Carlo Ratti Associati works in collaboration with Toronto-based Sidewalk Labs on the 'Dynamic Street' project. It is a modular paving system that transforms itself to suit the ever-changing needs of people on the streets. This allows for a reconfigurable process that is both safer and more accessible to a broader scope of people. The Dynamic Street simply proposes a different approach to the existing painted lines and curbs that city streets are filled with. Instead of that, the project wants to embed lights into the ground that indicate crossing signals and pick-up areas.
The current installation is on display at Sidewalk Lab's experimental space and office in Toronto. It features 232 modular pieces that lay over a 240 square meter space to represent an 11-meter street. The Dynamic Street system is inspired by a pilot project by French research group IFSTTAR and it's removable pavement systems that can adapt to the different road functions. The new project also allows for seamless modular activity for high adaptability for the unpredictable roads.
Modular Paving Systems
Carlo Ratti and Sidewalk Labs' 'Dynamic Street' Reinvents Pedestrian Plazas
Trend Themes
1. Modular Paving Systems - There is an opportunity for innovative pavement systems to transform streets for the better, creating modular and adaptability processes to accommodate the needs of pedestrians, cyclists and drivers alike.
2. Smart City Infrastructure - The 'Dynamic Street' project highlights the opportunity for smart city infrastructure that seamlessly integrates technology and urban design to create safer and more accessible streets.
3. Responsive Urban Design - There is a need for urban design that is responsive and adaptable to changing needs; the Dynamic Street system presents an opportunity for new and innovative approaches to street design.
Industry Implications
1. Real Estate and Property Development - The Dynamic Street project presents an opportunity for real estate and property development to create value in urban areas through more efficient and interactive street design, attracting tenants and creating more livable communities.
2. Transportation and Urban Mobility - The 'Dynamic Street' project highlights the need for more innovative and efficient transportation and urban mobility solutions, presenting opportunities for companies in the industry to develop cutting-edge infrastructure and technology.
3. Smart City Technology - The 'Dynamic Street' project demonstrates the potential for smart city technology, creating opportunities for innovative companies to create new solutions and systems that can be integrated into urban design and infrastructure.