thesis by Denisa Trenkle

design your city

with you in mind.

ÂŠ D en i s a Tre n k le A l l r ight s re s e r ve d No p a r t of t h i s b o ok m ay b e u s e d or repro duc e d i n a ny m a n ne r w it hout a w r it ten p e r m i s sion f rom t he aut hor, e xc ept i n t he c onte x t of re v ie w s . Ev e r y r e a s on a b l e a t t e mp t h a s b e e n m a d e t o i d e n t i f y o w n e r s o f c opyr ight . E r ror s or om i s sion s w i l l b e c or re c te d i n s ub s e que nt e d it ion s . Wr it ten , de sig ne d a nd pro duc e d by: D e n i s a Tr e n k le de n i s a . t re n k le @ g m a i l . c om Ac ademy of A r t Un ive r sit y 7 9 Ne w Montgome r y St re et , S a n Fr a nc i s c o , C A 9 4 10 5 D ep a r t me nt D i re c tor Ph i l H a m let t

CONTENTS 1 / Introduction, page 6 - 17 2 / City Makeover, page 18 - 28 3 / Can City Life Be Rewarding?, page 30 - 41 4 / The City's Happiness Quotient, page 42 - 75 5 / DIY Urbanism, page 76 - 89 6 / City Studies, page 90 - 121

{ IMAGINE A CITY } Where you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t need a car. You love taking public transit. The streets are pleasant to be in. The parks are plentiful and safe. Biking is easier than driving. You know this place exists.

(If only in your head for now.)

OAKLAND, CA, 2011

CITIES SHOULD BE PLANNED FOR AN IMPORTANT PURPOSE—TO CREATE AND PROMOTE WELL-BEING AND HAPPINESS.” —Enrique Peñalosa, a former mayor of Bogota

LET'S MAKE HAPPY CITIES. Perhaps it’s the fault of our collective conciousness for forgetting what fantastic places cities could be and getting comfortable with the reality of cities today. Whatever the reason, it’s obvious. Your city is not as wonderful as it deserves. It could be, but it’s not. And all it takes is public consensus and some work. Let’s envision what COULD BE IT.

CREATE: A DESIGNATED WALKING PATH SO YOUR CHILD CAN WALK HOME SAFELY.

DESIGN: AN EXTENSIVE BICYCLE NETWORK SO YOU CAN PEDAL YOURSELF ALL THE WAY TO WORK.

BUILD: A NETWORK OF SIDEWALKS THAT ARE PLEASANT TO WALK AND NARROW THE ROADS.

American Urbanism Version 2.0

{ CITY MAKEOVER } “Because where we live influences us profoundly.”

American Urbanism Version 2.0

8-80 Highway cutting right through downtown Oakland, creating a physical and mental barrier between the neighborhoods.

WHAT HAPPENED TO OAKLAND? Its industrial rise and urban decline. istorically, Oakland used was an

ported racial discrimination. As industries

es through the FHA in form of “redlining”.

industrial city, but one with an

moved out of cities, so did the population.

During the Industrial Revolution, people

activated urban core, plenty of

“Inner city” became a derogatory term.

moved from the countryside into cities to

street life and large commercial basis. At

Urban decline was associated with West-

find any employment in the manufactur-

the turn of the 20th century Oakland was a

ern cities, especially in North America

ing sector. Industrial manufacturing was

prosperous city with a port, shipyards, and

and parts of Europe during the 1970’s and

then largely responsible for the population

a thriving automobile industry. An exten-

1980’s. During this period, major changes

boom cities experienced during this pe-

sive streetcar network connected most of

in global economies, transportation and

riod. However, the subsequent changes left

Oakland’s neighborhoods to inter-city rail

government policies created conditions

many cities vulnerable and poor.

lines and to ferry lines.” The light-rail was

that fostered urban decay. Such practices

called Key System Rail.

drew financial resources from the cities in

In the fifties urban areas industrially declined, and high unemployment, poverty,

favor of providing brand new infrastructure for remote suburban areas.

and rapidly decaying physical environ-

In the United States, the federal govern-

ment caused the drastic changes in trans-

ment aided the suburbanization process by

portation, as well as governmentally sup-

mandating discriminatory lending practic-

Inner city home values declined and economically disadvantaged population either remained or moved in. Some cities, such as Oakland, have remained in virtually the same condition ever since.

Poor zoning and caroriented planning have done enough damage to the urban fabric. Fixing these mistakes will be timely and costly.

New Urbanists are changing things

rary ghost town after the sunset. Oakland

in people’s lives; today they are merely an

In the eighties and early nineties new

is just on of many urban centers that have

option. In the past, people had to use the

urban movements, such as New Urbanism

faced the same unfortunate fate of decline.

streets, squares, markets and parks of the

and New Pedestrianism arose to address

Re-purposing Oakland

city regardless of these place’s quality and

the tragic state of declining urbanism.

What Oakland and other post-industrial

Oakland, like many American cities, long

American cities were more than half a

before the beginning of the great recession

century ago they will never be again. The

in 2008, had struggled through a period of economic decline and drastically reduced public, scarce resources. Once a thriving city

What’s the purpose of the public realm in the 21st century? What meaning and function does life in the public arena offer us today? What are the expectations for a contemporary urban space?

life of a city evolves and changes, and in order to mainain a healthy and active public life even public

spaces

with fertile land and natural resources, a

a city need to keep up with with the big

large portion of the city now resembles a

changes. It is essential to keep in mind

semi-urban desert that turns into a tempo-

that public spaces were once a necessity

attractiveness. In many ways, planning of public spaces in our era is an entirely new field—a response to new societal changes.

American Urbanism Version 2.0

Oakland has a thriving scene and plentiful attractive architecture.

OAKLAND TOMORROW Is there hope? It’s imperative to view the future of Oakland’s

areas for public. It should strive to be a

achieved, a range of government agencies

center as a marriage and solution of local

place where all these needs are met; a mod-

would need to work together to come up

and global, social, cultural, commercial

el of how to knit together conflicted urban

with a coordinated plan and allocate the

and environmental concerns. And down-

realities—a combination of public arena,

sufficient funding.

town Oakland has all the potential to

including parks and parklets, squares,

become such a place. It already possesses

promenades and shopping streets, play-

Oakland’s public sphere needs to revitalize its three main functions – the one of a meeting place, market place and connection space. It has been a struggle to become a meeting place. As a marketplace, the city must better facilitate commercial exchange of goods and services. And finally, public spaces enable access to and connections between all the functions of the city.

grounds, outdoor markets, a mixture of mid-rise and high-rise residential and mixed use buildings. By concentrating more public transportation and cultural institutions along

a web of public transit, well-laid out infra-

the main thoroughfares of downtown Oak-

structure, beautiful downtown architecture

land (or any other city, for that matter), it

and abundance of parking space that could

might finally find its center, geographi-

be turned into attactive and engaging

cally and socially as well.But for this to be

Even though it is not a role of a designer to generate technical parameters and secure governmental funding, but they can successfully direct public’s attention to the possibilities that lie within an improved cityscape. In addition to that, a designer can lend a hand in deciphering the complexities of urban design and planning and make them more palatable for the general public. Even though the changes to be proposed may seem extravagant and perhaps unrealistic, they are not impossible.

City Study / Portland

Matthew Roth, Streets Blog representative

IF YOU RAISE THE PRICE OF PARKING TO 2.75 PER HOUR I GUARANTEE YOU WILL SEE FEWER PEOPLE ON THE ROAD.” —Matthew Roth, The Streets Blog

DO WE NEED MORE PARKING? How (un)necessary parking is. And if you see fewer people parking, there is less of a need for park-

Transit Oriented Development

ing spaces. And if there is less demand for parking, there can be

Is a mixed-use residential or commercial area designed to maxi-

more space for parks and parklets, squares, plazas and children’s

mize access to public transport, and often incorporates features

playgrounds. One of the worries that people affected by paid (or

to encourage transit ridership. Such a neighborhood typically has

increased) parking fees often have is that the price will drive the

a center with a transit station or stop (train station, metro station,

business away. Numerous studies have shown for this not to be

tram stop, or bus stop), surrounded by relatively high-density

the case. Cities, such as Bogota where parking in certain areas of

development. They are generally located within a comfortable

downtown has been limited to minimum have demonstrated an

distance for a pedestrian to walk a station.

increase in business that has occurred since the the increase has been imposed. According to the residents of Bogota, pedestrianizing the streets has been incredibly positive; with streets being much livelier and fuller of people. Beforehand, the streets were ruled by the automobile, but that has changed. And the business is much better for the owners of restaurants and shops downtown. In the Bay Area, the data have shown there has been a shift, and there is now less congestion due to congestion pricing.

Another key feature of transit-oriented developments that differentiates it from “transit-proximate development” is reduced amounts of parking for personal vehicles.

RENTED UNITS

OWNED UNITS

74%

62%

of transit-oriented neighborhoods

of transit-oriented developments saw

saw a higher population growth than

a larger increase in owner-occupied

the region as a whole

housing than the region as a whole

In new transit-oriented developments without parking occupancy rises above national average. Source: Next American City Magainze New rail stations gentrify American neighborhoods to an extent that the people most likely to take advantage of transit services are being pushed out, forced to re-

locate because of higher prices. Even though this is a negative claim, in general it means that transit-oriented neighborhoods are currently in demand. Is it just a trend or are we heading the right way?

FACT: ACCORDING TO BING SEARCH ENGINE, THERE ARE AT LEAST 200 PUBLIC PARKING LOTS IN OAKLAND. TOO MANY OR TOO FEW?

American Urbanism Version 2.0

According to Bing Search Engine, there are at least 200 public parking lots in Oakland.

Because the parking is so cheap, the people who take it stay for a long time. What would happen if the parking fee were raised to three dollars per hour? It’s very likely fewer people would opt to drive or even park for an extended period of time?

WHAT’S THE RIGHT PRICE FOR A PARKING SPOT? IF DEVELOPERS HAD TO COPE WITH THE HIGH LAND COSTS OF PROVIDING SO MUCH PARKING, THE NUMBER OF SPACES WOULD BE A RESULT OF A CAREFUL ECONOMIC CALCULATION RATHER THAN SATISFYING A NONSENSICAL LEGAL REQUIREMENT.

What if these parking spots were replaced by an amenity that your neighborhood needs, such as a playground or a small park?

