Urban downtown business districts declined markedly after World War II, when housing developments lured residents out of towns and cities. In the 1960s and '70s, the pedestrian mall was born. These auto-free zones for shopping, dining, and entertainment helped revitalize downtown areas across the nation. Pedestrian plazas are similar attempts to make city living more appealing, safer, and more scenic.
Cities and towns struggle to compete with the huge box stores and the shopping centers of the suburbs. Residents from housing developments see no need to go downtown for their essentials. Even worse, downtown residents flee the traffic and congestion for 'one-stop' shopping outside the city limits. The old business districts become depressing areas of closed storefronts, convenience stores, and cheap apartments. Transient residents replace settled families and name-brand stores choose to locate at the suburban malls.
Cities began to close off inner city streets to automobile traffic around 1960, leaving three or four-block areas restricted to pedestrians. The malls, often in historic districts, feature tree-shaded walks lined with flowerbeds and benches. On each side are storefronts, restaurants, and entertainment centers. People can browse through boutiques and specialty shops, eat outside, and stroll safely through pretty places. Although not every municipality succeeded in attracting enough business to these downtown centers, most malls have survived.
A plaza is often simpler, without the shops or restaurants. There will be trees, comfortable seating, and perhaps a food kiosk or two. They are often constructed at intersections where several main roads come together. They also can be found at the end of bridges and underneath raised commuter lines. These quiet havens give people a pleasant place to rest away from traffic rushing past and cars parked nose to tail on every side.
Others may replace a stretch of sidewalk rather than a section of street. New York City has led the way in plaza construction. The city authorities aim to have these small parks in all kinds of neighborhoods, refusing to let them become one more asset of the affluent. The mini-parks are often joint efforts by government, grants, and local businesses.
The cost of continuing maintenance, which far outweighs that of original construction, is often undertaken by surrounding businesses. Stores and restaurants benefit from the increased foot traffic these mini-parks attract. In return, the owners pay for keeping them clean, the flower beds well-tended, and the area well lighted. Local residents can help, too, and community grants can underwrite some of the costs.
This method of improving the quality of life in the inner city has taken New York City by storm. There are dozens of these walker havens across the various boroughs. Detroit and Los Angeles are other major cities that have successfully implemented this urban renewal project (one which is much more effective than many other things that have been tried.)
There are great photos online of some of the plazas that are bringing scenic beauty and increased safety to those who travel urban areas on foot. Strolling is once more a pleasant way to break the day, and sitting outside enhanced with trees and flowers. This is one government program for inner cities that seems to be working.
Cities and towns struggle to compete with the huge box stores and the shopping centers of the suburbs. Residents from housing developments see no need to go downtown for their essentials. Even worse, downtown residents flee the traffic and congestion for 'one-stop' shopping outside the city limits. The old business districts become depressing areas of closed storefronts, convenience stores, and cheap apartments. Transient residents replace settled families and name-brand stores choose to locate at the suburban malls.
Cities began to close off inner city streets to automobile traffic around 1960, leaving three or four-block areas restricted to pedestrians. The malls, often in historic districts, feature tree-shaded walks lined with flowerbeds and benches. On each side are storefronts, restaurants, and entertainment centers. People can browse through boutiques and specialty shops, eat outside, and stroll safely through pretty places. Although not every municipality succeeded in attracting enough business to these downtown centers, most malls have survived.
A plaza is often simpler, without the shops or restaurants. There will be trees, comfortable seating, and perhaps a food kiosk or two. They are often constructed at intersections where several main roads come together. They also can be found at the end of bridges and underneath raised commuter lines. These quiet havens give people a pleasant place to rest away from traffic rushing past and cars parked nose to tail on every side.
Others may replace a stretch of sidewalk rather than a section of street. New York City has led the way in plaza construction. The city authorities aim to have these small parks in all kinds of neighborhoods, refusing to let them become one more asset of the affluent. The mini-parks are often joint efforts by government, grants, and local businesses.
The cost of continuing maintenance, which far outweighs that of original construction, is often undertaken by surrounding businesses. Stores and restaurants benefit from the increased foot traffic these mini-parks attract. In return, the owners pay for keeping them clean, the flower beds well-tended, and the area well lighted. Local residents can help, too, and community grants can underwrite some of the costs.
This method of improving the quality of life in the inner city has taken New York City by storm. There are dozens of these walker havens across the various boroughs. Detroit and Los Angeles are other major cities that have successfully implemented this urban renewal project (one which is much more effective than many other things that have been tried.)
There are great photos online of some of the plazas that are bringing scenic beauty and increased safety to those who travel urban areas on foot. Strolling is once more a pleasant way to break the day, and sitting outside enhanced with trees and flowers. This is one government program for inner cities that seems to be working.
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