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The idea that free parking is a ‘basic’ for the future success of high streets is like insisting that: 'The more you park, the more you spend'. Which, of course, is not just mostly tosh, but entirely tosh. The longer I live, the truer the following statement by the New Urbanist, John Norquist, seems to become: 'It often seems as though the chief end of human endeavour is to park'. By John Dales
'Better Streets: What Really Works?’ sought to answer this question through an honest analysis of both whole schemes and specific issues, all within a context set by an assessment of what a ‘Better Street’ consists of. Flush surfaces, uncluttered desire lines, safe space, expensive materials and such should be understood clearly as catalysts for enabling people to use and enjoy streets better, not as ends in their own right, says John Dales
The quality of data in policy debates doesn’t necessarily matter – as long as the media can be persuaded to use it, says Phil Goodwin. There is only an uncritical press printing the PR press-release almost verbatim, and sponsors taking out full page adverts. Nobody – just nobody – seems to be interested in the question of whether the numbers are supportable with real evidence
The wellbeing of town centres has always been closely linked to the transport system and how it delivers activity in the form of customers for retail and people engaging in other forms of economic and social life. By Phil Goodwin
The European Commission White Paper states that the idea of connecting modes, particularly through rail and transport hubs, is seen as increasingly important in the achievement of seamless travel, says Michèle Dix, Managing Director of Planning, Transport for London
Changed attitudes, not just designs, are essential if better-shared streets are to become a reality, says John Dales
The sheer difficulty of significantly boosting walking and cycling levels in Britain has been highlighted by new research suggesting that many people think the modes are unsafe, impractical and even abnormal ways of getting about. The researchers say there will only be a significant increase in walking and cycling if short trips by car in urban areas become 'more difficult and, most crucial, are made to feel abnormal and exceptional'. They want more 20mph speed limits and 'resident-only access by car in some areas'. Furthermore, they suggest changing the legal liability for accidents...
Streets are clearly understood by ordinary people as being about much more than the passage of traffic; and this is yet another reminder that the professionals exercising some or other responsibility for such places really, really need to do so in ways that comprehend their complexity, says John Dales
UrbanISM is a 'scenario testing' tool that enables stakeholders and the public to rapidly explore and assess the potential of masterplans and options for growth, delivering an empirical evidence base to support planning and development decisions
The real ‘Red Tape Challenge’ concerns professional attitudes, not the ‘regs’ we like to blame, says John Dales
