There's an interesting article in the Times today on the sidewalk as a public space. I do need to check out one organization it mentions: the Project for Public Spaces, a nonprofit based in Manhattan.
Also key is this opening quote from Jane Jacobs' "The Death and Life of Great American Cities":
"Lowly, unpurposeful and random as they appear, sidewalk contacts are the small change from which a city's wealth of public life may grow."
On a personal note, I briefly lived in the outer suburbs of Delaware and was appalled at the lack of sidewalks. I can't recall if there were sidewalks in the subdivision itself, but there were no sidewalks on the major street linking the subdivision to the other subdivisions, and to the rest of the world. In some places--such as next to the nearest supermarket--there simply was no safe or legal way to cross the street. The roads were too wide with too many lanes with cars going too fast. And, of course, there was no crosswalk for pedestrians, let alone a designated time for pedestrians to cross.
I have now lived in Center City Philadephia for the last five years, and one of its merits is that it has sidewalks which people use and are an integral part of the city. Here I really sense the sidewalk as a public space, since I continually encounter other people--both friends and strangers.
Given that it is a public space, there is a public etiquette that guides the use of sidewalks. Consider, for example, people who walk two, three and four abreast on a narrow public sidewalk. It makes it impossible for people behind them to pass, and this is an unacceptable usurpation of the public space for their own convenience. A decent respect for others demands that one make way for others. If people walk several abreast they must either make sure to leave a passing lane, or to be constantly aware of people who might be coming up behind them.
Sidewalks and smoking. . .
Sidewalks and strollers. . .
Sidewalks and segways, bicycles. . .(consider when it is unsafe to ride on streets. . .)
posted by Silver @
12:01 PM
|
Sunday, January 05, 2003  |
|
