Let's make New York streets healthier and more enjoyable
Chris Williamson
When Chris was asked to work with Andrew Weston for group projects at Leicester School of Architecture (for no other reason than they were next to each other alphabetically) they both realised that their skills dovetailed perfectly. They particularly bonded on environmental issues during the energy crisis in the mid 1970s which altered the world to the need to reduce the reliance on fossil fuels. Their shared ambition made for a perfect business partnership and Weston Williamson was formed in 1985 after gaining valuable experience in the offices of Richard Rogers and Michael Hopkins.
29 Mar 2019
Recently, when visiting New York for the first time in five years, it struck me how little things had improved for pedestrians.
London, Sydney and Melbourne have all made great strides in creating a pedestrian friendly city - by improving public transport systems and their associated public realm so that people want to use and enjoy them - but New York seems to be lagging behind.
Broadway is the oldest north-south main thoroughfare in New York City but it's also one of its most dangerous for pedestrians. Our scheme would pedestrianise the entire Manhattan section of the street.
The current four lanes of traffic and sidewalks would become shared surfaces, with cyclists and autonomous vehicles confined to a central spine. To either side, residents, workers and visitors alike could take advantage of oases of greenery, plenty of seating, pavement cafes, pop-up exhibitions and street food vendors – free from vehicle exhaust fumes and noise and the risk of being run over.
Since 2009, small stretches of the street – specifically around Times Square and Herald Square – have been permanently closed to traffic but the remainder of Manhattan’s Broadway – all 13 miles of it from Bowling Green to Inwood - teams with cars, lorries and buses 24/7.
By creating a healthier, more enjoyable place for New Yorkers, we'd also go a long way towards helping Mayor Bill de Blasio meet his target to eliminate all traffic deaths and serious injuries on the city's streets by 2024.
Chris Williamson
When Chris was asked to work with Andrew Weston for group projects at Leicester School of Architecture (for no other reason than they were next to each other alphabetically) they both realised that their skills dovetailed perfectly. They particularly bonded on environmental issues during the energy crisis in the mid 1970s which altered the world to the need to reduce the reliance on fossil fuels. Their shared ambition made for a perfect business partnership and Weston Williamson was formed in 1985 after gaining valuable experience in the offices of Richard Rogers and Michael Hopkins.