Shaded Pedestrian Linkage

About this pattern

Pedestrian areas should be designed and created to maximise the use of outdoor space and encourage active transport (walking, running, cycling) around the local area. A network of active transport links to local amenities including parks, shops and public transport should be designed for safe shared use (i.e. concurrent walking and cycling). The fastest and most accessible walking and cycling routes should be signposted so that they are easy to find and navigate. There also needs to be a method for people to report observed problems. Trees that provide dense shade should be planted along pedestrian links so that it is comfortable for people of diverse abilities to travel locally on foot or by other means. Temporary shade structures should be used to provide shade while trees grow. Accessible “infrastructures of care” including shelter, seating, access to municipal drinking water and universal toilets are essential to support pedestrians.

Pattern Conditions

Enablers:

• Ensure that new developments do not break up transport links. Consider how public streets and transport links will be maintained over time, including maintaining shared footpaths, signage and shade cover.
• Clean signage indicating best and safest routes to key locations will encourage use and provide contact details and an invitation to people to care for the shared amenity by reporting problems.

Constraints:

• Limited amenities to support comfortable and safe mobility such as shade, drinking water and places to rest will limit use of public streets. Personal safety concerns may limit use.

Commoning Concerns

Public street as commons

Access: Access for all, including people, personal mobility vehicles (bicycles, strollers), animals (particularly dogs).

Use: For transiting the local neighbourhood, including between houses and to nodes such as transport and local shops.

Benefit: Encourage active transport and discourage car use in the local area; provide open space and shade for users.

Care: Local government will have formal responsibility; engaged local communities will use transit spaces carefully and take part in reporting issues and ongoing maintenance as required.

Ownership: Local government, except in the case of private roads.

Commoning concerns include the ways that users interact and negotiate use of shared transport zones (for instance in shared cycling and walking zones, pedestrian crossings and other places where active transport and car users intersect). Traffic calming devices and clearly signposted crossings make local streets safer and ensure that cars give way to pedestrians.

The provision of shade can inhibit visibility, leading to perceptions that a place may be unsafe. Encouraging collective walking will address personal safety concerns, particularly at night.