Street Closures

View of AUstin Texas skyline from across rover.

Austin Relaunches Open Streets Program

‘Living Streets’ lets residents apply for three types of temporary or semi-permanent street closures.

November 19, 2023 - Austin Towers

Coronavirus Social Distancing

New Density Control Measure to Close Some New York Streets to Cars

To encourage recreational walking while practicing social distancing in order to reduce the spread of COVID-19, Gov. Andrew Cuomo asked the New York City mayor and city council speaker to devise a pilot project to provide for open streets.

March 26, 2020 - CNBC

With Pedestrianization Plan, the Eternal City Looks to Ban a Modern Scourge

Mayor Ignazio Marino of Rome has banned private vehicles from Via dei Fori Imperiali, built by Benito Mussolini to link his palace in Piazza Venezia to the Colosseum. Initially open to buses and taxis, it will eventually be completely pedestrianized.

August 6, 2013 - The New York Times - Europe

Traffic Plan Offers Potential for Downtown Cleveland

Traffic plans for a new casino in downtown Cleveland could create a major improvement for the neighborhood -- or an indelible sore spot.

March 23, 2011 - The Cleveland Plain Dealer

The Daily Commute and The Daily Protest in Mexico City

Frequent street closures due to unregulated protest -- up to about 7 per day -- clog the streets of Mexico City, leaving some hungry for a more active response from the government.

August 3, 2010 - The New York Times

Dumpster Pools Heading to New York

The City of New York is planning to open three public temporary "dumpster pools" in Manhattan during August.

July 20, 2010 - The New York Times

Are You For/Against Closing Street Segments?

There's a lot of babbling on in this blog about how streets are public space, that they are for people, and that they should be designed equitably for everyone.

July 13, 2010 - Ian Sacs

City Imposes Controversial Fees For Street Marches

Hundreds marched in San Antonio, Texas, in defiance of new street procession fees that the organizations believe will stifle free speech.

August 12, 2009 - San Antonio Express-News

Bemoaning San Francisco's Corporate Street Closures

San Francisco's got a number of temporary street closures planned this year. Though the prospect of these pedestrian-friendly events is seen as a good sign for the city, this piece argues that their emphasis on corporate sponsorship taints the value.

April 12, 2009 - San Francisco Bay Guardian

Mid-Town Manhattan To Go Car-Free

Mayor Michael Bloomberg has announced plans to close off parts of Broadway in Manhattan to car traffic. The city will experiment with the closing as early as May, creating a large pedestrian zone near Times Square.

February 26, 2009 - The New York Times

Calles Sin Carros: Mexico City's Weekly Car Ban

Once a week, car-flooded streets convert into bike- and pedestrian-flooded public parks in crowded Mexico City.

September 29, 2008 - Los Angeles Times

The Spread of Ciclovia

Temporary street closures for pedestrian use -- an idea that spawned in Bogota, Colombia -- are occurring in cities all over the world. The trend is expected to continue.

August 18, 2008 - The Christian Science Monitor

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