Attempts to make over the conventional sidewalk shed are pretty but costly. Will Hadid's High Line canopy catch on?
The NYC Department of Buildings issues thousands of permits annually for sidewalk sheds. These covered passages through construction zones often remain up for years. "While practical, construction shed design has remained unchanged for decades and sheds are, at best, unsightly, while taking up valuable public space and degrading the pedestrian experience," writes the New York Building Foundation.
Architect Zaha Hadid has reimagined the conventional shed for a condominium project adjacent to the High Line in NYC. Hers is a white and silver wrap, resembling "an oversize light reflector like those seen on the movie and photo shoots that also block sidewalks across the city," reports Matt. A.V. Chaban. It will remain installed for the duration of the construction project, likely several years.
Attempts to design more attractive—yet cost-prohibitive—sheds have not gained traction in the marketplace. Although 30 firms entered a recent Building Congress design competition, "many developers said that little will change unless the city, through mandates or incentives, gets involved," according to Chaban.
FULL STORY: The Sidewalk Shed, a Ubiquitous New York Eyesore, Gets a Makeover
More Projects Adopt Pedestrian-Friendly Sidewalk Shed
Last year more than 9,000 sidewalk sheds dotted New York streets, protecting public safety and inspiring universal frustration.
New York City's Sidewalk Shed Epidemic
A 1980 law protecting pedestrians from falling debris has spawned a labyrinth of sidewalk sheds: the covered walkways that often support scaffolding. Many of these "temporary" structures linger for years.
Vehicle-related Deaths Drop 29% in Richmond, VA
The seventh year of the city's Vision Zero strategy also cut the number of people killed in alcohol-related crashes by half.
Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths
Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.
Half of Post-Fire Altadena Home Sales Were to Corporations
Large investors are quietly buying up dozens of properties in Altadena, California, where a devastating wildfire destroyed more than 6,000 homes in January.
Opinion: What San Francisco’s Proposed ‘Family Zoning’ Could Really Mean
Mayor Lurie is using ‘family zoning’ to encourage denser development and upzoning — but could the concept actually foster community and more human-scale public spaces?
Jacksonville Launches First Autonomous Transit Shuttle in US
A fleet of 14 fully autonomous vehicles will serve a 3.5-mile downtown Jacksonville route with 12 stops.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Jefferson Parish Government
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont