Spatial planning: Step 4
Create a seamless network of connectivity at local level
| Develop a proposal for a pedestrian-friendly interchange zone for the urban hub / precinct and strengthen its connectivity into the local area |
A seamless network of connectivity at local level is created through the structuring of the interchange zone. An interchange zone is a point at which a number of public transport services are placed in close proximity, and this point is characterised by high convergence and transfer of people. The interchange zone offers transport connectivity to both the broader metro area as well as to local surrounding areas.
Figure: Stratford interchange, London, United Kingdom
This massing of people at one point creates great locational potential for especially commercial land use and high convenience for passengers if well-designed and implemented. More specifically, an interchange zone can be understood as follows:
Areas of decision
These are the areas and points at which commuters make key decisions, such as at entrances, gates, ticket sales areas and corridor junctions.
Movement spaces
These are corridors and paths connecting the decision spaces between transport facilities and the surrounding area. They should be highly legible routes.
Areas of opportunity
These are the areas outside of the areas of decision and movement spaces within the interchange zones. Due to their locational advantage and the high foot count, they can accommodate retail outlets, restaurants and fast-food outlets, seating and landscaping.
The high levels of public transport passenger movement and location of retail and service-related businesses creates the conditions for the interchange zone to become a convenient destination in its own right. To truly activate the hub or precinct as a vibrant node, the interchange zone will also accommodate residential accommodation as well as cultural and recreational facilities. This will extend the hours of activity and optimise opportunities to reduce distances between places of residence, work, shopping and play.
Therefore, the interchange zone must offer all the requisite amenities to services meet the needs of public transport users and must also display the qualities of safety and security, lighting, wayfinding, ablutions and a sense of place.
The task is to improve connectivity within the hub or precinct by designing an interchange zone in which road and rail-based public transport services come together in easy walking distance from each other.
Therefore, the interchange zone must offer all the requisite amenities to services meet the needs of public transport users and must also display the qualities of safety and security, lighting, wayfinding, ablutions and a sense of place.
The task is to improve connectivity within the hub or precinct by designing an interchange zone in which road and rail-based public transport services come together in easy walking distance from each other.
Figure: Structuring the interchange zone
Case study
Mitchells Plain interchange zone and town center
Structuring the interchange zone involves confirmation the interchange zone area, identification of the main existing components of the interchange zone and determining the main components/infrastructure considering pedestrian movement, connectivity and other related areas into consideration. Note the following:
- To enable walkability within the interchange zone the maximum distance between the transport modal facilities should be ±150 – 200m that results in a walking time of 2-3 minutes.
- The main components of the interchange zone should be location within a 400m radius of each other.
- The interchange zone in turn must be connected to its surrounding area through a network of vehicular and non-motorised transport (NMT) linkages.
Rail, bus and taxi services are located in close proximity to each other and within easy walking distance. This creates opportunities for commercial activities along the links between the respective transport facilities.
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