Shared surface street schemes versus proper pavements

New Islington in Manchester - daisybush on Flickr

The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association is leading a campaign against the introduction of shared surface street schemes in the UK.

Resources
- Research done by University College London comparing traditional kerbs against other safe space delineators.
- Focus group research on the experience of blind and partially sighted people in shared surface streets in the UK and the Netherlands.
- A report by Rambøll Nyvig, an international design practice, to consider how shared space street design could include the needs of blind and partially sighted people.

ESI references:

• Kerbs
• Paving

Manual for Streets (MfS) – they’re not just transport corridors

First published in 2007, the Department of Transport’s ‘Manual for Streets’ was praised for ‘radically changing designers’ and local authorities’ approach to residential street design for the better’.

You can download the manual, as well as the supporting evidence and research, from the Department’s website.

The Institute of Civil Engineers has recently produced a three page briefing document on the manual. A quicker read.

ESI references:

• Kerbs
• Traffic islands
• Traffic bollards

Urban green space in Scotland

Scotland’s residents benefit from urban green space to the tune of 23m2 per person, according to a new report by greenspace scotland.

It identifies 85,000 hectares’ worth, or equivalent to 120,000 football pitches, made up of private gardens, natural spaces, amenity areas, sports areas, and public parks and gardens.

The report can be downloaded free of charge, and includes an interactive map.

ESI references:

• Sport and play

Commissioning public art: getting people involved

In a longish piece entitled ‘Commissioning Guidelines’ public art online provides a useful introduction to public and community participation in art projects.

Stephen Broadbent sculpture

There’s also an interesting article on decommissioning public art. Fortunately, or unfortunately, it doesn’t all last for ever.

ESI references:

• Public art

Landscape Institute and Green Infrastructure

Green Infrastructure position statement

A free download of the LI’s policy document: Green Infrastructure: connected and multifunctional landscapes.

It outlines the central principles behind the “green infrastructure” (GI) concept, and the associated environmental, social and economic benefits.

It illustrates these with a series of case studies:

• The Newlands, Mersey Forest and Weaver Valley Initiative
• Crewe Business Park
• Ingrebourne Hill in London
• The River Ray Corridor in Swindon
• The Royal Parks in London

The document also tries to pin down some of the terminology (page 4):

“Connectivity – Connectivity between different GI assets will help maximise the benefits that they generate. This connectivity can be visual or notional; however physical connections make the most impact. This connectivity can enhance public engagement with the natural environment, improve opportunities for biodiversity migration and assist in encouraging sustainable forms of travel.”

“Multifunctionality – Understanding multifunctionality is central to the GI approach to land use planning. Where land performs a range of functions it affords a far greater range of social, environmental and economic benefits than might otherwise be delivered.”

ESI references:

• Landscape architects

Playgrounds: risk and freedom

Balancing risk and freedom

What level of risk is acceptable in children’s health and safety?

‘The balance between allowing children to play unhindered and wrapping them in cotton wool has been struck in some public playgrounds’ claims an interesting article in the Times Educational Supplement on freedom, risk and children’s playgrounds.

It also references examples of playground design from Stirling where safer surfacing and fences have been dispensed with in order to encourage exploration and further learning opportunities.

ESI references:

• Play equipment

Parks and happy people

How and why should green spaces feature in urban design?

The Dirt draws together a number of posts that look at the beneficial effects of nature on mood, behaviour, community relationships, and rehabilitation.

It quotes a University of Rochester study: “Incorporating parks and other representations of nature into urban environments may help build a stronger sense of community among residents”.

ESI references:

• Trees and shrubs
• Urban design

Avoiding common mistakes in the design of streetscapes and public areas

Getting it right is important

The London Borough of Richmond-upon-Thames’s Public Space Design Guide’ gives an interesting summary of good practice in the field. It provides clear, concise guidance on a number of areas including paving, signage, lighting and green areas.

Consider for example the main considerations for public furniture.

1. Choose street furniture to relate to its location and local distinctiveness, and reinforce a sense of place
2. Different items of street furniture should relate to each other in terms of design, siting and colour
3. Avoid causing clutter
4. Reduce to a minimum ‘defensive’ street furniture such as railings and bollards
5. Retain and refurbish distinctive historic elements of street furniture, such as telephone boxes and milestones.

Simple and obvious.

Here’s to every scheme that achieves these.

ESI references:

• Public seating
• Bollards
• Cycle parking
• Railings

LDT backs SUDS standards

Sustainable drainage systems

The Landscape Design Trust has announced plans to give training on forthcoming national SUDS standards.

Defra and the Welsh Government Assembly are preparing the standards to encourage the use of sustainable drainage systems in new-build and redevelopment projects.

Saying that uptake so far has been ‘disappointingly slow’, the LDT – working with the Landscape Institute and the Environment Agency – now intends to offer direct help to local authorities and designers that want to use SUDS technologies and principles.

ESI references:

• Sustainable drainage systems

The secret history of bollards

Furnitubes CAN 500 Cannon cast iron bollard

Inspired by a local meeting of the National Trust, the Whitby Gazette ‘Society Spot’ looks at the origins of traditional street furniture designs in recycled masonry and re-purposed 18th century cannon barrels.

ESI references:

• Bollards