THROUGH ZONE

THROUGH ZONE

The frontage zone describes the

The pedestrian through zone is the

section of the sidewalk that func-

primary, accessible pathway that runs

tions as an extension of the building,

parallel to the street. The through

whether through entryways and

zone ensures that pedestrians have a

doors or sidewalk cafes and sandwich

safe and adequate place to walk and

boards. The frontage zone consists

should be 5–7 feet wide in residential

of both the structure and the façade

settings and 8–12 feet wide in down-

of the building fronting the street,

town or commercial areas.

as well as the space immediately adjacent to the building.

SID E WA L K ZO N E S

Street Furniture/

Enhancement/

Curb Zone

Buffer Zone

3 ENHANCEMENT/

STREET FURNITURE/

4 BUFFER ZONE

CURB ZONE

The street furniture zone is defined as

The enhancement/buffer zone is

the section of the sidewalk between

the space immediately next to the

the curb and the through zone in

sidewalk that may consist of a variety

which street furniture and amenities,

of different elements. These include

such as lighting, benches, newspaper

curb extensions, parklets, stormwater

kiosks, utility poles, tree pits, and

management features, parking, bike

bicycle parking are provided. The street

racks, bike share stations, and curbside

furniture zone may also consist of

bike lanes or cycle tracks.

green infrastructure elements, such as rain gardens or flow-through planters.

S T R E E T D E SI G N E L E M E N T S

Sidewalk Design

The sidewalk is the area where people interface with one another and with businesses most directly in an urban environment. Designs that create a high-quality experience at street level will enhance the economic strength of commercial districts and the quality of life of neighborhoods. 2

with accessibility recommendations

DISCUSSION

CRITICAL

outlined in the shared street section of these guidelines. In certain instances,

such as on more rural or suburban of the urban environment and serve

Sidewalks are an essential component

Sidewalks have a desired minimum

roads connecting urban areas, it may as key corridors for people, goods, and

through zone of 6 feet and an absolute

minimum of 5 feet. Where a side walk is be advantageous to build a shared-use commerce. In accordance with ADA

path adjacent to the main roadway as accessibility guidelines, sidewalks

directly adjacent to moving traffic, the

a substitute for a sidewalk. In this case, should be provided on all streets in

desired minimum is 8 feet, providing

a minimum 2-foot buffer for street

the shared use path should meet the urban areas. 3 furniture and utilities. 6 general criteria to serve adequately as

a sidewalk or pathway. Numerous studies have shown that

Sidewalk design should go beyond

good pedestrian network connectivity

the bare minimums in both width and

and walkability have a positive impact

amenities. Pedestrians and businesses on land values. 4 thrive where sidewalks have been designed at an appropriate scale, with

Sidewalks have significant lifespans

sufficient lighting, shade, and street-

and can be maintained without

level activity. These considerations are

replacement for 25 years or more,

especially important for streets with depending on the context. 5 higher traffic speeds and volumes, where pedestrians may otherwise feel unsafe and avoid walking.

Sidewalks should be provided on both sides of all streets in all urban

areas. On shared streets, the street PHILADELPHIA , PA The sidewalk on Walnut Street over the

itself serves as the path of travel and

Schuylkill River was widened from 8 to 12

should be designed in accordance

feet to provide a wider buffer with lighting.

SID E WA L K D E SI G N

Façades and storefronts should be designed to cater to the eye level of pedestrians. Strategies include:

• Lighting scaled to the pedestrian realm in addition to overhead lighting for vehicles.

• Benches and other seating platforms designed into the structure itself or placed within the frontage zone.

• Incentives to provide awnings, sidewalk cafes, and other elements that improve the comfort and appearance of the sidewalk.

• Where security concerns are present, use of permeable, rather than closed, metal shutters on storefronts at night (above).

• Provision of adequate lighting beneath scaffolding and other construction sites.

The use of shoulders as a substitute

Ensure that sidewalks are without for sidewalks is never justified in

Delineation of a strict clear zone or

major gaps or deformities that would urban areas. Sidewalks should be

minimum offset is not a required

make them non-traversable for wheel- delineated by a vertical and horizontal

feature in urban environments. For

chairs and other mobility devices. separation from moving traffic to

the purpose of maintenance, cities

should evaluate the impact of street

provide an adequate buffer space and

trees, signs, and other elements on

At intersections with driveways,

sidewalks should be maintained at- low-volume local or residential roads

a sense of safety for pedestrians. Wide

the structural integrity of the curb

grade through the conflict zone. without sidewalks should be upgraded,

and access needs for parked vehicles

or loading/unloading.

but in the interim may be regulated as shared spaces or improved through

Where transit stops are provided, bus

the use of temporary materials

shelters should be placed at the left or

where there is a potential danger to

right edge of the walkway, but never

pedestrians.

directly within the path of travel. Where insufficient space exists, consider the

Sidewalk design may be compromised

application of a bus bulb.

by roadside design guidance that requires lateral offsets or clear zones

Relocation of fixed objects, such as

INDIANAPOLIS, IN

forgiving to higher vehicle speeds. Use

utility poles, light fixtures, and other

This design indicates that driveway users

must yield to sidewalk users. sidewalk to mitigate these impacts.

a lower design speed or widen the

street furniture should not impinge

on or restrict the adjacent walkway. Walkways must be clear of fixed

Any construction project that obstructs

objects in coordination with ADA

the sidewalk should be mitigated accessibility guidelines. 7 through the provision of a temporary sidewalk that affords a safe and convenient passage or clearly directs users to an equivalent nearby detour.

S T R E E T D E SI G N E L E M E N T S