Mobility from the human perspective: liveability is key

What if the quality of life were central to designing mobility? If it were to make a positive contribution to the environment? Or if the aim was to prevent transport movements? It is time to correct the design error of the last century, in which the car was central to urban planning: mobility from the human perspective instead of from the car. In ‘Blik voor Groen’ Studio 1:1 takes up the challenge!

Mobility is a necessity, not a goal in itself. For example, to get the care you need, get to work, or relax, you need transport. The global corona pandemic has confronted us with a new world. One in which we have seen that halting mobility has a positive impact on the environment and the liveability of cities. These times offer an opportunity to go back to the drawing board and rethink mobility. In ‘Blik voor Groen’ Studio 1:1 therefore set to work with the following design question:

Design new typologies for car-free streets with which we can broadly investigate how a future streetscape will shape our public space.

This is a three-part question. The first part of the question is mainly about form and execution. What will be the new typologies for the street in 2025? The second part of the question concerns the perception of the residents. How can we seduce residents with a new type of street? Finally, the government. What does the changing street scene mean for the government? Think about regulations, accessibility and safety. These concepts are often still connected to the traditional streetscape. 

The ‘Blik voor groen’ lab can be used as a learning tool. By reinforcing success factors from previous experiments and redesigning obstacles, we investigate which principles are correct and where adjustments or further development is needed.

About Studio 1:1

Studio 1:1 is a multidisciplinary design studio from Rotterdam, founded by Design Academy Eindhoven alumni Eveline Visser and Lucas Zoutendijk. The studio focuses on research and design for public space, exploring the intersection between nature and the city.

In a previous project, the studio worked on a ‘design research’ about opportunities for transformative neighbourhoods for the Architectuur Centrum Eindhoven. Essential was the role of mobility, number of parking spaces and presence (or absence) of greenery in the neighbourhood. Within that project, they used their own method to talk to residents to get their ideas about their ideal living environment. Read more about this project here.