What’s the right price for a parking spot? If developers had to cope with the high land costs of providing so much parking, the number of spaces would be a result of a careful economic calculation rather than satisfying a nonsensical legal requirement. Parking would be scarcer, and more likely to have a price — or a higher one than it does now — and people would be more careful about when and where they drove. The drivers are often not aware of the subsidies— and thus free or cheap parking spaces feel like natural outcomes of the market, or perhaps even

an entitlement. Yet the law is allocating this land rather than letting market prices adjudicate whether we need more parking, and whether that parking should be free. We end up overusing land for cars — and overusing cars too. You don’t have to hate sprawl, or automobiles, to want to stop subsidizing that way of life.

{ CAN CITY LIVING BE REWARDING? } “The green alternative to suburbs to begin with.”

American Urbanism Version 2.0

THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT FORMES THE CONTEXT OF OUR DAILY LIVES—FROM OUR HOMES TO CIVIC BUILDINGS. When public places are pleasant, people linger and socialize.

ARE CITIES A THING OF THE PAST? Definition of a good city space. transporation, schools

children communicating with elders in the

the quality has followed the changes and

and offices, all linked by pub-

park. It’s activities such as these, whether

good, comfortable and attractive city space

lso

lic spaces. How we live—the

they be necessary, optional or social ones

is offered, extensive city life follows willingly”.

quality of our lives is directly influenced by

(Citation, Jan Gehl) that make urban land-

In streets and city spaces of poor quality,

these elements and our interactions with

scape activated, engaging, and, believe it

only the bare minimum of activities take

them. It is believed that the behavior of

or not, safe. (Eyes on the Street, Jane Jacobs,

place there. For your consideration: what

people is also influenced, as is their ability

quotation). As Gehl further points out, in

goes on the streets of your city? Do they

to fulfill their potential, by the space they’re

his “New City Life”, contemporary experi-

make you comfortable?

surrounded by and live in.

ence shows that when quality city space

But it’s not by cars that cities can or should

exists, it is accompanied by extensive and

be experienced and cherished, and it’s not

multifaceted city life with many new fea-

in shopping mall or Disneyland where true

tures that reflect the changes in society.

public life evolves. It’s through human con-

Withing only a few decades, city life in the

tact on the street level—sitting on benches

public arena has changed character and

and steps, the mailman making his rounds,

purpose, and the demands on quality city

passers-by greeting on the sidewalk, and

space have grown accordingly. “Where

People hurry home. In a good environment, a completely different, broad spectrum of human activities are possible. Social activites are all activities that depend on the presence of others in public spaces. Social activities include children at play, communal activities include children at play,

PUBLIC FOR A FEE: WITH THE LACK OF GOOD PUBLIC SPACES, PEOPLE HAVE SOUGHT OUT PUBLIC LIFE IN PRIVATELY-OWNED PLACES, SUCH AS SHOPPING MALLS OR DISNEYLAND.

American Urbanism Version 2.0

A man enjoying the public park in the commercial district of Gion, Kyoto.

greeting and conversation, communal

with one another in public squares, parks

activities of various kinds, and finallyâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;as

or train stations of their cities and towns.

the most widespread social activityâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;pas-

What is your city space like? If you lingered

sive contacts, that is, simply seeing and

for a while in a public square of your city,

hearing other people. Different kinds of

what kind of activities could you observe?

many social activities occur in many more places: in dwellings; in private and outdoor spaces, gardens, and

If the quality has followed the changes and good city space is offered, extensive city life follows willingly .

Can you observe any children playing in the park? Or older men and women with the kids? Or the neighbors talk-

balconies; in public buildings; at places of

ing on the street? Young students lying

work; and so on; but in this context only

about a park, sun-bathing or just studying?

those activities that occur in publicly ac-

Customers sitting in cafĂŠs, people-watching

cessible spaces are examined. They usually

and enjoying themselves and the street?

evolve from activities linked to the other

Observe and write about it.

two categories. They develop because people share the same space and interact

American Urbanism Version 2.0

NOT ONLY ARE CITIES INVALUABLE CULTURAL, COMMERCIAL and financial CENTERS, THEY’RE also vastly MORE EFFICIENT. Pedestrian and bicycle friendly center of Amsterdam, Holland.

OAKLAND—THE POTENTIAL GEM OF THE EAST BAY Mission Impossible? t is in our best interest to

East Bay. Sadly, like many other towns and

instead of those of car traffic, encourage

promote urbanism and make

cities in the United States, it has been ne-

density instead of sprawl, highlight local

Oakland and cities of America

glected and harmed for several decades.

assets, spur rejuvenation of public spaces

in general places that Jan Gehl and other

Oakland today is not entirely devoid of

and serve common instead of private

urbanists describe so passionately. Because

public space and pedestrian activity, but

needs, we will be in return rewarded with

cities are not only invaluable cultural and

if we apply the definition of types of ac-

cities that radiate vitality, burst with en-

commercial centers; they are also vastly

tivities based on Gehl’s categorization,

ergy, possess a sense of place, and positive

more efficient than suburbs. It is no sur-

we might be surprised to discover that it

experiences of exploration and encounter.

prise that due to their density, and in cases

is primarily the necessary activities that

It might sound like science fiction, but it

of cities such as New York City, Boston or

take place on the streets of downtown and

is not impossible. That are countless ex-

San Francisco, thanks to their big reliance on

uptown neighborhoods, because there is so

amples of cities that have gone through a

public transportation, they are the green

much automobile activity and not enough

similar transition to prove that it is viable.

alternative to the sprawiling, inefficient

pedestrians.

Portland, Oregon, is one of those cities.

suburban developments.

If we succeed in transforming Oakland and

And such could be the case of Oakland,

our other urban centers in the nation into

the cultural and commercial center of the

vital places that serve the needs of public

The

much-loved

Pioneer

Courthouse

Square only sixty years ago was a concrete parking lot. The instances are countless. Copenhagen was but a half a century ago

Can City Living Be Rewarding?

A man enjoying reading a newspaper in Pioneer Square, Portland, Oregon.

Pedestrian and bicycle friendly center of Amsterdam, Holland.

covered in car surface roads and parking

Sometimes, the vitality and safety of the

lots to create a warm welcome for the cars.

city depends more on the citizen than on

How to Approach Public Spaces The public spaces are present in your city, they might perhaps not be utilized or donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t

the local government that in this country often doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t seem to â&#x20AC;&#x153;get their act together. So get yours together.

fit in the context of the street. Imagine, for

Remember, you as a citizen are in charge.

instance, a park bordered on one side by

Neighborhood groups can reclaim their

a highway and on another by a bus depot.

local parks and small businesses recharge

How can this kind of public space attract

commercial streets. Many times, towns

residential life? No one wants their chil-

and communities need just a little nudge

dren to play in a space that is surrounded

in the right direction to set this process

by cars whizzing by at 70 miles per hour.

of revitalization in motion. And in a short

What can business owners, workers in the

time, the entire neighborhood has un-

local businesses, or local residents do to

dergone a turnaround as residents take

change that and enhance the space?

comfort and pride in their public spaces.

American Urbanism Version 2.0

It’s the people who fill great cities with life. You can tell a city is healthy if it has a vital core full of public activity. Public spaces that are beautiful and well-crafted are one of the key elements that attract such diversity. Look at London’s Thames promenade, Paris’ Montmartre district or New York’s Central Park These are great

Cities succeed as living spaces and thriving communities because of their density, good planning, and appropriate public spaces. Successful solutions for public spaces should offer opportunities to engage in different activities, including strolling, people-watching, eating at cafes or restaurants, doing sports or just meeting friends. Within

the neighborhoods, a broad range of housing types and prices levels can bring the people of diverse ages, races, and incomes into daily interaction, strengthtening the personal and civic bonds essential to an authentic, thriving community.

THESE ACTIVITIES DEVELOP BECAUSE PEOPLE SHARE THE SAME SPACE AND INTERACT WITH EACH OTHER. examples of thoughtfully-planned public spaces and residents have opportunities to build communal life.

Biking is a well-loved and established mode of transportation in many European cities. Bikers during their morning commute in Copenhagen, Denmark and Amsterdam, Netherlands.

Strolling People-watching Eating at cafĂŠs Meeting friends Doing sports

{ THE CITY’S HAPPINESS QUOTIENT } “Does your city make you happy?”

The Happiness Quotient of Your City

DOES YOUR CITY PROVIDE YOU WITH PUBLIC SPACE THAT ENCOURAGES ITS RESIDENTS AND VISITORS TO SOCIALIZE? A bicycle and pedestrian pathway in the Gion district of Kyoto.

CITY EVALUATION:

What activities occur in your city?

n order to measure the qual-

1. Necessary activities

2. Optional activities

ity of your urban space, it is

are those that occur independently of

are pursued only when the participants

essential to pose several ques-

nearly all conditions all throughout the

wish to do so, and if time and place make

tions relating to types of activities that

year, whether it be exterior environment

it possible and pleasant to do so. Can

take place in the given urban area.

or weather. Necessary activities include

such activities be observed in your city?

According to Danish urban planner and

those that are more or less compulsory—

Activities such as taking a walk, stand-

designer Jan Gehl, activities that take

going to school, shopping, waiting for a

ing around, sitting or sunbathing in a park.

place in cities can be divided into three

bus or a person, running errands or dis-

When outdoor space is of poor quality, if

main categories. Let’s take a moment to

tributing mail. In other words, all activities,

it’s over-run by cars, lacks needed services

evaluate the quality of Oakland’s public

in which those involved are to a greater or

and commerce, density or greenery, as it is

arena based on Gehl’s principles. The

lesser degree required to participate. This

in case of Oakland, these activities do not

same principles will apply to your city

type of activity is seen in Oakland (and

occur on street level—people do not stay;

space. Take a walk through your neighborhood

most urban places) during work days/hours.

they go elsewhere or stay indoors.

downtown and observe what kind of activities occur and how frequently they take place.

The Happiness Quotient of Your City

ehl distinguishes between

include children’s play, greetings and

or farmer’s markets once a week. As only

necessary/functional

activi-

conversations, communal activities of var-

a fraction of the aforementioned activities

optional/recreational

ious kinds, and simply seeing and hearing

occur in downtown, it is safe to conclude

activities and social activities in public

other people. Communal spaces in cities

that the given space doesn’t provide its

spaces. While necessary activities take

and residential areas become meaning-

residents and visitors with all the good

place regardless of the quality of the physi-

ful and attractive when all activities of all

amenities a proper city center should.

cal environment, optional activities depend

types occur in combination and feed off

to a significant degree on what the place

each other. Thus city life occurs.

ties,

has to offer and how it makes people behave and feel about it. The better a place, the more optional activity occurs and the longer necessary activity lasts. Social activity is the fruit of the quality and length of the other types of activities, because it occurs spontaneously when people meet in a particular place. Social activities

Once this has been determined, it is essential to a look at how public space in your

3. Social activities

city contributes to healthy communal life.

