Shaping a quality public realm Matthew J Bell

Shaping a quality public realm Matthew J. Bell, FAIA Professor- Univ. of Maryland Principal- Perkins Eastman Architects

• How to shape a quality public realm Good design principles Role of density in achieving community goals • Role of ANC Commissioners in PUDs How can they best represent the public interest in this process?

How to shape a quality public realm • Embrace history • Support housing diversity • Provide convenient and accessible retail and transit • Design connected, multi-modal streets • Introduce green infrastructure • Deploy buildings to define the public realm

Embrace History

Embrace History

Housing diversity and choice • Housing for all stages of life in one community (avoid monoculture) • Physical integration means economic integration • Social equity • More housing, more choice

Housing diversity

Conn. Ave: Retail, housing and transit Chevy Chase DC And Nebraska Conn. and Van Ness Cleveland Park Woodley Park

commercial Duplex Apartments Single Family

Coverage & density

Reversed fg

Green Infrastructure

Green Infrastructure

Defining the street

Design multi-modal streets

Increased Crossing Distance** Turning Radius Crossing Distance* 5 m (16. 4 ft = 196 in) 10. 8 m (35. 4 ft = 424 in) 0. 8 m (2. 6 ft = 30 in) 10 m (32. 8 ft = 392 in) 15. 7 m (51. 5 ft = 617 in) 5. 7 m (18. 7 ft = 223 in) 15 m (49. 2 ft = 591 in) 22 m (72. 2 ft = 866 in) 12 m (39. 4 ft = 472 in)

Walk-able towns and villages

Defining the street

Defining the street

Defining the street

Defining the street

How to shape a quality public realm • Walk-able urbanism – Interconnected streets and neighborhoods – Buildings that define the public realm – Neighborhood retail within 10 minute walk – Access to transit choice – Safe and green streets

The ANC

The ANC • Role of ANC Commissioners in PUDs? • How can they best represent the public interest in this process?

How can ANC’s best represent the public interest in this process? • Ask a lot of questions • Understand what public benefits are possible • Discuss in the context of “interests, ” not “positions”

How can ANC’s best represent the public interest in this process? • What will this place be like? – Picture? Precedent? • How is the public environment designed? • How does the design relate to our neighborhood?