3-in-1 Streets

I want to expand on street design opportunities. We need to get beyond streets as mere conduits. It’s more than traffic plumbing.

Streets as sustainable systems

Streets carry the infrastructure of the city. The network of public rights-of-way contain the mobility, stormwater, and utility systems which provide access and other services to private properties.

In the transportation world, streets are seen largely as mobility networks. We are concerned with how much traffic a particular street can process, how to cross the street on foot, and the various traffic modes. There is some recognition of landscape and stormwater, economic development, and place making, but largely we see streets are corridors.

I see an opportunity to expand and integrate the practice of street design to include all of the various systems which occur in the ROW. The first step would be to clarify that each ROW has three functions: urban space, mobility, and service. Urban space includes all the elements which make streets places to live, trade, and play: economy, urban design, livability, place making, playgrounds, parks, plazas, shopping, façades, building setbacks, shade, and shadow. Mobility is the thoroughfare aspect of each street, from highways to driveways. Service is infrastructure, including utilities and stormwater.

Streets as 3-in-1 systems suggests a series of overlaps. Stormwater management is directly tied to the amount of permeable surface area. There is a connection between the amount of through auto traffic and the amount of street crossings and neighborhood interactivity. The height and setback of adjacent buildings affect the walkability, parking and economic activity along a street. Asphalt parking lots increase the heat island affect. Traffic pollution (air and noise) has negatively affects public health.

Streets as 3-in-1 systems opens the possibility to explore systemwide interventions. A geo-thermal network could provide heating and cooling for an entire neighborhood. An integrated system of streets and paths could provide multi-modal opportunities that reduce the need to drive and park. Stormwater and household brown water can be collected, recycled, and used to cool power plants.