Championing pedestrian design

For landscape architects, designing for pedestrians isn't just about pavement and good lighting. It's about crafting public spaces that are inviting, accessible, and safe for everyone, especially women.

At OOBE, we're passionate about prioritising people in our urban landscapes. We believe that well-designed pedestrian spaces have the power to:
🚵‍♂️ Boost public health and wellbeing: Encouraging walking and cycling improves physical fitness, reduces air pollution, and fosters social interaction.
🚸 Revitalise local economies: Vibrant pedestrian areas attract businesses, shoppers, and tourists, injecting life and revenue into city centres.
👨‍👧‍👦 Create a stronger sense of community: Shared spaces where people can meet, linger, and interact build a sense of belonging and social cohesion.

Protecting Women in Public Spaces

One of designer’s core priorities is ensuring that everyone feels safe and secure navigating our cities. This means paying special attention to the needs of women, who often face disproportionate risks of harassment and assault in public spaces.

Here are some key considerations for creating safer spaces for women:
🛣 Well-lit pathways: Adequate lighting deters crime and makes people feel more at ease, especially after dark.
💡 Clear sightlines: Avoiding obstructed views and overgrown vegetation creates a sense of openness.
🏦 Mixed-use development: Encouraging a mix of residential, commercial, and recreational activities in an area increases foot traffic and natural surveillance.
🎨 Public art and installations: Vibrant public spaces with engaging art and design elements can make people feel more welcome and comfortable.

Weaving Heritage into the Urban Fabric

As landscape architects, we have a responsibility to respect and integrate these elements into our designs. This can be done through:
🏞 Preserving historic landscapes: Protecting parks, gardens, and squares that hold cultural significance.
🌵 Using materials and designs that echo the past: Incorporating design elements or traditional planting schemes.
🖼 Telling the city's story: Integrating interpretive signage, public art, or even interactive elements that bring the city's history to life.

At OOBE, our passion for pedestrian design feeds into our philosophy pillars and design approach. An example of this is the transformational project with Stallan Brand to develop Dragonfly Plot 4, which forms part of the wider Barclay’s campus and Glasgow riverside promenade development. By creating a series of dynamic, inclusive, and flexible public places, we have produced a high-quality and welcoming destination. An easily accessible place, where people will wish to linger and socialise in and benefit from.

Landscape Architects play a vital role in championing pedestrian design & at OOBE we understand the power of landscapes to shape our cities and the lives of those who live in them.