STREETSCAPE + URBAN REALM DESIGN |
Marylebone High Street | Westminster City Council + Cross River Partnership
Westminster City Council (WCC) was awarded Transport for London funding through the Mayor of London’s Air Quality Management Fund, to create a Low Emissions Neighbourhood (LEN) in Marylebone. The LEN aimed to improve air quality by delivering a broad range of public realm and behaviour change measures on streets.
WCC commissioned Urban Movement to work with stakeholders to create and deliver an urban realm scheme along Marylebone High Street, Paddington Street, and George Street - aimed at improving air quality through physical intervention.
Our principal approach to the project was grounded in the understanding that to successfully tackle air pollution in Marylebone, we needed to reduce the amount of pollutants that are emitted into the atmosphere - by reducing vehicles’ ability to do so - as well as lessening the impact of pollutants that are emitted - and are already in the air. To deliver on this we developed a series of strategies.
REMOVING UNNECESSARY TURNING MOVEMENTS
Marylebone High Street allowed vehicles to proceed southbound down the street unimpeded, however moving north, a series of forced ‘loops’ are in operation, increasing the number of turns required by vehicles and the amount of stopping and starting.
As a result of this strategy, we aimed to design a street that minimised the amount of vehicle movements, with tightened geometries at junctions to reduce the amount of pollutants that are being emitted into the atmosphere, improve safety by reducing vehicle speeds, and make the streets more attractive to walk and cycle along.
UTILISING TECHNOLOGY
There are numerous ways in which technology can form a vital cornerstone in efforts to improve air quality. From inventions such as ‘Pluvo’ or ‘City Tree’ that absorb pollutants already in the atmosphere, to softer measures that can reduce the amount of pollutants emitted in the first place.
As part of this strategy, we explored opportunities for smarter delivery strategies in the Marylebone area, as well as opportunities to instal air quality displays to inform people of the quality of the air. Mitigating technology such as Noxer paving that ‘eats’ pollutants was also explored and specified where appropriate.
INCREASING GREENSPACE + PLANTING
Increasing the amount of greenspace, planting, and tree planting is necessary for mitigating the impact of pollutants already in the atmosphere. In addition to the affect of planting on airbourne pollutants, trees and planting also have a very positive affect on people’s experience of a street and the visual quality of it, as well as providing shade and shelter, making it more enjoyable to walk and so in turn reducing the amount of pollutants emitted through modal shift.
As a result of this strategy, UM explored all opportunities for additional green infrastructure, above and beyond what had been examined before - finding extensive new planting opportunities.
MAXIMISING ‘BAGGY SPACE’
The streets of Marylebone allowed vehicles to move along the street, and stop to park or load in certain areas. However they also provided undefined space for vehicles to stop outside both of these zones, without blocking vehicle movement. This activity is often undertaken with engines still running, whilst a passenger pops into shops - however this stopping is unwanted and not permitted, and has a negative impact on air quality.
As a result of this strategy UM undertook an exercise of formalising the street, and maximising the benefits of the available space to improve air quality, and prioritise people on the street to support the local community and businesses. In essence, the idea was to find all the spots which weren’t working as hard as they could - from smaller sites to larger areas - and turn them into catalysts for improved air quality, biodiversity, and enjoyment.
The Marylebone LEN scheme is now on site, with several interventions and schemes completed, with others currently under construction.
Project Director - Christopher Martin
Lead Landscape Architect - Ian Hingley
WCC commissioned Urban Movement to work with stakeholders to create and deliver an urban realm scheme along Marylebone High Street, Paddington Street, and George Street - aimed at improving air quality through physical intervention.
Our principal approach to the project was grounded in the understanding that to successfully tackle air pollution in Marylebone, we needed to reduce the amount of pollutants that are emitted into the atmosphere - by reducing vehicles’ ability to do so - as well as lessening the impact of pollutants that are emitted - and are already in the air. To deliver on this we developed a series of strategies.
REMOVING UNNECESSARY TURNING MOVEMENTS
Marylebone High Street allowed vehicles to proceed southbound down the street unimpeded, however moving north, a series of forced ‘loops’ are in operation, increasing the number of turns required by vehicles and the amount of stopping and starting.
As a result of this strategy, we aimed to design a street that minimised the amount of vehicle movements, with tightened geometries at junctions to reduce the amount of pollutants that are being emitted into the atmosphere, improve safety by reducing vehicle speeds, and make the streets more attractive to walk and cycle along.
UTILISING TECHNOLOGY
There are numerous ways in which technology can form a vital cornerstone in efforts to improve air quality. From inventions such as ‘Pluvo’ or ‘City Tree’ that absorb pollutants already in the atmosphere, to softer measures that can reduce the amount of pollutants emitted in the first place.
As part of this strategy, we explored opportunities for smarter delivery strategies in the Marylebone area, as well as opportunities to instal air quality displays to inform people of the quality of the air. Mitigating technology such as Noxer paving that ‘eats’ pollutants was also explored and specified where appropriate.
INCREASING GREENSPACE + PLANTING
Increasing the amount of greenspace, planting, and tree planting is necessary for mitigating the impact of pollutants already in the atmosphere. In addition to the affect of planting on airbourne pollutants, trees and planting also have a very positive affect on people’s experience of a street and the visual quality of it, as well as providing shade and shelter, making it more enjoyable to walk and so in turn reducing the amount of pollutants emitted through modal shift.
As a result of this strategy, UM explored all opportunities for additional green infrastructure, above and beyond what had been examined before - finding extensive new planting opportunities.
MAXIMISING ‘BAGGY SPACE’
The streets of Marylebone allowed vehicles to move along the street, and stop to park or load in certain areas. However they also provided undefined space for vehicles to stop outside both of these zones, without blocking vehicle movement. This activity is often undertaken with engines still running, whilst a passenger pops into shops - however this stopping is unwanted and not permitted, and has a negative impact on air quality.
As a result of this strategy UM undertook an exercise of formalising the street, and maximising the benefits of the available space to improve air quality, and prioritise people on the street to support the local community and businesses. In essence, the idea was to find all the spots which weren’t working as hard as they could - from smaller sites to larger areas - and turn them into catalysts for improved air quality, biodiversity, and enjoyment.
The Marylebone LEN scheme is now on site, with several interventions and schemes completed, with others currently under construction.
Project Director - Christopher Martin
Lead Landscape Architect - Ian Hingley
