It doesn't have to be big or even beautiful

Pondering the relative merits of the candidates for the Urban Transport Design Awards, the author reflects on the qualities required of a scheme in order to render it likely to win an urban design award. He believes big is not necessarily beautiful and that beautiful is not necessarily good. He reflects on how beauty cannot be achieved in some schemes, even though all other targets are achieved, and consequently those designs would not be considered for an award. He feels some examples of perceived good urban design are just cosmetic, while other beautiful designs such O'Conner Street in Dublin do indeed achieve a beauty that is more than skin deep. As an example of small is beautiful, the author cites a loading bay in Camden which he believes is low-cost, high-value and fulfils all the criteria required to make it serviceable, safe, pedestrian friendly and attractive. The author believes the footbridges flanking the Hungerford rail bridge in London constitute a victory of vision over pragmatism, demonstrating what can happen if pedestrian movement is actively encouraged instead of merely allowed.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/09626220
• Authors:
  • DALES, J
• Publication Date: 2008-5-30

Language

• English

Media Info

• Pagination: 21
• Serial:
  • LOCAL TRANSPORT TODAY
  • Issue Number: 495
  • Publisher: LOCAL TRANSPORT TODAY
  • ISSN: 0962-6220

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: City planning; Development; Highway design; Pedestrians; Urban areas
• ITRD Terms: 9013: Development; 2855: Highway design; 1733: Pedestrian; 354: Town planning; 313: Urban area
• Subject Areas: Highways; Pedestrians and Bicyclists; Planning and Forecasting; I21: Planning of Transport Infrastructure;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01111820
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport Research Laboratory
• Files: ITRD
• Created Date: Sep 30 2008 9:59AM