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Permeability in Urban Design

This document discusses the importance of permeability and connectivity in urban design. It defines permeability as the directness of links and density of connections in a transport network, as well as the number of alternative ways through an environment. Permeability must be considered early in design by determining routes, how they connect, destinations, and block boundaries. Smaller blocks provide more route choices and better physical and visual permeability. Recent declines in public permeability are due to large development scales, hierarchical street networks, and segregated public spaces. Design recommendations include an interconnected path network, limited road space, safe crossings, wayfinding signs, and narrow roads. Cul-de-sacs should be avoided except with pedestrian access. Effective street connectivity is critical to

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408 views19 pages

Permeability in Urban Design

This document discusses the importance of permeability and connectivity in urban design. It defines permeability as the directness of links and density of connections in a transport network, as well as the number of alternative ways through an environment. Permeability must be considered early in design by determining routes, how they connect, destinations, and block boundaries. Smaller blocks provide more route choices and better physical and visual permeability. Recent declines in public permeability are due to large development scales, hierarchical street networks, and segregated public spaces. Design recommendations include an interconnected path network, limited road space, safe crossings, wayfinding signs, and narrow roads. Cul-de-sacs should be avoided except with pedestrian access. Effective street connectivity is critical to

Uploaded by

Junevee Amarante
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Permeability in Urban Design

Amarante, Gatdula, Salonga ,Samarita, Lopez


How would you describe the situation with
the permeability and connectivity of city
spaces today?
Permeability
• Refers to the directness of links • Must be considered early in
and the density of connections in design:
a transport network.
- how many routes
• The number of alternative ways - how they should link together
through an environment
- where they should go and end
• Places which are accessible to - how to establish rough
people can offer them choices boundaries for blocks.
Permeability
• Refers to the directness of links • Must be considered early in
and the density of connections in design:
a transport network.
- how many routes
• The number of alternative ways - how they should link together
through an environment
- where they should go and end
• Places which are accessible to - how to establish rough
people can offer them choices boundaries for blocks.
Public vs. Private
Public Space
▪ Offer Alternate routes; 


▪ Routes should be visible (Visual


permeability); 


▪ Present unknown spaces to urban


dweller; 


▪ Choices and Awareness. 



Public Space : Advantages of Small Block

▪ Smaller blocks gives more


choices (Alternate routes); 


▪ Smaller blocks α Physical and


Visual Permeability.
Decline in Public 

Permeability
▪ Scale of development; 


▪ Hierarchical street network; 


▪ Segregation of Public space; 



Rule of thumb
• On average people are willing to walk one
kilometre to reach a functional destination.
• By providing path connections around every
100 metres a suburb will be highly permeable
and more likely to encourage pedestrian trips.
• This is dependant on many factors including
topography, weather and the walking
environment including directness of the route.
Do’s and Don’ts

Do:
• Highly interconnected path network providing choice of walking and cycling routes that
lead to local and regional destinations
• Limited road space to encourage slower traffic speeds and higher pedestrian amenity;

• Improved pedestrian and cyclist safety through the provision of safe street crossings

• Require raised pavement crossings on all side streets in retail environments and any
other location where pedestrian safety is an issue.
• Install way-finding signage that utilizes heads-up displays;
• Narrow road widths to increase pedestrian crossing opportunities and reduce vehicle
speeds
Do’s and Don’ts

Don’ts:
• “Gated” communities as they restrict walking and cycling access and reduce the connectivity and
connectivity within and outside the local street network
• Land uses, subdivision and design features that act as physical barriers and impede access to
key destinations

• Cul-de-sacs except where pedestrian access is provided to link with other streets
• Delaying construction of walking and cycling paths in new subdivisions, as transport habits are
difficult to change once established.
• Use of roundabouts (prohibit them in retail and high pedestrian volume environments).
Streets
• A street with well defined edges, sufficient pavement width, shade for pedestrians and
strong vertical elements to encourage reduced traffic speeds.
While improving and redeveloping city
streetscape how should trends in the
connectivity and permeability of city space be
taken into account? 
Increased connectivity (combined with
increased density, mixed use planning and

good urban design) 


Increased walkability

Better health
The living city is built on human interaction. Without
this, the city is dead. Human interaction relies on
effective movement corridors and effective places of
human transaction. Effective street connectivity is a
critical determinant of the living city.
Reference
McGlynn, S., Smith, G., Alcock, A., Murrain, P., &
Bentley, I. (1985). Responsive Environments: A
Manual for Designers. London, UK: The
Architectural Press.

https://timstonor.wordpress.com/2016/01/05/
permeability-connectivity-a-tale-of-two-cities/
Thank you and God Bless

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