turning streets into green-spaces.
A while ago I ranted a bit about how I thought we shouldn’t give up on big ideas, such as turning over some of our streets for green spaces. I even had a pretty lengthy back-and-forth with one of Montreal’s green development gurus, who thought I should refrain from ever uttering such nonsense, and instead stick to things that could actually be done…(for the rest go here).
Well, I have never gone back on my belief that we could and should re-purpose some of our streets in Montreal (and especially in Secteur St-Viateur Est, in Mile-End) in this way. What disappointed me, however, was that I hadn’t been able to find any examples of what I was dreaming about.
At last, I see that Seattle has pretty much decided that the only way they are going to be able to add any decent amount of green space to their city is by taking back some streets, and turning these into parks.
How beautiful!
…I knew I couldn’t be the only one. It just makes so much sense…
And in a place like Mile-End, where people yearn for more public spaces, and more open spaces where their kids and adolescents can run around safely, I can assure you the only way we are going to meet people’s expectations is by cutting our immense roads in half, and re-designing these as spaces for human activities (like playing, soaking up the sun, gardening, or playing music outside with friends…).
Look at this street: do you think this is a good use of our public spaces?
This would be better:
…but even that is too limited. Where are the green, soft surfaces and the living things? What about a more natural playscape play-area for the kids (instead of the PVC versions offered by our boroughs)? What about water, flowing slightly, with little waterbugs and frogs to catch?
The tricky part is reminding each other that streets are public spaces meant to serve the public good. It is not necessary that our streets serve only as corridors for automobiles. The tough part is reminding ourselves that we actually have the right to decide for ourselves how our streets and public spaces should look and work.
Once we remember that, the design part will be easy.
Well, in the very least, it will be fun!
