An ergonomic approach for the evaluation of the usability and safety of urban pedestrian spaces: the new Gramsci square at Cinisello Balsamo-MI (2004).

Since many accidents involving pedestrians had been reported in the new part of the square, that had been built with homogeneous materials (project by D. Perrault, winner o fan International competition), the Public Works department of Cinisello Balsamo has taken the lead in order to guarantee a higher quality and safety of the above mentioned public spaces, during the last phase of the road works.

Studio Steffan has evaluated the state-of-the-art of the works, in terms of compliancy of the works to the existing law on accessibility and safety, with a specific focus on weak users. Some useful – and in some cases priority – measures have been identified, that need to be adopted in order to improve the perception of obstacles and gaps within the square, as well as safety in general.

In particular, the realisation of chromatic contrasts in the paving, with a specific treatment of the Carrara marble, and the addition of some parapets with adequate features, has allowed for the opening of the square to the general public in a short period of time.

The project has been illustrated in several articles and conferences, among which: “Pedestrian mobility of weak users”, in Strade&Autostrade no. 2 March/April 2007, Ed. EDI-CEM; “Mobility of weak users and urban ergonomics. New objectives for the project research” in Paesaggio urbano (Urban landscape) no.1/2008, Ed. Maggioli; “Quality of the environment: usability and safety of urban pedestrian routes”, VIII SIE National Conference: "Ergonomics between innovation and planning, working systems and life styles", Milan, 9 - 10 February 2006, available in the Conference papers.

Conference papers of the VIII SIE National Conference ›