SUN, KANGBO-RESEARCH 2
Understanding the Problems with Share Streets and Possible Solutions
The Problem Identified
Shared streets are becoming more popular in different parts the world like the UK, US, and Spain. The main purpose of establishing shared streets is to maximize the use space while maintaining a secure environment for pedestrians, cars, and businesses. Interestingly, there are also some problems associated with shared streets. One of the most commonly discussed ones is its unintended result of creating a more dangerous environment for people who have physical challenges. Accordingly, people with physical disabilities like the visually impaired rely on street and pavement markings to move their way across public and private spaces. Unfortunately, such markings are eliminated in construction of shared streets. At present, only very few people with disabilities choose to pass across shared streets. In many cases, they feel that they have no choice but to take longer routes just to be safe in traveling to their destinations (Guide Dogs n.p.). This problem is made worse by other factors like the insufficiency of existing rules and regulations that govern the conduct of individuals in shared streets. For example, there are no clear rules as who owns the right of way in shared streets (Moody and Melia 1). Share streets are therefore non-inclusive at present. Studies refer to this problem as auto-disabling environment (Imrie n.p.). It is important to solve this problem to make shared streets more inclusive in the future.
Barcelona in Focus
Shared streets in Barcelona, Spain are not exempted from the aforementioned problem. In fact, all shared streets in the world are confronted with the problem. What makes Barcelona more interesting as a subject, however, is that its government, through the Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona has been trying hard to come-up with ways by which it can make all public spaces, including those used in transportation, become universally accessible. It currently has a program called “Universal Accessibility Master Plan” (Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona 22). A research about the inclusivity of shared spaces in Barcelona, therefore, can help in the realization of universal accessibility is needed. In live with this need, the proposed study will have to measure the following qualities: (1) the specific characteristics of pavements in shared streets that make it hard for people with disabilities to use shared streets, (2) the possible solutions that can be made based on the people with disabilities’ perspectives, and (3) what sorts of law are required or missing that can make shared streets more universally accessible, even for people with disabilities. This information can be elicited through the qualitative research method. Accordingly, there will be a need to conduct semi-structured interviews among people with disabilities, and local officials. A thematic analysis can then be utilize to identify the main themes that will give a better picture of the issue and the possible solutions that can drawn from them. There is also a need to conduct photo-documentation, such as collecting images of shared streets in Barcelona to have a better understanding of the problems and solutions. In line with this method, the study will need to answer the following research question:
What problems are encountered by people with disabilities in shared streets in Barcelona, and what possible solutions can be made in order to make shared streets universally accessible?
Works Cited
Imrie, Rob. “Auto-disabilities: The case of shared space environments.” Environment and Planning, vol. 44, no.9(2012). https://www.researchgate.net/publication/257536235_Auto-disabilities_The_case_of_shared_space_environments
Karndacharuk, Auttapone et al. “ A Review of the Evolution of Shared (Street) Space Concepts in Urban Environments.” Transport Reviews, vol. 34, no.10.
Moody, Simon and Steve Melia. “Shared space – research, policy and problems.” Transport, vol. 167, no.6, 384-392.
Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona. “Universal Accessibility Master Plan.” 2010. https://www.uitp.org/sites/default/files/Pla%20director%20d’accessibilitat%20universal-Eng.pdf. Accessed 28 Jul 2020.