Create Streets, an architecture task force, has proposed building housing on Britain’s wide roads to address the housing crisis and protect the green belt. They argue that narrower streets with wide pavements can better serve local communities. The concept of “roadbelt” is introduced to describe the stretches of wide roads that can be utilized for housing. The organization emphasizes the need for human-scaled streets with housing and amenities to improve local life. Several projects demonstrating the potential of building housing on roads are in the early design stages. However, there are still challenges in implementing infrastructure changes, including concerns about traffic flow. Overall, Create Streets aims to create sustainable and community-focused developments on Britain’s roadbelt.
| Signal | Change | 10y horizon | Driving force |
|---|---|---|---|
| Create Streets proposes building housing on Britain’s roads | Building homes on wide roads instead of multi-lane roads | Narrower streets with wide pavements for local communities | Housing crisis and protecting green belt |
| Create Streets suggests creating “roadbelt” | Utilizing wide roads for housing instead of green belts | Boulevards with new homes on wide roads | Solving housing crisis and improving local life |
| Several projects in early design stages | Demonstrating potential of building housing on roads | More examples of housing on roads | Showcasing the viability of the proposal |
| Unnecessary road building often prompted by new facilities | Placing facilities in new developments to minimize new roads | More walkable and cycle-friendly communities | Cost-saving for developers and councils |
| Infrastructure change faces roadblocks | Concerns about traffic flow and lack of vision-led approach | Overcoming obstacles to development | Traffic modeling and vision-led approach |