Manual for streets

Pull up a chair and make some time available. The draft Manual for Streets is now available here, and it's an important - hopefully historical - document.

MfS is intended to bring about 'a fundamental shift in the way that engineers, urban designers and other stakeholders think about the design of local streets. The focus will be on improving the quality of provision for all users, particularly walkers and cyclists, rather than simply focusing on the movement of traffic.'

'The public realm should be designed to suit the activities that we would like to see carried out on it. If the sole role of a particular space is to carry traffic, then highway engineering imperatives should take precedence. But that is almost never the case for residential streets, where a network of spaces should be designed to accommodate a range of users, create visual interest and amenity, and encourage social interaction – in these instances the place function of streets may equal or outweigh the movement function.'

The consultants argue for design that provides a permeable network of streets, defined spaces and a legible environment; and that is pedestrian orientated and on a human scale.

Check out the text and use the feedback questionnaire. The MfS will be discussed at a series of free workshops to be held in Newcastle-upon-Tyne (4 July), Manchester (5 July), London (12 July) and Bristol (13 July). Contact mfs@wspgroup.com stating which workshop you wish to attend.