Gehls
(2004) Public Spaces, Public Life studies assessment methodology of
assessing public spaces in proximity to the space in question, as well
as the site itself, provided an insight into opportunities for
addressing challenges and ways to ensure that immediate improvements
benefit local residents in addition to providing ways for drawing people
into and through the site. The three phase approach of initially
evaluating the quality of the site, a recording of the public life
occurring within and around the space, and finally developing
recommendations for actual improvements, was taken. This order of
priority enabled us to focus on the local context, together with who,
what, why and how people use the space which informed the SWOT analysis
of the site, informing ways that the design proposals/solution could
reinforce and build upon the strengths of the area – ensuring
interventions are appropriate to the local community, but which attract
non-locals to support the area.