Is it possible to plan people-centric streets and friendly urban environments in Northern cities that face rough winters?
The answer is a resounding YES ― at least, according to the Danes. Like their Viking ancestors before them, Louise Kielgast and Kristian S. Villadsen, part of the world-renowned design firm Gehl Architects, came and conquered the hearts and minds of many urbanists and urbanites across Montréal.
For those of you who missed the opportunity to see these super-hot Scandinavians in person, due to illness, school work, or violin lessons, you are in luck. Here is the webcast of their public conference held on February 16th, 2010 at McGill University.
Each week we will be focusing on blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.
- – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - -
• Planning a bike trip using Google Maps is about to get much easier as the company is set to launch a new bike trip planner service in 150 US cities. According to the Chicago Tribune, the new service will provide cyclists with step-by-step biking directions that “factor in the length of the trip, changes in elevation and even fatigue”.
• Is Japan’s pictorial green “Running Man” sign more intuitive then North America’s lettered red “Exit” sign? In an ongoing series on signage, Slate Magazine weighs in on the international debate over the Exit Sign.
• The Guardian UK hosts a slide show of inventive ways artists and designers have re-imagined the bicycle.
• The Infrastructist Blog details the 10 most expensive transit project of the last decade, including San Juan’s 10.7-mile-$2.63 billion rapid transit Tren Urbano line.
• A photo essay on Foreign Policy looks at China’s unlikely “golf boom” and the social and environmental stresses the course construction frenzy is placing on the landscape.
picture of Emergency exit sign at the Frankfurt Airport by Markus Tacker
« Avec une voix forte dans la gorge, on est presque incapable de penser des choses subtiles. » - Friedrich Nietzsche
La transformation de la rue Bernard constitue une réussite en ce qui concerne les projets de réaménagements réalisés à Montréal. Le quartier est devenu un endroit plus accueillant aux citoyens. Il ne s’agissait pas d’un simple élargissement des trottoirs. Non : la Ville a apprécié les subtilités de cette rue pour encourager son intégration avec le domaine public. Le trottoir qui joue maintenant le rôle de place publique. La chaussée qui s’élève au même niveau des piétons aux carrefours. Les « parcelles de terre » devant les immeubles qui permettent aux commerçants de cultiver leur propre « jardin urbain ». L’éclairage qui est installé à deux échelles — humaine et véhiculaire.
