continuous footways. These technical drawings can be used by officers and developers to deliver street improvements that are consistent, functional and attractive throughout the borough.
The Lewisham Streetscape Design Guide provides a useful reference document for all officers and actors working within streets. It provides clarity on features such as continuous footways, and advocates for, and demonstrates throughout, how a range of policy objectives can be delivered through street design, from supporting walking, wheeling and cycling, to supporting high streets and town centres, to creating greener, more attractive streets that support nature and better manage surface water.
The initial stages involved gaining an understanding of the street design issues and local context. Engagement and site visits with a range of officers was carried out to understanding their experiences of delivering street design projects directly, indirectly or through development. We also gained an understanding of the key priorities and challenges faced, such as delivering green and blue infrastructure and adopting nature based solutions. This provided useful insights into how the guide could be used by officers, and the common pitfalls it could address. We also undertook site visits around all areas of the borough to build a picture of common street design approaches, issues and successes. This also enabled the identification of different street types in the borough, adapted from the Roads Task Force categorisation.
The design guide comprises several sections, firstly setting out the key principles for street design in Lewisham, a basic approach to street design and how the guide should be used.
Next, the guide introduces the 10 street types in Lewisham, and an illustrated vision, design principles and exciting precedents for each. This was particularly useful for engaging with local members and communities.
The components section dives into the different features that make up streets, such as footways, carriageways, cycle infrastructure and green infrastructure. Detailed design principles for each are set out, with best practice examples and conditions to avoid creating. References to existing guidance are provided where appropriate.
The penultimate section sets out an illustrated materials and street furniture palette for the borough, based on the local context and place-value. Four overarching palettes are provided, covering prestige areas such as main town centres, enhanced areas such as local high streets, standard materials for typical streets and a conservation palette to provide sensitive treatments in historic environments.
The final section provides an extensive set of template design drawings that can be rolled out in different scenarios, for example side road entry treatments and continuous footways. These technical drawings can be used by officers and developers to deliver street improvements that are consistent, functional and attractive throughout the borough.
The Lewisham Streetscape Design Guide provides a useful reference document for all officers and actors working within streets. It provides clarity on features such as continuous footways, and advocates for, and demonstrates throughout, how a range of policy objectives can be delivered through street design, from supporting walking, wheeling and cycling, to supporting high streets and town centres, to creating greener, more attractive streets that support nature and better manage surface water.
