Quote:
Originally Posted by TonyTone
I’m not sure why we keep trying to do streets with no cars or parking.
The whole USA did the promenade trend in the 80’s & every single strip failed & reverted back to regular streets.
Turns out cities work the best when people can travel along & stop to park.
We aren’t like our European friends we like cars & (barely)trains.
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Perhaps all of those promenades failed because they were ill-conceived half-assed versions of what Europe has been perfecting for a millennium.
There are plenty of pedestrian-only areas in cities across the US that have succeeded. Consider the following:
- Broadway in Midtown Manhattan
- 34th Avenue in Queens
- Exchange Plance in New Orleans
- Downtown St. Augustine, FL
- Church Street Market in Burlington, VT
- Downtown Mall in Charlottesville, VA
Do I think that
every street in Philadelphia should be ped/bike only? Hell no. Do I even think Broad should be ped/bike only? Outside of parades, no. Do I think that perhaps 13th/12th between Arch and Locust should be pedestrian/bike only? Hell yes.
What makes pedestrian promenades successful is when they are attractive. People will walk there if there are nice things to do. 13th and 12th already have significant ped traffic, and plenty of retail and restaurants.
Are we Europe? No. Is Europe perfect? No. Should we aspire to adapt what works from their cities? Yes.