so why are our streets busy?

principles for MfS2

busy streets – some examples

how to do good stuff in streets

Removing the Roadblocks

Manual for Streets 2

10th June 2010

Newark market place 1774

so why are our streets busy?

suburban sprawl

we are still building the ingredients of towns but have forgotten how to put them together

Leon Krier

traditional neighbourhood

Manual for Streets 2

some principles

Principles

1. Work as a team

2. Place then movement

3. Streets are integrators of communities

4. Hierarchy of users

5. Invest in streets

6. Traffic capacity should not always be the primary consideration

7. De-clutter

1. Work as a Team

A multidisciplinary team approach to design is essential and must be used.

Designers need to interact together to get the best design solutions. They also need to be able to think for themselves; to innovate and to use their judgement and undertake their own studies and research. Many busy and rural streets require a ‘non-standard’ approach to respond more to context.

There must also be consultation and participation with local groups and communities.

2. Place then Movement

Consider Place then Movement.

As well as the creation of great streets and spaces that work interms of place and movement there are other considerations such as the cultural benefits of civic places; the health of communities and their well being and how places can adapt and be flexible over time; whether it be 24 hours, weekly or annually.

3. Streets are the integrators of communities

Streets should integrate not segregate communities and neighbourhoods.

We must create networks of streets that are connected.

Streets need to have crisscrossability. Pedestrians like to walk in direct lines which are often straight – note that the ability to cross on the diagonal is often very desirable and should be catered for – hypotenuse observing pedestrians - ‘hops’.

4. Hierarchy of Users

Consider the users of streets and places in the hierarchy that was developed in Manual for Streets:

•Pedestrians•Cyclists•Public transport users•Specialist service vehicles (e.g. emergency and waste)•Other motor vehicles

When considering pedestrians include those who may be disabled i.e. how do we create an inclusive environment. Also think about children – in particular the ability for play.

5. Invest in Streets

Streets are by far the greater part of the public realm, over 80% of our public space is in the form of streets, and hence are themain investment in the public realm that is made.

Their layout will generally outlive the buildings that front them so investment in them, getting it right and maintenance are key to building places that will sustain.

6. Traffic capacity should not always be the primary consideration

Often when dealing with the rejuvenation of existing busy streets there can be a desire to undertake works and to maintain or improve traffic capacity.

‘Place’ needs to come before ‘movement’. It may be acceptable on occasions to compromise the capacity and / or speed of traffic to create quality places.

This approach will certainly need to be tackled through a team approach and my also need political support.

7. De-clutter

Lines, signs, posts etc should be kept to an absolute minimum.

The majority of signs in our urban and rural environments are not required.

The start point for any well designed street is to begin with nosignage and then see what is legally required; any additional signage above this needs to be carefully considered.

Street furniture needs to be considered carefully so that it is in keeping with its environment and will be used and can be maintained.

Putting towns and cities together

strategic streetslook at what we’ve got already

encourage innovation

Alnwick, Northumberland

New Malden High Street, Kingston

Frankfurter Strasse, Hennef, Germany

Sherford New Community

Tornagrain, Inverness-shire

bypass / link road / distributor road

Manual for Streets 2

an encyclopaedia of how to do good stuff in streets

Manual for Streets 2

• principles• networks, context and street types• risk and liability• quality audit• design: footpaths, cycling, carriageways, junctions• visibility• parking• clutter• traffic signs and marking

1. Tidy Up

2. De-clutter

3. Relocate/merge functions

4. Re-think traffic management options

5. Re-create the street

Signalised crossing with no white borders to signal heads. Note also only 4 zig-zag markings.

The Walworth Road, omits central line markings are omitted, carries some 20,000 vehicles per day, including up to 180 buses per hour.

This junction has the Give Way marking and the approach triangle but no Give Way sign. It would have been possible to omit the triangle. Note also table to slow speeds and make pedestrian crossing easier.

No need for yellow lines

Lowly, un-purposeful and random as they appear, sidewalk contacts are the small change from which a city's wealth of public life must grow

Jane Jacobs, The Death and Life of Great American Cities, 1961