According to the consultation draft of Designing Streets, the principal focus for street design - even when the streets in question are quiet residential streets - has been on accommodating motorists. The fact that streets are also places and have historically performed many other functions has been a secondary consideration.
The document shifts the focus away from traffic and instead gives guidance on how well-designed streets and spaces can be created to serve the community in a range of ways.
Many of the criteria routinely applied across residential street design UK-wide are based on outdated practice. Recent research has shown that motorists tend to drive faster on long, straight roads, which suggests that driver behaviour can be influenced by the environment.
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Designing Streets recommends that revised criteria are used to allow streets to be designed as places in their own right while still ensuring that road safety issues are addressed.
It recommends that those involved in street design and approval processes should work together from an early stage to discuss issues and keep a focus on the creation of locally distinct, high-quality streets.
Achieving the patterns and qualities of traditional streets which have been proven to stand the test of time is a specific aim of the document.
According to Designing Streets, the six key qualities of successful street design are: distinctive, safe and pleasant, easy to get to and move around, welcoming, adaptable and resource efficient.
The city council's planning committee agreed to note the proposed changes to the existing legislation and agreed that the comments in a report before them form the basis of the council's response to the consultation.
Planning convener Scott Cassie said: "The publication of this document is a really positive and exciting step towards radically improving the street design and layout of new residential and business developments.
"The objectives laid out in Designing Streets are consistent with the council's objectives of raising the quality of design and our increased focus on masterplanning and design to making attractive places.
Mr Cassie said he looks forward to seeing the impact on Aberdeen's streets in the future.
(GK/JM)
