CABE Hits Out at ‘Bland Design’

By Anonymous

Risk-free areas are anathema to good design, say open-space watchdogs, who have railed against “bland, bleak and barrierridden spaces”. CABE director Sarah Gaventa said many public spaces were created with a “worst-case scenario” in mind, not normal behaviour.

“We want a balanced approach to risk, rather than designing as if the public was stupid,” she said at the launch of the new report, called Living with Risk.

“We don’t want dangerous or insecure environments, but we do want to avoid creating a generation of bland, bleak and barrier-ridden public spaces.”

The report looked at 10 areas, including London’s Kensington High Street. When stripped of road barriers, accidents fell and drivers and walkers became more aware of each other, the report claimed.

Copyright Haymarket Business Publications Ltd. May 24, 2007

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