Slide 2:
- Definition of Shared Space - “Shared space” is a term used to describe an
emerging approach to urban design, traffic
engineering and road safety in Europe and,
increasingly, in North America.
The concept has developed further in Denmark,
Northern Holland, Sweden and Northern Spain than
elsewhere in Europe.
shared space could also be seen as the default
mode before the separation of vehicles and
pedestrians became the accepted approach to
designing public spaces.
It was the status quo ante for most streets and
public spaces before the introduction of
segregation during the last century. Visit any Italian
hill town,such as Siena, or most smaller
Mediterranean settlements, and shared space will
be evident in any traditional streetscapes where
modern traffic engineering has yet to have an
impact. Shared space, Lund, Sweden Road n Village, Brittany, France Shared space, Siena, Italy
Slide 3:
At the heart of shared space is the concept of
integration. This contrasts to the principle of
segregation, the idea of separating different
functions and different users within the urban
landscape.
The idea of segregation can be traced back to the
urban visions of Le Corbusier in the 1930’s, and
was formalised into government policy following the
“Buchanan Report” – Traffic in Towns, published in
1963. Traffic in Towns 1963, segregation Pedestrianised precincts, underpasses, overbridges, barriers and controlled crossings are
all manifestations of the principle of segregation, which continues to underpin most
conventional traffic engineering schemes in the UK. Shared space remains, for most people in the UK,
a hypothetical concept, full of uncertainties and
unpredictable outcomes. It is often confused with
other concepts, such as pedestrian zones, shared
surfaces, traffic calming and the like. To date, most
schemes are at an early stage of design.
Slide 4:
Established precedents exist in a few locations, where conventional traffic engineering
solutions have been replaced by simpler, more integrated, solutions. These include: Kensington High Street, West London.
Improvements to a busy radial route and shopping street by the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Kensington High Street, London Seven Dials, Covent Garden. This busy intersection of seven roads, just south of Shaftsbury Avenue, encourages informal pedestrian activity and interaction with traffic. The podium of the elegant sundial needle serves as a sitting out area on what would
otherwise be a roundabout. Seven Dials, Covent Garden Seven Dials, Covent Garden Poundbury, Dorchester, Dorset. The streets of this innovative urban extension have deliberately avoided the signs, markings,
barriers and long sight-lines traditionally imposed on such developments.
Slide 5:
Blackett Street, Grainger Town, Newcastle-upon-Tyne. A busy pedestrian area incorporates a busy bus corridor serving the centre of the city. Blackett Street, Newcastle Ancoats / New Islington, Manchester. A major redevelopment of a large inner-city neighbourhood, now nearing completion. ************************* Islington
Slide 6:
Shared space represents the most significant new philosophy to challenge the principle of
segregation, and to open up new opportunities to develop a more inclusive and accessible
environment.
Shared space is not, ultimately, defined by the design or configuration of the built
environment. Design and detailing are important, but only as a catalyst to changing the
way in which people interact within the public realm.
At such an early stage in its development, there is a daunting learning curve ahead of
all those involved in the design, management and use of our streets and public spaces. Moving away from established practice requires
determination, careful thought and observation,
and the courage to explore and refine new
solutions.
The input of all street users, particularly those
with disabilities, into this process at this early
stage will be vital as a new philosophy for the
design of the public realm evolves. Blind school testing and training, Haren