Inclusive Street Design

Streets can be busy places, with lots of people, shops and restaurants, spaces to sit and relax as well as being for people to move through by walking, wheeling, cycling, taking the bus or a taxi or driving in a car.  Creating Places and Designing Streets set out policy for successful places for people which support wellbeing, with the aim of allowing everyone access to their local area and the facilities there.

We all want different things from our local high street, whether it’s the local shops for everyday essentials, to the local café for coffee and a meal, the local bank or library, or maybe the streets round the local school are important to you, as your children go there or you go to evening classes there. Maybe you walk there and have a chat with friends, so need somewhere to sit.

Whatever the reason for going to the local high street, have you ever thought about how it is designed? Maybe it is the dropped kerbs that allow people to push a pram or a wheelchair more easily. Maybe it is the pelican crossing that allows you to cross the road easily or the accessible parking that allows you to access the local shops by car.  Maybe you like to cycle and need some secure cycle parking close by the shops.

Each of us has a different ‘wish list’ of what we would like to see and different requirements for how it is most easy for us to move around the area. That is why it is so important that local people are involved in the design of the area, to gather views on what would be useful in the area and on how the design can help people access the area. Of course, not everyone will agree on every detail, and that is why it is so important for discussion to take place throughout the design process.

There are lots of tools to help with these discussions [add link to relevant page], but if the project is being carried out by a public sector organisation (or on behalf of a public sector organisation), there are legal obligations to eliminate unlawful discrimination, advance equality of opportunity and to foster good relations between people who share a protected characteristic and those who do not.

It is important that the project is design led to ensure that it is appropriate to the local area and meets the requirements of local people. Simply having a tick list or meeting a standard does not make the design accessible to all.  Further guidance is due to be published soon, but there are some key principles to think about to allow people of all abilities to access an area and safely travel through the area.

In summary, it is important to consider the design of our high streets to ensure that people of all abilities can access local places and so are able to use all the services provided there. This will work with the principles of the 20 minute neighbourhood and the many benefits associated with living local.

Work on the inclusive design agenda is progressing and guidance on inclusive design in town centres and busy streets in being developed through a partnership between Scottish Government, Transport Scotland and a range of organisations from across Scotland. 

You can read a research report on Inclusive Design here.