News & Discussion: Squares and Parklands

[Waewick]

Not complaining about the development (although i think many road users would)

But what about finishing Vic Square.

[rev]

Not complaining about the development (although i think many road users would)

But what about finishing Vic Square.

As a road user who uses this route multiple times weekly, I think some changes are well over due.

The northern bit from Hindley to the bends leading to/from Currie st need to be fixed as well particularly the side heading north. The traffic lanes specifically in the 's bend' bits are far too narrow, most drivers struggle to stay within their lane. Heading north they've painted a bike lane in. Far too narrow, combined with the narrow traffic lanes it's dangerous. Haven't seen any cyclists hit, yet, but it's a matter of time imho.

There's a pretty useless median strip there. Get rid of it, replace it with some concrete and a barrier of some sort, and use the extra space to increase the width of the traffic and bike lanes.
That would also stop people trying to cross the road there especially during peak hours and on Saturday nights and force them to use the pedestrian crossing. Since this is all about improving pedestrian access and safety.

Here's a dodgy mock up of an idea for that southern section of the square.

- Heading north remove the parking on the side of the street make it a wider pedestrian area. Straighten up most of that end section there. Get rid of that media island area. Bring the traffic lights right back there. Drivers have 3 lanes, 4 options. Lane 1 turn left onto Waymouth. Lane 2 continue south or veer right onto Waymouth. Lane 3 u turn back north.
- Heading east bring the traffic lights right back from where they are now. Drivers have 3 options as they do now. Left/south onto Morphett or continue straight/east from lane 1, and lane 2 veer north into Light Square.
- Heading west from Waymouth. Get rid of the median island and slip/merge lane. Traffic lights installed right back there. Lane 1 turn left/north into Light Square. Lane 2 continue east/waymouth or turn south onto Morphett.

Realign the roads/intersection as needed.
They could probably reduce the east side heading north down to 2 lanes from 3.

Remove the parking bays there and create larger footpaths and wider bike lanes.
Those car parks are more of a hinderance and nuisance then they are useful.

[Patrick_27]

Hindmarsh Square is probably the only one of our major CBD squares meeting some of its potential in its current form (but it still could be even better). Meanwhile, Hurtle Square, Victoria Square and Light Square are all hindered by the road networks around them. Road users will complain but Victoria Square and Light Square should not have roads running directly through them, all roads should go around.

[abc]

Hindmarsh Square is probably the only one of our major CBD squares meeting some of its potential in its current form (but it still could be even better). Meanwhile, Hurtle Square, Victoria Square and Light Square are all hindered by the road networks around them. Road users will complain but Victoria Square and Light Square should not have roads running directly through them, all roads should go around.

actually the roads going around them are as much a problem as it creates an island effect which makes the squares under-utilised

in European cities they would be plazas however Australian town planners don't like plazas because they would give the townsfolk somewhere to gather and air their grievances en masse

I would argue that Whitmore square is close to meeting its potential as its in a sleepy part of town its easier to casually cross those roads to enter the park without waiting for lights

[Nort]

Not complaining about the development (although i think many road users would)

But what about finishing Vic Square.

The parklands 2036 strategy currently going through public consultation covers all the cities squares, including Victoria.

[SRW]

Hindmarsh Square is probably the only one of our major CBD squares meeting some of its potential in its current form (but it still could be even better). Meanwhile, Hurtle Square, Victoria Square and Light Square are all hindered by the road networks around them. Road users will complain but Victoria Square and Light Square should not have roads running directly through them, all roads should go around.

Hindmarsh Square is the least pleasant to be in IMO. Aside the northern quadrants, it's barely more than a series of traffic refuges. I find it quite exasperating too because it offers the quickest win -- simply reduce the bite of asphalt on the southern, eastern and western sides.

[SRW]

Not complaining about the development (although i think many road users would)

But what about finishing Vic Square.

Any works on Light Square are still about 5 years away, but there's an added impetus because of the influx of residents in the vicinity. The city should be an attractive place to live.

But wholeheartedly agree about Vic Square. It looks more and more ramshackle with each year. Hardly befitting a capital city.

[A-Town]

Not complaining about the development (although i think many road users would)

But what about finishing Vic Square.

Any works on Light Square are still about 5 years away, but there's an added impetus because of the influx of residents in the vicinity. The city should be an attractive place to live.

