How can we turn our worst urban environments into good areas for people to live in? Jake Desyllas from Intelligent Space Partnership and Matthew Tribe from Atkins presented strategies for implementing pedestrian improvements at the international Walk 21 conference in Copenhagen. Pedestrian improvements are key to making the difference in some of the most problematic public spaces of our cities. Streatham High Road was voted by the public as Britain's Worst Street, in a 2002 poll organised by the BBC. The presentation showed the “from Drive-thru’ to Destination” masterplan which has been developed since then to improve the High Road. The strategy adopted in the masterplan has been explicitly focused around putting the needs of pedestrians, shoppers, cyclists and public transport users before the requirements of traffic.

An evidence-based approach using surveys of pedestrian use, enabled the team to identify how the existing transport planning arrangements were dividing the local community and acting as a barrier to local economic development. A computer program was used analyse the ‘desire lines’ for pedestrian movement and help the design team to identify where new crossings for pedestrians will have the maximum benefit.

This analysis was used to develop a design concept that promotes walking, cycling and public transport modes as an engine for local regeneration. Many of the key aspects of the plan are relatively low cost (such as widening footways, improving key pedestrian crossings and the de cluttering of the public realm) but have been targeted for maximum effect. As well as physical and infrastructure measures, pedestrian signage and interpretation has been identified as a priority to ensure that all visitors arriving by public transport can quickly orientate themselves to the wide range of retail, leisure and public facilities on offer along Europe's longest High Street.

A follow-up study has been undertaken to evaluate the impact of the first phase of changes. This found that the removal of barriers had not led to any signs of more dangerous behaviour by pedestrians.

For more information, see Streatham High Road: "from Drive-thru to Destination".