The New Normal for High Streets

Think of a city and what comes to mind? Its Streets.

-Jacobs, 1961:39

© Copyright- Photo by Lisa Fotios from Pexels: https://www.pexels.com/photo/people-walking-on-sidewalk-3703738/

Streets are an important part of city life. They serve as the foundation for the complex interactions that exist between the architectural fabric and human organisation. A “high street” is one such important sort of street. In the United Kingdom, the term “high street” refers to the major commercial street in cities, as well as to similar sites collectively. But, currently, there has been a decline in the footfall on high streets majorly after the pandemic due to reduced shopping and community engagement.

© Copyright- Arundhati Chitnis

Why do High Streets need revitalization?

The world was battling an unanticipated covid 19 outbreak that afflicted everyone in the country. We’ve dealt with everything from daily routine changes to economic consequences. The country’s main thoroughfares were no exception. Furthermore, the majority of respondents believe Covid-19 is primarily acting as a “catalyst for change,”. In other words hastening a transition that began before the outbreak. The future of high streets continues to divide experts. Some opponents believe Covid-19 has the potential to re-establish a majority of High Streets as a focal point for the exchange of goods, services, and social relations (see, for example, Covid-19 Supplement for Town Centres – The Grimsey Review).

Generation of Vision:

Firstly, we need to understand how the people experience the area during various times, needs, and purposes. This will be helpful in setting a shared vision between local people, businesses, and the government. Also, it may require assessment and strategic judgments as not every high street need scaling up, rather, may need a change of uses, forms of engagement, etc.

© Copyright- Arundhati Chitnis

RR’s- Response for Revitalization:

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The pavements and shared surfaces can provide opportunities for enhancing the high street experience. Also, it can  boost economic performance and help building community engagement.

© Copyright- Arundhati Chitnis

Also, interactive maps, WIFI, planters, trees, landscape seating, interactive spaces like outdoor libraries, and awareness events can enhance the essence of a high street. Pop-up stalls, markets, and kiosks can add colour, noises, smells, and energy to the streetscapes. These will also be an addition of economical assets and can increase the currently losing footfall. Hence, the high streets should provide an opportunity and reason for the people for getting out of the house and engaging in the experience of these elements of the city. There is no denying that the online platforms have made shopping and retail easy. But by providing the wholesome experience of the space we can attract people back to the high streets.

Conclusion:

Finally, high Streets are the lifeblood of any well-run city. As a result, like any organism evolving to survive, our high streets must undergo a transformation that has been coming for a long time, with the pandemic hastening the process. As a result, it is necessary to comprehend and analyse high streets and their surroundings in order to build numerous key alterations that may be required for recovery and future success.

References:

1. Advice for Highway and Public Realm Works in Historic Places (April 2018), Streets for All.
2. Authority of the House of Commons (10 December 2021), Supporting our high streets after COVID-19, file:///C:/Users/Aru/Documents/Documents/Arundhati/Urban%20Design/SEM%202/Modules/Design%20Thesis/supporting%20our%20high%20streets%20after%20covid%2019.pdf Date visited- 20 March 2022.
3.  Department for communities, and local government, (July 2012), Re-imagining urban spaces to help revitalize our high street.
4. Matthew Carmona (2014) London’s local high streets: The problems, potential and complexities of mixed street corridors, Progress in Planning, Volume 100, August 2015, Pages 1-84.
5. Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government, Build Back Better High Streets.