These depend on the presence of other

The city is a place for everyone to meet,

public spaces. Children at play, conversations

everyone should have access. This can

and communal activities or just simple

only happen if city is open, democratic and

people watching would count as such

inclusive to all members of the society. It

activities. These occur in DTO on special

should be a place where everyone wants to

occasions—during festivals, car free days

come because it is safe, tolerant, pleasant, attractive and has much to offer.

A pedestrian exiting the 12th Street BART station in downtown Oakland.

Perhaps Oakland fails to attract people the way it should, but there are constructive ways to bring life back into this city, or any other city, for that matter. There is a multitude of historical reasons why our cities have suffered and some of them down-

While necessary activities take place regardless of the quality of the outdoor environment, optional activities still depend to a significant degree on what the place has to offer and how it makes people behave and feel about it.

right failed, but if we ask the right questions and address the problems, we might be able to bring life back into city streets. Oakland is definitely worth it.

DO YOU TAKE PLEASURE IN YOUR STREETS? WHAT DOES YOUR CITY MAKE YOU FEEL LIKE? WHAT KIND OF ACTIVITIES CAN YOU OBSERVE AND HOW FREQUENTLY DO THEY OCCUR?

The Happiness Quotient of Your City

SOCIAL: Customers of a cafĂŠ sitting outside in relatively cold weather enjoying a cup of coffee and conversations.

ACTIVITIES TO OBSERVE

OPTIONAL: are pursued only when the participants wish to do so if time and place make it possible and pleasant to do so. A young woman and a man strolling down a street in New York.

SOCIAL ACTIVITIES: These depend on the presence of other public spaces. Children at play, conversations and joined activities or just simple people watching could be all considered social activities. Kids playing in a park is an optional and interactive activity. Do you see kids playing in your neighborhood? If not, what are the main factors influencing the lack of children at play?

OPTIONAL: Customers of an Irish Pub standing around smoking cigarettes.

DANISH URBAN DESIGNER JAN GEHL DIVIDED CITY ACTIVITIES INTO THREE CATEGORIES: NECESSARY, OPTIONAL AND SOCIAL. NECESSARY: ones that occur almost independently of nearly all conditions all year long, whether it be the environment or weather. A man making a phone call in the streets of Paris. Although an activity that doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t occur regularly, this would be considered a necessary activity.

The Happiness Quotient of Your City

A GREAT DESTINATION MUST HAVE AT LEAST TEN PLACEs WITHIN IT, EACH WITH 10 THINGS TO DO. Great cafés and busy street life would definitely be one of them.

POWER OF TEN:

Does your city have ten exciting places to go?ace

The basic idea is that it’s not enough to have

there. These could include a place to sit,

connected? Are there places that should

just one great place in a neighborhood—

playgrounds to enjoy, art to touch, music

be more meaningful but aren’t? Answer-

you need a number of them to create a truly

to hear, food to eat, history to experience,

ing these questions can help residents and

lively neighborhood. And it’s not enough to

and people to meet. Ideally, some of these

stakeholders determine both individually

have only one top-notch neighborhood in a

activities are unique to that particular spot

and collectively on what issues they need

city—you need to provide people all over

and are interesting enough to keep people

to focus their energies.

town with close-to-home opportunities to

coming back. The local folks who use the

take pleasure in public life. And then it’s

space most regularly are the best source of

not enough to have a single livable com-

ideas for what uses will work best.

munity in a region—you need a collection of interesting cities and towns to offer a high quality of life in a metropolitan area. The front of this public building in Melbourne, Australia has ten reasons to be there. Any great place itself needs to offer at least 10 things to do or 10 reasons to be

The Power of 10 offers an easy framework that motivates residents and stakeholders to revitalize urban life, and shows that by

A great destination must have at least ten

starting efforts at the smallest scale you

places within it, each with 10 things to do.

can accomplish big things. The concept

It’s the Placemakers’ role to encourage

also provides people something tangible

everyone to think about what’s special

to strive for and helps them visualize what

in their communities. How many quality

it takes to make their community great.

places are located nearby, and how are they

The Happiness Quotient of Your City

What is essential to keep in mind about quality public spaces.

WHAT MAKES A GREAT PUBLIC SPACE? Things to keep in mind. Shared vision Great public spaces aren’t born from one person’s imagination. Architects work in collaboration with urban planners, the people who manage city’s growth and expansion. Landscape architects design green spaces that complement the neighborhoods around them. If a space is to serve the public efficiently, it is designers’ role to acquire about the needs of people and the community.

Aesthetics People are more likely to spend time in a space that is aesthetically pleasing. Not only should it look good from the inside, it is crucial the public space fit within the context of the surrounding cityscape. An aesthetically pleasing space that displays the character of a city creates civic pride and draws crowds from outside of the city. However, sense of aesthetics without a thoughtful design isn’t enough.

Sense of community Urban designers often refer to a space’s sociability, or the way it brings people together. Just as a variety of crops makes for a healthier soil, a well-designed city space should attract a variety of people—different ages, interests and backgrounds. If one group dominates, others might feel less welcome and participate less in the public life.

Comfort No one sticks around for long when they’re forced to stay on their feet or be exposed to the elements. A comfortable spaces makes people want to linger by providing places to sit and shelter from the sun, wind and rain. It must be clean and in good condition, with plenty of waste disposal areas and recycling bins to help the public tidy up after themselves. Public restrooms are always a bonus.

Flexibility Popular spaces are suitable for a range of activities. The same town square might host a farmer’s market in the morning, be a popular lunch spot at noon, provide a place to do homework at midday in the afternoon and host a concert or an art show in the evening. The same expectation applies to weather conditions. A truly flexible space should be flexible and usable rain or shine.

Landmarks When you imagine Paris, what do you picture? Probably the Eiffel Tower, the world’s most visited landmark. On a grand scale, landmarks can help define a city. They create remarkable skylines and show off the talents of the renowned architects and designers. On a more practical level, they provide a place to get together; a point of reference. “Meet me at the park,” you might say. “I’ll be in front of the fountain.”

Accessibility A true public space should be accessible to everyone. That means wheelchair ramps and easy-to-navigate grounds that won’t be difficult for people who are visually impaired or unsteady on their feet. The space must also be easy to get to from the surrounding areas, preferably by foot, bike or transit.

Safety Great spaces attract lots of people, which goes a long way toward making them safe. Additionally, the space should be well lit with plenty of signage to help people get around with confidence. But it’s the presence of other people on the street what makes them safe. “Eyes on the street” is the term Jane Jacobs coined back in the 60’s and was correct to point out the more people there are present, the safer the streets are.

The Happiness Quotient of Your City

1 / Public Spaces

2 / Third Places

3 / Town Event

Better city space, more city life. Public

No, it is not necessarily a Starbucks. A

A recurring event guarantees distinction

spaces have played a fundamental role

third place is a place that is not your home

of your town or neighborhood from the

through out the history of mankind. From

or a public place. A great cheap restaurant

rest. Great public spaces aren’t born from

the time that humans first defined pri-

where you are a regular, you can eat, drink

one person’s imagination. Architects work

vate spaces, public spaces have served as

and spend time with friends is that kind of

in collaboration with urban planners, the

places where people have come together

place. In Oakland, The Trappist beer bar

people who manage city’s growth and

to meet. They’re the living room of the city

could be considered such a place. An ex-

expansion. Landscape architects design

and without them high quality civic life

cellent spot for a middle-of-the-week pint.

green spaces that complement the neigh-

is not possible. They form the stage and backdrop to the drama of life.

borhoods around them. If a space is to serve the public efficiently, it is designers’ role to acquire about the needs of people and the community.

MAKE YOUR CITY A DESTINATION: A DESTINATION FUNCTIONS AS A REWARD FOR A PEDESTRIAN TO WALK FROM POINT A TO POINT B, A “RAISON D’ÊTRE”, SO TO SPEAK. 4 / Human Scale

5 / Diversity of Activities

6 / Cultural Institution

In human-scale neighborhoods, a wide

A multifaceted city life happens between

Whether it be an iconic movie house, an art

mix of housing types is clustered around

purposeful walking, stopping, resting,

gallery, museum or an old library, anchor

one or more well-defined neighborhood

staying and conversing. Unpredictability

cultural or scientific institutions harness

centers which support jobs, commercial

and unplanned, spontaneous actions are

and engage the civic spirit and encourage

activity, and a range of amenities. The

very much part of what makes moving and

pedestrian and visitor activity not only on

neighborhood is scaled to the pedestrian,

staying in city space such a special attrac-

local, but also on a more regional level.

offering sufficient variety within a five to

tion. We are on our way, watching people

They are also a great source of revenue of

fifteen minute walk — a quarter to half mile

and events, inspired to stop to look more

city tax dollars

— to sustain lively streets and gathering

closely or even to stay or join in.

places that people will enjoy visiting..

The Happiness Quotient of Your City

Walkability has been linked to quality of life in other studies. It may also enhance social capital by providing the means and locations for individuals to connect, share information, and interact with those that they might not otherwise meet.

IS YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD WALKABLE? Why does walkability matter? According to a new study people who live

borhoods were chosen

in walkable communities are more civi-

in each of the cities and

cally involved and have greater levels of

a total of 700 residents

trust than those who live in less walkable

took part in the survey.

neighborhoods.

They were asked about

And this increase in so-called ‘social capital’ is associated with higher quality of life, according to Shannon Rogers and her team from the University of New Hampshire in the US. A walkable community provides residents with easy access to post offices,

the number of locations they could walk to in their

How does your neighborhood score? If your score is lower than 10, your neighborhood association needs to appeal to your local government to implement measures to improve the walkability. See next chapter to see how.

community to assess the level of walkability, as well as their trust in the local community, participation in activities and socializing with friends— all measures of social capital.

town parks and playgrounds, coffee shops,

On the whole, the more walkable neighbor-

restaurants, barbershops and club meeting

hoods scored higher on every measure of so-

venues. The ability to walk to these impor-

cial capital than the less walkable neighbor-

tant locations in one’s home neighborhood

hoods. The authors found that individuals

has been linked to a higher quality of life.

in more walkable neighborhoods tended to

Social capital, a measure of an individual’s

have higher levels of trust and community

or group’s networks, personal connections,

involvement, whether that was working on a

and community involvement, brings ben-

community project, attending a club meet-

efits such as reduced isolation, career con-

ing, volunteering, or simply entertaining

nections, and neighborhood safety. These

friends at home. Residents in the more walk-

benefits – facilitated by living in a walkable

able neighborhoods also reported being

community - that enhance an individual’s

in good health and happy more often than

quality of life in the city.

those in the less walkable neighborhoods.

