Curbless Streets: Evaluating Curbless and Shared-Space Concepts for Use on Philadelphia Streets

Curbless streets, shared space, flex space, and woonerven (or the singular, woonerf) stem from a concept in which typically narrow streets with low vehicle volumes are designed without a curb and with high-quality streetscape materials, enabling the street to function like a plaza or a paved yard. This report summarizes the traits common to curbless streets in peer cities within the United States, the benefits of their use and special considerations, and offers suggestions on selecting potential sites and design tools for use within candidate streets.