American non-profit organisation The National Association of City Transportation Officials (Nacto) has created a public resource for cities looking to adapt their streets to reduce the threat of coronavirus infection.
Streets for Pandemic Response and Recovery contains ideas such as converting outsides lanes into pavements or bike lanes, creating “slow streets” and adding dedicated space for outdoor dining and queueing.
The document collects emerging practices from around the world, and will be updated as more appear.
Janette Sadik-Khan, Nacto’s principal, said: “Transportation and transit agencies around the world are leading the response with bold, creative and rapid steps to reshape their streets, and by using their existing assets differently.
“Adaptive use of streets can lead the global response and recovery to the crisis, keeping people safe and moving while holding cities together.”
Corinne Kisner, Nacto’s director, added: “The need for real collaboration, across city, state, and national boundaries, has rarely been so apparent or urgent.
“In developing Streets for Pandemic Response and Recovery, Nacto looks to make it easier for cities everywhere to respond faster, innovate better, and support their residents in more equitable and sustainable ways. This pandemic has laid bare and amplified structural inequities and pre-existing socioeconomic disparities across communities.”
Streets for Pandemic Response and Recovery is available here.
Images courtesy of NACTO
