Historical Development
1
Looking SE at Hill St from Mill
St (Source); a dense and
connected neighbourhood
N N
Looking SE at Stanhope and
Grafton St, 1975 (Source); a
Victorian-era school
Figure-Ground in 1890
(Traced from Digimap)
The buildings above vary in shape and are
built on narrow, long lots, tending to face the
street (or alley, if mews). The street is obvious
because the buildings frame positive and
negative space. Several mews are also visible. Looking N. on St. James Pl
from Hill St, 1952 (Source); a
dense community
Looking W. through Great
George Place, 1905 (Source);
the area was a node
ENVS439 Jacobs & Co
Same view in Oct. 2016; only
the pub building remains in a
derelict state 4
3
2 2
Same view in Oct. 2016; a 50p-
1
per-hour carpark replaced the
school
Figure-Ground in 2015
(Traced from Digimap)
Most buildings are rectangular and built on
larger lots. Distinguishing between open space
3 and streets is difficult because the buildings do
not frame public space as well and are built far
Same view in Oct. 2016; low- apart from one another, as if floating in space.
density buildings and vacant Few mews remain.
lots replaced terraced houses
4
Looking NW up St. James St in
Oct. 2016; the node is gone as
are most buildings
All photos by Jacobs & Co in 2016.
Assignment 1 Area Appraisal
Existing Conditions: Good, Bad, & Heights
1 4
Access to the residences west of Cathedral Gate
is restricted
Bad: Permeability
Numerous dead-ends and
fences restrict vehicular and
pedestrian access. Two large
brownfield sites are also barriers
to permeability. Primary streets,
such as Upper Parliament St,
have few pedestrian crossings.
2
Chinatown Arch on Nelson St
Good: Landmarks
Many small and large landmarks
dot the area.
3
New terraced houses on Duncan St (right side of
photo) mesh with existing homes
Good: New Buildings
Although few new buildings are
in the area, the existing ones
tend to be compatible with their
surroundings.
ENVS439
Buildings in the Georgian Quarter conservation
area along Upper Parliament St
Good: Conservation Areas
The area has two conservation
areas and borders a third.
2 7
1
3 5
Jacobs & Co
5 Toxteth two-story, and the Baltic
Block of derelict Georgian homes on Percy St
Bad: Derelict Buildings
Scattered derelict buildings,
including two city blocks.
4
N 7
Building Heights
With exceptions (e.g., the
Cathedral), buildings with similar
heights are clustered together. For
example, the Georgian Quarter
mostly has three-story buildings,
Triangle two-story. Still, the three
typical street sections demonstrate
that except from the Georgian
Quarter, most streets and buildings
do not provide good enclosure.
6
6
Percy St in the Georgian Quarter has good N
enclosure
7 8
The one-story warehouses and wide street lead The two-story, detached homes do not provide
to poor enclosure on New Bird St good enclosure on Corinto St
Assignment 1 Area Appraisal
All photos by Jacobs & Co in 2016.
Existing Conditions: Use, Condition, & Age
Land Use
The eastern and southern parts of the area are
predominantly residential, with a few examples of mixed
use and retail uses. The western and northern parts of
the area included more industrial and business uses. In
general, vacant buildings are not close together, limiting
their negative effect on the area. Some underutilized
greenspaces may actually be vacant lots (denoted by *
in the map below).
Building Condition
Most buildings are in good condition. Two clusters of poor
condition buildings are in the eastern part of the Baltic
Triangle and by St James Pl. Several other poor condition
buildings are found on wide, fast streets (e.g., Upper
Parliament St). The conservation areas likely limit the
number of new buildings in the area, although some
examples are near Chinatown in the northwest.
Building Age
Many Georgian and Regency buildings exist in the
Georgian Quarter. Elsewhere most historic buildings
have been replaced. Clusters of modern buildings are in
Toxteth, near Chinatown, and in the development by the
Cathedral. Similar clusters of Victorian, interwar, and
recent buildings are not found in the area.

