UrbDeZine

Urban Design + Development + Economics + Community

WCAG 2.0 (Level AA)

street grid

One-Way Streets, A Coffee Shop, and a Reunion

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One way street in Astoria OregonWorking away in a coffee shop one day (I know, how very Portland of me), I couldn’t help but overhear the phone conversation of the young woman sitting to my left. (Why are cell conversations in coffee shops always so loud? #unavoidableeavesdropping)

Anyway, she was chatting with someone about how long it had been since they had seen each other, and that she couldn’t wait until they were reunited at the coffee shop.

(I know, you may be wondering, “What the heck does this have to do with one-way streets?” Be patient, it’s coming!)Continue Reading One-Way Streets, A Coffee Shop, and a Reunion

Grid Relief: At-Grade Pedestrian Paths

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alley at Market St. in Gaslamp QuarterSan Diego – The term grid, as used in this article, doesn’t refer to the electricity grid, as does the common use of the term these days. Rather it refers to the street grid. In particular, it refers to the uniform 200′ x 300′ alley-less blocks that make up downtown San Diego. In as much as this article is an exploration of pedestrian oriented deviations from the street grid, I considered entitling it “off the grid” but concluded the term was overused and had too strong a connection to the electricity grid, and thus would simply annoy those looking for articles on that topic.

Continue Reading Grid Relief: At-Grade Pedestrian Paths