A multi-function street in Pune (India)
Streets are the most common feature of towns and cities. A clear distinction can be drawn between streets and roads. Roads are essentially highways whose main function is accommodating the movement of motor traffic. Streets are multi-functional spaces, providing enclosure and activity as well as movement. The quality of streets is often compromised by the rigid application of highway engineering solutions. The multi-function guidelines that are being developed for many North American and European cities are, for the most part, irrelevant for developing country city situations. There is an urgent need to develop guidelines and associated legislation that is appropriate for the range of activities that co-exist in African, Asian and Latin American cities. This is especially important for accommodating street traders.
Read more in the gTKP Urban Mobility Topic Information Sheet on Street Design and Streetscape.