Liveable Neighbourhoods
Sustrans Liveable Neighbourhoods implements practical projects which combine urban design, community involvement and sustainable transport planning. Our aim is to work with local residents and other partners to create high quality urban environments which promote sustainable travel behaviour whilst being safe and pleasant to live in and visit.
A high quality public realm that offers enjoyable and safe walking and cycling routes is fundamental to encouraging more people to travel sustainably. When complemented by well-located amenities such as local shops, schools, and green open space, we are providing the foundation for a liveable neighbourhood.
DIY Streets was first piloted in eleven individual streets across the UK between 2007 and 2010. The project works closely with local communities to develop affordable home zone type interventions, making their streets safer and more attractive. The current programme of work looks to develop neighbourhood wide schemes, which encompass several connected streets.
Guide to Creating your own DIY Street is for residents who would like to change their street to address the balance between road users and other users. It is now available to download or print.
Links to Schools & Communities is a unique project which combines our Links to Schools and successful DIY Streets pilot projects. The scheme aims to improve walking and cycling routes to schools and local amenities through an interactive consultation programme whilst experimenting with innovative urban design. Our current schemes are in Brixham and Southampton.
The Dings home zone was a joint endeavour by the Liveable Neighbourhoods team, Bristol City Council and residents in Bristol in 2002- 2005. This project transformed 7 residential streets into a more unified, safer and greener environment where residents now feel a real sense of ownership.
Streets for Living is an initiative which transformed four streets in the centre of Swindon. Using home zone techniques, the design incorporates new street lighting, parking and children's play areas, hard soft landscaping, bicycle storage and seating areas.
Research on retail vitality conducted by Sustrans has found that pedestrians are positive news for local trade. ‘Shoppers and how they travel', the first study of its kind to look at neighbourhood shopping areas, highlights the importance of catering for pedestrians and bus passengers at local shops as these customers are better for business. And, with almost half of the customers living within one mile of the shops, could this mean that out of town shopping centres are not the retail heaven they appear to be?