Public Space : pedestrian / walkway
I frequently use pedestrian walkways in both Brooklyn and Bangkok, Thailand. These walkways, typically 2-3 meters wide, allow people to pass each other comfortably and ultimately reach their destinations.
1.The unique qualities of these spaces include safety features such as flat, smooth pavements that reduce accidents. In addition, lighting in the walkway ensures safety at night.
2.Benches and seating areas foster social interactions, connecting people from various backgrounds and encouraging communal activities. The absence of seating often leads to mere passersby and brief conversations.
3.Integrating trees and shrubs enhances the environment, providing shade and a pleasant atmosphere for people to sit and engage with others in the neighborhood. The landscape design, featuring vibrant colors from trees and flowers, offers a beautiful visual and sensory experience.
Bangkok, Thailand
Downtown Brooklyn, NY
These qualities significantly affect my experience within these environments and how I communicate with others. In Bangkok, the safe and welcoming atmosphere makes me feel at home, encouraging interactions with local vendors and neighbors. Conversations about daily life are common, adding a personal touch to my routine. In Brooklyn, the environment is busier, but quick interactions with neighbors and playing with dogs add a sense of community.
To be more pedestrian-friendly
Streetscape and landscape design project I did when I was an undergraduate student.
In summary, my idea is to create more pedestrian-friendly environments. Incorporating rain gardens or greenways alongside roads and walkways could address environmental issues and improve community well-being. Greenways are crucial for achieving the city's climate goals, encouraging pedestrian and bicycle use, and transforming public right-of-ways into spaces that foster community, promote healthier lifestyles, support the local economy, and enliven downtown areas.
Integrating greenery along these paths does more than just enhance aesthetic appeal; it introduces a refreshing contrast to the urban landscape. Trees and shrubs offer sanctuary from the sun, encouraging people to pause, engage, and immerse themselves in the neighborhood's pulse. This verdant embrace highlights the importance of landscape design in urban planning, marrying visual beauty with sensory delight.