tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8826793.post5543159843243841414..comments2023-10-02T08:28:06.724-05:00Comments on Ecology of Absence: Studying Downtown Park Space: Less is MoreMichael R. Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17262548806079447404noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8826793.post-44809603981265872102007-02-08T23:19:00.000-06:002007-02-08T23:19:00.000-06:00I agree, Michael. Urban areas, particularly downto...I agree, Michael. Urban areas, particularly downtown areas, need density and critical mass to maintain the vitality and energy that characterize these spaces. Plazas and park spaces in small doses punctuate this energy. Too much open space smothers the energy.<BR/><BR/>For an example, one only has to look at the ill-fated State Street Mall in Chicago. In the 80s, all traffic other than buses was banned from the city's waning downtown shopping district, creating a broad pedestrian mall. What it did was suck all the energy from the street, spreading people out and making it feel empty. Traffic is back now, the sidewalks narrowed back to human scale. And there is new energy, new retailers and new life on State Street.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8826793.post-32822478545863004022007-02-08T11:58:00.000-06:002007-02-08T11:58:00.000-06:00I thought BOTH a sleek new tower (Roberts) and an ...I thought BOTH a sleek new tower (Roberts) and an urban plaza were already planned on the 800 block of Locust.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com