Gifts to the Street
A very brief recognition and study in urban planning… or, The problem I have with Huntsville's newest art installation.
It doesn't take a long jog or walk here in the South to recognize when a shady bench has been installed for pedestrians, especially in the summer time. This photo taken this morning, shows just such an installation in the City of Huntsville, AL (taken on a cold Fall morning). Why it's put there when it's cold, I'm not sure. Still sounds like a good idea though, though for a moment, let's consider the problem with putting our backs to the street.
Someone undoubtedly had the good idea to do some planters, a bench and playfully colored awnings. Looks great right? Now, what is harder to see in this photo is the downtown street JUST on the other side of this canvas awning. There is absolutely zero chance I'll be able to relax on this bench, knowing cars are zipping just behind me a few feet away. So here's to who ever had the good idea to make an art installation; great idea, poor planning. We want to at least see the Ford that mows us down, and before I get lambasted for my critical thinking, please read on…
Pedestrians have every right to feel safe from these fast moving metal boxes on wheels. We do not do so well when taking them on, "Mano e Mano". So if we were to design in several very easy fixes into our streetscapes, we could easily become a much more walkable town, see general health and mental well being surge. I do not hold a PHD, though it doesn't take a rocket scientist to recognize the benefits of healthy exercise such as walking to contribute to a community's good health and mental well being.
My proposal is to offer Pedestrians a more friendly bench, in the form of "Gifts to the street". This is where the general edge your house or business stops being part of your property and falls more into the public realm.
In this picture, you can see a very old rock wall that denotes the edge of lawn, clearly defining the house's property and the public domain. The water service should give you an indication of the age of this streets cape
What the above design gives pedestrians, is a place to sit that faces a sidewalk and the street. There is a sidewalk with a grass border and street trees. The street trees serve many functions.
- Shade in the summer
- Blocking wind in the winter, while allowing sun light through
- A mental and physical barrier from the street
Further more, on street parking offers yet another layer of protection for pedestrians. So taking cues from long ago, you can see a much more safer "Gift" to the street, than the art installation. Though this rock wall looks weathered, you can dress this up as much as you would like. Look around you neighborhood and see how pedestrian friendly it is designed.
