Shared Space Bous

The project transformed a formerly heavily trafficked through-road in the heart of Bous into a shared space with new qualities of urban life, calming traffic and upgrading the public realm in the process. The groundwork for the project included a community participation process with a series of public workshops. This collaborative approach made it possible to integrate the private forecourts of adjacent buildings into the overall design. The road surface was leveled across the full length and width of the shared space, giving equal footing to all users — pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers alike. The defining design element is a two-tone patterned paving. The pattern serves to articulate distinct plaza areas and points of attraction along the shared space, counteract the linearity of the street corridor, and reframe the program of the public space. Two new public gathering spaces were created: a plaza adjacent to the church and a flexible forecourt in front of the school. Tree plantings and large shade umbrellas provide canopy over both areas. Additional planting troughs and seating increase the share of greenery in the village center, improve the quality of the public space, and deter illegal parking. Two greened bus stops were also designed as part of the project, offering enhanced comfort for passengers and encouraging greater use of public transport.