Central Milton Keynes has a unique organisation and infrastructure that shapes and structures the architecture and life that happens within. Unusually for the UK, the rigid infrastructure of 20 blocks was built before most of the developments to be within were designated, even now, decades later, there are empty blocklets and whole blocks and underused areas within the developments.
This study was an initial investigation into the quality of public realm resulting from this approach to city centre development. It must be noted that forming the analysis maps was only completed by one participant and thus the results can be seen as a preliminary study only and must be looked at subjectively although an objective method was sought.
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| CMK map as existing. |
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| Break down of traffic infrastructure. Red: Boulevards; Green: Gates; Blue: Streets. |
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| Knolli Map of built form in CMK |
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| Car dominated infrastructure at ground level. |
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| All public realm. Here defined as non-privatised space and non-car-dominated space. |
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| A Break down of the public realm. Green: Green Space; Red: Great, with vitality; Orange: Movement routes only; Yellow: Empty, isolating spaces; Grey: Does not feel public. |
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| All Public Realm. Analysis Map. Black: Car Dominated; White: Privatised; Green: Green Space; Red: Great, with vitality; Orange: Movement routes only; Yellow: Empty, isolating spaces; Grey: Does not feel public. |
A further study to investigate with more accuracy the quality of public realm in CMK would include wide ranging surveys and map making by many participants or through longer term surveillance and analysis of how the spaces are used.
