slow streets + street walls
REENVISIONING WILSHIRE BOULEVARD
Social Capital
We characterize this design experience purposely as a values-led urban re-designing process. The selected sites fell into neglect and degeneration. The intention to beautify the neighborhood with simple incremental local improvements values the area’s history and enriches the quality of life for the community. We believe that investing in placemaking builds trust and supports belonging, social interaction and community empowerment.
We endeavor to provide greener, softer and more friendly neighborhoods. In order to encourage urban regeneration, we considered the social, physical and economic impacts of spatial interventions. Through these interventions, spaces could flourish where people come together as individuals, in groups to collaborate, engage and support each other. We want to give people in the area a reason to walk, a reason to stop and linger and a reason to engage with one another and the environment around them.
Pedestrianization through Placemaking
In order to enrich quality of life, we seek to better understand the hidden or untapped potential of street-spaces. This necessitates the consideration of the day-to-day experiences of people who lived in or frequented the area.
Informal community audits were carried out. Data was gathered through user viewpoints and field observations at five site locations. This provided an overall assessment of the challenges of each site. Participants were asked to evaluate the sites based on their feelings of equity, beauty, safety and security. Participants outlined their movements and experiences en route to/from the sites. We arrived at a better understanding of the community’s concerns and needs as they moved around the neighborhood. For example, we met an elderly couple precariously resting on a knee wall. We can do better for aging and differently abled populations. Almost all participants noted the absence of seating along their routes to local retailers and services on Wilshire Boulevard and in general at bus stops. Poor lighting in some areas and over lighting in others, garbage, drug paraphernalia and the stench of excreted matter were also mentioned. Also noted was the transition from the residential areas to the commercial area along Wilshire Blvd as abrupt and unpleasant to the senses. Several participants pointed to a lack of a “neighborhood feel" or suitable urban sensibility.
Diversity & Inclusivity (murals)
We considered ways we could lift women, minorities and other disadvantaged groups in the neighborhood. We collected the images of diverse American changemakers and HeForShe commitments and then enlarged them to form murals for the street walls.
Crosswalks & Medians
Brightly colored and raised pedestrian crosswalks with integrated LED lighting, bridge the north and south side of Wilshire, while also providing traffic calming. We added a large median with a full tree canopy (sound dampening and shade), drought tolerant vegetation, and green space with pleasant places to sit along the trees.
