« Composting in the City? Yes We Can! | Main | NASA Scientists Draw on Emergence Theory to Predict Climate Change »

Pedestrian Streets In Curitiba, Brazil (Time to Step Up, NYC)

Posted by Thor Ritz, Contributing Writer

Here is a fantastic little video posted just yesterday by the good folks over at Streetfilms.  It features Curitiba's former Mayor and founder of Bus Rapid Transit, Jaime Lerner, discussing the history and significance of the city's first pedestrian street.

As Elizabeth Press points out, this clip really illustrates how much catching up we have to do here in NYC.  The Times Square transformation is a decent start, but we've got a long way to go!

Posted on Jul 8, 2009 by Registered CommenterThe Green Queen Bee | Comments2 Comments

Reader Comments (2)

They shut down a few streets in Portland each week throughout the summer for some festivals that go on. Its actually a lot of fun to have pedestrian only streets. Also, the restaurants often extend their outdoor seating to the curb, and people walk in the street instead of on the sidewalk. It makes for really fun, social summer nights.

-Tyler
July 8, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterM Realty
Great idea, here in my hometown of Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico, we have a closed street on a very busy commercial area, and has worked for decades. People enjoy the shopping without the hazard of cars around, others just gather at certain spots to mingle and chat.I think every city should consider this option at any given location for pedestrians' convinience, be tourists or locals, comes to mind also Lincoln Road, Miami, Florida, USA.
July 28, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterJackie Hinoa

PostPost a New Comment

Enter your information below to add a new comment.

My response is on my own website »
Author Email (optional):
Author URL (optional):
Post:
 
All HTML will be escaped. Hyperlinks will be created for URLs automatically.