Revitalising Quinpool Street - Kristiana Schuhmann

Quinpool Road serves as a gateway and major thoroughfare in and out of the city. As its predominately dominated by vehicular traffic, its commitment to the pedestrian experience is weak and the numerous, badly under-utilized building sites are resulting in a less populated and degenerated street scape . A current study and re-planning is underway by a private planning firm hired by the Quinpool Road Business association which will address issues on the street such a poor lighting, lack of greenery, signage, pathways etc. However this can only be seen as a “face lift” and is not addressing the more important issues of what makes a cohesive street,  how to connect the surrounding fabric more soundly and how to maximize property values. This street thrives on relationships with the supporting adjacent neighbourhoods and in order to optimize the potential of Qunipool one must look at the deeper structure, paying heed to what is inherently wrong about the street (over sized strip mall developments or underutilized lots) and what’s missing (good housing). Our studio focused on developing 5+ story mixed-use buildings (local walk-in trade and stores on the bottom floor with housing above) which ran from Robie to Connought street and worked as infill, new street edges, replacements for dilapidated or wasteful sites and new street corners. Each project engaged a social issue ranging from a women’s shelter to housing for people with special needs, armed forces housing and even student residences. This idea would be to continue this direction and devise a regeneration project or master plan for Quinpool Rd. which would contribute to the dynamic of the street and aid in revitalising this area.