Thory
Asheville, NC
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I just thought this was interesting...
New York's famous Times Square has become more pedestrian-friendly, with city officials banning cars from stretches of Broadway.Vehicles are not allowed between 42nd and 47th streets at Times Square and 33rd and 35th Streets at Herald Square.
The rest is here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8066590.stm
I like the thought of this during Gallery Hop.
lifeontwowheels
Highland West
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Thory wrote >>
I just thought this was interesting...
New York's famous Times Square has become more pedestrian-friendly, with city officials banning cars from stretches of Broadway.
Vehicles are not allowed between 42nd and 47th streets at Times Square and 33rd and 35th Streets at Herald Square.
The rest is here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8066590.stm
I like the thought of this during Gallery Hop.
It would be great. But it would never fly.
Walker
The KLD / Downtown
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I dunno. Having that area clogged with cars and taxis and buses kind of makes it feel somewhat real to me.
This looks like a bustling city: http://www.flickr.com/photos/38985966@N00/3565236840/
This looks like a practical joke: http://www.flickr.com/photos/kevin-seymour/3564331347/
lifeontwowheels
Highland West
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Yeah, the lawn chairs look kind of hokey. But there are good examples of pedestrian only spaces that look a lot better and still give a feel of a bustling city:
I think for the odd gallery hop night such an idea would be great. Especially in the summer. Instead of the large crowds on the narrow side walks, let it spill out into High Street.
Analogue Kid
5th by West-Northwest
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Europe was mostly laid out before the advent of the automobile, hence making the city squares car free works because it worked for centuries prior. Times Square has pretty much always had cars as long as it's been a notable landmark.
I think Columbus is doing it right with making Wall Street the pedestrian mall while keeping High Street for cars.
lifeontwowheels
Highland West
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Walker wrote >>
I'd be in favor of doing this for a couple Gallery Hops in the summer months, but I'm positive that it would do more harm than good to close all non-pedestrian traffic off (cars, taxi, buses, bikes) on a permanent basis on High Street.
No one called for that here-just a GH night here and there. Although I would love to envision High devoid of cars, I know it's not practical or feasible. I'm fine with that.
I think the city has an opportunity with Columbus Commons and part of Town Street to do the "pedestrian mall" idea, though.
ETA
AK, FWIW a large portion of the United States was founded well before the advent of the automobile. Including Columbus.
Manatee
The eternal present
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Yeah.... normally I'm all about this sort of thing, but it does just seem wrong. Times Square holds such an iconic place in the hearts and imaginations of people all over the world, not just New Yorkers. When the core of the Big Apple isn't hustle and bustle anymore, something is definitely shifting in world culture. First CBGB's, now this!
Maybe it would be better if there was some green stuff installed. Right now, it just looks like a bunch of people hanging out on sun-baked asphalt--- doesn't look fun.
gramarye
In Exile
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My first thought at seeing the lawn chair picture was that it was a bunch of office workers recently laid off in the surrounding office towers, raising a metaphorical figure to their old managers looking out of the windows above them.
Seeing people just hanging out on the streets of Times Square in lawn chairs just seems wrong. However, as a pedestrianized area, it could look very different--if it were chock full of food vendors with traveling stands, for example, or even just full of people moving rather than people not moving. Motion seems to be one of the key themes of Times Square, which is probably why the lawn chair picture creates such cognitive dissonance.
chaptal
West Side
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That seems so odd to me. One of the coolest experences of my life was riding through Times Square on a warm evening in a VW convertible. Like being at the bottom of a lit up canyon. Maybe walking down the middle of Broadway not having to worry about being hit by a taxi is as intense. Maybe.
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