Public Spaces: Esplanades and Squares

Bollards

Bollards help protect pedestrian areas from vehicles and, when well-designed, contribute to urban safety and aesthetics. However, wherever possible, more welcoming, pedestrian-friendly alternatives should be used instead of purely defensive elements.

Street with bollards.

  • Wherever possible, the design of the roadway should aim to provide protection without relying on elements like bollards that serve a strictly defensive function. Instead, more welcoming and pedestrian-friendly alternatives should be considered.

  • They should be between 0.75 and 1.00 meters in height and have a minimum diameter of 10 cm.

  • Their design must be rounded, with no sharp edges, and feature high-contrast colors to ensure visibility at night.

  • Bollards should be placed in a straight line to help guide pedestrian movement and must not obstruct accessible pathways.

Sources