Designing Streets for People

People use urban streets for mobility or for stationary activities, for leisure or for work, out of necessity or by choice. People of all ages and abilities experience streets in different ways and have many different needs. Whether sitting, walking, cycling, using collective or personal transport, moving goods, providing city services, or doing business, the various activities that streets accommodate and facilitate shape the accessibility and livability of the city.

The types of users and the overall volume of people on a given street depend on many variables such as the time of day, the size of the street, the urban context, and the local weather.

Each user moves at a different speed and takes up a different amount of space within the limited geometry of the street. Therefore, the overall capacity of the street will be determined by the mix of transportation modes that the street design accommodates.

Design streets to balance the needs of diverse users in order to shape an enticing environment that ensures access, safety, comfort, and enjoyment for everyone.