Community assets design toolkit
Street trees and planting
Description:
Trees, planting and grass verges can help improve the retention of surface water and provide shade and shelter. They can also reduce vehicle speeds. They can be included as part of other measures such as modal filters and side road treatments.
Advantages:
Street trees, planting and grass verges reduce runoff into the sewer system and mitigate flooding events, which are likely to increase as a result of climate change. They can also play an important role in carbon capture, rewilding and increasing biodiversity, as well as improving the attractiveness of the street.
Disadvantages:
Street trees, planting and grass verges can be expensive to install and require maintenance.
Trial:
Some aspects of planting can be trialled such as street trees.
Cycle / e-scooter parking
Description:
Cycle and e-scooter parking is often located near destinations where people want to visit and provides somewhere to lock your bike for a short period of time.
Advantages:
The lack of safe, secure, and accessible cycle parking is a barrier which often prevents people from owning or using a bike. Installing stands at popular locations can help address this barrier.
Disadvantages:
Cycle and e-scooter stands placed in the road will require parking to be relocated or removed. Cycle and e-scooter stands on footpaths can cause obstructions.
Trial:
Cycle stands can be trialled either individually at specific locations or as part of wider measures, such as a pocket park or modal filter.
Cycle hangars
Description:
A cycle hangar is a covered, lockable and secure pod that sits on the road. It takes up about the same amount of space as a parked car and it can hold six bikes securely.
Advantages:
Cycle hangars provide a secure and convenient place to park a bike for people who do not have space at home with. It makes it easier for people to keep a bike and reduces the need to rely on motorised transport.
Disadvantages:
Cycle hangars require the reallocation or removal of parking.
Trial:
Cycle hangars cannot be installed on a trial basis as they require a subscription service from local residents using them.
Street art
Description:
Street art can be used as a low-cost approach to raise awareness of a change in the use or environment of a street and/or encourage reduced vehicle speeds. Street art can also be used as a form of wayfinding to help direct and connect people to places.
Advantages:
Street art can help improve the street scene and enhance the public realm.
Disadvantages:
Street art requires on-going maintenance to make sure that it retains its visual impact.
Trial:
Cycle hangars cannot be installed on a trial basis as they require a subscription service from local residents using them.
Parklets
Description:
On-street car parking spaces can be repurposed for people-centred uses, such as seating, planting, play and cycle parking.
Advantages:
Parklets help create small sections of the street where people can socialise, rest and relax. These measures can help people with mobility impairments as it provides frequent rest stops. Parklets can also be installed outside shops and high streets to help support local businesses.
Disadvantages:
Parklets require the reallocation or removal of parking.
Trial:
Parklets can be trialled using relatively low-cost materials.
Street lighting
Description:
Street lighting can be installed on lampposts or at ground level to help illuminate spaces and enhance visibility at night.
Advantages:
Street lighting can make people feel more confident to walk and cycle at night as it increases visibility and make places feel less intimidating.
Disadvantages:
Street lighting can be expensive to install and run. Environmental impacts need to be considered if being installed in green spaces.
Trial:
Due to the costs involved with installation it is not possible to trial new lighting.
Electric Vehicle charging points
Description:
Conveniently placed charge points for electric vehicles (EVs) for residents without off-street parking. Charging times are typically 8 or more hours (depending on the EV and power on offer).
Advantages:
Not everyone can switch their mode of transport so providing additional EV charge points enables people to switch to vehicles that have reduced or zero tailpipe emissions.
Disadvantages:
Can be expensive to install and require on-going maintenance costs. Can also be difficult to enforce to make sure they’re reserved for charging EVs and not used for general parking.
Trial:
EV charge points could be trialled depending on the electrical connections.
View local streets design toolkit.