10. Are streets defined by a well-structured building layout?

Streets, homes, gardens, places for leisure and parking must be carefully arranged. A successful layout should be characterised by a framework of interconnected routes which define ‘blocks’ of housing, open spaces and other uses. Streets, squares, courts, mews, circuses and avenues are tried and tested layouts which can successfully achieve this.

Streets work well if there is a clear definition of the public and private realm. This can be achieved by arranging buildings to follow a continuous line and by creating active edges with doors and windows opening onto the street, which also increases surveillance.

Design should start with the arrangement of buildings. Footpaths and roads can then be included in that arrangement, and within the wider neighbourhood structure. Generally, buildings should be positioned along and around public spaces, with small blocks that offer architectural variety and frequent entrances along the street.

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