Active times and public space: spatial devices and affordances for sharing urban space

Road transport in the urban mobility sector plays a significant role in increasing fuel consumption, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and poor air quality. Understanding the relationship between the people and the public road environment is essential to ensure the well-being and safety of individuals and to mitigate the climate change impacts of urban mobility. The concept of shared urban space, with a particular focus on the street as a public space, is analysed, also considering policy, normative and behavioural improvements in Italy. It stresses the importance of awareness regarding energy and CO2 savings by slowing down the space used by cars. The article looks at key spatial devices and opportunities that allow vulnerable road users such as pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists to share the road effectively and safely. By treating streets as public spaces with multiple functions and uses, cities can unlock their potential as safe, accessible, and economically sustainable places. The article draws on theories of affordances, the spatial and temporal characterisation of activity in public spaces, and the role of traffic control devices in managing road sharing.