Chapters 1 to 11 Combined - Century City

PUBLIC ENVIRONMENTThe various elements of the publicenvironment are discussed in thissection, with general designguidelines relating to each element.Century BoulevardCentury Boulevard is the primaryelement for functional and visualcontinuity in Century City. Allvisitors and residents movethrough this urban corridor toarrive at or to leave from theirvarious destinations.An essential feature of asuccessful urban avenue is theway that buildings interact withthe street space. All buildingsshould be placed on or close tothe street boundary, to create anadequate street enclosure. Thisis illustrated in the sketchesopposite and the photographbelow.The Boulevard has the potential tobecome a prestigious address,adding value to the adjacent land.But for this to occur specific designattention is required, both withinthe road corridor and with privatedevelopments alongside thecorridor.It is proposed to design theBoulevard as a positive urbanspace worthy of attracting primebuildings. Elements and featuresthat are characteristic of an urbanavenue should be incorporated.These include soft landscaping,street furniture, public transportstops and shelters, street lights,pedestrian crossings and sidewalks,street parking, traffic calmingdevices and appropriate signage.In addition, the buildings shouldoffer their front façades to thestreet, and acknowledge theimportance of the public realm.Entrance lobbies should besituated on the Boulevard andpedestrian entrances should betaken off this street. Activitieson ground and first floor shouldbe visually and functionallyintegrated with the street space.PLANNING PARTNERS: CENTURY CITY URBAN DESIGN FRAMEWORK October 2005 20 REVISION 1