Ideal residential street
We put our heads together to produce what a typical residential street looks like in the UK today - this is not a real place, but a blend of different experiences that we found across our cities.
Some people live in houses and some people live in blocks of flats. Cars are parked all along the road, with some even causing an obstruction as they take up pavement space. There are no children playing, there is no public space to sit or enjoy the outdoors. There is very little greenery around and no trees. Cyclists must share space with cars that pose significant dangers to them. The air feels thick with pollution, and the sound of motor cars dominates the landscape, keeping some residents up at night.
But it doesn’t have to be like this. We spoke to experts, and worked with over 40 local residents in Birmingham, Bristol, Leeds and London to develop a new vision of our streets free from car dominance. Here’s what we came up with.
In a future not dominated by private cars, our streets are thriving hubs for communities.
The street is lined with lush green trees, providing some much needed shade in warmer weather. Birds fly in the sky, butterflies dance amongst the flora. There’s all sorts of biodiversity for people to admire.
Food is a big part of the added greenery in the street. Apple and plum trees provide free fresh fruit in season, and there’s an edible garden helping to cut the cost of food as well as emissions. The edible garden is looked after by volunteers, including some help from young green fingers, and is used by anyone who wants some veggies or herbs for their evening meal.
Benches provide space for neighbours to get together for a chat, and for older or mobility impaired people to rest if they need to as they pass through the neighbourhood. Families now sit outside and enjoy picnics together.
The new adventure play area provides hours of fun for children, and busy parents keep an eye on them from balconies and doorways. More people on the street makes everyone feel safer, people know their neighbours, and are much more connected since the street was redesigned - the sense of community is much stronger.
The blue cycleway has opened up a corridor for safe, sustainable transport with scooters, cycles and cargo bikes all shuttling down - but when they spot people walking or wheeling, they allow give way to let them cross. There’s lots of cycle storage with charging points for e-bikes and e-scooters - all solar powered.
Two electric club cars are shared by everyone on the street for the few odd journeys that still require a car.
Sounds of life fill the clear air - laughter, conversation, children playing. People now want to use the street as more than just a space to pass through, it’s a space to relax and enjoy.
Want to make this vision a reality?
Email your councillor to ask them to implement ten ideas to tackle car dominance.