Uploaded on 2014-10-24 by ktse3210

[1]: https://edxuploads.s3.amazonaws.com/14141225974947681.jpg William Street is located on the outer-skirt of Sydney’s commercial district. As illustrated in the photo, the clusters of high rise on the right-hand-side is the commercial district. From 1909 – 1914, the street was widened into a larger boulevard style. Several underground motorway tunnels were built underneath and entrances to those tunnels are right around the corners in the photo. The quality of the street is questionable. The original boulevard style street is not living up to its purpose. Visible information: - 1. Conflict among pedestrians, bikers and cars at crossings during peak hours, especially severe at tunnel entrance. 2. Despite being boulevard-style street, there is no public amenities, street style café, and open area for enjoyment. 3. Observation shows that people do not spend time on the street but come and run instead; not only the retail shops are struggling but the street are not suitable to spend time on. 4. Building height control had come and gone by looking at the height of buildings; building façade on the road side remains consistent with heritage conservation initiative. i.e. the roof terraces of the buildings on the road sides all seem to have similar height. Invisible information: - 1. Time each individual spent on the street; distinction between passer-by and boulevard-user. 2. Type of activities and number of users at roof top terrace of buildings on road side; 3. Activities taken place on the shops and turnover rate of shop front space. Given that the Boulevard was originally designed to improve public amenities and urban living quality, the current state is defeating the purpose. Being connected to 3 different motorway tunnels, the Boulevard has become the entrance of 3 different motorway tunnels. On a sunny day, one can see people sunbathing on the roof terrace. The advantage of having all roadside buildings around the same height encourages activities on roof top level. It provides continuity to the streetscape. Not only it compensates for the space taken by the buildings, but also offering spectacular views. Certainly, it would be worth researching and allocating resources to.