One day I might write a detailed rant about how cars and traffic have destroyed our cities and landscapes and contributed towards the alienation of the modern city and life. But today I want to sing the praises of sensitive urban design and how sometimes simple low-budget changes are all you need to completely turn around an area.
Poynton is a Cheshire village with a population of 16,000, situated on the southern fringe of the Greater Manchester Conurbation. The heart of the village used to be completely destroyed by the two four lane busy highroads that crossed right at it’s centre. Hard headed town councillors who didn’t back down from a fight together with an innovative design team pushed through a humane and innovative shared space scheme to completely transform the town centre.
Don’t take my word for it, look at the short film!
more reading:
www.sustrans.org.uk
www.ice.org.uk
pandora pavlides 