One-minute lecture: What does a people-centered urban space look like?
Let’s close our eyes for a moment and imagine moving through the city. Whether on foot, by bicycle, by public transport, or by car. Is the journey calm and enjoyable, or is it rather filled with fear and waiting? Tallinn University professor of urban studies, Tauri Tuvikene – what does a people-centered urban space look like?
PA people-centered urban space functions at the human scale and at the human pace. It offers diverse urban environments, design, and places to spend time. But it also provides a forgiving traffic system — where every mistake does not have to end in death or injury. A people-centered urban space should allow for wandering.
Yet working only at the level of urban space is not enough. Public transport is equally important, as it connects walkable local areas into a single whole. Public transport must be accessible and well integrated. If we can get people cycling, walking, and using public transport, the pressure to rely on cars will also decrease. This, in turn, creates more room for those who truly need to use a car.
A people-centered urban space creates opportunities for more vulnerable road users — and by doing so, it ultimately creates opportunities for everyone.