Question

Explain characteristics of “Perimeter blocks”

Answer 1

The characteristics of perimeter blocks

Perimeter Block is a basic critical component with respect to settlement design. The characteristics of perimeter blocks are as follows:

• Perimeter blocks are composed of public fronts forming strong outward edge or public facing edge as well as private backs (Fronts are required for entrance and public activities whereas backs are required for private activities in every building).
• Practice of creation of secure inner cores (Secure inner cores are composed of the following: It can be either communal gardens or it can be a series of interlocking private gardens).
• One of the examples for perimeter block is the Victorian perimeter block which has interlocking private gardens which make sure no interface with public realm (with the street).
• Radburn style is a broken perimeter block in which back gardens ‘front onto’ the public realm making it vulnerable to crime.
• Broken perimeter blocks have a lack of building fronts facing onto the street making it vulnerable to intrusion. Also it creates a poor relation with respect to the open space adjacent area.
• Urban perimeter block’s public facing parts are directed to face the street. Also private elements (communal gardens, car parks etc) are situated within the block.
• As a result of New Urbanism in England, perimeter block design in which the placement of cars within the centre of blocks came into existence and this is made a success by open perimeter blocks as semi-private spaces having strong levels of surveillance opportunity.
  • These poundbury blocks were overlooked with respect to homes within spaces.
  • These homes are of tradition design with ground floor habitable rooms and thus it enables street level-natural surveillance.
• Strong perimeter blocks create positive relationship with the street.