HISTORIC HYDE PARK STREETSCAPE

Improving Historic Streetscapes

The areas within Hyde Park are known for their charm and architectural character unique to the City of Tampa. This character, however, is largely confined to individual moments within the neighborhoods and is not as evident in the area’s roadways or at the periphery of the district. This project aims to build consensus towards future opportunities for improvement and identify a catalogue or materials, plantings, and other features.


LOCATION: Tampa, Florida
AREA:
Hyde Park, South Tampa.
DATE:
2019
SIZE:
3 Miles of Streetscape and Roadway.
CLIENT:
Historic Hyde Park Neighborhood Association
ROLE:
Urban Design
COLLABORATORS:
Pioneer Form
FEATURES:
Bike and pedestrian amenities, roadway design, urban design, spatial development of the streetscape, water infiltration, public space.

Site Diagrams

The first step in the project approach is to understand and document the data of the site. What is affecting what? What is there? What is not?
In this process of spatial diagramming, it was revealed that:
1. The neighborhood to the south of Swann was all residential, with the sides of houses fronting the street. The north side has commercial frontage.
2. Utilities impact the potential for tree canopy.
3. The historic district has a definitive edge.

 

Utilities…

While not immediately noticeable, diagrams of overhead utility lines compared with those of tree canopy revealed direct influence.

…And Tree Canopy

On streets with alleys, or where utilities were not found in the street right of way, the defining ‘Hyde Park Village tree canopy’ was to be found. However, where utilities were overhead, the spatial identity and experience were much different.

 

Existing

In the existing environment, power lines limit canopy potential and cars are given priority within the space.

Option 1

Option 1 removes the power lines and fills the space with trees.

Option 2

Option 2 builds upon option 1 and limits the on-street parking and provides infiltration beds and more planting space. The street presence is reduced.