Toward Creating a Better Pedestrian Zone

By architectjournal.org on March 14, 2012

Pedestrian zone was considered as one of facility for the public, and sometimes can be related with one of public place. Public place was defined as the place that can be used for many activities.

It is not only related with a place to walk. Pedestrian zone is consider now as one of the alternative way to reduce the traffic. It should be accessible, can be used by a mass volume of people. It is a smart dealing to ‘convince’ someone to walk from one location to another, and ‘throw away’ their vehicle inside their garage.

Many aspects have to be considered in creating a better pedestrian.
1. The distance
There is a standard distance for human to walk, it is 1,2km to 2km’s away. It is also can be considered as 5 to 10 minutes of walk. If someone walk more than those distance, he/she is in a near way to get tired.

2. Comfortable
Consider the weather in open air as a challenge. If we can cover the pedestrian with shade (which comes from trees or buildings), it can brought the comfort value.

Also consider the width dimension. Predict the volume, how many people will use the place. There is a standard size for a human to walk, it’s 80cm per person. Multiple those standard with the prediction, for example it should be enough for 6 people to walk altogether at the same time, so you will get 4,8m as the result for the width of pedestrian.

3. Accessibility Option
The pedestrian should be accessible by every people, including the people with limited capability (handicap). Provide a clear direction like signages and a street map sign in a proper world language and symbols (in English).

4. Street furniture
Street furniture like sitting groups and street lighting is a must. They’re considered as the main aspect of the comfort value.

5. Aesthetic Aspect
Provide aesthetic aspects like vegetation and plant (a group of nice trees and bunch of flowers). Design a nice path with the combination of natural stones, pavement and concrete.

6. State a straight regulation
A group of ‘untamed’ merchants can be another problem for the pedestrian,as they will occupy some spaces and ‘grab’ people’s right to walk. State a clear regulation if they want to sell their things in this area.

These six options can be combining with other aspects if we want to “push” people to use pedestrian. It is not about how to deal with the regulation and places, but also with people’s behavior at the same time.

Picture:
Pedestrian zone in San Fransisco, copyright of andiewicaksono.com

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