Uses

Workshop Goal

The facilitators of the Denver Union Station workshop were interested in obtaining information from the public about what kind of activities would be most appropriate in the public plaza. This station was operated in order to reach its goal:

"To bring together public participants who will provide their input for what they wish the completed plaza to be, which will guide the studio group to create a public space that has the flexibility to change daily, weekly, and seasonally."

Workshop Process

The rules of the station were stated at the start of each new session, or rotation. Participants were instructed to place their colored dots that signified times of day, days of the week, or seasons of the year in which they would undertake those activities. The participants were given an unlimited amount of dots that they could use and were reminded to make sure they visit each chart. A blank chart was provided to give participants the opportunity to write in any additional plaza uses that were not represented on the charts. Participants were also given the opportunity to ask questions at any time.

Upon completion of the workshop, the facilitators took the opportunity to compile the results and learn what activities people would like to see in the plaza. The results show the types of uses that people want to see in the plaza and when these activities will generally be undertaken.

Results

Time of Day Synopsis

Due to the amount of uses and number of time slots, the information would be most appropriately displayed in three types of graphs showing the highest volume of use during the day, and the amount and type of users partaking in each activity.

Highest Volume of Use during the Day

The survey of the plaza shows a pattern of use with 50 or more people in the area from 6:00 a.m. to slightly before midnight. This amount of people gives the plaza an activity lifecycle of approximately 18 hours a day. (See Figure 1)

Users per Activities

The top five uses in order are restaurants, outdoor/coffee shop, farmers market/ flower shop, and a performance stage area. (See Figure 2)

Types of Users vs. Activities

The residents in the area showed that they would most likely use a children's play area, post office, café/coffee shop, retail outlets and restaurants. The professional group showed they would be most apt to use the bike rentals, bike stands, open lawn, and news stands. The employees were the smallest percentage of users in this breakdown. The news stand, food kiosk, post office, and the restaurants were most attractive to them as a group. (See Figure 3)

Day of Week Synopsis

An analysis of the potential uses throughout the week was undertaken in order to determine at what time during the week certain activities would occur. General plaza use increases on the weekend, with the exception of a newsstand and post office/public library. (See Figure 4)

Time of Year Synopsis

Results from the workshop for the DUS plaza suggest that peak usage in all categories occurs in the summer season followed by spring and fall. Winter use of the plaza area is limited to indoor activities such as restaurants, cafés and coffee shops, and a post office. (See Figure 5)

Overall Observations

People want to be able to see this space be flexible and accommodate a wide range uses. People are interested in the same uses throughout the week that they are throughout the year. The most popular overall uses are the performance stage, cafes, restaurants, and post office. The least popular uses are interior quiet area, kid’s play area, community garden, and open lawn.