Jack Healy explores Denver's conflicted relationship with its 16th Street Mall, the pedestrian-oriented street that runs for a mile through the city's downtown. Bustling by day, but deserted and dicey at night, it has become an icon of the city.
In a city that lacks a singular iconic image or place, the city's "melting pot" has become one of its most recognizable symbols, for better or for worse, only thirty years after opening.
"Unlike attempts by other cities to revive their downtowns by closing
major streets to traffic, Denver scored a major success and created a
new public square with its 16th Street Mall," says Healy. "It draws map-carrying
tourists, badge-wearing conventioneers and white-collar workers, all
weaving through a sprawling circus of buskers and petitioners,
transients, sunglass sellers and street artists. Each year, about 16
million people ride the free shuttle buses that carry people along it."
"'This is our iconic image,' the mayor, Michael B. Hancock, said on
Tuesday morning as he slipped on an 'I ♥ 16th Street Mall' T-shirt. 'It's the heart and soul of our downtown. This really is our identity.'"
FULL STORY: Denver, Searching for Icon, Celebrates Downtown Mall
The Past and Future of Pedestrian Malls
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Denver's 16th Street Mall Rehabilitation Proposal
At 27 years old, Denver's 16th Street Mall is in need of an upgrade. A team of consultants has recently released their recommendation of what needs to be done to rehabilitate one of Denver's premier public spaces.
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Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage
Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”
Why Should We Subsidize Public Transportation?
Many public transit agencies face financial stress due to rising costs, declining fare revenue, and declining subsidies. Transit advocates must provide a strong business case for increasing public transit funding.
Paris Bike Boom Leads to Steep Drop in Air Pollution
The French city’s air quality has improved dramatically in the past 20 years, coinciding with a growth in cycling.
Why Housing Costs More to Build in California Than in Texas
Hard costs like labor and materials combined with ‘soft’ costs such as permitting make building in the San Francisco Bay Area almost three times as costly as in Texas cities.
San Diego County Sees a Rise in Urban Coyotes
San Diego County experiences a rise in urban coyotes, as sightings become prevalent throughout its urban neighbourhoods and surrounding areas.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
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Alamo Area Metropolitan Planning Organization
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Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
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Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
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NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service