WALKING AND URBAN VIBRANCY, AN INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF COMMERCIAL PEDESTRIAN PRECINCTS

Abstract

Vibrant urban places are those that enable people to perform many and diverse activities. A fundamental concern is the extent to which human behaviors are influenced by socio-economic, cultural, legal and corporate frameworks that may vary from country to country. In the absence of universal rules, how can urban professionals help to create and to encourage vibrant main streets and city centers? This paper analyzes several public and private commercial pedestrian precincts in different parts of the world. The key findings are that the promotion of a culture of walking is critical to the survival of cities and that commercial pedestrian precincts play an important role in ensuring urban vibrancy.