Why rethinking streets could unlock a healthy city for all – ADC

Roads and streets, as the main arteries in our cities, have had a different character at different points in history. With bustling traffic in various forms (from foot and horse to bike and car), and businesses of all shapes and sizes, they are the places in which society is shaped and formed. Today they are one of the main pollution hazards in our cities, and over the last decades have become a barrier for pedestrians and cyclists, prohibiting a healthy way of living in an urban context.

With more people living, working and raising families in our cities, the perception of what a street is needs to change.

These urban spaces are part of the city’s commons, so should be for everyone and not just those with cars. Last year, a Swedish study about “the Sustainable City” showed that 48 per cent of the population want more green parks, 40 per cent want to have more places to meet, rest and socialise, and 27 per cent want more pedestrian routes in their neighbourhood and beyond. If that’s the case in Sweden (which is rather progressive when it comes to urban planning), I suspect similar answers would be given if this study were to be replicated in the UK.

Of course, there’s also the inextricable link between cities and climate change, ecology, health, and equity. Our commons should provide a healthy green climate resilient backdrop for the lives we need, and want, to live in our cities.

To make our cities and main roads less polluted, more pedestrian friendly, more inclusive and accessible, we need to shift our perception of them being simply a means for transport. Instead, streets should be considered as places in themselves – in turn strengthening communities and local economies with climate resilient solutions that focus on creating a healthier city for people and planet. They can be places for movement, but also for meeting, recreation and relaxation.

White Arkitekter was recently presented with this challenge at Euston Road, one of central London’s most busy and inhospitable thoroughfares. The report, Euston Road: Propositions for Change, explores alternative uses for the traffic corridor and combines design concepts from ourselves, Fletcher Priest Architects, AHMM and Arup, with input from Publica, alongside UCL Bartlett students, and with the support of British Land, Camden Council and Living Streets.

Featuring visions for a better, greener, and more sustainable urban space, the report is all the more relevant given the recent HS2 and Euston Development Zone announcements.

White’s proposition is to reclaim land from the traffic that dominates Euston Road to create a wellbeing economy opportunity area. The strategy focuses on transforming the road by enhancing planetary, social, and ecological wellbeing, with solutions across the streets, the commons, and the hospital park.

Planetary wellbeing: The streets

The streets are liberated from traffic with space given over to other uses, whether raised bus stops for fast accessible passenger changeover, delivery hubs to reduce last-mile traffic, or cycle bridges over large junctions.

Social wellbeing: The commons

The commons propose interventions to boost social cohesion and positive climate impact by proposing upcycling workshops, a space for local food production, a hub for study, and a rainwater retention pond, among other interventions.

Ecological wellbeing: The hospital park

At the core of the proposal is a hospital park in front of University College Hospital, to create a healing environment that reduces stress, increases mobility, and improves wellbeing. In so doing, it raises awareness of health in the city and nature as part of the recovery process.

Whilst these ideas and interventions may seem ambitious compared to the current reality of Euston Road, approaching problems in this way is how we can challenge the status quo and create more pleasant streets in cities up and down the country.

As an industry, we need to reclaim the streets as fundamental resources for our society, rather than a means to an end. Only then will we be able to transform our cities into the happy and healthy places that future generations deserve.