- guardian.co.uk, Sunday 15 November 2009 11.00 GMT
To many people in the UK, pavements and the roads they drive on are of little interest. But for me, as an independent consultant on the built environment and as a wheelchair and crutch-user for over 50 years, streets and pavements have always been of great interest and at times a cause of stress and even pain. Negotiating road systems is often challenging for me, and sometimes hazardous.
Despite being lucky enough to choose from some of the best designs in wheelchairs and crutches, I still find that some pavements and raised surfaces in the street, such as blister and corduroy paving, often cause jarring pain throughout my body. At worst, I have fallen or toppled out of the chair, resulting in not just a bruised ego but more serious injuries.
So I am always delighted to find well-designed spaces that enable me to get around independently and painlessly. I have found cities such as Amsterdam, Copenhagen and San Francisco to be miles ahead of the UK in providing streetscapes that are accessible for all. And the new crossing at Oxford Circus, which opened last week and takes the lead from Tokyo's famous Shibuya crossing, is one of many urban design projects springing up around the country that adopt the principles of "shared space" – removing street clutter and lowering pavements to give pedestrians a safer and more spacious environment.
Evidence from similar schemes in towns and cities such as Brighton, Ashford, London and Newcastle, suggests that shared space is having a positive impact on redressing the balance between pedestrians and cars. The rising pedestrian visitor numbers and reduction in traffic accidents are testament to the design's promise to diminish the "car is king" culture. Yet change is often met with trepidation and it will inevitably take time and negotiation for this design style to evolve into something that everyone feels comfortable and safe with.
An ambitious design project underway on Exhibition Road in London's South Kensington is helping to set the standard for accessible design in Britain. The street – which is home to the Science Museum and Natural History Museum – will become a single surface. This follows the shared space concept by creating clearly delineated zones for pedestrians and vehicles.
I know many people in the disabled community are excited by the prospect of being able to visit such places with ease and confidence. However, I am aware that others have differing concerns that also need to be addressed. Guide Dogs for the Blind, for example, considers shared surfaces problematic and is campaigning for the UK to remove them. But while they are not perfect, I believe these projects will have a positive effect for many disabled people. Places should be designed to be as inclusive as possible, but we also need to remember that one size does not fit all, and compromises will have to be made. I am delighted that designers are beginning to address the issues of safe and inclusive streets. Perhaps one day everyone will find our towns and cities easy to use.
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