Norrtullsgatan living street : A public life investigation and design proposal

Abstract: ‘Norrtullsgatan Living Street’ is a public life investigation and design proposal to increase accessibility and attractiveness for people along Norrtullsgatan in Vasastaden, Stockholm. It is a response to the Levande Stockholm Programme, an urban place-making strategy to test potential pedestrian streets by restricting traffic and introducing pop-up furniture during the summer and winter months to create pedestrian-friendly environments. Vasastaden is located North of the city center with the major public transport hub of Odenplan and a significant number of people walking along its narrow sidewalks towards Drottninggatan. This area is an important pedestrian zone that connects the city center to other parts of Stockholm with great potential to activate already existing public spaces and create a network of livable streets. This thesis aims to investigate possible long-term strategies based on public life studies, a comprehensive street analysis, and urban place-making interventions that focus on pedestrians, cyclists, and the experience at the street level to create a ‘living street’. This project wants to strengthen and highlight the benefits of walking not only as a choice of mobility but also as a social, economic, and well-being outcome for the city. Moreover, it instigates further the concept of what makes a walkable city. People want to feel comfortable and safe during their walk but they also want to have a pleasurable experience. Urban design qualities, by all means, influence those choices. By following the evaluation of the temporary design during the summer and winter streets, this project re-assess those strategies to proposed permanent design to promote inclusive public spaces. As a result, this thesis emphasizes the importance of design strategies that are well-integrated into a community by taking into consideration site-specific conditions and users. At the same time, it hopes to contribute with input to the already tested pedestrian zones to become meeting places with rich content, high urban qualities, and a strong identity.