What is changing in Marlborough Urban Dutch has been asked by the City of Calgary to define a conceptual plan for the car-oriented neighbourhood of Marlborough. Room of improvement concerning the quality of life has been defined as: accessibility by different modes, social interaction and a community feeling. Urban Dutch will make sure that the space will be designed for humans instead. To do this, three building blocks have been defined. In order to effectively tackle the challenges of the building blocks, three different types of measures (hardware, software and orgware) have been balanced and worked out for each building block.
Back Alleys.
Challenge - By creating parking garages, the unsafe places will disappear and change into something residents can benefit from. By moving the parking spaces to the back alleys, the street view will clear up, making it safer for pedestrians to cross the road. It will create room on the streets, which will be transformed into new public space for slow traffic.
Marlborough will become a vibrant, lively neighbourhood made for people!
Effects - This means safer and more beautiful spaces. By having the parking garage underground and closed off, only residents will be able to enter. As a result,,crime rates will drop and a greater sense of safety in the area will be created. Each parking unit will be connected via stairs with the private property of the owner.
Main Roads. Challenge - The pavement structure will be widened to create more room for slow traffic. The street will be divided to create a more enclosed feeling, which improves the balance between density and living in the street and makes the walking experience more inviting. Adding bicycle lanes and adding bike racks near bus stops and the train station will encourage people to travel by bike. Effects - This will result in a healthier environment, safer routes and an enhanced liveability on the streets.
Cul-de-sacs. Challenge - By transforming cul-de-sacs into public space, a lot will change within Marlborough. Oakland and Copenhagen will be the main sources of inspiration. It will result in a neighbourhood where people do not need to go elsewhere for their daily and special needs; rather, these needs can be fulfilled within the neighbourhood itself. Effects - People will change their behaviour and will have a sense of community. The residents will become healthier, both mentally and physically, the local economy may flourish, and the general feeling of safety will improve. This results in a more social and sustainable Marlborough.
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