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@StandardPractice
i think tolerance is one of the major benefits of 'shared space'. streets in the city are currently rat-runs, where movement of people and cars is controlled to the nth degree. when driving, we have our eyes too much on signs and markings and too little on the behaviour and actions of those around us. Shared space encourages the individual to take responsibility rather than be directed mindlessly.
increasingly metal barriers line the roads, separating the pavement and impeding pedestrian movement. meanwhile, even in 'bad traffic' huge swathes of the roads are left empty whilst a lump of cars advances from traffic light to traffic light. this is because such systems are poor at allocating the road space, resulting in the erratic stop-starting that causes confusion and disorientation. drivers, rightly frustrated by wasting so much time, are forever either accelerating or decelerating sharply. Shared space, in places where it has been employed, has been proven to lower the speed of traffic just by spreading cars out! the result is a more fluid road infrastructure where people relate directly with other people rather than through the mediation of conventional traffic management techniques.
The above image is of a road in Brighton. Examples I would cite in London include Kensighton, where the council are starting to (successfully) develop shared space, and Seven Dials, a beautiful traditional example that you might not ordinarily think of. for more info, check out...
http://www.shared-space.org/