BETTER STREETS FOR EVERYONE
How can you recognise a good street? People simply enjoy walking along it. In summer heat, trees can lower the temperature of sun-baked pavements by 11°C to 25°C. And local shops often see sales increase by around 30%. We can learn from cities like Barcelona, Paris, London and Copenhagen.
WHAT MAKES A GREAT STREET? LESSONS FROM WORLD CITIES
Space for people — wide pavements with benches and places to stop and rest.
Space for a smart mix of public transport, cars and bikes working together, from crossings where pedestrians are clearly visible, to lower speed limits: while a pedestrian hit by a car at 50 km/h survives in only 50–80% of cases, at 30 km/h the survival rate rises to around 90%.
Space for trees and greenery providing shade, cooling streets, cleaning the air, reducing noise, and making places more attractive.
Space for local shops, which thrive in this kind of environment.
WANT TO SEE IT IN PRACTICE? VISIT DUKELSKÝCH HRDINŮ STREET
Six hundred metres of street that have undergone a major transformation. The tram line remains the backbone of this wide avenue, but tram stops have been expanded so people no longer have to crowd together. There’s a new cycle lane and bike stands. More trees have been planted, along with new benches and drinking fountains. What was once a busy thoroughfare is now a more pleasant place, as well as being a safer route for children on their way to school or to Stromovka Park.
A question for children
Imagine for a moment you’re a city architect: what changes would you make to a street you often walk along to make it as pleasant as possible for people? You can even draw your idea at home.