*
* *
*
* N
N N

Greenspace

ENVS439 Jacobs & Co Assignment 1 Area Appraisal

Legibility Analysis
Key Examples
Major Landmark Minor Landmark
Liverpool Cathedral is Although in disrepair, the
Major Landmark visible throughout the area tower of St. James Church
(and city). Directions can at the intersection of two
be given according to major paths pokes above
10 which side of the cathedral the smaller nearby
Minor Landmark the destination is located. bungalows and trees.
1 2
Chinatown
4

Major Path
Major Path Major Path
Upper Parliament St is the Upper Duke St serves as
primary East-West road in an important vehicular and
Georgian Quarter
the area as evidenced by pedestrian link between the
Minor Path significant vehicular traffic Georgian Quarter,
6
1 5 throughout the day and Chinatown, and city centre.
7
3 night. 4
Cathedral District
3 9 Pedestrian Node
Baltic Triangle District District
The Georgian Quarter is The Cathedral district
characterized primarily by features distinct modern
Auto Node homes from the Regency brick homes arranged in
2 and Georgian architectural rings and separated from
Toxteth periods. the rest of the area by walls
5 6 and fences.
District

N
8 Edge
Edge The fence along Hope
street and valley of St.
James Gardens separates
the Regency district from
the rest of the area on its
Overview of Findings 7 western side. 8 in the area.
The area has manyprimarily religiouslandmarks. The speed of cars is
prioritized along paths in the area, to the discomfort of people using other
modes (i.e., walking, cycling). Likely due this prioritization, few nodes exist that Node
would encourage people to dwell, and, indeed, one major node is pleasant for Berkeley Pl is a pedestrian
cars only (i.e., St. James and Upper Parliament). Liverpool Cathedral is an plaza at the intersection of
imposing landmark, but high metal fences create a rigid edge around the major paths and adjacent
to the Rialto building Greek
majority of the site. Five districts exist with buildings from various architectural Orthodox church
periods or with distinctive adornment, most notably the Georgian Quarter and 9 (landmarks) 10
Chinatown.
Edge
West of Gore St, the
cement walls and fences
along the greenspace and
railroad tracks are a barrier
to pedestrians moving west
Node
The traffic-calmed and
pedestrian plaza by the
Black-E and Chinatown
Arch are hubs of activity
and people watching.
All photos by Jacobs & Co in 2016.

ENVS439 Jacobs & Co Assignment 1 Area Appraisal

Visual Analysis: Serial Vision

1 2 3
5
1
6
Catharine Street The Rialto (end of Catharine St) The Brewery (Stanhope St)
On arrival to the site a vast curved road creates The bend in the road reveals an open vista. The Turning right the infinity vista looking down at
intrigue as the emerging view is concealed. The modern Rialto building (right) is juxtaposed the Mersey draws the pedestrian down the hill.
4
pedestrian is therefore compelled in walking against the intricate church (left) and the The focal point within this vision is the large
forwards to uncover the next vision. uniform Georgian buildings on Catharine and brewery which interrupts the sightline.
2 . other nearby streets.

6 5 4

The Anglican Cathedral Cathedral Monuments St. James Street

Further ahead, the sheer scale of the cathedral
closes the vista. The dark entrance visible from
the bottom of the steps beckons the pedestrian
inside.
Heading up the hill a large plaza appears. Three
monuments attract the gaze in an otherwise open
vista. After pausing, the greenery becomes the
emerging view inviting the eye to move past the
monuments.
To the right a deflection appears with the modern
buildings of the Liverpool One development in
the distance. The Hilton hotel positioned off
center allows the viewer to see beyond, creating
interest.
All photos by Jacobs & Co in 2016.

ENVS439 Jacobs & Co Assignment 1 Area Appraisal

Visual Analysis: Place

Anticipation
The winding street hides the
end, heightening interest
Punctuation
The brewery along the street
signifies a change in land use
and closes the top phase of the
street off.

Screened Vista
Changes of Level The trees screen both churches
Images show the dramatic effect of changing level and how sets of blocking the view of the vista.
stairs both on the Cathedral site and in the housing can make the
viewer feel either inferior and intrigued (bottom of stairs) or
superior and advantaged (top of the stairs).
Truncation
The pavement draws attention
to the distance the building and
brings it forward from the
background.

Projection and Recession

The curvature causes the road N
to be read in two halves
Open Vista Closed Vista

Mystery Greenspace
Vista Point of Reference Infinity
Visual Barrier Essential Sight
The concealed alley from the Glimpse
Line
grand houses creates intrigue
and mystery for the pedestrian.
Netting
Deflection (Vista) Infinity (Vista) The gate draws buildings and
trees to here rather than there All photos by Jacobs & Co in 2016.