The authors selected two municipalities in the state of New Hampshire. Ten neigh-

If you were to describe your street, what are the fist few things that come to mind?

Are there any streets in your neighborhood that you particularly enjoy walking on, and why?

Which streets in your neighborhood do you avoid, and why?

Rate how pleasant it is to walk in your neighborhood. 1/

Rate your street in terms of remoteness or connectedness to streets surrounding it. 1/

Rate how pleasant it is to walk in your neighborhood.

Rate how pleasant your street is.

How often would you say do you walk in your neighborhood?

Rate your street in terms of its connectedness tos surrounding streets.

10 /

If you were to describe your neighborhood, would you say it is well-connected overall? 1/

11 /

Rate the quality of public spaces in your neighborhood.

12 /

How often would you say do you walk in your neighborhood? 1/

13 /

Rate how pleasant it is to walk your street

14 /

Rate your street in terms of remoteness or connectedness to streets surrounding it. 1/

15 /

Which streets in your neighborhood do you avoid, and why?

16 /

Rate how pleasant it is to walk in your neighborhood.

17 /

How often would you say do you walk in your neighborhood?

18 /

Rate the quality of public spaces in your neighborhood. 1/

19 /

Rate the overall safety of your neighborhood. 1/

20 /

Rate how the cleanliness of your street affects the frequency of you choosing to walk.

PROBLEM 1 / (car-centric) cars rule the streets of your neighborhood. TRAFFIC CALMING MEASURES COULD SOLVE THE PROBLEM. 5 SOLUTIONS:

Improve neighborhood walkability.

In an urban context, this was a stark departure from the time-tested practice of building streets with three

1 / Woonerf / Home Zone

purposes: movement, commerce and social interac-

Woonerf is a great solution to this problem. This idea altered the

tion. The great modernist Le Corbusier famously

landscape of urban life in the Netherlands, Scandinavia, Germa-

said, “Kill the street”, meaning get the pedestrians

ny or Australia. The origin of this ingenious idea can be traced to

and pavement cafés and other obstacles out of the way of traffic.

Delft, Netherlands, where residents of one of the neighborhoods were fed up with cars racing along their streets, endangering children, pets and peace of mind. One day, the residents decided to

It is now common practice to separate pedestrians from cars. This

drag couches and pieces of furniture into the streets to slow traffic

makes pedestrian areas more human and safer. This separation,

down. Even though the police had to assist the situation, the local

however, makes the driver feel like he owns the road and impul-

government admitted this was a good idea and soon after started

sively speeds up. That is the case even on the roads in residential

implementing woonerfs (Dutch for “living yards”) as a means of

areas. As this is often the case, it is wise to consider implementing

traffic calming. The British equivalent for the term is “home zone”.

some mode of traffic calming in your area.

Decreasing the number of lanes will result in safer and more pleasant streets for everyone.

2 / Lower the Speed Limit When 20 mile per hour speed limits were imposed in the UK as a way of traffic calming, towns saw road fatalities drop by as much as 22 percent and safety was improved for both pedestrians and drivers. Their example provides a great framework for the city of St. Louis, as well as other cities.

3 / Promote cycling as a major mode of transportation Establish new bike lanes and extended existing ones. Place bike crossingsÂâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;using space freed up by the elimination of parking near intersections. For instance, in Copenhagen, currently 34 percent of residents who work in the city bicycle to their jobs.

The Happiness Quotient of Your City

SOLUTION 1 /

The width of the road and obstacles prevent the cars from driving fast.

Woonerf / Home Zone

A woonerf (Dutch plural: woonerven) in the Netherlands and

In the United Kingdom, similar areas are known as home zones,

Flanders is a street where pedestrians and cyclists have legal pri-

but do not enjoy similar protection in law. Examples of UK prac-

ority over motorists. In British English this term has been coined

tice include Staiths South Bank in Gateshead, which at over 600

as “ home zone”. The techniques of shared spaces, traffic calming,

homes was the largest new build home zone development in the

and low speed limits are intended to improve pedestrian, bicycle,

UK at the time it received planning consent. Most contemporary

and automobile safety. In 1999 the Netherlands had over 6000

UK schemes have involved public realm works to existing streets

woonerfs. Motorized traffic in a woonerf or “recreation area” is re-

in older Victorian housing areas, often to meet regeneration or

stricted to walking pedestrian pace.

traffic calming objectives.

In Germany, similar zones are termed Verkehrsberuhigter Bereich (“traffic calming area”). Under German traffic law motorists in a Verkehrsberuhigter Bereich are restricted to a maximum speed of 7 km/h, pedestrians, including children, may use the entire street and children are permitted to play in the street. Woonerfs are planned for Toronto, where they have been approved for the West Don Lands community and are being discussed for Queen’s Quay along the waterfront.

In Massachusetts, a pedestrian priority zone has been implemented at Downtown Crossing in Boston, and a woonerf is planned for Union Square in Somerville.

The Disney Concert Hall, one of LAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s greatest monuments, follows the car-centric layout, creating an eerie lack of street life even on big show nights. Even though located in downtown Los Angeles, the width of the road is that of a six-lane highway.

COMPARE: If a driver is going 40 miles/hour, the victim has only a 15% chance of living. At 20 miles/hour, the odds jump to 95%. United Kingdom Department for Transport.

The Happiness Quotient of Your City

SOLUTION 5 /

Before: A Santa Monica boulevard with unnecessarily wide four lanes of traffic. The street feels hostile and unfriendly.

Road Diet

A road diet is a technique in transportation planning whereby a

travel lane can be converted into a bicycle lanes on either side of

road is reduced in number of travel lanes and/or effective width

the roadway. If properly designed, traffic does not divert to other

in order to achieve systemic improvements. According to Wiki-

streets road after a road diet. Road diets are usually successful on

pedia, “A typical road diet technique is to reduce the number of

roads carrying fewer than 19,000 vehicles per day. Road diets can

lanes on a roadway cross-section. One of the most common ap-

succeed at volumes up to about 23,000 vehicles per day. However,

plications of a road diet is to improve safety in the context of two-way streets with four-lane sections. In this case, two travel lanes in each direction are converted into a three-lane section with one travel lane in each direction, optional bicycle lanes, and a two-way turn lane in the middle. The two-way turn lane can be transitioned into dedicated left turn lanes (in countries that drive on the right-hand side of the road) at intersections. The additional space that is freed up by removing a vehicular

High traffic volumes on four-lane roads decrease the safety of nondrivers. In cities around the world, the quality of life is being improved by putting roads on “road diets.” It means removing lanes from a road and using the space for other uses and travel modes. Users of all types of transportation have benefited from these measures.

more extensive reconstruction is needed. Examples include replacing signals with roundabouts, traffic calming on parallel streets to discourage traffic from diverting away from the main road, and other means to keep the traffic moving smoothly.

After: The Boulevard has gone through a road diet procedure. The street is immediately more manageable and easier to navigate for pedestrians.

It’s really simple: more roads—more traffic. fewer roads—less TRAFFIC.” Jan Gehl, architect and urbanist

The Happiness Quotient of Your City

There are 17,000 bicycles and 1,202 stations, roughly one station every 300 metres all throughout the city center.

SOLUTION 4 / Bicycle Sharing Program In bicycle sharing programs a number of bicycles are made available

der to use the system, users need to take out a subscription, which

for shared use by individuals who do not own the bicycles (or

allows the subscriber an unlimited number of rentals. Those can

anyone else). Public bicycles are a mobility service, very useful

be purchased daily, weekly, monthly or annually. With a subscrip-

in urban environment for short or longer distance travels. Such

tion bike rental is free for the first half hour of every individual trip;

programs remove three obstacles that bicycle owners face: home

an unlimited number of such free trips can be made per day. The

parking, theft and maintenance of your private bicycle. A small

increasing price rating is intended to keep the bikes in circulation

cash deposit releases the bike from a locked terminal and can

for other residents to be able to use.

only be retrieved by returning it to another. Since the deposit is a fraction of the bike’s cost, this does little to deter theft.

In case of the largest bike sharing system in the world, Vélib, In order to use the system, users need to take out a subscrip-

Under a program similar to ones currently running in cities like

tion, which allows the subscriber an unlimited number of rentals.

Paris and Barcelona, Spain, residents could register with pro-

Subscriptions can be purchased daily, weekly, monthly or annu-

grams and pay a fee for each trip — based on distance — each time

ally. With a subscription bike rental is free for the first half hour

they used the bike .A typical public-private partnership would

of every individual trip; an unlimited number of such free trips

have an advertising partner pay for the staffing and maintenance

can be made per day. The increasing price rating is intended to

of the bikes, and The City would collect the daily fares and fees.

keep the bikes in circulation for other residents to use. Many of the

In case of the largest bike sharing system in the world, Vélib, In or-

VĂŠlib is a public bicycle rental program in Paris. It is the largest system of its kind in the world. There are 17,000 bicycles and 1,202 stations, a station every 300 metres throughout the center.

community-run bicycle programs paint their bicycles in a strong solid color, such as yellow or white. The reasons are, firstly, that as the fleet of colored bicycles begin to appear around the city, it helps to advertise the program. And secondly, many programs paint over the brand name and other distinguishing features of the bicycle, some even going so far as to paint every component such as the pedals, shifters, and

San Francisco aims to install 3,000 bikes at strategic points through the city, demonstrating the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s commitment to the more environmentally responsible modes of transportation.

wheels. This is helpful in deterring theft since the painted bicycle has little resale value. Large scale bike share programs, however, have designed their own bike with singular designs of frame and other parts to prevent disassembly and resale of stolen parts.

The Happiness Quotient of Your City

PROBLEM 2/ few pedestrians ARE THE STREETS DEVOID OF LIFE OR MOSTLY EMPTY?

5 SOLUTIONS:

Improve neighborhood walkability.

The great modernist Le Corbusier famously said,

1 / Density is a Good Thing

“Kill the street”, meaning get the pedestrians and

Low-slung, densely spaced buildings allow breezes to pass over

pavement cafés and other obstacles out of the way of traffic. It is now common practice to separate pedestrians from cars. This makes pedestrian areas more human and safer. This separation, however, makes the driver feel like he owns the road. That is the case even on the roads in residential areas, so it is wise to consider implementing some mode of traffic calming in your area. When designing a new public space it is essential to determine the relationship between the number of people expected to visit the space and the size of the area. 600 people in Union Square in New York will make it feel half-dead, whereas 100 people in Frank Ogawa Plaza in Oakland will make it feel relatively lively. Density of a city is, clearly, a relative term.

them, making the weather milder and less windy. Residents can rely more on public transport in a tightly packed neighborhood.

