Urban design interventions & urbanity: the case of Addington

Abstract

Urban public open spaces mirror the complex processes of urban societies and embed themselves deep within the character of a city. The quality and character of these spaces have an effect on people’s experience of urbanity (Montgomery, 1998). The concept of urbanity in its simplest form is the experience of urban life, this experience is made up of different spatial and social components that combine to provide a person with a certain type of experience.

Drawing on public life study data gathered through observation methods, this research examines the urban design and urbanity qualities of public open spaces and attempts to provide design recommendations at both a low budget and high budget scale that can enhance the experience of urbanity for the user, exemplified in this research through a case study of Addington, Christchurch.

The discussion advances theory around designing for urbanity and the use of low budget design solutions to test urban design ideas before permanent solutions are implemented, creating a successional urban design process. This urban design process has the potential to assist urban designers, landscape architects and property developers in sourcing solutions to urban design problems through low budget means in today’s austere economic conditions.