Center City District has shown the entire Greater Philadelphia region that we can prioritize pedestrian-only concepts while also keeping traffic safely flowing through our streets with Open Streets: Walnut West. A few weeks ago, I wrote an article titled, Making Pedestrian-only Streets a Reality in Philadelphia. My basic premise was this: take the best of what goes into a thriving commercial corridor, layer in the best of what goes into a street festival and marry those two together. Then, go one step further and find ways to keep that energy going all year round, across the city.
I received a surprising amount of positive feedback on my article, as well as some noteworthy criticism. And both sides of that dialogue are perfectly fine by me. The biggest takeaway that I've had since sharing my initial commentary is that experimentation is the key to revitalizing our cities. Trying new things can often be messy, and at times prove to be a failure. That does not mean it isn't worth the collective effort of trying something new. Thankfully, failure was not the outcome in this instance.
City goers had five blocks of safe, car free, open space to browse storefronts, grab food and drinks, and enjoy activities coordinated by Center City District. That is no easy task, and I hope we see future iterations throughout other neighborhoods in the city. I applaud Center City District and all who were involved in making this programming happen. Without a doubt, these concepts don't transpire unless there is major cooperation and coordination between local government and the business community. And let's not forget all that came out and participated! An idea only goes so far. Interest and active participation are the true signs of a successful initiative.
billypenn.com/2024/09/09/open-streets-rittenhouse-center-city-district/ (Meir Rinde/Billy Penn)
While Open Streets is not a permanent fixture, it still leaves me with a feeling that these types of ideas can take root and flourish in Philly. Not just as one-off events, but as something unique and intentional that can serve our neighborhoods all year round.
According to Center City District, nearly 90% of businesses along the route reported an increase in foot traffic to their storefronts during the September events. Additionally, based on anonymized cellphone data an estimated 47,800 visitors participated in Open Streets, an increase of 36% across the four weeks compared to typical Sunday pedestrian traffic.
So, can we permanently close certain streets and make pedestrian zones a part of our unique offering for residents and visitors? Only time will tell. The likelihood of permanently shutting down sections of a major roadway like Walnut Street is probably far off. But perhaps smaller streets with the right conditions that are less vital to the flow of vehicular traffic could be an option. Hopefully our days of experimentation are just beginning.
Pilot programs like what Center City District pulled off are a great way of activating spaces in new and unconventional ways. They can be relatively inexpensive, allow for creativity, assist in literally and metaphorically connecting different cultures and communities, and serve as a test bed in helping policymakers, civic leaders, and infrastructure managers better understand the intrinsic relationship people have with the built environment. But pilot programs will only get you so far. How does a city know when to take the next step?
In a recent article by Diana Lind on this exact subject, she states, "while there will always be a need for pilots to understand what does and doesn't work, some cities have already done their user testing." She goes on to say, "If cities do not offer an experience palpably different and better than suburbs and towns, many people will ask why live there?"
Cities find themselves in a different competitive landscape than what existed prior to COVID-19's havoc. Without a doubt there are pros and cons to the notion of pedestrian-only zones. Who manages these spaces? How does it affect residents that live within these zones? What about those who live in areas where traffic is newly routed? How much does it cost and what's the total benefit?
Every city has its own unique advantages and challenges to consider when making modifications to public spaces, land use, traffic patterns, and the prioritization of commercial corridors. And each has had to get creative as they move past the disorder and lingering questions posed by the pandemic to maintain vibrant spaces.
As we continue to reimagine what's best for our communities, we should seriously consider the possible economic, social, and environmental benefits that come by putting a little more distance between pedestrians and vehicular traffic. As I stated in my prior article and what I will reiterate here; I am not an economist, or urban planner, or any type of civic leader. I'm an observer and I believe what Center City District pulled off is the exact sort of activity that is fundamental to Philly's future. These types of events can and should move beyond occasional programming, to something more permanent in areas where we can re-direct traffic safely and efficiently, while considering unique neighborhood characteristics as well as equity implications. Creativity and collaboration will push us in the right direction.
Images sourced from Open Streets Around Rittenhouse Draw Thousands. Sept. 8, 2024. (Meir Rinde/Billy Penn)
Mike Daly, Business Development Manager | Daly@econsultsolutions.com
Mike Daly is a business development manager at ESI, where he oversees the business development and marketing team. He is responsible for enhancing the firm's brand and work through traditional and social media, producing content for the company website, managing the firm's blog, Present Value, and supporting the development of strategic initiatives. Prior to joining the firm, Mike was a marketing associate for the Sustainable Business Network of Greater Philadelphia, a membership organization whose mission is to build a just, green, and thriving economy in the Greater Philadelphia region.
