Just reading this section has really made me think about absolute foundations of community support for a project, before a pencil has even come in contact with paper.

Must remember that for September!!!!

I think the problem is that the Council Planning Department did not have any sensible ideas, only a vague notion that ‘a new urban square would be a valuable planning gain’. If it is true that the residents do not want the space to be a social hub then I think the option of making Forum Magnum a contemplative space is the best choice. After all, there are many other places for crowds to throng on the South Bank. So here is a proposal: take up the paving and devote the ‘square’ to biodiversity, surface water management and beauty. I would like to see it as a soft swamp with vapours rising from the water at dawn. There would be sunlight flickering in the reeds, wild fowl building nests and teaching their chicks to swim. In the evening one could contemplate the croaking of frogs and the future of life on earth.
But if the residents do want a busy space then it should be a cafe-market space with exotic coffees in the morning, chic food at lunch time, elegant dining in the evening and lots of things to buy all day. These activities would be income-generating and the residents could make money from their asset, which might be popular.

a) For it be a pretty transit route to the thames, a pleasant corridor if you like.

b) Somewhere to meander, slow down take in the surroundings, but not a long stay, so don’t provide too much. (Very much the plaza problem in New York pre Holly Whyte)

c) Or finally an area that becomes a place, with all the pit falls (depending how you see it, once a place gets gentrified, community seems to go out of the window, people living their isolated cells) of having people actually stop, as this is destination.

Between the residents/business this has to be decided then a design can be submitted, with the base remit sorted. Though as we know you can’t please all the people all the time. I am certainly not suggesting design by committee. So looking at space as the photograph suggests, they really don’t want people to stop. So Avenues of tree’s and water in a directional sense, leading to the river. Money saved use on a space that is for the benefit of all, not the select few.

Maybe that was the Councils idea all along???

Well if we take people watching as a start then you need some were to sit (preferably movable chairs as well as cafe seating). Comfortable so heat sink planting and trees. Water for focus and white noise as well as refreshing spray. Also somewhere in the heat to dangle those hot sore feet, great for conservation a real barrie breaker, (people watching at Di’s memorial is proof of this so lovely to see).
Human scale so if a large expanse reduce the area to area’s that feel comfortable. Leaving space for public entertainers and stalls.
Food/drink.
In my humble opinion its more about people than some chic empty space. People are messy, so the price you pay for a popular space, is a high upkeep, but if business benefits then they (self interest ) will be interested in the upkeep of the place.

So Sit, Food, Water, People watching, Meeting place, Human scale. This is the theory of Holly Whyte who studied the Plaza’s of New York (1980) to discover why one was busy and popular and the others were not. Changed the policy of city planning with his results, now that is some study.

So what ever we design as in shape, pattern, or from a ecological perspective.Its the end user that dictates, not the designer. Design is for the improvement of the many. Not for us as designer to dictate. What a joy it would be for any of us to design a scheme that was used and became a ‘Place’.

What would I do?

Personally find out the needs of the area, its short comings and what would really benefit the people who live and work there.

Then incorporate some of the previous posters idea’s (got out of that one ).

After my 4 years of study ( and er 40 ish+ years of observation) i keep coming back to the above conclusion.

Is it a contemplative space: [ http://www.flickr.com/photos/9709151@N04/2198990881/ ]

An interactive space: [ http://a.rgbimg.com/cache1oZLaA/users/m/mi/micromoth/300/mDa8NAG.jpg ]

A surprising space: [ http://takeonlymemories.files.wordpress.com/2011/05/p1010550-dancing-fountains.jpg ]

Or an astonishing space:
[ http://tagger.steve.museum/images/institution_LACMA/AC1995_170_1.jpg ] etc.

The cafe in the foreground might also benefit from passing trade. The water could mask conversation and provide a calm and cooling ambiance to the surrounding residential uses.