2 / Bring People to Live Downtown Your city center is meant to be populated. Density also means safety, comfort and more social opportunities. All the well-functioning cities of the world are full of residents. Because they are close to public transit, they’ve eliminated their dependence on cars, and at night their lighted windows give visiting pedestrians a feeling of safety.

3 / Encourage Student and Senior Living Students who commute to school on bicycles don’t add to traffic congestion; on the contrary, their active presence, day and night, animates the city. Age diversity is also important to

Enhancing the connectivity of the space will attract more pedestrians.

4 / Turn Parking Lots Into Public Squares. The act of creating pedestrian streets should free up parking lots, enabling the city to transform them into public squares.

5 / Limit Street Parking Many drivers take free parking for granted, whether itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s in the lot of a big-box store or at home in the driveway. Yet the presence of so many parking spaces is an artifact of lax regulation and serves as a powerful subsidy to cars and people taking unnecessary car trips. Legally mandated parking lowers the market price of parking spaces, often to zero. Zoning and development restrictions often require a large number of parking spaces attached to a store or a smaller number of spaces attached to a house or apartment block. If this wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t the case, many drivers would opt not to park or even drive their vehicle. And fewer drivers equal fewer cars on the roads. Bring this up at your city council meeting!

The Happiness Quotient of Your City

LETâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S TAKE A WALK: Downtown Los Angeles has long been an extremely pedestrian-unfriendly place. It is time to change that.

The Happiness Quotient of Your City

Problem 3 / bad public space YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD PARK OR SQUARE IS DESERTED AND DEVOID OF LIFE.

5 SOLUTIONS EMPTY PUBLIC SPACE: You can’t create good public space without people, but you also

1 / Is the space well-connected?

cannot attract people without offering good public space. As so- Low-slung, densely spaced buildings allow breezes to pass over ciologist William H. Whyte wrote, “It’s difficult to design a space them, making the city weather milder and less windy. More resithat will not attract people. What is remarkable how often this has dents should live in the city center. In a tightly-packed neighborbeen accomplished.” Yet, you see them all over—they’re usually hood, residents can eliminate their driving habits. empty, abandoned. There are also spaces that look great at a first glance, but the designers seem to have spent more time on the aesthetics of the place, not keeping the big picture in mind.

2 / Integration into the urban fabric The urban fabric is the physical form of towns and cities. Your

town/city center is meant to be populated and city squares or When designing a new public space it is essential to determine plazas are meant to be integrated into the physical form of your the relationship between the number of people expected to visit town. If they are located on the periphery, people will naturally the square and the size of the area. 600 people in Union Square feel ostracized for being in them. All the well-functioning cities will make it feel half-dead, whereas 100 people in Frank Ogawa of the world are full of residents. Because they are close to public Plaza will make it feel relatively lively. However, there are many transit, they’ve eliminated their dependence on cars, and at night other factors considered when attempting to enliven that neigh- their lighted windows give visiting pedestrians a feeling of safety. borhood park or downtown plaza.

Improving the and connectivity of the space will atrract more pedestrians.

3 / Urban Context Students who commute to school on bicycles donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t add to traffic congestion; on the contrary, their active presence, day and night, animates the city.

4 / Mixed-use Zoning well-functioning cities of the world are full of residents. Because they are close to public transit, theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve eliminated their dependence on cars, and at night their lighted windows give visiting pedestrians a feeling of safety.

5 / Activity Pockets Small, partly enclosed areas at the edges, which jut forward into the open space between the paths, and contain activities which make it natural for people to pause and get involved.

The Happiness Quotient of Your City

There are 17,000 bicycles and 1,202 stations, roughly one station every 300 metres all throughout the city centre.

SOLUTION 4 / Mixed-use Zoning Traditional zoning was developed during a time when factories and

and how they are spatially related. To achieve well-planned mixed use

many commercial uses were noisy, smelly, and/or hazardous to the

development, most of the bylaws described in this guide are “overlay”

public. To protect public health and residential property values, early

districts. This means that the underlying zoning remains in place. De-

zoning focused on separating different uses and buffering them from

velopers may choose to develop according to the underlying zoning

each other to minimize nuisances.

or, alternatively, according to the mixed use provisions. The overlay

Today, much commercial development is environmentally benign, and there are often advantages to locating different uses in close proximity. Mixed use concentrated development, preferably near transit, is seen as a key “smart growth” tool to reduce auto dependence and

encourages coordinated, cohesive development among lots or through lot consolidation. The overlay approach is especially useful when the community wants to promote a unified approach in an area where there are two or more underlying districts.

preserve green space and natural resources. Thus many communities

If the community wants to encourage mixed use, the overlay should be

are turning to “mixed use,” which generally refers to a deliberate mix of

structured to be attractive to developers and the requirements should

housing, civic uses, and commercial uses, including retail, restaurants,

not be onerous. The city typically retains control through the special

and offices. Mixing uses, however, works best when it grows out of a

permit process and can turn down any development not to its liking.

thoughtful plan that emphasizes the connectivity and links among

Different communities choose mixed use for different reasons.

the uses. Results may be haphazard when communities simply en-

Some see it as an excellent way to incorporate a mix of housing

able multiple uses without providing guidance about the mix of uses

ADVANTAGES OF MIXED-USE ZONING types on a small scale while enhancing traditional town charac-

1 / Spurs revitalization

ter. Others see it primarily as a vehicle for revitalizing struggling

2 / Preserves and enhances traditional centers

areas and spurring economic development. Still others use it to

3 / Promotes pedestrian and bicycle travel

create or enhance village centers. Listed below are some of the

4 / Reduces auto dependency and road congestion

many benefits of mixed use development: Although mixed use

5 / Promotes a sense of community

is especially applicable near public transportation, it has advan-

6 / Encourages economic investment

tages for other areas as well. Benefits include the preservation of

7 / Increases an areaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s unique identity

undeveloped or environmentally sensitive land elsewhere in the

8 / Promotes efficient use of land and infrastructure

community, opportunities for more or different housing, bicycle

9 / Promotes a sense of place

and pedestrian-friendly destinations, and an enhanced sense of

10 / Provides more housing opportunities and choices

place or sense of community. In developing a bylaw, communities should select the advantages that best apply and structure the provisions to accomplish these goals.

The Happiness Quotient of Your City

AFTER-WORK PARKING: A PARK THAT IS WELL INTEGRATED INTO URBAN FABRIC WITH PLENTY OF SEATING AND INTIMATE CORNERS WOULD BE A HIGHLY SOUGHT-AFTER PLACE FOR SOCIALIZING.

{ DIY URBANISM } “The City Council works for you, not vice versa.”

DIY Urbanism

ONE OF THE MAIN CAUSES OF CYNICISM ABOUT GOVERNMENT IS FEELING THAT CITIZENS DON’T HAVE ANY POWER. WRONG. City Hall, San Francisco, California. Your tax dollars are at work here, have a say!

HOW TO MAKE IT HAPPEN:

Securing funding, where to turn

nd so, no reason to be involved

story. City council members, mayors, and

for your local government to start acting

in the political process. They

head of municipal departments live in the

on your behalf—there are ways to be proac-

do and you do as well. It is

same city as its residents. Therefore, they

tive without their invitation. Besides, good

your tax dollars that are being spent, so

shouldn’t be insulated from the issues that

government depends on the engagement

have a say!

residents consider to be crucial to their

and participation of citizens.

Even on the local level, the municipal budget

well-being and happiness.

is determined by politicians, while we pick

If elected officials encouraged a greater

up the tab. Most often we don’t influence

spirit of participation, it would not only en-

the policy making and what gets funded

hance the reputation of politics, but would

and what doesn’t. The government seems

also increase the effectiveness. Citizenry

to be out of touch with the people it is

is often the best authority on what works

supposed to serve. Congress, the White

and what doesn’t. Taking advantage of

House, state and provincial legislature

their expertise to decide which programs

appear remote from our lives and largely

deserve funding, and tapping their ideas to

indifferent to what happens in our com-

determine what else needs to be done can

munities. But local government is another

be invaluable in a running city. Don’t wait

DIY Urbanism

Jane Jacobs, one of the most prominent urban activists of the 20th century in the United

BE PROACTIVE:

Get to know your neighborhood.

Whether itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s writing a letter to your local

your city association members and other

reach the goals of your community? Gather

government or inviting a speaker to your

residents, but it also helps you creating a

all the information that is available and

neighborhood association meeting, small

community and simplifies communication.

post in on your neighborhood website.

actions can lead the way to big changes.

Start one and provide your neighbors with

Your neighbors will appreciate an easy

1 / Form a neighborhood group

a convenient forum for expressing their

access to the contacts.

Does your city have a public space group or a neighborhood association? It might be a good idea to call them up or e-mail to find out how to join. If such a group doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t exist yet, it might be wise to consider to start one as soon as possible.

2 / Start a website / Online group Nowadays, nothing could be simpler and easier than starting an online group. Not only does it provide you an instant access to

opinions online with each member being able to see them. Your city have a public space group or a neighborhood association? It might be a good idea to call them up or e-mail to find out how to join. If such a group does not exist yet, it might be wise to consider to start one.

3 / Know the local politics Who are the people who govern your city? What are their roles in how they help you

City Hall, San Francisco, California. Your tax dollars are at work here, have a say!

WHAT IF WE COULD CHANGE THIS

INTO THIS? WELL, WE DID.

The Happiness Quotient of Your City

1 / Residents vs. City Government

2 / Gain Community Support

3 / Get the Funding

Before it was turned into a park, the line

Peter Obletz, a New York resident and

In 2004, the New York City government

was in disrepair, although the riveted steel

long-term activist, challenged demolition

committed $50 million to establish the

elevated structure was basically sound. It

efforts in court and tried to re-establish

proposed park. In 2004, the New York City

was destined for demolition under the

rail service on the Line. He failed. Later

government committed $50 million to

administration of Rudy Giuliani. In 1999,

on, the non-profit organization Friends

establish the proposed park. On June 13,

neighborhood residents Robert Hammond

of the High Line advocated for the Lineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

2005, the U.S. Federal Surface Transporta-

and Joshua David created the community

preservation and reuse as public open

tion Board issued a certificate of a short-

group Friends of the High Line to push

space. Broadened community support of

term trail use, allowing the City to remove

the idea of turning the High Line into an

public redevelopment for the High Line

most of the line from the national railway

elevated park or greenway, similar to the

for pedestrian use grew, and city funding

system. On April 10, 2006, Mayor Michael

Promenade PlantĂŠe in Paris. Inspiration

was allocated in 2004.

Bloomberg presided over a ceremony that

was also drawn from Millenium Park in located in downtown Chicago.

marked the beginning of construction.

