Downtown is for People

As the title suggests, this week’s reading by Jane Jacobs heavily emphasises the importance creating places for people. At the time the article was written, major redevelopment projects were taking place, and Jacobs believed they were destined to take the life out of cities rather than revive them.

One of my favourite cities in Australia has always been Melbourne, and after reading this week’s article it’s evident that part of the appeal of the city can be attributed not only to the fantastic shopping opportunities (although this definitely helps) but the fact that it displays many of the characteristics outlined by Jacobs for creating a successful Downtown area. Whilst walking along a main street in Melbourne, it’s not uncommon to come across a laneway filled with people in cafes or boutiques. This creates an element of surprise as well as variety between large automobile focused streets and narrow pedestrian focused streets- two of the criteria Jacobs mentions for appealing pedestrian streets.

Flinders Lane, Melbourne
Source: Puntill Apartment Hotels 2009

Jacobs also mentions the importance of having a focal point to act as a landmark and Federation Square is one such example. Although it may not be as awe inspiring as Time Square in New York, the post modernist architecture juxtaposed with the traditional Flinders Street Station and St Pauls Cathedral creates a unique atmosphere. The square also provides a meeting place in the city and is used for many major festivals and events.

Watching the cricket on the big screen in Federation Square
Source: An Insider's Guide to Melbourne 2011

Throughout the article Jacobs’ disapproval of the actions of planners at the time is apparent, and the validity of planning as a profession is questioned. However, I think the shift away from the view of planning as a purely physical exercise has resulted in much more people oriented planners that Jacob's would approve of. One example is Jan Gehl, a Danish Urban Design Consultant and Professor who is notorious for his work on creating enjoyable public spaces through focusing on the pedestrian. His view that "First life, then spaces, then buildings – the other way around never works" corresponds to Jacobs' ideas that it is the people not the buildings that make a city.

The following link is to an article that was posted on the Student Planners Page, that shows Jan Gehl enjoying the new deck chairs placed in Sydney Square- not only a fun idea, but also a way to create a vibrant and enjoyable public space for the people in the CBD . Perhaps similar initiatives could help liven up Canberra's CBD...

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/sydney-nsw/lord-mayor-clover-moore-shuffles-the-deckchairs-to-create-an-oasis-in-the-city/story-e6freuzi-1226164331982