Hi all,
Shared streets have been on the rise in urban cities around the world over the past fifteen years and provide many benefits to municipalities who decide to take this route.
What are shared streets?
Shared streets are zones in urban centres where pedestrians, cyclists and motor vehicles mix in the same space. They are sometimes designed as a solution to reduce traffic speeds, thereby enhancing safety in an area that is heavily frequented by pedestrians and cyclists.
What are the benefits?
- The features of shared streets tend to calm traffic, which creates a safer space for everyone, particularly pedestrians
- With shared streets, conventional infrastructure such as curbs, signs, and signals are replaced with an integrated, people-oriented public space that is more vibrant by nature as it encourages social interaction and allows for a more distinctive streetscape
- Compared to a conventional street that is designed for motor vehicles, a shared street offers more flexibility. Shared streets can be easily converted into a pedestrian area for the purposes of farmer’s markets, festivals, or other events
- Shared streets tend to be more accessible for people with reduced mobility, and those who would like to access shops and other services can do so more easily, which is beneficial for local economic development
If you would like to know more about how to design safe and welcoming shared streets for everyone, please see 2030palette and inclusivecitymaker.com. If you’d like to see a visually interesting website with diagrams that show options for traffic calming measures, check out the Global Street Design Initiative’s website here.
