DESIGN PRIORITIES

Depending on the street type and position in the street network, streets can be improved in several manners. A few basic conditions are useful to take into account by a short-long term planning, where a shift is made from car-centric street spaces into social and green places. Principles as ´streets for all´ and streets as ´public accessible´ are part of this transition, which appeals for a new look into street design and, at the same time, a continuation of the street space as public space.

Each territorial and cultural context demands local specific solutions. The question therefore will be: what will the priorities be that will lead to improving existing streets and the way streets should be designed?

SOCIAL INCLUSION

Streets should always be for all. Recognising different logics and characteristics of groups helps to design better walkable streets other (motorised) vehicles are also a part of.

PARTICIPATION

Improving streets means working with existing streets. Streets where people live, have their work and go for cultural or sport activities. Changing streets means always engaging local communities and businesses into the design process. Mainly to set up the design brief.

TRANSPARECY

Good participation needs clear and transparent knowledge and communication. For full accessibility, digitally and physically. In principle, street data should be open source.

START NOW

Street transformation can start directly, it is just a matter of opening the street for people. By restricting cars or temporarily removing cars from the streets, the same space could be used for many other activities. Experimenting allows us to better understand what needs and potentialities every street can have.

LONG TERM PLANNING

Changing streets into a social and sustainable space that is balanced with mobility demands systematic planning in the long term. Rethinking and adapting the planning system and design tools is part of this. In many cities it is/will be more about improvements/ maintenance of existing spaces, and less about creating new streets. As processes do change slowly, it is important to understand the impact of each singular project in the long-term and in its broader (spatial) context.

PUBLIC SPHERE / SPACE

Streets are important social spaces in our daily (healthy) living environment. Streets should be therefore always publicly accessible and publicly managed, as well as its technology.