Shared Space
Shared Space creates street environments that are shared equally by all users and is closely related to the concept of Complete Streets. By getting rid of sidewalks and even traffic lights, shared spaces force drivers to navigate spaces at much slower speeds, leading to an increased sense of awareness, better communication between different modes, and much fewer accidents.
This street in Amsterdam has benefited from traffic calming.
The “grandfather” of Shared Space was Dutch engineer named Hans Mondermann, profiled on the PPS website as well as in this article from Wired Magazine.
PPS transportation expert and prolific Making Places blogger Gary Toth also has a first-hand account of Shared Space streets in the Netherlands on the PPS Blog.
The Shared Space Institute, an “international knowledge institute” dedicated to knowledge sharing and implementation of shared space projects, also has a variety of resources, including a great videos section, to help you become familiarized with the concept.
The Placemaker’s Guide to Transportation is a series that helps citizens create vibrant streets and transit facilities in their communities. Each installment features a tool, concept, or resource that inspires engaged residents to think in new ways about their streets and neighborhoods.