Week 4 wrap up

As we wrap up Week 4, we’ve explored a rich and diverse array of topics focused on street design, active mobility, and the transformative power of a data-driven approach for designing walking and cycling infrastructure.

This week has provided an in-depth understanding of how cities worldwide leverage innovative tools, policies, and practices to create safer, healthier, and more inclusive streets. Let’s take a moment to reflect on the key highlights and lessons from this impactful week.

We began the week with an introduction to the principles of street design for active mobility, focusing on walking, cycling, and other non-motorized transport (NMT). This foundational unit emphasised the importance of designing streets that prioritise people over vehicles, fostering vibrant and accessible urban spaces. We explored how policies and thoughtful design practices are integral to creating complete streets that serve everyone, not just cars. The role of data measurement and management emerged as a critical theme, illustrating how data can assess and improve street quality to ensure safer environments for all users.

A key part of the week was understanding the importance of data in street design. Cities are transforming using data to understand cyclist patterns, evaluate street quality, and inform infrastructure improvements. Tools such as CycleRAP, Star Ratings, and SR4S demonstrated the potential for actionable insights to drive change. Case studies from cities like Addis Ababa and Phnom Penh showcased how citizen surveys and infrastructure audits can guide decision-making, emphasising the value of community engagement in street design.

Barcelona stood out as a leading example of best practices in active mobility. The city’s innovative use of data to transform streets for cycling offered valuable insights into understanding cyclist behaviour and appraising infrastructure quality. A walk through Barcelona revealed the impact of well-designed complete streets that enhance safety, accessibility, and the usability of public spaces.

We also delved into Tactical Urbanism, a dynamic and cost-effective approach to street transformation. We saw how temporary interventions could evolve into lasting solutions through real-world examples from Baguio, Kuala Lumpur, Chennai, and Pimpri-Chinchwad.

The eight-step workflow for implementing Tactical Urbanism projects, combined with data measurement and management strategies, highlighted its practicality. Interviews with experts, including Aswathy Dilip, shed light on India’s pioneering NMT policies and projects, underscoring the power of inclusive, data-driven street design strategies.

Metro Manila’s cycling revolution was another captivating highlight. In collaboration with Ira Cruz, Director of Alt Mobility, we explored how the city rapidly embraced cycling infrastructure during the pandemic. A 70 km bike ride through Manila served as an on-the-ground assessment of its bike lanes, using tools like CycleRAP to evaluate quality and identify areas for improvement. The story of how pop-up bike lanes initiated during lockdown grew into a city-wide network demonstrated the power of timely action and a “progress over perfection” approach to urban change.

Innovative crowd-sourcing methods also took centre stage this week. From gathering cycling origin-destination data in Cartagena to using tools like Streetmix in Bogotá to capture citizen preferences, these case studies highlighted the value of community involvement in shaping urban mobility. This collaborative approach fosters a sense of ownership and ensures that the resulting designs meet the needs of the people they serve.

As we reflect on this week’s content, it’s clear that the tools, practices, and insights we’ve explored are reshaping the future of urban streets. With a deeper understanding of how data, design, and policy intersect to create safer and more vibrant spaces, we are well-equipped to tackle the challenges ahead. Next week, we’ll shift our focus to the role of data in transforming transport operations.

From real-time data applications and Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) to open data, data governance, and the use of AI in transportation, the coming units will explore how cutting-edge technologies and data-driven strategies are revolutionising mobility for operators and users alike.