AMERICAN SUCCESS STORY: TWO NEW YORK RESIDENTS FORMED A NEIGHBORHOOD GROUP TO PUSH THE IDEA OF CREATING HIGH LINE PARK. THEY WON. 4 / Enjoy the Space New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg and City Council Speakers Gifford Miller and Christine C. Quinn were important supporters. The southernmost section, from Gansevoort Street to 20th Street, opened as a city park on June 8, 2009. The park is now enjoyed by thousands of residents and visitors from all over every week.

The Happiness Quotient of Your City

We are all different individuals with slightly different needs, but one thing we share in common: we all thrive in well-designed public spaces that make us feel welcome, safe and comfortable.

HOW WOULD YOU IMPROVE YOUR CITY? Residents of Oakland have been interviewed. Student 1 / Tiara, “I take Bart every day to school and it’d be cool if it ran more often. Uhm, more shopping on Broadway. Cafés, restaurants and stuff like that. And there’s like no place to hang out around here, like when the weather is nice. Yeah, that’s it.”

2 / Michael, Retired

“More buses. Cheaper buses, it’s expensive. I have bad knees and it’s hard to walk for me.”

3 / Holly , On Maternity Leave

“I would really appreciate if there was a park near my building. I have kids and have to drive all the way to Lake Merritt. Also, a shopping center or at least a Safeway, you know? I live in downtown and really wish there were better options on Broadway.”

Accountant 4 / Janice, “Better transit. More food options. It’s nice now with the shuttle, but it still takes a long time to get anywhere. Sometimes I wish I could get my shopping done before I head home, but there’s nothing on Broadway. They should do something about it.”

Office Worker 5 / Brian, “I actually live in downtown Oakland and love it, although there are things to improve. Those highway overpasses really kill downtown and make it less pleasant and walkable. The City Council needs to do more to make downtown an actual destination.”

Store Owner 6 / Doug, “My store’s been robbed. Sometimes I don’t feel safe here. But with the police cuts, what are you gonna do? It should be safer and cleaner. And my customers have nowhere to park. I’m losing business because of the lack of parking.”

Lin, Bakery Owner 7 / Yu “I think better parking for my customers. Sometimes customers don’t have a place to park and go elsewhere. Or a bus stop near my store front. Also, the street is dirty. They need to clean it more.’

Coffee Shop Barista 8 / Jessica, “Because I ride my bike to work every day it’d be awesome if there was a bike path that goes all the way to my street. Also bike parking sometimes suck, there needs to be more bike racks on Grand. A small park would be awesome too.”

DIY Urbanism

A COMPLETE STREET: The ideal city block/neighborhood should be the beating heart of a

There is no one design prescription for complete streets. Ingredients

neighborhood. All too often though planners, architects and devel-

that may be found on a complete street include: sidewalks, bike lanes

opers get it wrong (and they have so much in the past). They build

(or wide paved shoulders), special bus lanes, comfortable and acces-

too high, too dense (or not dense enough), and, worst of all, create

sible public transportation stops, frequent crossing opportunities,

monotonous and sprawly faĂ§ades that alienate both visitors and

median islands, accessible pedestrian signals, curb extensions, and

residents. According to urban planners that have a healthy devel-

more. A complete street in a rural area will look quite different from a

opment and growth of cities in mind, a good city block that would

complete street in a highly urban area. But both are designed to bal-

work well would be one with its own identity, supported by a mix

ance safety and convenience for everyone using the road. Below, we

of independent business and community-minded brands, galleries,

showcase the variety of options in creating roads that are safe for all

cafĂŠs and restaurants. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s be a block fed by several modes of transpor-

users, regardless of age, ability, or mode of transportation.

tation and offering all the essential services its residents might need. Complete streets are designed and operated to enable safe access for all users. Pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists, and public transportation users of all ages and abilities are able to safely move along and across a complete street, despite the traffic being present.

4 PEDESTRIANS ARE NOT AN AFTERTHOUGHT: PORTLAND HAS DONE A GREAT JOB RETRO-FITTING ITS DOWNTOWN STREETS TO BE MORE WELCOMING TO PEDESTRIANS.

PORTLAND’S COMPLETE STREET: 1 / Bulbouts to make automobiles slow down 2 / Aesthetically pleasing greenery 3 / Elements of small architecture— attractive garbage bins 4 / Public seating (turned away from the road) 5 / Widened sidewalk to accommodate more pedestrians 6 / An alley of trees to provide shade and protection from cars

6. 1. ADMIT ONE

2. 7. 3.

8 Ways to Improve Your Street & Neighborhood

1 / Community Garden

place for citizens to relax and enjoy the atmosphere of the city

Community gardens promote healthy life style and provide

around them, in places where either urban parks are lacking or if the

food security for many low income persons. In an urban setting,

sidewalk width is not wide enough to create a vibrant street life.

these gardens are part of the open space network. The gardens

Parklets can be designed to be either permanent fixtures, or can

and those who participate in community gardening contribute

be designed to be temporary.

to the preservation of green space, and create sustainable uses of

3 / Bicycle Share Program

the space. Community gardens allow people to get to know one another, provide food, and create recreational opportunities for a community. They can also encourage environmental awareness and provide community education for the youth.

1 / Parklets A parklet is a small urban park, often created by replacing several under-utilized parallel parking spots with a patio, planters, trees, benches, cafĂŠ tables with chairs, fountain(s), artwork, sculptures and/or bike parking. Parklets are designed to provide a public

Source: As Greg Raisman from Portlandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bureau of Transportation pointed out: 20% of all traffic on the Hawthorne Bridge is bikes. Those who participate in community gardening contribute to the preservation of open space.

4 / Car Share Source: As Greg Raisman from Portlandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bureau of Transportation pointed out: 20% of all traffic on the Hawthorne Bridge is bikes. And, e who participate in community gardening contribute to the preservation of open space, provide access to it.

5 / Neighborhood Association

lots were standing. Necessity brought about creativity, and the

The first place to begin is with your city government. Many towns

two vacant lots will be changed into a collection of businesses,

have a neighborhood relations department that can provide you

including a beer garden, eating places, art galleries and shops.

with help on regulations and valuable information (including guides on setting up a neighborhood association) to ease the process of starting a neighborhood association. Some cities even provide grants to help start a neighborhood association. Find out how your local government can help you set one up.

6 / Special Events Create a special event for your neighborhood that the locals as well as visitors from the region will favor. This will make your city/neighborhood livelier and your city an instant destination.

7 / Temporary Structures A good example is a new temporary structure in the Hayes Valley neighborhood of San Francisco, where two abandoned parking

DIY Urbanism

DIY NEIGHBORHOOD: Ways to make it better. 1 / A Parklet

1 / Community Gardening

A Parklet is a type of small public space. Instead of reclaiming a

According to the USDA, around 15 percent of the world’s food is

piece of under utilized roadway at an intersection, Parklets re-pur-

now grown in urban areas. City and suburban agriculture take the

pose two to three parking stalls along a block as a space for people

form of backyard, roof-top and balcony gardening, crop growing

to relax, drink a cup of coffee, and enjoy the city around them. They

in vacant lots and parks, roadside urban agriculture and livestock

do this by building out a platform into the parking lane so that

grazing in open space.

the grade of the sidewalk gets carried out into the parking lane. On the platform, benches, planters, landscaping, bike parking, and

There are many ways to start a community garden. Whether you’re

café tables and chairs all come together to provide a welcoming

working with friends, neighbors, or a local organization, there are

new public space that people of all ages can enjoy.

many things you’ll want to consider before you ever dig the first hole. If you and your neighborhood are interested in starting a

A great example of a successful parklet is located on Divisadero

community garden, there is a wide variety or worthwhile resources

street in San Francisco. The parklet has three café tables, 10 café

that will help you, such as www.communitygarden.org.

chairs, a bench, three bike racks, landscaped planters, solar lighting, and a solar receiving panel. Cable Rail and the planters provide a visually permeable edge along the street.

SEEK OUT FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR YOUR GARDEN: APPLY FOR A $1,500, GRANT CONSISTING OF MONETARY AND IN-KIND SUPPORT FROM SCOTTS MIRACLE-GRO WHO PLEDGED TO ESTABLISH 1,000 GARDENS BY 2018.

FOLLOW THESE USEFUL STEPS : 1 / Determine the need and desire for a garden. 2 / What kind of crops will you grow? 3 / Determine who the garden will serve. 4 / Let the neighborhood be involved in all the phases 5 / Organize a meeting for interested residents. 6 / Choose a well-organized coordinator. 7/ Form a committee to accomplish the tasks. 8 / Approach a sponsor. 9 / Make a list of what needs to be done. 10 / Find a garden site. 11 / Obtain lease or agreement from owner. 12 / Decide on a mailing address and a phone number. 13 / Familiarize three member with all the pertinent information. 14 / Keep administration in hands of several people 15 / Choose a name for the garden. (According to www.communitygarden.org)

100

101

{ CITY STUDIES } “Inspiration from Around the Globe.”

102

City Study

CITY STUDY: {BOGOTÁ} (Columbia)

103

IF BOGOTÁ CAN DO IT, WHY NOT US?i Enrique Peñalosa, the former mayor of Bogota, Colombia, thinks that “cities should be planned for a purpose—to create human well-being. They should promote human happiness. And he knows what he’s talking about. Bogota is now held up as an international model for sustainable innovation, even for cities in the developed world. Peñalosa doesn’t hate cars. But he loves places where people of all backgrounds gather to enjoy themselves—public commons that barely exist in cities where cars rule the streets. These sorts of places are even more important in poor cities than in wealthy ones, because poor people have nowhere else to go. During his three years in the Mayor’s office, Peñalosa established and improved 1200 parks, established 300 kilometers of separated bikeways, the longest pedestrian street, reduced traffic by 40%, inaugurated an annual car-free day and

104

City Study / Bogotá

Although income equality as a concept does not jibe with market economy, in the civic sphere we can seek to achieve quality-of-life equality.” —Enrique Peñalosa, former mayor of Bogotá

QUALITY OF LIFE = COMMON WEALTH: City) All together, these accomplishments boosted the common

among the many who deserve credit. Bogota mayors are always

good in a city characterized by vast disparities of wealth. Pe-

limited to one consecutive three-year term. Peñalosa ran again

ñalosa is passionate in articulating a vision that a city belongs

for mayor in 2008, losing according to some observers because

to all its citizens.

a leftist opponent also embraced the commons-style agenda,

David Burwell—a strategic analyst with Project for Public

including the promise of a new subway system.

