October 26, 2010

By: Cooper-Hewitt N. from New York, NY
Comments: 17

Posted By: Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum
On: 6/26/2009 9:04:27 AM

The secret is out. Cites are designed for cars. After decades of uneasy co-existence between the pedestrians and speeding traffic, cities world-wide are being retrofitted for walking and biking. Administrators and planners have realized that the commercial and cultural survival of the center is linked to street-life and are re-thinking the experience of the street from a pedestrian (and biking) viewpoint. Suddenly, street connnections, shade-trees, all weather protection, safety, sightlines and general walkability have become key design challenges. You can investigate how they are addressed in Speck and Associates' recommendations for the redesign of downtown Oklahoma City at: https://www.okc.gov/planning/resources/OKCSpeckFINAL.pdf. Related design issues of urban regeneration, way-finding, city greening and bike-ways are all excellent ways of involving students in urban design futures.

Posted By: Patricia Kendall
On: 6/28/2009 1:54:31 PM

The Highline Urban Park venture and recent modifications around Times Square reflect New York's desire to re-think the pedestrian experience for everyone - and also can serve as excellent examples of the belief that "if we build it, they will come" - and use it! Atlanta is currently exploring its own interest in re-thinking its relationship with pedestrians/bikers through efforts to launch the Beltline project. While a great deal of publicity has been given to the project's jewel piece - an alternate rail transport system linking the 28 stations along the "Emerald Necklace", some support has been given to developing an early phase of these stations that would encourage walking and biking along the route. A lot of credit can be given to the Museum of Design Atlanta (MODA) and one of their partners, the Livable Communities Coalition for supporting students in the greater Atlanta community in learning more about this project and how they can directly influence the future of their communities.

Posted By: Bertina Banks
On: 7/8/2009 9:12:17 PM

This is very exciting to hear as I reside in Atlanta. This is an example of modern day design and strategic engineering in implementation. Exposing students to the progress of this project will demonstrate how they can incoroporate their education to change their environment for the better. This project will also promote more physical activity such as walking which is always a plus.

Posted By: David Pittman
On: 7/16/2009 1:23:15 PM

I think that one of the best things the Beltline Project is doing is actually reaching out to the community at large. They have booths at most of the summer neighborhood fairs promoting their meetings. Their study groups are open to the public and provide a forum for stakeholders to add input. Their website is simply www.beltline.org. I was speaking with one of the Beltline organizers at the Reynoldstown Whellbarrow Festival and they are looking for teachers to help develop projects to engage the community. I have to admit that my school is pretty far removed out in the suburbs, but I would love to collaborate with some of you ITP folks on anything involving lessons for your students.