Jay Walljasper says U.S. cities are greatly lacking in pedestrian-only shopping districts, and points to their success in Europe as a model.
Walljasper says the transit mall experiments of the 60s and 70s mostly failed because the downtowns they were meant to save were too far gone to attract people, and constant bus traffic made them uncomfortable. European ped-only zones are a completely different experience, says Walljasper:
"LOok what we're missing. The heart of many, if not most, German, Italian, Dutch, Scandinavian and, increasingly, South American big cities are bustling pedestrian zones that have become favorite spots for young people to gather, lovers to linger, kids to romp, women to show off their new clothes (and discreetly admire the looks of passers-by), men to admire the looks of passers-by (and discreetly show-off their new clothes) and everybody to feel part of the wider community."
Read the full story: A Simple Idea to Transform The Life of Our Cities
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