Current use does not = future use.
Honestly, places like this image above do not invite pedestrians. The scale is all wrong. It is uncomfortable to walk here. It feels unsafe. The argument that people do not currently walk much in an area like this, which happens to be on the main shopping areas in Green Hills, and therefore investing in the infrastructure is not needed really isn't a fair one.
I actually want to walk here - a lot! It was my New Year's Resolution to do all errands in Green Hills on foot. Even though it is uncomfortable, sometimes a bit dicey and sometimes plain hard - I prefer it to sitting in my car - & I feel like I am doing my part to reduce vehicle traffic.
***
Case in point, the Gulch in Nashville. The Gulch wasn't really much 10 years ago. Now, it is a dense rich area that is quite fun to walk around in. So, prior 'use' doesn't have much bearing on future 'use' if the infrastructure makes a dramatic change for the better.
***
My neighborhood actually has an opposite issue. We have the walkers - we just don't have the infrastructure at key junctures.
Our large walking population is due to our quiet tree covered streets. But, there are severe barriers such as crossing/walking along Bowling Av, that make walking in a logical loop a challenge. We are prone to superblocks - no easy cut throughs around here. In addition, we have Woodmont Blvd - a reasonable connector to both West End/Harding and Hillsboro Village/Green Hills via Hillsboro Pk - but, without sidewalks, is essentially unwalkable.
***
So, to say current pedestrian use on Bowling Av is low and therefore it does not need a sidewalk is not an accurate picture of the volume of walkers who would use the sidewalk if Bowling had one.
DOES NOT EQUAL
No comments:
Post a Comment