The fundamental issue that must be addressed in the redesign of a commercial street is how to allocate its space. "Balancing" spaces is a concept that is used to describe allotting room for pedestrian needs - encouraging a lively, active public space - while at the same time maintaining appropriate vehicular space for deliveries, parking, local access, and through movement.

Balancing street spaces is both a design and a management problem, because it can be achieved by making physical changes to a street (as by creating a traffic-free mall or widening sidewalks) and by changing regulations, which control street functions. An example of the latter is a street that may be used in different ways during the course of a day: turned over to pedestrians alone from, say, noon until 2 p.m., with full vehicle access permitted the rest of the day. This flexible approach to street improvements requires active day-to-day management to ensure its success. The fundamental issue that must be addressed in the redesign of a commercial street is how to allocate its space. "Balancing" spaces is a concept that is used to describe allotting room for pedestrian needs - encouraging a lively, active public space - while at the same time maintaining appropriate vehicular space for deliveries, parking, local access, and through movement.

Balancing street spaces is both a design and a management problem, because it can be achieved by making physical changes to a street (as by creating a traffic-free mall or widening sidewalks) and by changing regulations, which control street functions. An example of the latter is a street that may be used in different ways during the course of a day: turned over to pedestrians alone from, say, noon until 2 p.m., with full vehicle access permitted the rest of the day. This flexible approach to street improvements requires active day-to-day management to ensure its success.

External Links:

More Information: www.pps.org/buildings/info/how_to/transit_tool/balancing_peds_and_vehicles