1. so why are our streets busy?
principles for MfS2
busy streets – some examples
how to do good stuff in streets

2. Removing the Roadblocks
Manual for Streets 2
10th June 2010

6. Newark market place 1774

8. so why are our streets busy?

9. suburban sprawl

10. we are still building the ingredients of towns
but have forgotten how to put them together

16. Leon Krier

17. traditional neighbourhood

20. Manual for Streets 2
some principles

21. Principles
1. Work as a team
2. Place then movement
3. Streets are integrators of communities
4. Hierarchy of users
5. Invest in streets
6. Traffic capacity should not always be the primary
consideration
7. De-clutter

22. 1. Work as a Team
A multidisciplinary team approach to design is essential
and must be used.
Designers need to interact together to get the best design
solutions. They also need to be able to think for themselves;
to innovate and to use their judgement and undertake
their own studies and research. Many busy and rural streets
require a ‘non-standard’ approach to respond more to
context.
There must also be consultation and participation with
local groups and communities.

24. 2. Place then Movement
Consider Place then Movement.
As well as the creation of great streets and spaces that work in
terms of place and movement there are other considerations
such as the cultural benefits of civic places; the health of
communities and their well being and how places can adapt
and be flexible over time; whether it be 24 hours, weekly or
annually.

27. 3. Streets are the integrators of communities
Streets should integrate not segregate communities and
neighbourhoods.
We must create networks of streets that are connected.
Streets need to have crisscrossability. Pedestrians like to walk in
direct lines which are often straight – note that the ability to
cross on the diagonal is often very desirable and should be
catered for – hypotenuse observing pedestrians - ‘hops’.

30. 4. Hierarchy of Users
Consider the users of streets and places in the hierarchy that
was developed in Manual for Streets:
•Pedestrians
•Cyclists
•Public transport users
•Specialist service vehicles (e.g. emergency and waste)
•Other motor vehicles
When considering pedestrians include those who may be
disabled i.e. how do we create an inclusive environment. Also
think about children – in particular the ability for play.

32. 5. Invest in Streets
Streets are by far the greater part of the public realm, over 80%
of our public space is in the form of streets, and hence are the
main investment in the public realm that is made.
Their layout will generally outlive the buildings that front them
so investment in them, getting it right and maintenance are
key to building places that will sustain.

34. 6. Traffic capacity should not always be the
primary consideration
Often when dealing with the rejuvenation of existing busy
streets there can be a desire to undertake works and to
maintain or improve traffic capacity.
‘Place’ needs to come before ‘movement’. It may be
acceptable on occasions to compromise the capacity and
/ or speed of traffic to create quality places.
This approach will certainly need to be tackled through a
team approach and my also need political support.

36. 7. De-clutter
Lines, signs, posts etc should be kept to an absolute
minimum.
The majority of signs in our urban and rural environments are
not required.
The start point for any well designed street is to begin with no
signage and then see what is legally required; any additional
signage above this needs to be carefully considered.
Street furniture needs to be considered carefully so that it is in
keeping with its environment and will be used and can be
maintained.

39. Putting towns and cities together
strategic streets
look at what we’ve got already
encourage innovation

40. Alnwick, Northumberland

47. New Malden High Street, Kingston

49. Frankfurter Strasse, Hennef, Germany

51. Sherford New Community

55. Tornagrain, Inverness-shire

58. bypass / link road / distributor road

64. Manual for Streets 2
an encyclopaedia of how to do good stuff in streets

65. Manual for Streets 2
• principles
• networks, context and street types
• risk and liability
• quality audit
• design: footpaths, cycling, carriageways, junctions
• visibility
• parking
• clutter
• traffic signs and marking

66. 1. Tidy Up
2. De-clutter
3. Relocate/merge functions
4. Re-think traffic management options
5. Re-create the street

94. Signalised crossing with no white borders to signal heads.
Note also only 4 zig-zag markings.

96. The Walworth Road, omits central line markings are omitted, carries some
20,000 vehicles per day, including up to 180 buses per hour.

97. This junction has the Give Way marking and the approach triangle but no
Give Way sign. It would have been possible to omit the triangle. Note also
table to slow speeds and make pedestrian crossing easier.

99. No need for yellow lines

102. Lowly, un-purposeful and random as they appear, sidewalk contacts are
the small change from which a city's wealth of public life must grow
Jane Jacobs, The Death and Life of Great American Cities, 1961