Tag:highway=pedestrian

A highway=pedestrian is a road or an area mainly or exclusively for pedestrians in which some vehicle traffic may be authorized (e.g. emergency, taxi, delivery, ...). Often found in shopping areas, town centres, places with tourism attractions and recreation/civic areas, where wide expanses of hard surface are provided for pedestrians to walk, but also may be found in residential communities designed to be navigated primarily by foot.

In English-speaking countries, "mews style" housing is a term which may be used to describe urban residential developments which are fronted on a pedestrian street. This term originates from British urban residential areas which were developed to cater to horse and carriage transportation prior to the proliferation of the automobile. In the present day, the term "mews" can be seen in both older communities which have kept their historic name, and in newer communities designed to resemble those pre-automobile developments. The newer developments are often associated with the New Urbanism movement in urban planning. Contemporary mews style housing can take on many different forms and functions, and can be observed in social housing developments, communities designed for the elderly, and private gated communities, for example. Terraced houses are particularly common in "mews style" communities. Note that the presence of the term "mews" in a street, building, or community name is not necessarily an indicator of the current housing and street style in itself, as its use could be a historical holdover that has persisted after the built environment has changed, or a reflection of the whims of a developer unconcerned with the specificity of the description.

In American and Australian English, some pedestrian streets, particularly those located in commercial areas, may be referred to as pedestrian malls.

How to map

To map a pedestrianised road nothing other than a simple way is required. Add the highway=pedestrian tag to it and a name=* where applicable to make it complete. Some mappers use this tag only on wider streets which may theoretically be wide enough for other vehicles, although what is and isn't a pedestrian street as opposed to a foot path likely varies in definition relative to region.

Vehicle access

Vehicles may be allowed during special hours to unload merchandise, but are often prevented from entering by bollards.

Cycling may be allowed, depending on the country or local restrictions. This can be specified with bicycle=yes or bicycle=no.

Examples

See also

• area:highway=pedestrian - an area representation of pedestrian streets
• highway=footway - for designated footpaths; i.e. mainly/exclusively for pedestrians
• place=square - a named square (indicates a town or village square, which is an open public space common in urban centres, such as cities, towns or villages)
• Proposed features/Pedestrianised road