Abstract

Streets constitute the main public space in towns and cities. Although a common element in every settlement, the street definition varies depending on its context. Place, time, and season define the functions and limitations of streets. This study collects streets’ main definitions, perspectives, and concepts and analyzes them through the lenses of health and function. A healthy street conceptual framework is proposed to address the gaps in current street definitions concerning social and health aspects. This framework considers multiple roles of streets year-round, including people’s opportunity to move, stay, socialize and restore. This multifunction framework considers that a street can also address social interactions, aesthetics, design characteristics, and people’s well-being by incorporating channel, social, container, and health-artifact concepts in street design. Healthy streets that promote their benefits year-round should cover all street hierarchies, from sidewalks and paths to highways and corridors in all seasons. Native vegetation, different modes of transportation, accessibility and innovative and green technologies for energy, water, snow, food generation, and storage should be contained on every street.