ENVS439 Jacobs & Co Assignment 1 Area Appraisal

Visual Analysis: Content

101m

12m
3
1
2 1.7m
Height to scale 1:1250

Juxtaposition Scale
The mix of modern buildings with old buildings create a contrasting relationship in the Both the Cathedral entrance and the door to a
skyline. The buildings telling of the time they were built in and the change in house in the Georgian Quarter show clear
architecture in the area. examples of playing with scale because each
is grander than their functional use as an
entrance for humans. As a result, pedestrians
are impressed by and may feel inferior to them.
The same scale variation resonates with the
Anglican Cathedral and its domination of the
surrounding built environment. At 101m, the
Cathedral (#1) belittles nearby buildings, such the
three-story one (#2) adjacent to it on the church
grounds. The pedestrian (#3) is tiny in comparison.

Significant
Object
The red phone box
stands out compared
to the relatively bland
background and
neutral colours of the
surrounding
buildings.

Trees
Detail Incorporated
The level of detail in the buildings, such as the Trees in many parts
railings, trims and door frames, cause the eye to of the area frame
pause and be drawn into the minute intricacy of specific sites or
Intimacy the buildings. Unfortunately, a similar degree of views and also act as
detail is missing from the interwar and modern a natural break.
The proximity of intimate and less-intimate spaces is notable around the Georgian
Quarter. The top two photos show vast open roads with large junctions, hardly buildings that are prominent in other parts of the
intimate. However, close to these wide roads are intimate streets (bottom two area.
photos). These streets have hanging foliage and unfenced housing that foster a very
tactile environment.
All photos by Jacobs & Co in 2016.

ENVS439 Jacobs & Co Assignment 1 Area Appraisal

Permeability Analysis: Streets & Blocks

1 2 3 4 5
Former intersection between Hardy St and Great Homes on the pedestrianised Upper Pitt St facing No homes face Hampton street A wide intersection between major roads (Catharine Morpeth St, a pedestrian easement, is one of few well-
George St limits vehicular permeability Great George Square and Upper Parliament) facilitate fast through traffic maintained walkways in the area

Street Patterns
Permeability varies considerably in the area. Less permeable parts have relatively
large blocks, fences, and dead-ends. Especially in Toxteth, these barriers to
permeability deaden the streetscape by discouraging vehicular traffic. Fewer passing
vehicles likely contributes to fewer people walking in the neighbourhood because of
fewer eyes on the street. More permeable parts are livelier in both pedestrians and
drivers, and offer greater choices when traveling within or through the neighbourhood.
These parts generally have smaller blocks and fewer dead-ends (e.g., the Georgian
1 Quarter). 1

2
2 Perimeter Blocks
The buildings sited on the narrow blocks of the Georgian Quarter face the street and
help to create a welcoming environment. The modern homes surrounding Great
George Square recreate this feeling. Unfortunately, in other parts of the area, buildings
5 5
4
do not have the same relationship to the street. In the worst cases, the backs of 4
properties face to the backs of buildings on the opposite side of the street. These
layouts make the street less appealing and safe to travel through as a pedestrian.
3 Many cul-de-sacs and dead-ends decrease permeability, particularly in Toxteth. 3

Street Hierarchy
Vehicular through traffic has been prioritised in the area. Specifically, the primary and
secondary roads in the map offer fast connections to the waterfront and city centre, but
only by limiting access to the tertiary and collector streets that historically connected to
them. Several examples of closed intersections are found along Great George Street,
with dead-end roads no longer linking the street to the Baltic Triangle. Similar
N conditions exist along Upper Parliament Street, creating a divide between the N
Georgian Quarter and Toxteth. A few small pedestrian routes exist, but they mainly
traverse vacant land or former intersections between streets. Most of these pedestrian
routes are unkempt and not well-travelled.

ENVS439 Jacobs & Co Assignment 1 Area Appraisal

All photos by Jacobs & Co in 2016.
Permeability Analysis: Infrastructure & Design
Cycling Infrastructure
The area features a significant cycle route, National Cycle Network Route 56. The 71
kilometre route connects Chester and Liverpool town halls. Within the area are 950
meters of the route, which run along Windsor Street in Toxteth, around the eastern
side of the Liverpool Cathedral, and then west on Duke Street into Liverpool city
centre. However, aside from signs, only 50 meters of the route (less than five per cent)
has physical infrastructure, such as a dedicated cycle track.

1
Windsor St has a short cycle track at its intersection
with Upper Parliament St

Traffic Calming
Approximately half the streets in the analysis area (primarily residential streets) have
had road humps added, which are designed to slow the speed of vehicles. Excluding
the primary and secondary roads, many streets have wide pavements that narrow the
travel lanes and discourage fast driving. Unfortunately, motorists frequently take
advantage of these wider pavements, using them for parking.

