The impact of 'Living Streets' on the well-being of young adults: How do the current Low Traffic Neighbourhoods in Oxford impact the well-being of young adults and can this be enhanced with a 'Living Street' concept?
Loneliness in young adults is increasing as car-centric city design limits social interaction. Streets primarily serve vehicles, leaving young adults without communal spaces, taking away their sense of belonging.
While Oxford’s Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTN’s) restrict through-traffic, they have not been designed to foster social cohesion. This research addresses this gap by exploring how transforming LTN’s into Living Streets can impact well-being amongst young adults.
Inspired by the Dutch Woonerf concept, Living Streets reimagine roads as community spaces where residents can gather, interact, and move safely without worrying about car dominance. This study explores a multistep methodology: (1) observing an LTN to analyse the current social and transport behaviours, (2) developing a Living Street design based on these findings, and (3) presenting the design to residents for feedback on its feasibility and impact. Through this process, the research aims to evaluate the potential of Living Streets to enhance social cohesion, safety, and sustainable urban mobility and how these impact the well-being of young adults.
Expected findings show that Living Streets encourage stronger neighbour interactions and increase active travel, reducing loneliness and improving both mental and physical well-being in cities. By directly linking social interactions with street design, this study introduces an innovative approach to urban design - shifting from traffic reduction to true community revitalisation.
This research highlights the importance of reclaiming streets for people. By prioritising social connectivity in urban design, cities can create healthier, more inclusive environments where young adults feel a stronger sense of belonging
