Life in Their Street: Observation Studies of Innovative Street Environments
Introduction
Funded by the UK's Urban Design Group Research Initiative this research used observation methods to look at patterns of life in innovative streets which comply with the new guidance in The Manual for Streets. The research looked at 6 innovative residential environments across the UK and compared them with 3 traditional environments. The work was done during the summer holidays when the children were at home. The work explored whether residents use the environments differently, how and why. In some instances the work employed time lapse cameras to record activity. The work found that the new environments were used differently, with evidence of more children's play and some more socialisation by adults.
An example from the work can be found at Planning Blog - playing it safe.