making meeting places
An effective meeting place, planned or informal, is friendly, safe and community-based.
How to support the social character of meeting places without disrupting their accessibility and occupation’s flexibility ?
WHY ARE GOOD MEETING PLACES IMPORTANT ?
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Spontaneous gathering in public spaces are already common practices among Inuit
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The meeting places are poorly arranged and do not allow to protect people from the inclement weather.…
WHERE ?
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Outdoor spaces close to ‘‘attractive’’ community facilities (school, shops, workplaces, church, coop, ...) where locals usually gather
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Public shops (coffee, restaurant, ...) or community centers (youth center, sewing center, ...)
streets and trails
cross
Preserve freedom of movement in the neighborhood
animate
Animate the street by taking advantage of the existing public transport system.
So, bus stops can act as outdoor rest areas protected from wind and weather.
calm the traffic
Soothe and slow down traffic by correcting excessively large intersections that cause disorientation
secure
Secure pedestrian traffic by signposted routes: bollard, armourstone and pedestrian crossing at its intersections
CREATING MEETING PLACES
As both destinations and landmarks in the village, informal and multipurpose places, such as the coop, the arena and the church, are already deeply rooted in Inuit practices and collective memory. These places punctuate the pedestrian and motorized movements within the village.
The external spaces associated with these sites would need good planning, arrangement and protection. The addition of light structures seems to support the activities held there and to encourage gathering. Considering that the informal character of movements seems meaningful for the occupants, it is important not to over-regulate the spontaneous occupation of these spaces.
Shelter structure
Front gallery of the Coop
Bus stop
Protected trail