Spaces who has long experience working on environmental,

Enrique Peñalosa has become an international star of sorts

transportation, and community issues—calls Peñalosa, “One of

among green urban designers, so I assumed he was trained as

the great public servants of our time. He views cities as being

a city planner and inspired by long involvement in the environ-

planned for a purpose—to create human well-being. He’s got a

mental movement. But the truth is that he arrived at these ideas

great sense of what a leader should do—to promote human

from a completely different direction. “My focus has always

happiness.”

been social—how you can help the most people for the greater

Bogota is now held up as an international model for sustainable

public good.”

innovation, even for cities in the developing world. Peñalosa

Growing up in the 1960s, when revolutionary fervor swept

of course, didn’t do this alone. Antanas Mockus, who both pre-

South America, Peñalosa became an ardent socialist at a young

ceded and succeeded him as mayor, and Gil Peñalosa, Enrique’s

age, advocating income redistribution as the solution to social

brother, who served as parks commissioner under Mockus, are

ills. He studied economics and history at Duke University in

105

Bogotá, Columbia 35°42 2 N 139°42 54 E 453 km2 (174.9 sq mi) Population City Density Metro

12,790,000 5,847 /km² 17,870,000

the United States, which he attended on a soccer scholarship,

strolls and public events. This weekly event began in 1976 but

and later moved to Paris to earn a degree in management and

was expanded by Peñalosa. It now has spread to numerous

public administration. Paris was a marvelous education in the

Colombian cities as well as San Francisco; Quito, Ecuador; El

possibilities of urban living, and he returned home with aspira-

Paso, Texas; Las Cruces, New Mexico; and is being explored for

tions of bringing European-style city comforts to the working

Chicago, New York, Portland and Melbourne, Australia.

class of Bogotá. Several years working as

Peñalosa’s Administration accomplished the following: Led a team that

a business manager moderated his views

created the TransMilenio, a bus rapid transit system (BRT), which now

but not, he hastens to tell me, his quest for

carries a half-million passengers daily. Built 52 new schools, refurbished

social justice for everyone.

150 others and increased student enrollment by 34 percent. Established

Streets for People, Not Just Cars

or improved 1200 parks and playgrounds throughout the city. Built three

Another hit is the Ciclovía, in which as

central and 10 neighborhood libraries. Built 100 nurseries for children

many as 2 million people (30 percent of the city’s population) take over 120 kilometers of major streets between 7 a.m. and 2 p.m. every Sunday, for bike rides,

under five. Improved life in the slums by providing water service to 100 percent of Bogotá households. Bought undeveloped land on the outskirts of the city to stop real estate speculation developed affordable housing.

106

City Study / Bogotá

Enrique Peñalosa, a former mayor of Bogotá, Columbia.

CITIES SHOULD BE PLANNED FOR AN IMPORTANT PURPOSE— TO CREATE AND PROMOTE WELL-BEING AND HAPPINESS.” —Enrique Peñalosa, a former mayor of Bogota

CITY VISIONARIES: Jan Gehl’s Vision (of a Happy City) Peñalosa established and improved 1200 parks, established 300

by 40%, inaugurated an annual car-free day and planted 100,000

km of separated bikeways, created the longest pedestrian street,

trees. Peñalosa also led efforts to improve Bogotá’s marginal

reduced traffic by 40%, inaugurated an annual car-free day and

neighborhoods through citizen involvement; planted more than

planted 100,000 trees.

100,000 trees; created a new, highly successful bus-based transit

He also established the longest pedestrian street, reduced traffic by

system; and turned a deteriorated downtown avenue into a dy-

40%, inaugurated an annual car-free day and planted 100,000 trees.

namic pedestrian public space. He helped transform the city’s

Peñalosa also led efforts to improve Bogotá’s marginal neighbor-

attitude from one of negative hopelessness to one of pride and

hoods through citizen involvement; planted more than 100,000

hope, developing a model for urban improvement based on the

trees; created a new, highly successful bus-based transit system;

equal rights of all people to transportation, education, and public

and turned a deteriorated downtown avenue into a dynamic pe-

spaces. So if Bogota can do it, why not Oakland, Detroit, or any

destrian public space. He helped transform the city’s attitude from

other city in the U.S.?

one of negative hopelessness to one of pride and hope, developing a model for urban improvement based on the equal rights of all people to transportation, education, and public spaces. So if Bogota can do it, why not Oakland, Detroit, or any other city in the U.S.? He also established the longest pedestrian street, reduced traffic

107

40% less city car traffic

300 km

of parks

of bike pathways

300 km

100,000 newly

pedestrian paths

planted trees

36% of all citizens commute to work by bicycle. Every day they cycle a total of 1.2 million km.

Source: 50% of all residents commute to work by bicycle. Every day they cycle a total of 1.2 million km.

108

City Study / Bogotรก

109

NUMBERS TALK: 45% OF BOGOTA’S RESIDENTS USE BICYCLE TO COMMUTE TO AND FROM WORK.

110

City Study / Bogotá

1 Mr. Peñalosa’s, former mayor of Bogotà, speaking at an urbanist conference in Bogota

CITY INNOVATION { BOGOTÁ }

What makes people happy? The past decade has seen an explosion in research aiming to answer that question, and there’s good news for people in places like Bogota: Feelings of wellbeing are determined as much by status and social connectedness as by income. Richer people are happier than poor people, but societies with wider income

gaps are less happy on the whole. People who interact with more friends, family and neighbors are happier than those who don’t.

111

3 2 Ever since citizens voted to make it an annual affair in 2000, private cars have been banned entirely from this city of nearly eight million every Feb. 1. On Dia Sin Carro, Car Free Day, the roar of traffic subsides and the toxic haze thins. Buses are jam-packed and taxis hard to come by, but hundreds of thousands of people have followed Mr. Peñalosa’s

Car Free Day is just one of the ways that Mr. Peñalosa helped to transform a city once infamous for narcoterrorism, pollution and chaos into a globally lauded model of livability and urban renewal. His ideas are being adopted in cities across the developing world. They are also being championed by planners and politicians in North America, where Mr. Peñalosa has reinvigorated the debate about public space once championed by Jane Jacobs.

4 TransMilenio Bus Rapid Station in downtown Bogota. TransMilenio is a bus rapid transit system that serves the city of Bogotá. The system opened to the public in December 2000, covering Av. Caracas and Calle 80. Other lines were added gradually over the next several years, and today 9 lines run throughout the city, a length of 84 km (54

mi). In 2009 the ridershipo reached 1,400,000 daily. Seventy-five percent of Bogotaans rate the system as good or very good.

PEOPLE WHO INTERACT MORE WITH FRIENDS, FAMILY AND NEIGHBORS ARE HAPPPIER THAN THOSE WHO DON’T. example and hit the streets under their own steam.

112

City Study / Copenhagen

CITY STUDY: {COPENHAGEN } (Denmark)

113

FROM AUTOMOBILE TO BICYCLE CRAZY In Copenhagen, you never have to travel very far to see a beautiful public space or car-free street packed with people soaking up the day. In fact, since the early 1960's, 18 parking lots in the downtown area have been converted into public spaces for playing, meeting, and generally just doing things that human beings enjoy doing. If you’re hungry, there are over 7,500 cafe seats in the city. But as you walk and bike the city, you also quickly become aware of something else: Most Copenhagen’s city streets have a speed limit of 30 to 40 km/h. Even more impressive, there are blocks in some neighborhoods with limits as low as 15 km/h (9 mph) where cars must yield to residents. Still other areas are “shared spaces” where cars, bikes and pedestrians mix freely with no stress, usually thanks to traffic calming measures (speed bumps are popular), textured road surfaces and common sense.

114

City Study / Copenhagen

40 YEARS AGO, THERE WAS NO CULTURE OF PUBLIC SPACE AND PUBLIC LIFE. EVERYone SAID: "WE ARE NOT ITALIANS, WE ARE DANES. IT WILL NEVER WORK HERE. AND HERE YOU GO!" —Jan Gehl, Danish urban designer and architect

CITIES ONLY WORK ON “PEOPLE SCALE” For more than thirty years, Jan Gehl has studied public spaces to see how they really work. As an architect and senior lecturer of urban design and director of the Center for Public Space Research at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts' School of Architecture in Copenhagen, he has published several books on public space. These include "Life Between Buildings--Using Public Space" published in 11 languages; "Public Spaces Public Life", Copenhagen 1996 (co-authored with Lars Gemzøe), a winner of the Edra/PLACES Research award USA in 1999; and most recently, "New City Spaces", also co-authored with Lars Gemzøe. Says Jan Gehl: “My wife and I set out to study the borderland between sociology, psychology, architecture, and planning. She wrote a book about the psychological aspects of housing and I wrote a book about public space, called "Life Between Buildings" (Danish Architectural Press, 1971). At that time, I was invited to join the faculty of the Royal Academy of Art's School of Archi-

tecture to teach and research. I've been there ever since. I used that first pedestrianized street in Copenhagen and the city itself as a laboratory for my research. Very soon after the opening on the first pedestrian street, we started to publish scientific papers and articles on what happened and how people responded to it. As the pedestrianized street system expanded, we did more studies about Copenhagen at the university. Finally, in 1996, Lars Gemzøe and I published "Public Spaces, Public Life", where we described in detail all the things which had happened in the city and all the effects this has had on the way the city was used and the way the city conceived, and the pride in the city which has grown because of all these nice things happening. All these studies have been done not by the city but by the university, and they have been very instrumental in changing the

115

Copenhagen, Denmark 35°42 2 N 139°42 54 E 453 km2 (174.9 sq mi) Population City Density Metro

12,790,000 5,847 /km² 17,870,000

face of Copenhagen. The politicians and city planners became

new book "New City Spaces", we describe nine fascinating cities

confident because we had all the data measuring the success in

from around the world which have been made much more people-

hard facts, which in turn they could show to fellow politicians

friendly, including: Barcelona; Lyon and Strasbourg, France;

and businessmen. This made them increasingly confident and

Freiburg, Germany; Portland, Ore.; Curitiba, Brazil; Cordoba,

after a period, they started to be very proud of the city. The uni-

Argentina; or Melbourne, Australia.

versity has provided the ideology and

In Copenhagen we’ve pioneered this as a working method: study what’s

the data, the city has laid the stones,

going on, look at the problems and potentials, improve it, and check it

and we have since worked together . One of the interesting things about Copenhagen is the gradual approach. "Public Spaces, Public Life" is the first ever recording of the life of a city. Every city counts its traffic one or two times a year, but hardly any city knows about what people do in a city and how the city is being used. In my

again, so that you can follow the development. Observations like being able to point out that we have four times more public life in Copenhagen after twenty years of work, have been very strong in convincing people about the value of what has been going on.

