Urban downtown business districts declined markedly after World War II, when housing developments lured residents out of towns and cities. In the 1960s and '70s, the pedestrian mall was born. These auto-free zones for shopping, dining, and entertainment helped revitalize downtown areas across the nation. Pedestrian plazas are similar attempts to make city living more appealing, safer, and more scenic.
Every city and town struggles to maintain a vibrant downtown area. People move to the suburbs, and shopping malls lure consumers to their concentrations of stores. Those who do live in downtown areas may find that constant traffic, continuous lines of parked cars, and deserted storefronts make them spend their money in the suburban malls, too. Restricted downtown malls, and the simpler plazas, are designed to make inner city shopping and living more attractive.
A mall often occupies three or four city blocks closed to vehicular traffic. Broad, tree-shaded walks are lined with specialty shops, entertainment venues, and restaurants. Benches make perfect spots to rest or people watch, while every cafe and eatery can offer outside dining. Walking is made pleasant with flower beds and artisan signs, while strolling is safer when there are no cars competing for access. Many of the original malls are still in operation, making downtown a draw to both residents and tourists.
A plaza is often simpler, without the shops or restaurants. There will be trees, comfortable seating, and perhaps a food kiosk or two. They are often constructed at intersections where several main roads come together. They also can be found at the end of bridges and underneath raised commuter lines. These quiet havens give people a pleasant place to rest away from traffic rushing past and cars parked nose to tail on every side.
New York City has embraced the concept and has constructed plazas in all kinds of communities. The city fathers want to make these available to both affluent and poor neighborhoods. The plaza is designed to be affordable to construct, while continuing as a joint project of central government and local businesses.
The cost of construction is minor compared to the cost of maintaining a plaza. Keeping the area clean, well-lit, and well-landscaped is often left to local businesses, which benefit from the traffic attracted to the plaza. Residents can help on a voluntary basis, as well, which fosters community spirit. Taking pride in a local improvement helps make it both popular and worthy of respect.
Cities which are making an effort to improve the quality of life for their inner-city residents include Los Angeles and Detroit, both areas with large populations and problems with failing communities. For little expense (relatively speaking), cities can improve the appearance and the cohesion of depressed neighborhoods, which formerly may have been little more than traffic conduits.
Go online for more information and to see pictures of these downtown havens for pedestrians. You can see how pleasantly they enhance a neighborhood previously a desolate artery for vehicular traffic. Where once there was no place to sit or stroll, now there are comfortable benches, planters of bright flowers, and space for community events.
Every city and town struggles to maintain a vibrant downtown area. People move to the suburbs, and shopping malls lure consumers to their concentrations of stores. Those who do live in downtown areas may find that constant traffic, continuous lines of parked cars, and deserted storefronts make them spend their money in the suburban malls, too. Restricted downtown malls, and the simpler plazas, are designed to make inner city shopping and living more attractive.
A mall often occupies three or four city blocks closed to vehicular traffic. Broad, tree-shaded walks are lined with specialty shops, entertainment venues, and restaurants. Benches make perfect spots to rest or people watch, while every cafe and eatery can offer outside dining. Walking is made pleasant with flower beds and artisan signs, while strolling is safer when there are no cars competing for access. Many of the original malls are still in operation, making downtown a draw to both residents and tourists.
A plaza is often simpler, without the shops or restaurants. There will be trees, comfortable seating, and perhaps a food kiosk or two. They are often constructed at intersections where several main roads come together. They also can be found at the end of bridges and underneath raised commuter lines. These quiet havens give people a pleasant place to rest away from traffic rushing past and cars parked nose to tail on every side.
New York City has embraced the concept and has constructed plazas in all kinds of communities. The city fathers want to make these available to both affluent and poor neighborhoods. The plaza is designed to be affordable to construct, while continuing as a joint project of central government and local businesses.
The cost of construction is minor compared to the cost of maintaining a plaza. Keeping the area clean, well-lit, and well-landscaped is often left to local businesses, which benefit from the traffic attracted to the plaza. Residents can help on a voluntary basis, as well, which fosters community spirit. Taking pride in a local improvement helps make it both popular and worthy of respect.
Cities which are making an effort to improve the quality of life for their inner-city residents include Los Angeles and Detroit, both areas with large populations and problems with failing communities. For little expense (relatively speaking), cities can improve the appearance and the cohesion of depressed neighborhoods, which formerly may have been little more than traffic conduits.
Go online for more information and to see pictures of these downtown havens for pedestrians. You can see how pleasantly they enhance a neighborhood previously a desolate artery for vehicular traffic. Where once there was no place to sit or stroll, now there are comfortable benches, planters of bright flowers, and space for community events.
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