Viewing a single comment thread. View all comments

unresolved_m t1_j844zc8 wrote

Cambridge is super walkable - the only thing I don't like is how narrow streets are.

Transit is mostly fine, as long as its not rush hour or you're not trying to get somewhere in Western Mass

62

despreston t1_j859j0i wrote

Ironically, narrow streets play a role in making cities more walkable.

35

unresolved_m t1_j859o3c wrote

How so? I'm not a big fan of large crowds and narrow streets rarely help to avoid those.

5

Hophinsky t1_j85e96c wrote

Someone downvoted you because redditors have statistically shit reading comprehension. Asking for an explanation is not a disagreement.

Few things are good about thin streets. They're easy for pedestrians to cross, they don't allow large amounts of car traffic, and they naturally slow down drivers who don't have the same visibility as wide open roads. They also allow denser construction so your doctor's office may be more streets away but it's a shorter walking distance.

23

poop_harder_please t1_j86cze5 wrote

Also! If the road is being retrofitted as a narrower road, it often means that more space is being made for pedestrians and cyclists :)

6

gradthrow59 t1_j88kiue wrote

To put it simply, narrow streets are more inconvenient for cars and increase the density of housing, shops, restaurants etc. More density means less distance to travel for essential goods and services. When planning a "walkable" city, the goal is not to avoid large crowds of pedestrians.

1

unresolved_m t1_j88lim1 wrote

I guess its a matter of preference, but this might part of the reason why I'm not comfortable with NYC. Way too many people on the streets.

I like big crowds in certain settings, but not others.

1

gradthrow59 t1_j88v28g wrote

I think you're conflating "what do I like" with "what elements of urban planning promote pedestrianism vs. car use".

These are basically irrefutable principles of building a walkable city. The only alternative is to essentially build large thoroughfares but not allow cars to use them. This is really great, and of course everyone would love it, but it's also a terrible optimization of land use and that space is incredibly valuable.

2

unresolved_m t1_j88v4mj wrote

You think everyone likes narrow streets?

Are you a city planning professional yourself? If not, you're offering your opinion, much like I do.

1

gradthrow59 t1_j88vchl wrote

No one likes narrow streets, and I never said they did. OP (and I) are telling you that narrow streets increase a cities walkability. This is why, as I said before, you are conflating two concepts.

2