Designing Streets for People

Abstract

        This paper is based on an article prepared for a forthcoming book entitled “Creating Sustainable Transport’. It represents a summary of a report entitled ‘Designing Streets for People” produced by the Urban Design Alliance, a multi-professional working group. The report inquires into why many public spaces, particularly streets, are failing to meet the needs of people. Evidence was submitted to the working group from academics, transport operators, professionals and campaign organisations about a range of issues concerning the design, management and maintenance of the public realm. The evidence revealed that the management processes that impact upon the street are not properly co-ordinated. What has been lacking is a holistic vision. In order to realise this vision the report suggests using the Street Excellence Model (SEM). In essence this is a management tool to enable public organisations to rigorously challenge their existing policies, processes and delivery systems as they affect the public realm. A key policy vehicle of the SEM is the Public Realm Strategy. Its preparation requires public administrations to co-ordinate their policies across service, budgetary and professional boundaries in focusing on how people use public spaces. Empowering people by involving them in the process can improve public acceptability and accountability. The report identifies the Quality Street Partnership as a product of this process. It is quite simply an agreement between the users of a public space and the public administration managing and maintaining it. This agreement may contain design and management codes that would apply in the use and transformation of public space. The report recognises that further research is required in taking the SEM forward and looks to a number of professional, academic and government organisations to take on board its recommendations.