Public Introduction

Our journey begins with a short photo-sequence animation of a journey I have taken many times, from my local post office to my home. This section seeks to highlight the many design implications found in the urban street environments (see ‘Inclusive Urban Design’ in Bibliography).

As you watch and listen to the movie ask yourself the following questions; You can also download a factsheet and questions and the entire website section in the other information page.

(PublicSpaces.pdf, 84KB):

• Take a moment to consider the importance of being able to get outside. How does this affect your ability to feel independent and how does it add to your feelings of self-worth and everyday enjoyment?


• What types of services are available within a 500m-850m radius from your home?


• How would you describe the local character of your neighbourhood? Is it formal/informal, what are the distinct forms, styles, colours, materials, and scales?


• Are there distinctions in the area through small details, such as, colours of front doors, windows and gardens?


• How are the streets connected and laid out? Are they regular, irregular, grid system, cul-de-sacs etc?


• Do you experience a distinct hierarchy of street types, if so how are they defined?


• When you are in your local neighbourhood how easy is it to navigate your way around?


• Do you find yourself sticking to familiar routes, how confident would you feel to deviate from these routes?


• If you can imagine a particular route you have taken frequently can you associate areas of significance, perhaps landmarks either architectural or environmental?


• Consider decision points, such as junctions or where other visual information ends, what do you use to make your decision?


• How is information given? How is signage approached through use of font, symbol, colours etc? Is the signage flat or perpendicular to the wall? Is there too much information?


• Are the buildings clear in their use and function? Is the entrance easily located and understood? Are the doors heavy to open?


• Are public and private spaces clearly defined? What components create these definitions?


• Are there frequent opportunities to sit down, how are these areas/furniture represented?


• Do you think there is adequate lighting? How does it respond with adjacent materials?


• How wide and flat are the pathways? Are they well maintained? Are the materials in contrast with the walls? Are they wide enough to walk without fear of being bumped into?


• Is there a choice of steps or ramp with handrails in areas of incline?


• What are the sounds like on your routes, are there areas of sudden loud noises, such as people shouting, heavy vehicles such as buses passing?


• Are pedestrians separated from bicycles and traffic either through trees, on-road parking etc?


• What are the ways in which people cross the roads? Are there clearly audible signals for safe crossing?