Community Research

Austin, 2002

Curbside planting

What Are Pedestrians Looking For?

In short, pedestrians are just looking to be able to more freely and easily around town without having to avoid obstacles and crowds.  There are seven main points that pedestrians need to feel comfortable:

1. SAFETY

Accident rates among pedestrians drop significantly if a buffer zone is provided between moving motor vehicles and pedestrians.  Buffers can be anything from parked cars to planter beds, but they must provide a physical distinction from the street and the sidewalk. 

Austin, 2004

Pedestrian amentities

Hardscapes of the city often enhance the weather, inner city temperatures on a hot day can soar even higher than those in the country.  Micro-climate conditions can have a significant effect on pedestrian behavior.  Providing shade in the summer and cover from the elements in the winter can increase pedestrian use in shopping area.

What human does not love a choice?  Walkways and centers that give pedestrians a multitude of choices of activities often put single use centers to shame.  Mothers with children, teenagers, and business professionals all enjoy the chance to sit down, relax, and engage in the urban past times, such as people watching, reading, or talking with friends.

Austin, 2004

Visual Environment can have a huge effect on people's health, peace of mind, and productivity.  Appearance of a city center can produce reflection upon the cultural values of its citizens.  Walkways that produce views of buildings and trees can bring satisfaction and calmness to a pedestrian, whereas views of streets and cars can make pedestrians feel nervous and rushed. Public art can also be a huge contributor.

High noise levels may lead to high blood pressure, loss of hearing, and irritation.  A quiet walking path will encourage much more use, and in the long term may be better for your health, than an inner city sidewalk.

Austin, 2002

The lake and river in plan view inset into paving

Paving patterns is another form of artwork in the landscape. Enhanced paving can be a welcoming site to pedestrians who are used to walking on hot asphalt. The use of different paving material at key points adds to the visual coherence of the pedestrian network. It also helps blind people to find their way around.

Austin, 2004
 

Besides the fact that it is unpleasant to breath, pollution from vehicle exhaust may be hazardous to your health.  Vehicle pollution and lead concentrations fall off rapidly with distance from the street.  Needless to say, the farther one can get the sidewalk away from busy streets, the higher the air quality will be.

Active Downtown Areas

Pedestrians Provide Activity

In order to maintain active downtowns, elements such as open cafes, parks, benches and a lot of plantings on the sidewalks should be provided. (see Fig.12,13,14)

Fig.12 Benches and flowers placed in sidewalks

Fig.13 Outdoor cafe invites pedestrians

Fig.14 Park in between buildings

Designed Pedestrian Space

Pedestrians require designed spaces with trees, plants, water, interesting paving, street furniture, and interesting things to look at such as art, store displays and other people.  This richness is rare in urban and especially suburban development.

Information kiosks provide visitors with directions around town. They also provide the local community with information concerning upcoming events.

Austin, 2002
Austin, 2004

Changing the texture and color of the paving over a crosswalk can also be a desired element in the landscape. It is both beautiful and practical in the fact that you do not have to repaint the crosswalk time after time.

The following link will explain desired widths of pedestrian and bicycle paths as well as desired angles and views for cars.