Creating Great Streets

Posted on | March 31, 2010 | 2 Comments

As mentioned in my last blog, I have been reading Allan Jacobs’ requirements for a ‘great street’ in order to analyze the East Washington corridor. Jacobs’ outlines several criteria that must be considered in the design of great streets: bringing people together, accessibility, livability, safety, comfort, participation, and responsibility.

I discussed in my last blog about the importance of the street in bringing people together as a function, but this leaves the question of how? It is easy to understand the qualitative characteristics that we all wish a street to possess such as bringing people together, safety, comfort, and so on. But how is this achieved exactly? This question has many different answers but I shall attempt to shed light on at least a few.

ACCESSIBILITY

“What sets the great streets apart is that they take people along their ways, from one part of the city to another, whether on foot or in a vehicle, with grace and at a reasonable pace.”

This statement made by Jacobs’ reminds us that the street must still function as a way to get from point A to point B. While this may be so, the key words used with grace and at a reasonable pace, we are reminded that the trip should also be an enjoyable one. For this, a great street should be defined with a beginning and ending such as a statue or plaza. This provides reference points for both defining an area and guiding one on his/her way. Secondly, a great street should provide access to a variety of transportation modes, specifically including public transit. And finally, a great street must also provide ease in handicap accessibility.

LIVABILITY, SAFETY, COMFORT

“Void of human activity, streets soon cry out for people, they need people at the same time as they are for them, they are activated by people at the same time as they contribute to making a community for them. And this is achieved in considerable measure by having many people live along them or nearby…”

The livability, safety, and comfort of a great street are closely connected and utterly dependent on the presence of people, as Jacobs’ stated above. Great streets require density and diversity. Diversity may be created through providing a variety of land uses and most importantly in housing opportunities. This creates a vibrant community where one can live, work and play in the same area.

Density may be created through mixed-uses and higher density housing. This brings about more activity of people on the street, and the diversity creates more interest for people.  This interest, for example, may be created through a variety of cultural restaurants and stores, local coffee spots, and pubs.

Together density and diversity promote a safe and comfortable environment by creating ‘eyes on the street’ through the constant activity of the streets.

PARTICIPATION & RESPONSIBIILITY

“Physical maintenance is as important as any of the other requirements for great streets. It is more than a matter of keeping things clean and in good repair. It involves the use of materials that are relatively easy to maintain and street elements for which there is some history of caring.”

The creation of a great street is a large task to take on and a project that’s never really finished. Many great streets are decorated with trees, flowers, lights, street signage, benches, etc…  These may all be great contributors to a vibrant street but the question must be asked, for how long? The streetscape must be maintained and cared for to prevent deterioration. This role of responsibility is in the communities’ hands, store owners and residents alike. Without taking responsibility for maintenance, efforts in creating a great street would be futile.

I am currently transferring these characteristics of accessibility, density, diversity, and maintenance into my design projects for both the transportation and open space systems of the East Washington corridor.

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