The Streetforum Guide : A Practitioner's Toolbox for Inclusive Street Transformation

Abstract

City streets are more than pathways for vehicles; they are vital social spaces that shape community interaction, accessibility, and well-being. Yet, many streets prioritise cars, neglecting social and environmental needs. As challenges like inequality and exclusion grow, rethinking street design is crucial for sustainability, walkability, and liveability. This process, however, requires that all of those who are affected or have ideas for street transformation are given a voice and that ideas converge towards a common vision for better and more liveable streets. These guidelines provide an overview of the tools and methods developed in the StreetForum project. They aim to help reach consensus or compromise around street transformations in urban neighbourhoods by building a common understanding of issues, building trust among stakeholders, empowering communities to act autonomously, and raising awareness about the long-term impacts of transformations. The tools were tested and evaluated in four Living Labs in Brussels, Stockholm, Istanbul, and Vienna with the collaboration of numerous residents, NGOs, public authorities, and local businesses who provided invaluable feedback.