Inclusive Design in Town Centres and Busy Street Areas

The ‘Inclusive Design in Town Centres and Busy Street Areas’ report which includes Prof Adrian Davis’ literature review, has now been published.

Transport Scotland along with the Scottish Government and the Department for Transport, commissioned WSP to undertake research, and provide evidence and recommendations on methods and approaches to help deliver inclusive design environments within town centres and busy street areas.

These are streets which serve a civic or public service function, such as shopping streets or areas where one or more public service is accessed, and that have a proportionately higher level of vehicle traffic than other areas within the neighbourhood or settlement. Busy streets are also more likely to be serviced by public transport. Traffic flows have been avoided as a means of determining a busy street area, as what is considered ‘busy’ within a rural environment will differ significantly in terms of vehicle use from an urban environment.

This research included two main aspects – evidence on how inclusive engagement approaches can support inclusive design, and evidence on physical design measures that can support inclusive and accessible design.  This research will inform guidance focussing in these two main areas.