Case Study: Streetscape Public Consultation All streetscape projects in the public realm demand a complex response from the design team. In addition to the physical design, the reaction of users to the space will have both socioeconomic and cultural repercussions for long-term sustainability. Previous research has shown that the way people interact with the urban public environment depends largely on their perception of the physical design of that space. In addition, a high number of users could provoke increased congestion and deterioration in quality, while, naturally, too few visitors will fail to satisfy commercial investment. It is a central role of the quantity surveyor within the modern design team to advise the client and other disciplines of how the project will influence both cost and value. This research was concerned with trying to understand how projects undertaken with the aim of improving the quality of public space could subsequently influence the economic performance of the surrounding areas. The main objective of the work was to determine those environmental investments which will sustain the population that best meets the aims of wealth creation and quality of life. The research fully recognised the importance of public participation in the design of urban public space, and sought to assist the designer through the development of reliable and reproducible methodologies. Although specific areas were studied as cases within the work, the major output was that of a method for utilising photo-realistic computer models within value studies (Figure 8.1).Figure 8.1 Map used in focus groups. <a id="page_276"/>The public wealth, with its connotations for social, financial and environmental success, can be better assured where the public has been adequately included in the design and development processes. This work adds to a field of research concerning the use of computer models within social enquiry, which has been developing for many years. The work was also important in that it established how experimental methods taken from environmental economics (such as choice experiments) could be applied within the built environment, and particularly when using models traditionally used as a marketing or basic communication device within the industry (Figure 8.2).Figure 8.2 Still from 3D studio model. This project provided a methodology and socioeconomic data for use by designers, and extended the applicability of choice experimentation in the built environment. The method was developed using case study sites which were selected due to the varied mix of individuals and groups which could be classed as users or stakeholders. The project clearly demonstrated that highly quantitative approaches to the measurement of value could be <a id="page_277"/>used to record and present complex social, economic and political situations. The project duration was 2 years, and was completed in 2001. It is true to say that computer visualisation technology has advanced significantly in the intervening time period, and that the production of similar models today would be less time-consuming. It is also worth noting that many computer-based modelling packages can either directly or indirectly store data in connection with ‘objects’ in the space, thus ensuring that models can serve aesthetic, cost control and project management tasks.