Figure Ground
Change over time:
Relationship between the street width, building height, and building height, in relation to human scale:
From the pictures below, variety of shots were taken to comprehend the relationship between human scale and buildings in the site, also to show the relationship between those buildings and the streets. The top left picture is taken at Sainsbury's and the scale of the building is more horizontal than vertical, meaning it takes up land space than going up. Infront of Sainsbury's there is a large parking space that connects to the main road which is also very vast. Sainsbury's back is given to the Nottingham Canal, which is really a waste of space for the Canal since it can be used for a building that can make use of the beautiful scenery and less mainstream shopping. The top middle picture is taken at a shot where Nottingham Castle is right behind this residential building. The top left picture is a shot taken at the British Waterways where it is a considerably big building, and you can see the difference of scale from the biker in the picture.
From the pictures below, variety of shots were taken to comprehend the relationship between human scale and buildings in the site, also to show the relationship between those buildings and the streets. The top left picture is taken at Sainsbury's and the scale of the building is more horizontal than vertical, meaning it takes up land space than going up. Infront of Sainsbury's there is a large parking space that connects to the main road which is also very vast. Sainsbury's back is given to the Nottingham Canal, which is really a waste of space for the Canal since it can be used for a building that can make use of the beautiful scenery and less mainstream shopping. The top middle picture is taken at a shot where Nottingham Castle is right behind this residential building. The top left picture is a shot taken at the British Waterways where it is a considerably big building, and you can see the difference of scale from the biker in the picture.
![Picture](/uploads/2/4/2/3/24239334/1420330783.png)
Block size and impact on pedestrian movement:
The blocks in the site is not heavily used by pedestrians since the whole site is more used by motor vehicles connecting all parts of the site together. The pedestrian blocks are better near the Nottingham Castle than near Sainsbury's for example. Around Sainsbury's the roads are more of a highway in the city than streets where it would be safe for pedestrians to access it. As for the streets near the Castle, I think they are more enjoyable to walk in. In this site many people use the canal area as a route, where the pedestrian sidewalk is pleasant and is wide enough for people to walk from both ways.
The picture on the right is showing the pedestrian blocks near The Nottingham Castle, and as seen from the picture, it is pretty wide for pedestrians to access.
Perimeter blocks:
The perimeter blocks in the site varies according to the building usage just like any other site. Since the site chosen has an interesting context where there is a historical zone, a canal, residential areas, and governmental buildings, this automatically provides a certain accommodation for the perimeter block and whether they are clear pr not from the front and the back. But mainly, I have noticed that the blocks are clear, and can be accessed from both back and front of a building which brings us back to the pedestrian routes question and shows that people can access them easily (more near the castle).
The blocks in the site is not heavily used by pedestrians since the whole site is more used by motor vehicles connecting all parts of the site together. The pedestrian blocks are better near the Nottingham Castle than near Sainsbury's for example. Around Sainsbury's the roads are more of a highway in the city than streets where it would be safe for pedestrians to access it. As for the streets near the Castle, I think they are more enjoyable to walk in. In this site many people use the canal area as a route, where the pedestrian sidewalk is pleasant and is wide enough for people to walk from both ways.
The picture on the right is showing the pedestrian blocks near The Nottingham Castle, and as seen from the picture, it is pretty wide for pedestrians to access.
Perimeter blocks:
The perimeter blocks in the site varies according to the building usage just like any other site. Since the site chosen has an interesting context where there is a historical zone, a canal, residential areas, and governmental buildings, this automatically provides a certain accommodation for the perimeter block and whether they are clear pr not from the front and the back. But mainly, I have noticed that the blocks are clear, and can be accessed from both back and front of a building which brings us back to the pedestrian routes question and shows that people can access them easily (more near the castle).
![Picture](/uploads/2/4/2/3/24239334/7570656.jpg?358)
Planting and trees:
It is absolutely a beautiful walk by the canal because of how the trees are filled from both sides of the canal, and how they mark the pedestrian routes by the grass. The plantation of this area is pretty adding the reflective element of the water since the trees change color with the seasons, so each season is a different effect. The picture on the right shows the trees at the canal, this picture is taken during autumn 2014.
The plantation in the rest of the site also has many plantation, apart from Sainsbury's area since as we mentioned earlier is more of a vehicle route, and not many pedestrian route, which thus includes less plantation.
It is absolutely a beautiful walk by the canal because of how the trees are filled from both sides of the canal, and how they mark the pedestrian routes by the grass. The plantation of this area is pretty adding the reflective element of the water since the trees change color with the seasons, so each season is a different effect. The picture on the right shows the trees at the canal, this picture is taken during autumn 2014.
The plantation in the rest of the site also has many plantation, apart from Sainsbury's area since as we mentioned earlier is more of a vehicle route, and not many pedestrian route, which thus includes less plantation.
Connections:
The map at the bottom is from digi maps and I think it shows the blocks, streets, and connections clearly. The white fillings are the roads, sidewalks, and connections, and it can be clearly seen dividing the area and creating the urban movement of the area.
The map at the bottom is from digi maps and I think it shows the blocks, streets, and connections clearly. The white fillings are the roads, sidewalks, and connections, and it can be clearly seen dividing the area and creating the urban movement of the area.