Quality Considerations in the Pedestrian Realm: Dead Space Intervention and Prevention

What if every space deemed “unadmirable” was reimagined as a stage for community life? Efforts to find solutions to this question prompted a more complex question: how can new construction promote interaction between architecture and the pedestrian realm? This thesis is conducted in three main parts: 1) understanding dead space, 2) reinventing dead spaces in existing conditions, and 3) creating a design handbook that works to minimize dead spaces in new design. Using Lincoln, Nebraska as a case study, part one begins with observation- looking for spaces that could be deemed unadmirable by a pedestrian. Utilizing research and observation, the types of dead spaces are categorized and ranked to further understand them. Part two explores important quality design is to an environment. Research shows that five of the most important qualities to a pedestrian are sense of place, warmth, awareness, interest, and fit. (Smith, Nelischer, Perkins, 1997) With this knowledge, a qualitative toolkit and methodology for existing design was created and utilized to revamp a series of existing dead spaces along the P Street corridor. Part three builds on the deeper understanding of dead spaces, looking to how they can be prevented in new construction. Exploring what Lincoln and other cities deem most important to new development, a new qualitative toolkit, design guidelines, and deeper collaboration with city planners and urban designers will allow for a future that takes the pedestrian experience into account. The research generates a variety of useful tools, including a dead space categorization and ranking system, a toolkit and methodology to redevelop existing dead spaces, and a qualitative design handbook that includes guidelines, toolkits, and a quality certification submission template. Advisor: Steven Hardy