Domesticated Streets

The present city has been designed for fast-paced movement, ignoring those citizens who move slower. This project aims to transform the street space so it is inviting to all kinds of pedestrians, rethinking the relationship between domesticity and public space.

The analysis of the different movement patterns of slower moving collectives, such as children, elderly people, and people in their free time, showed that their urban routes intersect in various places distributed across the neighbourhood of Altstetten in Zurich. By connecting these places of encounter, a network of paths is created with the intention of bringing different people together by making circulation between places at different rhythms and speed easier for everybody.

By reducing and redirecting car traffic, space is freed up for pedestrians. The existing streets are transformed into fully accessible, barrier-free spaces across the city. The result is an inviting route winding through Altstetten and connecting important public places along its way. Colour acts as a visual indicator, raising awareness towards different bodies with different needs.

A series of pieces of urban furniture are introduced at regular intervals along the loop. The series contains a wide range of functions that can be combined and assembled depending on the users and the needs of a specific place. While being accessible to everyone, the elements bring domesticity into the streets, shaping new perspectives on how public space can be inhabited. The project is presented as a long term transformation of urban space, extending social life to the streets as a practice of care.