3
2
Vehicles parked on Upper Stanhope St pavement

1
Bus Network
The area has frequent bus service to Liverpool city centre. Routes along Catharine
2
and Hardman Streets serve the Georgian Quarter. Western routes along St. James
4
Place and Great George Street serve Toxteth, Chinatown, and the Baltic Triangle.
Notably, despite Parliament and Upper Parliament Streets being primary
thoroughfares, neither has bus stops in the study area.

3
Bus stop on Catharine St

Shared Surfaces
Shared surfaces have been introduced in the Baltic Triangle along the intersections
N with Jamaica Street. These surfaces feature curbs that gradually blend into the
roadway and alternative paying materials, which encourage vehicles to slow down at
the intersection. On Prince Albert Mews, a residential cul-de-sac, a woonerf was
installed. This type of street accommodates pedestrians and vehicles in the same
space by discouraging high speeds.

4
The intersection of Greenland and Jamaica streets
has a shared surface.
All photos by Jacobs & Co in 2016.

ENVS439 Jacobs & Co Assignment 1 Area Appraisal

Constraints

1 2 7 8

Brownfield Sites Space Barrier: Accessibility

Large sites in the south west of the site are a mix of active heavy The Cathedral and nearby housing are an island in the centre of
industry and vacant brownfield. The viability of development the area. Increasing access on the eastern edge would be hard
proposals for these sites may be limited due to cost and because the former graveyard is in a valley, while opening the
remaining industrial uses. western fence would require consent from the residents.
7

3 4 8
10
9
9 10
Traffic Noise
Listed Buildings
Motor vehicle traffic on fast streets, including Parliament St,
creates significant noise for other users. Future residential, retail, 11
The area has many listed buildings, including several along
or office development may be limited unless the roads are 12 Upper Parliament St, which may prevent changes to add ground
3 floor retail for local residents. These buildings also have high
calmed.
4 redevelopment costs.
5

5 6 11 12
2

Space Barrier: Land Use Single Family Households

The south east of the site is isolated primarily residential Low-density, single family homes in the area south of Upper
development whereas the south west of the site is majority Parliament Street limit demand for additional shops. Each house
industrial (or former industrial). Vacant or brownfield land is an also has a garden, which may mean fewer people using (and
Single
inadequate transition between these areas today. Space Space Barrier Noise Family Industry Listed demanding fixes to) the park.
Barrier (accessibility) Building
(land use) Homes

All photos by Jacobs & Co in 2016.

ENVS439 Jacobs & Co Assignment 1 Area Appraisal

Opportunities

1 2 5 6

Underused (Green) Space Available Development Sites

The area has many greenspaces, some are parks and others are
simply overgrown vacant lots. Both types are underutilised. Many
greenspaces border undesirable uses, such as industrial sites, or
the rear of bungalows and lack community facilities (e.g.,
playground, benches, or toilets). Since some locations are
adjacent to other underused spaces, redevelopment should
prioritize reinvigorating locations with the greatest potential for
public parks, while releasing others to mixed use development.
North and southeast of the area are primarily residences, with
limited nearby access to retail or office jobs. Vacant lots and
underused greenspace offer opportunities to increase the
diversity of uses. For example, the land around St. James Place
7 includes several vacant lots, underused greenspace, and small
industry. This area could transform through mixed use
development, providing local access to retail and jobs and
increasing the number of residents who help revitalize targeted
greenspace into parks.

2
1

3 4
Former St James Station
8
Reopening St James railway station (surrounding area above)
would benefit existing residents, commuters, and visitors, while
serving as a lynchpin for future development in the adjacent
Baltic Triangle and sites around St James Pl. Since the
3
Merseyrail line already exists and the closest operating stations
are between 1.4 and 1.7 km walking (Central and Brunswick,
respectively), reopening the station is a relatively low-cost way to
improve access to the area by leveraging existing transportation
infrastructure.
7 8
5
Better Pedestrian Access
The area features several barriers to pedestrian access include
4 6 walls, fences, and wide streets, that, if removed, would help to
connect existing and planned sites. For example, the Cathedral
district and Beaufort St are two adjacent sites that have limited
connectivity. Better pedestrian access, combined with mixed use
development around the reopened train station, would help to
revitalize existing parks and create a stronger sense of
community.

