Transport for London (TfL) has launched a new edition of its Streetscape Guidance, setting the standard ‘for how the capital's streets and public spaces will look and feel in the years to come’.
The guidance is intended as a tool for councils and highway authorities, as well as urban designers and private developers, ‘to exercise best practice design and create high quality links and places across London’.
TfL's design for Aldgate's urban realm
TfL says that while the guidance is focused on its own road network it can be used for other roads in the capital and across the country.
It gives practical examples and supplements other guidance, including the London Cycling Design Standards, Station Public Realm Design Guidance and Accessible Bus Stop Design Guidance.
TfL says the guidance ‘focusses on finding the right combination of materials and using leading-edge design’ to create functional and safe streets and public spaces that enhance people's quality of life.
It ‘acknowledges the need to balance the movement of vehicles, including freight and goods, against creating public spaces that appeal to all’.
Dana Skelley, director of asset management at TfL, said: `We are lucky to have the best urban planners improving and reforming our city in new and exciting ways. This Streetscape Guidance provides the tools and the benefit of years of collective industry knowledge to ensure every project is the best it can be.'
Jack Skillen, London director of campaigning charity Living Streets, said: `We welcome the publication of Streetscape Guidance as a way to dramatically raise the standard of London's streets and spaces. It is our experience that the public realm schemes that are really successful are those that are ambitious, innovative and put people at the heart of design.
‘This guidance promotes a collaborative approach with TfL, boroughs, partners and communities, and with bold leadership, provides a framework to create places where walking is a natural choice to travel, and in which communities and business can thrive.'
