In response to urban society 's disenchantment with the automobile and the conflict that has resulted between pedestrians and vehicles, came the development of pedestrian oriented streets. This involved a clear shift in priorities to redress the balance in the street in favour of the pedestrians with respect to motor vehicles - in a process called "Pedestrianisation". Much more common, however was to "Traffic Calm" those streets in which motor vehicle access was still necessary. This study examines the application of "Pedestrianisation" and "Traffic Calming" to larger suburbanised commercial streets as a potential solution in mitigating the conflict between pedestrians and vehicles. In order to do this, the study evaluates the success/failure of the Umhlanga and Pietermaritzburg "Pedestrianisation" and "Traffic Calming" schemes. This evaluation proceeds by examining how each area caters/does not cater for the needs of its "users" (pedestrians and motorists) and tenants. The evaluation also includes obtaining the comments of the planners that were involved in each scheme, in order to determine if the initial objectives of each plan had been achieved or not. Findings and conclusions from the various data collection methods are presented. These are followed by recommendations that are important for the success of any "Pedestrianisation" and "Traffic Calming" scheme that may be implemented more specifically in larger suburbanised commercial streets. / Thesis (M.T.R.P.)-University of Natal, Durban, 1995.

This dissertation is to determine the most appropriate type of Pedestrianisation and Traffic Calming measures to address vehicle and pedestrian related conflicts in an urban area, using Florida Road in Durban as a case study. Based on the conceptual framework in the field, participant observation, questionnaires and interviews were used as research methods to investigate this situation and to obtain a holistic understanding of the area. After analysing and evaluating the physical and social factors according to the criteria presented, the findings indicate that there is a necessity to meet the needs of pedestrians in the Florida Road area. As such, different recommendations are made in an attempt to create a pedestrian-friendly environment and a healthy community through a detailed Pedestrianisation Scheme and Traffic Calming measures. / Thesis (M.T.R.P.)-University of Natal, Durban, 2002.