Designing safer, friendlier and more sociable urban environments is the topical theme for an event by the Institution of Civil Engineers in Frome in September. In a session open to both the industry and the public, Ben Hamilton-Baillie, the UK’s leading exponent of integrated street design, will be considering the issue.
After the recent drama of events unfolding on many of Britain’s towns and cities, urban design has been brought into the spotlight, with many asking how to make the streets safer. But it’s not just an isolated contemporary issue for local authorities. Planners need to consider ways to make town centres more appealing for the whole community, and encourage more people to use the facilities, whilst also balancing the needs of traffic and existing or historical architecture.
The change in approach stems from Europe and Scandinavia, where planners have experimented with new designs to develop principles of shared space for people and vehicles. Whilst this may seem counter intuitive, evidence shows that reducing the numbers of road signs, signals and barriers and limiting traffic segregation from pedestrians has the effect of slowing down traffic and making the roads safer.
New schemes in London, Manchester, Newcastle and Brighton have shown how a less regulated environment promotes lower speeds as drivers negotiate their route without the aid of signs and warnings and familiar cues. They become naturally more cautious, driving more slowly and consequently safely as a result. Moreover, it even has the benefit of promoting civility as drivers give way to pedestrians, cyclists and other vehicles to give themselves time to consider their next move.
Ben said: “The issue of how to reconcile traffic and people safely is not a new one – it’s been the subject of debate for over a century. Balancing economic, environmental and social needs is difficult enough when planning urban design, and there’s also the additional issue of how to improve the quality of life and promote community cohesion.
“However, a new approach has emerged that builds on findings from behavioural and environmental psychology and looks at people’s approach to risk. We are beginning to understand better how our environment influences our actions and decisions, and how that can be used to improve people’s behaviour, making them more sociable and more considerate to others in the context of our towns and cities.”
Shared Space – New Approach to Reconciling People, Places and Traffic will be held at 6pm on 13 September 2011 at Rook Lane Chapel, in Frome. More information and tickets (£5) are available from joanne.mallard@ice.org.uk or 01752 766230.
ENDS
