Calgary | Radius Bridgeland
I really wish we'd build narrower streets in North America. A square like this could look so much more intimate and attractive if we cut the width of the streets in half and ditched the islands of grass around the sidewalks:
Exhibit A: Nice looking urban square with mid-rise buildings.
Exhibit B: Our suburban-mindset attempt to produce a nice looking square with (future) mid-rise buildings.
I really wish we'd build narrower streets in North America. A square like this could look so much more intimate and attractive if we cut the width of the streets in half and ditched the islands of grass around the sidewalks:
Exhibit A: Nice looking urban square with mid-rise buildings.
Exhibit B: Our suburban-mindset attempt to produce a nice looking square with (future) mid-rise buildings.
in Europe the newer neighbourhoods (at least the ones in outer Paris and London) are looking more like NA neighbourhoods.
A lot of the condo blocks in Bridgeland (and all the ones along 1st ave) do have some retail strips along the bottom. Besides perhaps having something like a corner bodega, I'm not sure something like Radius really needs it...I'd rather they concentrate retail activity along 1st ave to make sure that is thriving as much as possible.
That little square that AJX posted is actually quite popular and often acts as a hub for events throughout the year.
Narrower streets would be welcome, although in general I do find the streets here to be fairly pedestrian friendly. The one positive of wider streets is that it allows for the possibility of bike lanes. 9th street in particular could really use one. I would also love a bike lane down 1st ave.