The topic of this research is to discover how the transitions of a public space affect pedestrians moving across and through them. In order to understand the transition of the spaces in question, we would need a brief history, the site's location and what transportation is available.  We would also need the layout of each space in order to identify what changes are needed. The research compiled here is to help city and regional planners as well as architects who develop or renovate new pedestrian spaces. 

Research of these locations and associated information was conducted over a four week period from May 28 thru June 18, 2011.

Pedestrian Movement in Transition

   During the research period, I have investigated  how people travel across the sites referenced below and how the transitions of the spaces changed pedestrians’ movement.

   The goal of this research is to better understand the movement of people through a formal public space and what city and regional planners can do to enhance and encourage pedestrian movement.

   The spaces of observation were Columbus Circle, Times Square, and the Highline in Manhattan and Atlantic Yards in Brooklyn, of New York. All four sites have either gone through or are currently going through transitions.

   I researched the history of each space as well as its physical and social aspects and how the spaces change. Through the use of maps, I documented how people related to and used the spaces in order to understand the relationship to the surrounding environment. I made numerous visual observations to understand how people used the spaces, to get their opinions of their feelings toward the use of these areas. I observed how people accessed the spaces. I made notes of what they did, their diversity, how long they stayed, their direction of travel, and their physical numbers.

   What I have discovered through this research is that in order for the cities to become more walkable, the ambiance and atmosphere of public plazas are more important than the pathways which connect them. There is also a need for a destination and variations of interest along the way, such as the formal public spaces as indicated in this research. Traffic through these spaces should flow smoothly, avoiding overcrowding, with the resultant degradation of these public areas. Lastly the people need to feel that they are safe from vehicular traffic, and all forms of physical harm. 

The High Line: Observations

The High Line is an oasis above an old and dingy industrial area. The park is long and narrow widening at key areas to allow people to congregate.  The park is full of life with a wide assortment of plants in various arrangements to create different types of environments. In some areas on the High Line the views of the streets and buildings below are undisturbed.  These spaces are mainly along walking paths. Other streets below are framed to create interest.  With the addition of seating these spaces become focal points as can be seen where the park crosses over the intersection of 10th and 17th.

The largest number of people gathered around the stadium seats with the view of the streets below and the wooden lounge chairs near the narrow strip where water flows along the surface of the walking path.

The most notable transition that the High Line has on the neighborhoods is that surfaces facing the High Line have become marketable. Many billboards face the park. Many windows of buildings  aligned with the park have paintings and company names and information on the windows. The park has also become a common place for photo shots and documentaries.

Atlantic Yards: Observations

   The busiest intersection was the triangle of Atlantic, Flatbush, and 4th, both for vehicles and pedestrians. Along the street is the entrance to the Atlantic Terminal for the Long Island Rail Road, several bus stops, and subway entrances. With all the people using public transportation coming back from work or shopping in the mall, the sidewalks become packed with people. Walking paths became narrow due to bus stop crowds. Vehicular traffic in all directions was bumper to bummer as trucks pulled in and out of the construction site.

Atlantic Yards: Observations

The sidewalks around the site were closed forcing all pedestrian traffic to the other side of the street. The sidewalks opposite the site were wide and had shops that opened out on to them. At the corner of Atlantic and Flatbush Avenues is a mall also owned by Forest City Ratner. The stores include Target, Marshals, and Best Buy. In front of the mall's main entrance is a large public plaza raised up a few steps from the sidewalk and uses a different material to indicate its importance. 

There were more people on the mall side of the site than at the mom and pop style shops on the other side. The mom and pop shops were located on Flatbush Ave. and intersect streets starting past Dean Ave. On this side of Atlantic Yards Pedestrians seemed to be locals doing their daily routine, such as strolling, and walking their dogs, then those on the other side whom seem to be running errands, out on shopping excursion, or commuting.

High Line: History

In 1847 rail lines started appearing on the west side streets of Manhattan. Within years so many accidents occurred that men on horses were hired to warn traffic of the approaching trains. Even with the flag men, regular accidents happened until 1929 when the City and State of New York agreed on a raised rail line, or High Line, to run above the city.

The High Line was originally constructed in the 1930s, to elevate freight trains carrying dangerous material above Manhattan's streets to the industrial district. The High Line opened in 1934. The rail line ran in the middle of the block so the trains could deliver their goods directly into the buildings.

By the 1950’s, with the growth of interstate trucking, train transport began to plummet. By the 1960’s the southernmost section was demolished, and by 1980 it officially closed. In the following years many property owners along the High Line lobbied for its demolition. However, just as many people opposed the demolition and even tried to reestablish service on the High Line.

By the end of the millennia a group by the name of Friends of the High Line advocated for the city to transform the abandoned structure into a public park. In the early years of the millennia studies were done and designs were made to reclaim the High Line. In 2004 the designers were selected. The ground breaking ceremony took place in April 2006, marking the start of construction on the first section. In 2009 section one opened to the public and section two opened two years later in 2011.

Bibliography

N/A. About High Line History. 2010. http://www.thehighline.org/sites/files/images/deathavecowboy_1.jpg?rand=355746093 (accessed June 15, 2011).

—. High Line Park Information. 2010. http://www.thehighline.org/about/park-information (accessed june 15, 2011).

High Line: Transit

There are an abundant amount of public transit stops in the area of the park. Buses run close to the park stopping within a block of some of the entrances. The M11 stops on Washington St. and on 9th Ave.  The M14 also stops on 9^th Ave. The M23 and M34 stop on 10th Ave. There are also seven different subways in the area that are a few blocks away but the walk to the High Line is easy in any weather.

Since the High Line is rise above the street leave, the vehicular traffic below is uninterrupted by pedestrians. The High Line has become the focal point of the area, by dominating interests of visitor.

The entrances can accessed from 14th, 16th, 18th, 20th, 23rd, 26th, 28th, and 30th street, with ADA elevator access from 14th, 16th, 23rd, and 30th.

Bibliography

N/A. High Line About Maps. 2010. http://www.thehighline.org/about/maps (accessed June 15, 2011).

—. High Line Park Information. 2010. http://www.thehighline.org/about/park-information (accessed june 15, 2011).