I have long been a fan of intimate street design. Streets that are narrow and accommodate for heavy pedestrian flows, cafe seating, shared public space and other things such as street amenities and public art, have always been appealing to me. Busy streets bustling with people that are closed-in and friendly have an appealing nature, and feel safe, and comforting, and create a special local ambience to the place it is situated within the street.
Streets like this capture an essence that is unique, and once again as I have mentioned in previous topics, create a sense of place and identity. They generally tend to carry a long history, which is why so many people linger on through those streets, and businesses usually choose to stay for a long time.
Intimate Street Designs feature but are not limited to:
- Narrow road, reduced traffic speed
- Wide footpaths which hold a variety of amenities and cater for heavy pedestrian traffic
- Private seating such as cafe seating spilling on to the kerb
- Amenities like street furniture, rubbish bins, intricate light posts
- Store and eatery entries that front the footpath directly
- ATM machines in this day
- Public services like bus stops
- Post boxes
- Rows of planted trees and shrubs (generally at equal distance from each other)
- Commercially owned property fronting the street, however residential housing and a few shops in intimate neighbourhood streets
Streets like these also reduce crime and assault rates due to them always being busy and surrounded with people walking along, and from retail stores.
They also increase the value of property in an area as they are highly desirable, and encourage people and locals to get out an walk and spend time in nearby streets and cafes. It encourages people to use public transport provided, especially if street developments like this occur on streets with existing public transport facilities. Spaces like this are crucial for people to come out, meet, socialise, talk to each other and get to know one another, forming stronger community bonds.
Here are some examples of intimate streets with an essence that I particularly love and enjoy being around.
Vulcan Lane, Auckland CBD
Vulcan Lane, Auckland CBD
Vulcan Lane, Auckland CBD, from the opposite side of the street
Vulcan Lane, Auckland CBD
Chancery Lane, Auckland CBD
High Stree, Auckland CBD
Lorne Stree, Auckland CBD
Parnell Street, Auckland central
(IMAGE SOURCES: Google Images, 2011, under street names)
