Re-integrate the River Torrens

1 Re-integrate the River Torrens 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. 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 83

Terrace ann Road Road Re-integrate the River Torrens Stitching river and city together Mill Street Mill Street Hill Street Buxton Street Barnard Street Hill Street Buxton Street Barnard Street Jeffcott Street Jeffcott Street vre Terrace Connel Street O Connel Street Tynte Street Tynte Street Archer Street Archer Street Ward Street Ward Street Brougham Place Brougham Place Kingston Terrace Kingston Terrace Stanley Street Stanley Street Melbourne Street Melbourne Street 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. Strangeways Terrace Strangeways Terrace Finniss Street Finniss Street 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. 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. The New Royal Adelaide Hospital site This new site holds a significant opportunity to deal with the vast railway yards and turn this area into an active and compelling part of the city, that does not 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. Direct and attractive links through the NRAH site should be prioritised. The Convention and Festival Centre precinct 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. New Torrens River Park New Torrens River Park New Royal Adelaide Hospital site Upgraded Riverfront Precinct Government House New Royal Adelaide Hospital site Upgraded Riverfront Precinct Government House Garden Garden Port Road West Terrace Port Road West Terrace Montefiore Road North Terrace Montefiore Road King William Road North Terrace King William Street Kintore King Avenue William Road King Gawler William Place Street Kintore Avenue Gawler Place Pulteney Street Frome Road Frome Pulteney Street Street Frome Road Inteface between the river and the city City edge Frome Street Government House Garden and New Torrens River Park Upgraded Riverfront Precinct New Royal Adelaide Hospital Site Railway Bartels Road B The Government House Garden 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. The University of Adelaide and Cultural Precinct 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. The university needs to address its uninviting frontages along Kintore Avenue and Victoria Drive. 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. River interface principle Blocked views and difficult access Weak interface between city and river Direct access Visual links 84 Public Spaces and Public Life Adelaide 2011 Gehl Architects Recommendations

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

Re-integrate the River Torrens Mill Street Buxton Street Strengthen the connections to and across the river Hill Street Barnard Street Jeffcott Street nel Street Tynte Street Archer Street Ward Street Brougham Place ce Kingston Terrace Stanley Street Melbourne Street d 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. Strangeways Terrace Finniss Street Strengthen the river identity 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. 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). Ensure good connections to the river Re-establish the passages from North Terrace to the River by ensuring clear, direct and distinct physical and visual passages to the river. 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. Improve accessibility Add more pedestrian/ bicycling bridges across the river eg. at Kintore Avenue or at the Festival Centre. Ensure a distinct and direct connection along the river to the new development at Bowden for walking and bicycling. Create strong links between Linear Park Trail, the Park Lands trails and trails to the landscape surrounding Adelaide. New Royal Adelaide Hospital site Port Road West Terrace New Torrens River Park Montefiore Road King William Road Upgraded Riverfront Precinct Government House Garden 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. North Terrace King William Street Kintore Avenue Gawler Place Strengthen the connections between the river and the city Pulteney Street Frome Road 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. Frome Street New Campus River links principle Complicated labyrinth Inactive ground floors Distinct connections Active streetscape Views to the water, Malmø, Sweden 86 Public Spaces and Public Life Adelaide 2011 Gehl Architects Recommendations

Re-integrate the River Torrens Ensure various activities along and on the river The fixed activities Fixed activities like a restaurant, a theatre, a park etc. The activities people choose to visit regardless of the quality of the public space. 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. York, England The flexible activities 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 The fleeting activities 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. Linear Park Trail Ensure that the Linear Park Trail along the river is joined together and that it is easy to navigate. Improve guiding to and along the trail. Ensure resting opportunities on comfortable benches and human scaled lighting along the trail. Recreational programme Develop the river into a connecting blue recreational public space. Invite people to enjoy the water and the scenic landscape providing pleasure and excitement. 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. Current recreational activities of casual jogging, bike riding, outdoor fitness for all ages and rowing on the river should be encouraged and further strengthened. 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. Explore the possibilities for placing bathing/paddling pools for children or a simple outdoor public bath for all ages in the river. Sustainability programme Develop outdoor information on the riverbanks informing the public of water shortage, ways of reusing water and saving water. Ensure storm water collection at the river banks. Create an overview of the flora and fauna along the river and ensure that species are recorded and kept. Gradually install measures to improve the water quality. Recommendations Gehl Architects Public Spaces and Public Life Adelaide 2011 87

88 Public Spaces and Public Life Adelaide 2011 Gehl Architects Recommendations