STREETSCAPE GUIDANCE

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INTRODUCTION
PART A
A vision for London’s streets
PART B
From strategy to delivery
PART C
New measures for new challenges
PART D
Balancing priorities
PART F
Appendix
PART E
Physical design and materials
SECTION 6
Introduction
SECTION 7
High quality footways
SECTION 8
Carriageways
SECTION 9
Crossings
SECTION 10
Kerbside activity
SECTION 11
Footway amenities
SECTION 12
Safety and functionality
SECTION 13
Street environment
SECTION 14
Transport interchanges
Streetscape Guidance
response. Designers should be sensitive to the
architectural character of the buildings, their
rhythm and scale and how these features can be
reflected through detail in the streetscape.
Consideration should be given to other
townscape elements such as framing of key
vistas and landmarks, the texture, pattern and
character of existing building materials, and the
impact of microclimate and overshadowing as a
result of tall buildings.
Figure 60: The street provides a neutral canvas
that supports diverse architecture
Local identity
Local identity can be considered as the sense
of distinctiveness defined by an individual or
community. The look and feel of the streetscape
impacts on how people perceive and respond to
the street: it affects where people spend time
and shop; where businesses choose to invest; it
affects how neighbourhoods physically connect
to each other; and it impacts on how people
choose to travel. A poorly connected community
Figure 61: The coloured surfaces emphasise
the desire movement pattern simply
[Part D] Balancing priorities 62
with streets that are unattractive for walking
will likely develop a completely different local
identity to that of a neighbouring community
which is well connected to retail centres with a
vibrant street environment.
Designers should seek to reflect identity by
engaging with local authorities and working
collaboratively with communities to identify the
attributes of the place which are important to
local people.
It is important to be contextually aware, using
the materials palette sensitively, detailing to
a high standard, with careful placement and
rationalisation of street furniture, signage and
road markings to ensure context, character and
identity are respected.