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Technical guide
The street | Much more than a thoroughfare
29 August 2024
Streets are the community’s main public spaces. They account for a considerable proportion of the urbanized area. The way they are laid out is therefore of major importance to all spheres of public interest.
The street, space and its challenges
Streets should not be evaluated simply in terms of their vehicular capacity. The evaluation should be multi-criteria: public health, environment, economy, mobility, social equity, etc. This opens the door to a modulation of space and a questioning of the ways in which they have been laid out for decades. Streets can be thought of as the space between the facades of the buildings facing them, including both the street right-of-way and the front yards of adjacent properties. Each of its components has a role to play in defining public space, and can be designed to contribute to community objectives.
The transformation of an existing street can generate opposition among residents and shopkeepers, who tend to overestimate the use of cars by their clientele. By studying, documenting and communicating, we can differentiate perceptions from reality, improve the project and ensure strong support.