The former 222 lane of Panyu Road in Shanghai (14 m wide and 80 m long) was interrupted by unplanned corridors of vegetation and parking spaces. 🚘 This made it an extremely busy and dark alley, difficult for pedestrians to navigate comfortably and safely. 🌆⚠️
In 2018, the Walking Lab project was carried out, following a day of suggestions from neighbours. 🗣️ This was also dubbed ‘Little Pink Alley’ (小粉巷) by the neighbours, bringing a warm touch to Shanghai’s cold winter.💕 The main concept behind it was to create a walking laboratory, underpinned by the principles of pedestrian priority and child-friendliness. 🚶
The height difference was eliminated to provide a shared surface for pedestrians, bicycles and vehicles. 🚗🚲🧍 In this way, street users negotiate the right of way through ‘cooperation’. 🤝 This, together with the undulating curves of the ground, promotes slow driving. 🚸
An experimental belt marks the pedestrian-friendly route. 〰️ Five seating areas were created, encouraging residents to create gardens and community activities together. 🎉 In addition, children’s games were provided such as jumping grids. 🤸🧒
Neighbours welcomed the new living room and said their relationship had grown closer. 👩❤️👨👨❤️👨👩❤️👩
This project was designed by XZ line Architects, with the collaboration of Changning District, and was part of the Xinhua Design Festival, and the Shared Community Street project. 🧩
Thanks to pioneering projects such as this one, transport planning in Shanghai has been influenced to prioritise slow-moving traffic, and to turn roads back into streets. 👩🦽🚶🚴
📸: Workshop XZ line Architects
