Streetwise
February 2009 onwards
Streetwise is the Architecture Centre’s year of awareness-raising and action on streets, looking at how we can improve the streets where we live and how we can design great streets for new neighbourhoods. Over the summer 2009 we organised a series of urban walks where people explored Bristol’s streets to find out how our experience is affected by elements such as trees, street furniture and layout.
Streets make up about 80 per cent of our urban public space and are the one public service we use all of the time, and these communal spaces have a huge effect on our lives. Yet the quality of our streets has often been compromised with pollution, congestion and noise. You can help improve the street where you live or play by getting together with neighbours, organising a street audit (there’s guidance from Living Streets, English Heritage and others), and campaigning for improvements. To find out how, download our information sheet or visit the shop information point to browse case studies and other resources.
We asked people to complete postcards to tell us what they thought about their street. Over 50% of those who responded thought that traffic was the worst thing about their street while positive comments were mostly about street trees, green space and the sense of community. Download a summary of comments for more details.
Join the debate. What’s best and worst about your street? How do you think streets could be improved?
Have your say
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