Scientific Journal of Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies Landscape Architecture and Art, Volume 16, Number 16 DOI: 10.22616/j.landarchart.2020.16.08 Importance and planning of pedestrian streets in urban environment Elizabete Mendzina, Kristine Vugule Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies, Latvia Abstract. An increasing problem in cities is the growth of the number of motorised vehicles making the urban environment unsafe and unattractive and reducing residents’ willingness to walk. The study explores the problems associated with the development of pedestrian-friendly infrastructure in the city. The importance of pedestrian movement in the urban environment was studied and several pedestrian streets in Latvia were analyzed. The method for evaluation of the quality of a pedestrian street was developed based on the summarizing and analysis of the information from the available literature sources. The method includes criteria that make a pedestrian street high-quality and easy-to-use public space that is suitable not only for walking but also as a multifunctional place for various activities. The authors have worked out recommendations for creating a spatial structure and landscape design in urban environment focusing on the necessity to install good quality and sustainable outdoor design elements, to provide environmental accessibility as well as to include pedestrian streets in the city’s overall green infrastructure network, based on both social and environmental aspects. The recommendations provided can be used for the development of design guidelines and as educational material for landscape architects and urban planners. Key words: pedestrian streets, sustainable city, public space, urban landscape Introduction The characteristics of a sustainable, functional, and, in addition, as a tourist attraction. A strategically pleasant and strategically planned city are its planned pedestrian street encourages residents to move suitability for pedestrian traffic and well-maintained around on foot in the urban environment, urban environment on the whole. Street planning creates a positive image of the city’s public space and determines the quality of life in the city, but vivid becomes a city’s business card, by diversifying the public activities in the urban environment contribute urban landscape with green space and outdoor to the development of the local economy. elements. A pedestrian street in the central part of The population growth in cities leads to increased a city connected to the most important nodes of the city traffic intensity which contributes to environmental may ensure an intensive flow of pedestrians not only pollution with negative effects on climate change and during a warm season, but also throughout the year. public health in general. [10]. Contemporary trends in urban development focus Historically, the streets have always been the on reducing and adapting to the effects of climate place where most of the people’s social activities took change, sustainable and healthy lifestyles and place: trading activities, gatherings, entertainment, preserving existing values, therefore pedestrianisation socializing, demonstrations and children's games. At policy is a way to keep up with the trends by the start of using motorised vehicles for moving encouraging people to walk without using cars on a around, the number of cars and people on the streets daily basis. Pedestrian streets also form an accessible was in balance, but as the time went on and public space, which is part of the city's overall technology developed, the balance disappeared [9]. greenery structure [3]. Despite the fact that the fast pace of life and constant Pedestrianisation strategy’s aim is to revitalize movement is one of the basic elements of the city, city centres by creating a pleasant and functional overcrowding and reluctance of people to walk public space, encouraging people to move in public caused unwanted side effects − monotonous urban space and communicate. As the number of pedestrians landscapes, congestion, deteriorating air quality, increase, it is possible to reduce the motorised traffic, general anxiety and insecurity [10]. The road thus decrease congestion, air and noise pollution in transport and its place in the urban environment have the urban environment [2]. Based on current been a key priority in urban planning for too long. developments and effective landscape planning of Such urban development does not promote pedestrian pedestrian streets, it is possible to create “green traffic as the main mode of transport, it worsens the corridors”, which harmoniously fit into the network of social and cultural functions of the city. green infrastructure of cities. The city’s traditional core function, a meeting place, Since the 1950s, there has been a growing concern is threatened [10]. that greenhouse gases, which increase global A pedestrian street is a linear structure in the temperatures, could cause negative globalclimate urban environment, which serves as the change. Growing concerns and research over time mainpedestrian path in the daily route of residents, into the effects of human habits regarding 80 Scientific Journal of Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies Landscape Architecture and Art, Volume 16, Number 16 Data on the current situation in the capital of Latvia, Riga, show that in recent years not enough attention has been paid to the creation of new cycling infrastructure, but walking on foot is not friendly to residents and does not encourage residents to walk on a daily basis [16]. Therefore the Action Plan for Reduction of Emission of Atmospheric Pollutants for 2019-2030 has been worked out which includes the construction and improvement of pedestrian streets and pedestrian- friendly infrastructure in large city centres, as well as the implementation of pilot projects on traffic restrictions in some parts of cities as one of the directions for reducing air pollution in urban areas [7]. Pedestrian zones in the city promote a healthy lifestyle, make cities attractive to both visitors and local residents, strengthen the sense of community of local residents, as well as are environmentally friendly. Pedestrian areas help to preserve the cultural heritage and promote the economic Fig. 1. Benefits from pedestrian streets and urban infrastructure development of the city [13, 6]. suitable for pedestrians Streets adapted to pedestrian traffic create a [the author of the diagramme E. Mendzina] suitable environment for social activities [1]. Vibrant climate change are a major reason for humanity to public activities contribute to economic development focus on a holistic approach to urban planning and by improving the economic situation of the city and management. [20]. its ability to ensure the personal safety of residents, On the one hand, global climate change affects parks, public greenery and attractive landscapes, the quality of life in cities, but on the other hand, cleanliness in the streets and proper waste functions of the urban environment have management (Fig. 1.) [12]. a significant impact on climate change. Climate The desire to walk on foot in the city is change will have an irreversible effect on urban life, suppressed by unattractive and inconvenient but it is also important to bear in mind that the extent infrastructure. Often, pedestrian sidewalks are too of change depends on how cities function [20]. narrow or non-existent, cars are parked on Walking is the most sustainable mode of pavements; there are various obstacles such as road transport and is a very important part of the city’s signs and other information signs on the sidewalks. transport system. Walking is the only way to get The long waiting time at traffic lights and insecurity around that is completely free of charge and CO2- of crossing streets at pedestrian crossings are also neutral [2]. Gains from increasing number of undesirable for pedestrians [13]. pedestrians and cyclists are the following: reduced Walking is not only the most sustainable possible congestion, improved public health, low costs, way to move around the city, but also a way to reduced air pollution and CO2 emissions. Urban reduce inequality in society and to socialize with residents prefer environmentally friendly modes of other people [6]. Streets, paths and other routes transport if urban infrastructure is appropriate, there should be seen as a public space where city life takes are restrictions on the use of motorised transport, place. Arcades, streets and sidewalks are places easy access to public transport [17]. where city residents communicate, meet, wait, etc. Latvia has plans how to improve air quality by The public space can be easily improved by placing reducing CO2 emissions. For example, the National the hard surfaced pavements, creating or adding Energy and Climate Plan for the period 2021-2030 greenery, placing functional outdoor elements [9]. describes the desired situation to be achieved by The evaluation of recent events in the world and 2030: the use of private cars is reduced in cities, and in Latvia related to the COVID-19 pandemic public transport is widely used. Pedestrian zones are suggests that potential changes in urban planning linked with the public transport network to promote and public space design are possible, which will also its use [14]. Benefits for society are the following: affect the design of pedestrian streets. Although improved air quality in the city, increased well-being major changes