B4.7.2 Events and public spaces

Pedestrianised civic spaces, including squares, precincts, outdoor events spaces, and traffic-free streets, must be designed as attractive, safe, and multifunctional places that prioritise people over vehicles.

The design of civic spaces must ensure:

• they are fully accessible and integrated into the wider movement network, providing seamless connections to surrounding streets, public transport, and active travel routes - movement through and around these spaces must be legible, convenient, and safe for all users, including those with limited mobility

• materials complement the surrounding built form, signal pedestrian priority and are durable

• the design and placement of elements such as street trees, planting, seating, and other street furniture must consider not only their visual and functional qualities but also their potential role as protective features - these elements must be positioned and constructed to contribute to hostile vehicle mitigation and event safety, without creating an overly defensive visual appearance

• they create environments where walking, social interaction, and community activity are encouraged, and where design quality reinforces their role as key destinations within the public realm

• consideration is given to the volume of pedestrian movement and access to the space by emergency and maintenance vehicles

The design of pedestrianised civic spaces should:

• incorporate and integrate permanent infrastructure, such as power points, water connections, and anchor points for temporary structures into the design of the space to reduce the need for ad-hoc installations during events and improve the efficiency of set-up and breakdown

• provide a combination of functional and decorative lighting to ensure that routes are clearly visible, gathering areas are well-lit, and architectural or landscape features are highlighted

• incorporate public art and/or local identity features into the space to ensure they are locally distinctive

• ensure service and emergency vehicle access is discreetly integrated without compromising pedestrian safety or the space’s visual quality

For crowded places, Hostile Vehicle Mitigation (HVM) may be necessary. Any street furniture used as a Vehicle Security Barrier (VBS) must be appropriately rated for vehicle impact and installed at a sufficient stand-off distance from buildings and pedestrian areas. The level of intervention must be proportionate to the assessed threat and be sympathetic to the operations of the area.

Please see Public Realm Design Guide for Hostile Vehicle Mitigation (NPSA) for more information.