Have you ever heard of the kerb cut effect? If not, it is a really interesting idea that shows a simple change to improve accessibility can actually benefit a much wider audience. In fact, it can have unexpected benefits. Let’s take a look at it, then if you need help from the best architects in London, you can speak to us.

Installing drop kerbs

Accessibility is one of the most important topics in architecture at the moment. It is vital to promote inclusion everywhere, from shopping centres to railway stations. We are seeing this in the UK with projects to provide step free access, ramps, and more.

One of the most crucial things with accessibility is drop kerbs. We see them every day almost everywhere we go. However, their importance can’t be overstated. Without them it would be much harder for people to move around, especially those with disabilities.

Interestingly, we’ve been installing drop kerbs in Europe since the 1930s. In the US, the earliest examples are from a pilot scheme in Michigan in the 40s. However, it took until a revolution at Berkeley in California in the 70s for them to get national attention.

Students at Berkeley poured the first makeshift ramp themselves using concrete. Soon the number of students with severe disabilities began increasing. They advocated for disability rights, asking for changes to create an accessible environment. So, in 1972 the first drop kerbs were installed. This was the inspiration for nationwide adoption. The Disabilities Act followed in 1990.

The impact

One thing we know very well as architects in London is that a tiny detail can often have a much broader impact. This is certainly the case with the kerbs.

Initially the goal was simply for the lower kerbs to help people with disabilities. However, it soon became clear they were helpful to far more people. For example, parents with pushchairs could now move around more easily. Workers with carts had an easier time making deliveries. It was even safer for cyclists and skateboarders.

Maybe the most surprising thing is the kerbs changed the behaviour of unencumbered people. They began using them for convenience rather than stepping down from a kerb. Today the majority of people will use them, even walking further just to do so. It has actually helped to improve safety massively because it means pedestrians typically cross roads at points where there are the kerbs.

The ripple

Many people today who advocate for universal design owe a lot to the kerb cut effect. They can point to the kerbs benefiting a diverse array of users as a reason to keep that at the core of other designs. Now people often consider the user profile from the start of a project. As a result, it leads to environments everyone can access.

The kerb effect also helps other areas of urban planning. Cycle lanes are a great example. While they are primarily for the benefit of cyclists, they also help pedestrians and drivers too. In fact, they can add significant value to urban areas if the designs are right.

There is even a ripple into the digital realm. More and more web services focus on accessibility today, ensuring they have features like language translators and the ability to increase font sizes.

Do you want to work with passionate architects in London

If you want to create a wonderful design where you think about the impacts of each feature, you should choose Coffey Architects. We can do it for any kind of building, from office blocks to shops, housing to education buildings. Our support will make sure you maximise accessibility and get other benefits too.

So, get in touch today and start planning with some of the best architects in London. We’ll get all the details right for you.