Boston Complete Streets Analysis

Page 18

CONCLUSION AND FINDINGS

34

CONCLUSION AND FINDINGS

35

WERE BOSTON’S COMPLETE STREETS SUCCESSFUL AT ADDRESSING THE THESIS QUESTION?

HOW DID THE PRECEDENT STUDY FACILITATE FINDINGS AND IMPACT THESIS QUESTION?

Although the project does not directly answer the thesis question, it provides substantiating information on one of the methods that will be used to execute the connection from exurb to urban cores. The Boston Complete Streets initiative aims to create a denser means of connectivity which will in turn provide higher accessibility, proximity, and commutability to the dense core of Boston from other parts of the city. In turn, this will provide a seamless system of networks in order to engage the disadvantaged communities and provide critical public safety. Boston’s Complete Streets are multi-modal as well as multi-functional. Not only are there means of transportation for all users, but within these active corridors of travel, there are systems of urban amenities. This sustainable growth methodology can help foster a potential means of connection to the thesis asked. Boston, aside from it being known as a walkable city, can also be thought of as a Transportation Oriented Development that focuses on tying urban amenities together in order to impact and create a social identity within the public spaces that are threaded together. Within Downtown shows an ideal condition for the thesis question because the complete street network there connects not only people to safer means of travel, but also to the universities, colleges, historic district and Innovation District. These integrated modules provide a sense of kinship to the existing conditions which should lead example to cohesive strategies around the city. The proximity of the complete streets, though, are disconnected from the denser populations which leads to deplorable conditions within those living conditions and economic decline. Where the complete streets are implemented, a socio-economic focus develops through its active corridors and linkages to public open spaces and parks.

Boston’s Complete Streets provides an ideal condition for connectivity of urban cities and suburbs. Through their initiative to create multimodal, green, smart streets - Boston has develop a means of interconnectivity of public spaces and sustainable transportation networks. The Indianapolis Cultural Trail is a great precedent for the Complete Streets module because of its character to form a connection between culture to establish a stronger sense of community. The trail connects 6 cultural districts together, showing its accessibility and potential to create a higher means of commutability for all forms of transportation. The threading of different cultures and districts exemplified essential means of analysis for safe travels, engaging the public spaces along corridors and potentially fostering a new identity along pathways throughout Complete Streets in order to have potential connections to various areas around site-context. The interconnectivity of these spaces will then create a processional phenomenological experience to connect users from disadvantaged areas to more successful urban cores in order to promote a more sustainable, inclusive growth.

HOW COULD THE PROJECT BE IMPROVED?

ADDITIONAL RESEARCH SHOULD BE CONDUCTED...

The project could be improved by providing greater accessibility to the outskirts of the population density to facilitate connections to the dense areas of the city. Through more bike lanes, complete streets, and other pedestrian-friendly implementations - there can be an increase in visibility, connectivity and commutability. The Emerald Necklaces provides vessels of green spaces that can interlock and facilitate transportation between different districts, and the interstitial spaces between can become corridors and locations for implementation of complete streets. These vessels of green space maintain a source of character and create an identity to Boston’s urban landscape both in plan and experience.

• • • •

How landscape typologies can be ways of connection points from residential to existing networks to promote connectivity Analysis on existing plans for Boston 2030, Bike initiatives and other systems of connecting networks together to create a cohesive strategy Investigate where potential land use changes can take effect to create live, work, play environments Investigate how to create better en


Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.