Y Softer Elements of a street

Y

Softer elements of a street

Could there be a new way to look at what streets can offer? Can it be a field? A park? A pool? A lake? What makes a highstreet a highstreet?

If circulation is taken out of the equation, what other values would the highstreet hold? Together with the revised structure, the new highstreet would focus on the non physical ‘softer’ elements of a place - the experiential aspect as opposed to the practicality of it.

What should the new highstreet feel like since its no longer under the constraints of the standard hierarchy + structure, and dominance of either party (motorists vs pedestrians)?

Kilburn Slow Street focuses on the idea of deceleration. The new highstreet being a place to unwind and relax after the fast paced day at work, a modern respite in the middle of the city. Deceleration explored in 3 different aspects:

1. Physical deceleration 2. Mental deceleration 3. Social acceleration as a result of the above two points

Z

Possibilities

This document presents only a selected array of interpreted research and findings relating to ‘street’, and suggestions as to how the future highstreet could be. Current documents have found themselves stuck in a loop, criticising small issues but neglecting the bigger problems.

‘A-Z guide to streets’ does not present a definitive solution, but rather suggests a possibility. Read together with the projects Re:imagining Alexandra and The Kilburn Slow Street, will provide deeper insights into how the issues raised can be re-looked at.

underground carparking

access to upper ground level overlooking for security

split level routes

highstreet element

Kilburn Slow Street

A story through a play of scales

Main literature

Main documents excluding written articles, publications, journals