116

City Study / Copenhagen

Jan Gehl, Danish urban designer and architect.

A GOOD CITY IS LIKE A GOOD PARTY—YOU STAY MUCH LONGER THAN YOU PLANNED.” —Jan Gehl, Architect and Urban Planner

CITY VISIONARIES: Gehl’s Vision (of a Happy City) For more than forty years Jan Gehl has helped to transform urban

in this culture gradually came to like this kind of thing, and real-

environments around the world based on his research into the

ized in small steps, that they liked more of this. Because the city

ways people actually use—or could use—the spaces where they

also made it gradually more difficult for people to drive and park,

live and work.

people had time to figure out that it’s too complicated to take the

Gehl emphasizes the importance of gradual transformation in

car, and took the bus or bicycle instead.

urban redevelopments, in order to make changes sustainable and

His Vision of a Sustainable City

to give people time to adapt to physical changes, adjust their life

To Jan Gehl, a sustainable city would be a very people-friendly

styles, and experiment with the new ways of using the city. Gradu-

city. It would be a city with good public spaces and a city that is

al transformation allows for great flexibility in the design process

rather compact. It would be a city that really invites people to walk

and facilitates attitude changes through public involvement and

and bicycle as much as possible. A good walking and cycling en-

positive experiences.

vironment with a good public realm is also a good environment

When the city closed the first street as an experiment, and people thought this was interesting. Then shopkeepers found out they were doing better economically. Then the next street was closed. And then a year after that, the city put in a nice square or removed some parking spaces. Because the development is gradual, people

for public transport, so there is an important connection here as well. Strengthening public transportation will be essential in the future, in order to become less dependent on private cars and also in order for the city to become more people-friendly.

117

50% 50% commute by bike

commute by car

50% of all residents commute to work by bicycle. Every day they cycle a total of 1.2 million km. Source: 50% of all residents commute to work by bicycle. Every day they cycle a total of 1.2 million km.

118

City Study / Copenhagen

119

NUMBERS TALK: 18% PARKING LOTS IN COPENHAGEN’S DOWNTOWN AREA HAVE BEEN CONVERTED INTO PUBLIC SPACES FOR PLAYING, WALKING AND MEETING PEOPLE.

120

City Study / Copenhagen

1/ 50% of work commuters in are bicyclists.

CITY INNOVATION { COPENHAGEN }

Mr. Jan Gehl speaking at an urbanist symposium.

WE TOOK CARS OUT OF COPENHAGEN AND NEXT YEAR WE WERE ITALIANS.

121

4/ 3/ Ever since citizens voted to make it an annual affair in 2000, private cars have been banned entirely from this city of nearly eight million every Feb. 1. On Dia Sin Carro, Car Free Day, the roar of traffic subsides and the toxic haze thins. Buses are jam-packed and taxis hard to come by, but hundreds of thousands of people have followed Mr. Peñalosa’s

example and hit the streets under their own steam.

5/ Gehl’s vision is to create better cities. He aspires to create cities that are lively, healthy, attractive, sustainable and safe and thereby improve people’s quality of life. Jan Gehl firmly believes that a good city is a city where the human scale in city planning is looked well after. By allowing the aspirations for the public realm to drive the design pro-

cess, the public spaces can serve as a place for all, while embracing the unique qualities and amenities of the specific urban context: A city should open up, invite and include people, having various activities and possibilities and thereby ensuring diversity. Gehl works to create sustainable environments and promotes a holistic lifestyle. His approach to design extends beyond the use of sustainable materials and advocating walking, cycling and alternative transportation.

A parent biking with a young child in the back or in a box in front of the bicycle (the so-called bakfista in Dutch) is a common sight in Copenhagen.

122

City Study / Portland

CITY STUDY: { PORTLAND } (United States)

123

THINKING OF PEOPLE, NOT CARS Portland, Oregon, installed a light-rail system a decade ago. The city acquired an entire block just west of the intersection and created Pioneer Courthouse Square, a brick-surfaced plaza with cafĂŠ service and retail outlets. Together these public facilities attract residents and customers and generate significant additional spending for the city. The strategically located facilities are patronized by large numbers of people who create a pedestrian and bicycle traffic, giving the downtown a life of its own even after office hours. This kind of activity was just a decade ago absent from the heart of downtown but with the gradual urban improvements peoplecentered activity has been restored. attitude from one of negative hopelessness to one of pride and hope, developing a model for urban improvement based on the equal rights of all people to transportation, education, and public spaces. So if Bogota can do it, why not Oakland, Detroit, or

124

City Study / Portland

A HALF A CENTURY AGO, PIONEER SQUARE USED TO BE A CONCRETE PARKING LOT. NOW IT’S A well-beloved LIVING ROOM OF THE CITY." —Greg Raisman, Portland’s Bureau of Transportation

BIKE BOULEVARDS—A FIXTURE IN PORTLAND’S LIFESTYLE Transportation planners in Portland, Oregon are taking their

you’ll see many more bikes than cars. As Portland Mayor Sam

famous bicycle boulevards to the next level. By adding more

Adams points out, “They’re on a quiet street, where that bike

routes and stepping up the traffic calming treatments, the city

boulevard is prioritized for the bike, not the car.”

is not only making these streets more attractive and usable for

As Greg Raisman from Portland’s Bureau of Transportation

cyclists, but also for pedestrians, runners, children, and anyone else who is willing to get around on their own legs. And there are many of those. These next-generation facilities have been christened “Neighborhood Greenways,” and by 2015, over 80 percent of all Portlanders will live within half a mile of one. The city is counting on these re-engineered streets to reach its goal of increasing bicycle mode share from eight percent to 25 percent by 2030.

pointed out: 20% of all traffic on the Hawthorne Bridge is bikes. And, Portland’s number of cyclists has risen 600% in the last 15 years.

Pioneer Square as a Parking Lot The creation of this much-loved public space in downtown Portland cannot be separated from the fundamental role played by Tri-Met, the city’s transit agency. Planned concurrently with the new Metropolitan Area Express (MAX) light rail system, Pi-

Just about anybody who’s biked one of these routes can testify

oneer Square was an idea that dated back to the 1950’s, when the

to the safety and peace you experience. You’ll see scores of fami-

site was a parking lot. Tri-Met leveraged its funding for transit

lies and children riding to school with regularity. At any time of

stops and an information center and helped to make the Square

day, there’s a constant buzz of activity, and during rush hours

financially possible for the city to build it.

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Portland, U.S. 35°42 2 N 139°42 54 E 453 km2 (174.9 sq mi) Population City 12,790,000 Density 5,847 /km² Metro 17,870,000

With extraordinary public support, the Square was built to be

programmed and used by the public. The process of creating

“Portland’s living room,” a center for the life of the city. Funded

Pioneer Courthouse Square - the public debates, the fundrais-

in part by the residents of Portland, the Square has continued its

ing, the grand opening - was designed to involve Portland’s

tradition of citizen participation with thousands of community

residents on an active level. Funding and vision from Tri-Met

events held over the past decade. With the opening of the light

linked people to the square and downtown as a whole. The

rail system in 1986, Pioneer Courthouse Square became both

square’s modern design incorporates public art, flowers, trees,

the city center and the bustling hub of transit for buses and light

walls and ample stairs that do double-duty as seating areas. It

rail, as well as the main information center for Tri-Met system.

is the scene of frequent events, enhanced by a coffee shop and

What makes the square work well is that

food vendors, and also serves as a hub for

the square’s modern design incorporates

buses and light rail. It is not just a passive

The square has become the city’s place of pride and a focal point for public art, flowers, trees, walls and ample all kinds of community activities. It’s stairs that do double-duty as seating had a great impact on the increased areas. It is the scene of frequent events, livability of Portland as a whole. enhanced by a coffee shop and food vendors, and also serves as a hub for buses and light rail. It is not just a passive green space, this square is designed to be

green space, this square is designed to be programmed and used by the public. The square also serves as a transit hub.

126

City Study / Portland

Greg Raisman, Bicycle Coalition of Portland Advocate

IN MY VIEW YOU WANT A COMPLETE BICYCLE TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM. IT NEEDS TO BE A FULL AND DIVERSE BICYCLE NETWORK." —Greg Raisman, Portland’s Bureau of Transportation

CITY VISIONARIES:

Raisman’s Vision

“In my view you want a complete transportation system,” Raisman said. “You are not getting people to teleport from their house to the esplanade. You need a full network and it has to be a diverse network. If they are going to a restaurant, they’ve got to get to the restaurant. Sometimes you can provide a bike corral in a strategic place and they might walk a block. A lot of times you need a bike lane, a cycle track or buffered bike lanes for that part of the trip, so it has got to be a complete system.” These days, you will see scores of families and children riding to school with regularity. At any time of day, there’s a constant buzz of activity, and during rush hours you’ll see more bikes than cars.

127

1995

2010

600%

commutes by bike

commute by bike since 1995

Portlandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s number of cyclists has risen 600 per cent in the last fifteen years. Source: As Greg Raisman from Portland's Bureau of Transit pointed out: 20% of all traffic on the Hawthorne Bridge is

bikes. And, Portland's number of cyclists has risen 600% in the last fifteen years and shows no sign of letting up.

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City Study / Portland

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NUMBERS TALK: 45% OF MAX LIGHT RAIL SYSTEM CARRIES MORE PEOPLE IN THE PORTLAND METRO AREA THAN ANY OTHER U.S. TRANSIT SYSTEM ITS SIZE.

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City Study / Portland

1/ 20% of the population uses bicycles on any given day. The use of bicycle has risen 600% since 15 years ago, which is an unprecedented increase in the U.S.

CITY INNOVATIONS { PORTLAND }

2/ Since remodeling the Square to be more pedestrian friendly, the residents of Portland have been flocking to

People playing games at Pioneer Courthouse Square in Portland. Its modern design includes public art, amenities, flowers, trees, walls and stairs designed for sitting on. It is the scene of frequent events, and includes a coffee shop, food vendors, and the information center for Tri-Met (regional Portlandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s transit agency), which was the key agent of the squareâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s successful redevelopment.

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3/ An example of excellent street improvements in Downtown Portland in the form of small architectural elements, such as benches and nicer garbage bins.

PIONEER SQUARE HAS BEEN CALLED “PORTLAND’S LIVING ROOM” IN REFERENCE TO ITS ENHANCED CIVIC ROLE.

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Title Observations Date Spring 2011 Instructor Mary Scott Printer Andresen, San Francisco Bindery The Key, Oakland Typography Bembo Materials Canson Paper Epson Inks Foil Stamping Photography Denisa Trenkle Jana Benjamin Navratilova