End of the Road

Reimagining the Street as the Heart of the City

Riggs, William, William Riggs

• Publisher: Bristol University Press
• Year: 2022
• Print ISBN: 9781529225143
• eBook ISBN: 9781529225167
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Social Sciences
• Subtopic: Sustainable Development
• Index: Social Sciences

Since the earliest days of civilization, streets have played an important role in shaping society – but what is a street? Is it a living ecosystem, a public space, a social space, an economic space or a combination of these?

The focus on automotive travel over the past century has changed the role of streets in cities. This has degraded the quality of urban life and contributed to public health issues. This book offers a unique look at streets as locations that can evolve to support the economic, social, cultural and natural aspects of cities.

Using modern urban design examples, it challenges readers to focus not only on the livability and travel benefits of roads, but on how the power of streets can be harnessed. In so doing, it shapes more dynamic spaces for walking, biking and living, and aims to stimulate urban vitality and community regeneration, encouraging policymakers and individuals to make changes in their own communities.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Dedication
• Table of Contents
• List of Figures and Tables
• Acknowledgments
• 1 Introduction
• 2 A Recent History of the Street
• 3 The Street for Transport
• 4 The Street as Economic Space
• 5 The Street as Social Space
• 6 The Street as Cultural Space
• 7 The Street as a Natural Space
• 8 Challenges to Ending the Road
• 9 Beyond Streets: Integrating Behavior
• 10 A Window into the Future: New Vehicles, New Streets
• 11 A Call to Action: Streets as the Heart of the City
• Appendix Natural (Green) Streets – Data Collection Template
• Appendix Pedestrian and Bicycle Volume Data Collection Tool
• Notes
• References
• Index