Balancing Automobile And Pedestrian Traffic

An editorial suggests that reintroducing cars in downtown Boston would herald the return of businesses in the area.

1 minute read

July 27, 2005, 1:00 PM PDT

By Brenda Meyer


"Shoppers might appreciate contained environments like Faneuil Market. But once they step onto the urban grid, they expect movement and action. Urban planners are discovering that shopping districts thrive on the friction between pedestrians and autos. Merchants want to be discovered by passing motorists. Pedestrians appreciate the sense of safety offered by car headlights at night. Too much space, it turns out, can be worse than too little. Downtown Crossing's open turf provides too many congregating points for vagrants. The reintroduction of automobiles could restore the natural urban balance where space is precious."

Thanks to Brenda Meyer

Tuesday, July 26, 2005 in The Boston Globe

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I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

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