ABSTRACT
The impact of the automobile on the public space of the street during the past century has been in most cases devastating. It precipitated a paradigm shift by altering the dominant mode of occupation of open urban space from walking to driving. Prior to the mass production of the automobile in the early 20th century, the road was considered a place for walking. The automobile was an unknown interloper whose presence was considered noisy and dangerous. It was only through the extensive lobby effort of the automobile clubs, known as ‘Motordom,’ that the car was given priority in the street.1 However, with the introduction of AVs, it is now possible for these priorities to be reconsidered. While AVs will continue to utilize many existing elements of the streetscape as we know it today, they also have the potential to provoke changes in the form and function of the street and its infrastructure, and in various other elements of the built environment. At this point in history, when we are about to have a radical change in transportation technology, it may be beneficial to claim back some of the roadway which has been sacrificed to the worship of the car. This presents
an opportunity to re-shuffle the hierarchy of the road and reprioritize the space of the street.
