Gathering Outdoors

About this pattern

Every neighbourhood should include outdoor gathering spaces that residents can use for relaxing and socialising with others. These spaces can be co-located with outdoor play areas. Gathering spaces should be delineated from the broader environment through the use of structures such as seating, tables or shade structures that provide a sense of enclosure.

Gathering areas should provide opportunities for large and small gatherings. Ideally, they will include a combination of both permanent seating and temporary seating that can be moved around to suit different needs. Food preparation areas including barbecues for outside cooking encourage use across the day and into the evening and they can be especially valuable on hot days. Outdoor gathering areas should be well-shaded for access on warm days and allow for sunlight in winter. In addition, adequate infrastructures of care should be made available such as water drinking fountains, appropriate seating for different demographics and people with disabilities, and accessible toilets.

Pattern Conditions

Enablers

• Usable open space that can be retrofitted (hence this is suited as a remedial pattern) with seating and shade structures, ensures gathering spaces that are usable across the day.
• Trees and other shade structures that provide shade in summer and allow sunlight to penetrate in winter can maximise the use of gathering spaces across the seasons.
• Consideration for maintenance of permanent structures and gardens and care for temporary or moveable objects can bring greater involvement and sense of ownership among local communities.

Constraints

• Unshaded areas will not be usable in hot weather. Shade density is important in hot periods, therefore careful consideration must be given to trees and other structures that provide sufficient shade.
• While daytime use benefits from providing a sense of enclosure and shade, dense foliage at night can be perceived as unsafe territory and act as a deterrent if there are not more open outdoor gathering spaces available in the evenings.

Commoning Concerns

Ownership: Local Government; the community of users.

Access: All people; birds.

Use: Resting and socialising with friends and family

Benefit: Socialising with friends and family outdoors; provision of cooking areas such as barbecues provides the opportunity for outdoor cooking away from the home on hot days.

Care: Local Government; engaged local communities.

A commoning concern related to gathering outdoors will be the management of temporary fittings. This could be addressed by coming to arrangements with civic-minded local shops or cafes to store resources for temporary use.