SERIEL VISION WATER- FROM CITY STREETS TO URBAN RIVER

HISTORYThe Birrarung Marr Park area has been a dedicated public space since its opening in 2002. The park was given its name by the Wurundjeri people, Melbourne’s original indigenous inhabitants, to which it still holds important cultural values. Literally translated, the name means “river of mists.” The Park sits on 8 hectares of land that was partially reclaimed in the late 1900’s for the purposes of the Park redevelopment with Birrarung Marr becoming the first significant dedicated inner city public green space in one hundred years. It has thus been credited by some with paving the way for the regeneration of Melbourne’s inner city areas.

WATER LEVEL VARIATION The variation of the water level on the Yarra River (data taken from the South Bank measuring station) (Melbourne Water 2012)Flood High (previous year)- 1.17mLow- 0.25mAverage Level- 0.52 m

BUILDINGS OF INTERESTArt Play- A civic centre where children and families can go to express their creativity in a open and supportive environment.Public toiletsRowing Boat Sheds- An array of rowing clubs, this area is the centre for rowing in Victoria

STRUCTURES OF INTERESTPlayground- Part of the Art Play ComplexStatues- Installation art work, acting as an attraction to that point Boat Ramp- Used by the boat clubs to launch there boats. It should be noted there is no boat ramp on the northern side of the riverPresent Ferry Dock- The current location of the Yarra Cruises and Water Taxi dock

LEGENDBuildings of Interest

Structures of Interest

Evergreen Vegetation

Deciduous Vegetation

Pine Tree (Vegetation)

BIRRARUNG MARR PARK BACKGROUND AND BASIC SITE INFORMATION

Distances (cm)High Water LevelContours (each line= 1m)Site BoundaryPark Bench

N

Scale 1:1500

900m to The Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG)

700

580

art play

statue

statue

boat shed

boat ramp

toilet

playground

car park

construction site

dock

800m to Flinders Street Station

LIGHTING AND SHADOWSThe River Site can be seen to be heavily shaded with only wisps of light penetrating through the tree cover. In summer this will increase the attractiveness of the site area as passers by attempt to find shelter from the sun. In winter, however, this will produce the opposite effect with the site getting limited sun and remaining damp. At night, aside from natural light from the moon, artificial lighting illuminates the major access routes to the site, but not the site itself.

PHENOMENOLOGICAL ZONINGThe immediate site area has a sense of tranquillity and peacefulness to it which holds great appeal when in the area. The challenge however, will lie in directing and attracting foot traffic from the focused and preoccupied zone into the site area. Caution should also be taken to ensure that any structure that is built on the site does not destroy the peaceful atmosphere and make it too engaged or active, disregarding the natural properties of the site.

AUDIOLOGYThe major noises affecting the site are coming from construction activities which should be temporary noises. The other major noise of concern is that of the ferry horns and docking area.

PREVAILING WINDThe predominant prevailing winds experienced at the site are Westerlies followed closely by Northerlies, with the odd Southerly. The site is relatively protected from Northerlies but very exposed to Westerlies and Southerlies.

VIEWSto CBD- A panoramic view of the Melbourne CBD’s city scapeto botanic gardens- A view across to the Melbourne Botanic GardensRowing Boat Sheds- A clear view of the rowing judges box (the race finish line)

LEGEND

BIRRARUNG MARR PARK THE AMBIENT ENVIRONMENT

PHENOMELOGICAL ZONESPeaceful / RelaxingNeutral / Unfocused Exposed / VulnerableIntruded Upon / UneasyEngaged / ActiveFocused / Preoccupied

LIGHTINGArtificial Light SourceShadow cast (Evergreen Trees) Shadow cast (Deciduous Trees) Shadow cast (Pines Trees) Shadow cast (Buildings)

OTHER

Noise

Views

Prevailing Wind Direction

N

Scale 1:1500

to rowing judges box

to botanic gardens

to CBD

construction site

playground

construction site

railway

road

ferry dock and horns

NMAJOR PATTERN OF MOVEMENTA- This channel of movement is predominantly foot traffic and cyclists. The flow of people is directed along the concreted path and is a bidirectional flow.

B- The constituents of this pattern of movement are a seemingly even split between cars, pedestrians and cyclists. The movement is predominantly orientated towards the East and occurs along the road. Pedestrians however, will tend to peel off and follow the smaller concreted path (Minor Flow C)

MINOR PATTERN OF MOVEMENTA- Heavy usage and damage to the ground underfoot suggests that this more direct route to the top of the hill is preferred to the gravelled path.

B- Comprised of predominately people of foot diverting from Major Flow A. This is most probably because this route offers a more scenic experience.

C- This movement of almost entirely pedestrians (the odd cyclist) follows the riverside of the Yarra and is bidirectional.

D & E- This movement can be likened to traffic on a road, two single directional movement going in opposite direction at the edge of the medium (the Yarra River). These movements are made up of water taxis, cruise boats, rowing boats and small leisure craft.

ACTIVITY HOTSPOTA- This is a hotspot for families and children, with the agglomeration of the Art Play building and playground forming this concentration of activity.

B- The exchange of people from ferries occurs in this area causing momentary spikes in activity.

C- This area encompassing the boat clubs and boat ramp is the central area for the sport of rowing on the river.

LEGEND

BIRRARUNG MARR PARK USAGE OF THE ENVIRONMENT

Scale 1:1500

Roads

Gravelled Paths

Concreted Paths

Major Movement Pattern

Minor Park Bench

Activity Hotspot

D

EC

B

A

A

B

A

C

B