No place remains static, especially in a climate such as Mississauga - seasonal variability in use is evident along the entire Lakeshore corridor. This project attempts to reconcile the need for expanded social space in warmer weather with the need for parking in colder weather with the creation of “swing space”. This space would have a soft shoulder to the road and movable bollards, allowing the space to be either parking or expanded sidewalk depending on need. In warm weather, the space can be used as sidewalk cafe space, street vendor space, or “unfolding” space, in Gehlsian terms. The swing space can also accomadate generous tree pits that can also act as stormwater management retention swales on one side and benches on the other. To further activate the space, parking is removed from the street front and the geometry of the intersection is taken advantage of with infill building that creates a mini community square (or triangle in this case) which accomadates a community posting board. The swing space also provides a buffer from traffic (which has been remediated with a 2+1 scheme) without blocking visibility. The south side will evolve as a passive active zone - perfect for jogging in the morning and evening strolls, with increasing tree canopy.
Detail Plan displaying pedestrian trail and bicycle highway on South side of Lakeshore Blvd. and flexible 'swing' space along the North side.
Sections displaying swale condition, swing space in winter use, and swing space in summer use respectively
