Ever wonder how much New York stands to gain by making its streets more livable? Transportation Alternatives has been gathering evidence measuring the economic and social benefits that accrue when cities put pedestrians first. Their report is coming out next week, but the Observer published a sneak preview (headline: "The Woonerf Deficit") this Tuesday:
The Dutch call it a woonerf -- a “livable street” resplendentwith wide sidewalks, ample retail, greenery and minimal automobiletraffic. It’s designed to boost quality of life for citizenry, the tillfor retailers and property values for landowners. Perhaps you'venoticed that New York City doesn’t have many woonerfs amid its warrenof streets, which make up one-fourth of the city's land area.
But what if it did?
Retail sales and property values would jump;pollution and noise would drop; and contentment among those luckyenough to live near or on a livable street would abound.
The full report promises to raise a lot of good questions. One leaps to mind already: Given the rewards to be reaped from more pedestrian-oriented streets and less traffic, will the city continue to enable car-dependent projects in the pursuit of its goals for housing and economic development?
Graphic courtesy of the Observer; click through for full version.
Stay in touch
Sign up for our free newsletter
More from Streetsblog USA
Friday’s Headlines Are Down on Highways
Two outlets recently featured articles on the harmful effects of ongoing freeway projects.
Commentary: There is Zero Ambiguity to the West Portal Tragedy
What happened in West Portal was entirely predictable and preventable. The city must now close Ulloa to through traffic and make sure it can never happen again.
Talking Headways Podcast: Details of Development Reform in Minnesota, Part I
Jim Kumon of Electric Housing discusses his work as a developer and urban policy educator in the Twin Cities.
Thursday’s Headlines Don’t Like Riding on the Passenger Side
Can you take me to the store, and then the bank? I've got five dollars you can put in the tank.
Study: When Speed Limits Rise on Interstates, So Do Crash Hot Spots on Nearby Roads
Rising interstate speeds don't just make roads deadlier for people who drive on them — and local decision makers need to be prepared.
