About public realm

Good quality public spaces help people feel connected to where they live and work. They can create a strong sense of belonging and support local culture and businesses.

When public places are designed well, they make it easier for people to walk, cycle, and meet others. This improves health, happiness, and a shared sense of pride.

Through placemaking, they help create strong communities. The public realm also helps meet local and global goals, such as climate action and social equity.

Artist Impression of Conway Street to Broad Street.

Public realm contributes to active travel and health. Jersey’s Carbon Neutral Roadmap aims to improve public health through walking, cycling, and other forms of active travel. Well-designed public spaces are key to this and support the goal of reaching net-zero emissions by 2050.

Better streets mean fewer cars, safer journeys, and healthier, more welcoming places for everyone. The mobility hierarchy helps ensure travel works for all, children, older people, and people with different needs.

By applying this approach in planning, we can build safer, greener, and more inclusive ways to move around our Island.

Future Jersey 2017 to 2037 sets out the 10 outcomes for successful regeneration.

These are grouped into 3 themes:

• community
• environment
• economy

Public Realm has an important part to play in delivering on these key themes.

• enjoy healthy and green streets
• enhance local identity and culture
• increase footfall
• create areas to socialise
• travel actively and sustainably
• provide quality seating and environments
• create more accessible streets for all

The Pedestrian Pound report by Living Streets shows that better public spaces also help boost the local economy.

More space for outdoor seating and dining encourages people to stay longer.

Attractive streets draw in visitors, increase foot traffic, and support local shops and businesses.

Future Jersey's Outcomes Wheel