Enhanced Placemaking

(including proposed riverside walkways, cycleways and plazas)

A significant part of the project is to take the opportunity when constructing flood defence infrastructure to enhance the landscape and amenity value along the river corridor.

The Design Team includes a Landscape Architect and Urban Designer as well as a Conservation Architect who have developed a public realm design framework and placemaking strategy for the entire area of the scheme. 

Whilst designs for each area are specific to the location, there are a number of overarching principles. These include:

• Enhanced Natural Resilience
• Enhanced Biodiversity
• Enhanced Placemaking

Accordingly, proposals for the LLFRS have been developed with care, responding to the specific characteristics of each area, from the City Centre quaysides to the rural landscape to the west. The design has been informed by a thorough assessment of the landscape character, built and natural heritage, as well as being shaped by conversations with stakeholders.

The character has been considered int the context of materials, views, heritage, habitats and aspects of cultural significance. Proposals have sought to safeguard aspects that are valuable, improving their setting and contributing positively by addressing things that compromise an area.

Along the quaysides, there are a number of places where there is a distinctive parapet wall, constructed from limestone, with a sloping face and rounded top. Much effort has gone into developing a detail, whereby sections of flood protection, to the same height above footpath level can replicate this, re-using the existing stonework, alongside which, footpaths and cycleways will improve access for all.

The Lee Fields has been extended and completely reimagined with people and biodiversity being placed at the centre of the design philosophy. The changes ensure that the river as an amenity is at the heart of the city with a greater focus on wellbeing, the enjoyment of outdoor spaces and the prioritisation of cycling and walking.

Ferry Walk, as shown in the image below, has provided an opportunity to develop a ‘new’ sense of place for somewhere that is currently dominated by parked and turning vehicles. Proposed work will create a new civic space for the city, a landing point for the ‘Shakey Bridge’, with good pedestrian and cycle connections along the River and into the Park.

At Fitzgerald’s Park proposals improve the relationship of the Park with the River, addressing long-standing concerns, making areas more usable and biodiverse. The existing rockery and its relationship with the pond is an important and much-loved feature. This will be improved, with a flood protection core, but what people will see will be increased horticultural excellence and visual richness.

On North Mall, as presented in the images below, careful detailing of demountable flood barriers, will enable the existing mature trees to be retained and indeed for their setting to be improved along with the historic quayside railings being restored. Through the scheme, and thanks to below ground solutions, the quality of this iconic area will be sustainably improved.

Similar care has been taken on Sullivan’s Quay, integrating demountable structures, within a restored setting of the historic quayside, as illistrated in the images below.

Consequently, the scheme will deliver not only a highly effective flood defence offering, but a much more holistic public realm and placemaking offering that will enhance the city for generations to come.