Underutilized Potential Potential

Greenspace Railway
(green) space pedestrian development
access sites

All photos by Jacobs & Co in 2016.

ENVS439 Jacobs & Co Assignment 1 Area Appraisal

Key Priorities & Principles
N N
SW corner of the area; diagram
of existing vehicular barriers
(X) at numerous intersections
Upper Parliament St. looking
E.; few safe opportunities for
pedestrians to cross the street
Parliament St. looking W.;
narrow sidewalks, wide travel
lanes, and the median
encourage speeding
ENVS439 Jacobs & Co
1. Reconnect Streets
To improve permeability for vehicles and pedestrians, intersections should
reopen to vehicular traffic, and fences (or walls) spanning streets should be
removed. More connections for vehicles decreases distances travelled between
destinations, reduces congestion on major arterials, and discourages speeding
by introducing vehicles at numerous intersections. Vehicles traveling the speed
limit will result in fewer fatal crashes and improve the pedestrian experience
(i.e., by decreasing noise and perceived danger).
Result of proposed reopening
of intersections to vehicular
traffic; more options () for
traversing the area
2. Install Safe Pedestrian Crossings
Infrequent crossings signal that streets are primarily for motor vehicles and deter
pedestrian from those areas, thereby reducing foot traffic for shops. Instead, the
area should feature frequent, safe pedestrian crossings to calm vehicular traffic
and minimize the distance that people need to walk to arrive at their destination.
On wide streets, safe pedestrian crossings will encourage walking as a viable
mode of transportation, especially for people with disabilities. Kerb extensions at
intersections further shorten the distance between sides of the street.
Numerous safe pedestrian
crossings () provided on a
thoroughfare in Bilbao
3. Implement Complete Streets
Area streets vary in width (from 2 to 25 meters), so not every element of a
complete streetcycle tracks, wide sidewalks, street trees, benches, parking,
and travel lanesis appropriate. However, the area should feature streets in
which users of every mode of transportation feel safe traversing the space. For
example, Parliament St. should receive an Areiltza Doktorearen Ave.-style
overhaul (pictured). Smaller streets, like Hill St., have wide sidewalks, but cycle
tracks, trees, and/or car parking would further enhance them.
A same-sized street in Bilbao
was converted to have a cycle
track, wide sidewalks, a Metro
exit, a park, and a travel lane Base maps from Google maps. All photos by Jacobs & Co in 2016.
Assignment 1 Area Appraisal
Key Priorities & Principles
New buildings on the edge of
the area occupy large portions
of the block, with limited retail
and few entrances
Graffiti and mostly vacant lots
surround the site of the former
St. James street train station
An unnamed park adjacent to
Gore St. is littered with refuse
and welcomes few visitors
ENVS439 Jacobs & Co
4. Subdivide Vacant Lots and Mandate Retail
Vacant lots should be subdivided into narrow, long plots for redevelopment.
Doing so would facilitate construction by several developers, increasing the
likelihood of architectural variety and visual interest. Mandating ground-floor
retail bays would also enhance the vitality of the street by increasing the number
of retailers, and, with smaller bays, the opportunities for local businesses to fill
the spaces. These businesses may operate at different hours, further activating
and facilitating eyes on the street.
Narrow, traditional buildings in
Bayonne, France offer a variety
of retail options and have many
entrances
5. Reopen St. James Station
As the area becomes more accessible and pleasant for users of different
transportation modes (e.g., walking) and vacant lots become new offices or
homes, reopening St. James Station will become more viable for Merseyrail.
Specifically, the area will have more customers who are residents using rail for
daytrips or jobs and incoming commuters who work in the new offices and
shops in the area. To maximize these benefits, the immediate area around the
station should feature dense, mixed-use development.
Cranes and brownfield
development surround the 10th
Avenue Station in New York
City, opened in 2015
6. Reinvigorate Public Parks and Plazas
Calmer streets and more residents will sustain efforts to revitalize the existing
public parks in the area, which today are often windswept or covered with trash.
Without sufficient population density and calm encircling streets, any effort to
reinvigorate the parks will almost surely fail. Parks and plazas should reflect
community wants and needs, but can include, benches, playgrounds, trees,
grass, retail, fitness equipment, and more. Restoring historic public spaces,
such as Great George Place, would also help calm traffic at intersections.
The busy De Catalua Plaza in
Donostia, Spain features a
playground, green space, and
a promenade with benches All photos by Jacobs & Co in 2016.
Assignment 1 Area Appraisal