Yesterday Indianapolis celebrated the completion of the first phase of the Cultural Trail. There is more to be done, but the completion of this stage is noteworthy for a number of reasons. First, there is no other project like it, probably anywhere but certainly not in the region of similar sized cities. Secondly, in the context of current social and economic trends it signifies the type of efforts that can be accomplished. Related to that point, it shows that cities like Indianapolis can be forward thinking, and innovative and not just rely on what other cities have done.
The Cultural Trail, when fully completed, will be a “urban bike and pedestrian path that connects neighborhoods, Cultural Districts and entertainment amenities, and serves as the downtown hub for the entire central Indiana greenway system.”
The design of the Cultural Trail reclaims lanes of city streets and dedicates this space to pedestrians and cyclist. This entire greenway system and specifically the cultural trail integrates issues of mobility, health, economic development, physical planning and land-use, social justice, cultural heritage and public art and much more all through the redistribution of public space.
This project is an excellent example of good planning and design, not just in its final product, but also the process, financing and functionality.
These images are from a few weeks back, and center around one intersection, but show a good amount of the various details.
4 Comments
06/11/2008 at 10:44 am
Must the trail users yeild to traffic at intersections? It looks like there are walk/don’t walk signs, so I guess so.
Is that an electronic art sculpture in the island?
06/11/2008 at 11:04 am
Yes, trail users yield to auto traffic. The biggest benefit I see to this reconfigured intersection, and others like it in the area, is that the paving lends continuity across the really wide intersection in what’s supposed to be a pedestrian-friendly neighborhood. Because Indy has a radial grid, some intersections are a bit daunting.
The sculpture is by British artist Julian Opie and is a permanent addition to the Cultural Trail.
06/11/2008 at 12:39 pm
Even though they do yield I was really surprised at the effect of the traffic calming and design techniques. I think they even shortened the time span of lights so no one is waiting long.
I was also impressed by the signage. Because there is a hybrid of hiking trail and urban pedestrian etiquette, signs make it explicit for those that are unfamiliar.
09/13/2008 at 3:34 am
Excelente! boa articulação do pavimento o qual atrai o público. Isto é que é pensar!