The last century anticipated to redefine the use and need for cities and city planners. The 20th century saw city proposals benefiting both the city and its people. However, author of ‘The Death and Life of Great American Cities’, Jane Jacobs - an American-Canadian theorist who studied urban spaces and sociology - believed that a responsibility of the street was to keep its users safe through promoting regulation to the workings of the city.
Jacobs condemned the formative planning of cities, arguing that urban regeneration was more considerate to the influx of vehicles rather than pedestrians and residents. Not only did this become unsustainable in the regulation of space but also it had a negative environmental impact with the increase of air pollution.
Previously accommodating traffic, parking and pedestrians in a cluttered composition, Exhibition Road became a pedestrian priority shared surface in its 2012 redevelopment. The Albertropolis addition shows no physical barrier between road users. The facade to facade public surface lines the road linking museums and institutions in a bid to draw society into the public realm. This allows space for congregation and interaction which are principles promoted by Jacobs.
Jacobs argues that the sidewalk serves various purpose, primarily keeping the pedestrian safe, but also to show the segregation of road users. The separate pavement and road circulate the operation of the city. The responsibility of the pavement is to keep the pedestrians separate from the street traffic.
The shared space removes the barrier which visually combats the safety measures Jacobs is passionate about. Jacobs “eyes upon the street” theorises that the more people populating the street the safer it becomes. However, giving pedestrians the right of way becomes confusing and unfamiliar to the city dweller. The notion that cars stop for people is unaccustomed.
As a result of the redevelopment the environmental impact has reduced. Now that the road prioritises pedestrians, it sees more pedestrian users over vehicles. Without any actual change in environmental legislation, the responsibility of the pavement and the use of the space is altered - all by adjusting the hierarchy of users.
Initially completed as Architecture Theory coursework, originally submitted 2018. Reworked to incorporate themes explored through my independent study of environmental law.