But wholeheartedly agree about Vic Square. It looks more and more ramshackle with each year. Hardly befitting a capital city.

It pains me to see the original Victoria Square masterplan concept compared to what we've ended up with.

[abc]

Not complaining about the development (although i think many road users would)

But what about finishing Vic Square.

Any works on Light Square are still about 5 years away, but there's an added impetus because of the influx of residents in the vicinity. The city should be an attractive place to live.

But wholeheartedly agree about Vic Square. It looks more and more ramshackle with each year. Hardly befitting a capital city.

every time they have an event there they surround it with ugly mesh fencing and charge entry fee... probably to keep the junkies out

its an unsightly and unpleasant experience regardless

[Waewick]

Not complaining about the development (although i think many road users would)

But what about finishing Vic Square.

Any works on Light Square are still about 5 years away, but there's an added impetus because of the influx of residents in the vicinity. The city should be an attractive place to live.

But wholeheartedly agree about Vic Square. It looks more and more ramshackle with each year. Hardly befitting a capital city.

Absolutely, I really like Revs post as well on the light square changes.

There are so many residential buildings going up on Franklin/waymouth it feels like an inevitable that Light Square becomes more pedestrian friendly.

[Nort]

Not complaining about the development (although i think many road users would)

But what about finishing Vic Square.

Any works on Light Square are still about 5 years away, but there's an added impetus because of the influx of residents in the vicinity. The city should be an attractive place to live.

But wholeheartedly agree about Vic Square. It looks more and more ramshackle with each year. Hardly befitting a capital city.

every time they have an event there they surround it with ugly mesh fencing and charge entry fee... probably to keep the junkies out

its an unsightly and unpleasant experience regardless

That's a common thing for Australian events which drives me batty and I assume is related to licensed event rules.

[ChillyPhilly]

Hindmarsh Square is probably the only one of our major CBD squares meeting some of its potential in its current form (but it still could be even better). Meanwhile, Hurtle Square, Victoria Square and Light Square are all hindered by the road networks around them. Road users will complain but Victoria Square and Light Square should not have roads running directly through them, all roads should go around.

Hindmarsh Square is the least pleasant to be in IMO. Aside the northern quadrants, it's barely more than a series of traffic refuges. I find it quite exasperating too because it offers the quickest win -- simply reduce the bite of asphalt on the southern, eastern and western sides.

Hindmarsh Square is generally a no man's land for pedestrians and cyclists.

The NW and NE corners are alright.

I voluntarily wrote a masterplan for the Square late last year.

[[Shuz]]

Hindmarsh Square is one of our better squares, but literally all it would take to make it reasonably perfect is to get rid of the carparking and the side roads on the eastern and western sides and extend the "parklands" right up to the footpaths.

[SRW]

The draft master plan for Light Square is now open for consultation on two options:

I think this is the only square for which routing traffic to one side makes clear sense. The city's West End is the most devoid of green space while also being the area with the most residential uplift. The nearest green spaces are across the barren and inaccessible West Tce or railyards. Given how noisy the Morphett/Currie corridors are, Option 1 is the only one that provides a space that is both sufficient and usable.

My only concern with the design is its emphasis on 'event' spaces. I'm less interested in the squares as places for events as these can be held down the riverbank. Instead they should be planned largely for respite and recreation with mostly community-level activations.

[[Shuz]]

Why isn't there an option 3, running Morphett Street straight through the middle. Controversial, but hear me out.

The purpose of the city squares should be to activate the city edges of the squares. I would like to see cafes and bars and restaurants and the like spilling out from neighbouring buildings onto a wide pedestrian footpath / plaza and onto the green spaces adjacent. Think European style.

The buildings is where the activity is in our city squares. Imagine Hindmarsh Square but without the carparking on the sides. It would just be a seamless transition to green space. The squares aren't really designed for large scale events. They're better suited to the microscale fabric, the everyday hustle and bustle.

You also have the added benefit of eliminating one set of traffic lights by combining the Currie Street and Morphett Street intersection into one. The Waymouth Street intersection would be simplified into a standard 4 way intersection. Not the weird current dogs mess layout which has too many collision points.

Not to mention, it completely deviates from Lights Vision which was for a simple city grid. We should be honouring the original intent. Not stuffing it up even more.