Liang, Beiting_Research 2
Shared Streets
Shared Streets are designed to find a spatial balance that accommodates car traffic, pedestrians, sojourns, and business. However, there are several underlying dangers that come with the shared street concept. With one being it assumes all road users will be extremely careful. When they sense danger, they will produce a safe and correct response. There is many uncertain factors in this assumption. There is no guarantee that people will take responsibility to act accordingly for their own safety and others. In addition, the shared street also puts visually impaired people under more dangerous conditions. With traffic lights and signals removed, it becomes harder for them to cross traffic. They are unable to see what is ahead of them and the lack of leading instruction creates more risk factors.
Specific problem in Barcelona
One of the problems in Barcelona is its tourism, with too many people coming into the city giving no room to grow. With so many people coming in and going out of the city, there is some environmental problem that is being created. One problem being air pollution, with cars driving in the city. And visiting cruise ships also is a major problem that leads to heavy air pollution in Barcelona. With space are sharing by more people, noise pollution becomes another problem. Streets that near commercial areas are suffering from the high volumes of voices and ultimately reduce the quality of life for the neighborhood. Another problem would be the lack of affordable housing for people. The growth of tourism brings in a large need for Airbnb property, which reduces affordable housing for its residents. Living becomes expensive in the city.
Excellent. You found many of the main problems in Barcelona.
How do you focus or relate them?
It is interesting that many of these issues are reduced during Covid . Is that an opportunity? Cruise ships are stopped? Do you design streets for this time now?
If not and you focus on tourism,how do you breakdown a theoretical approach?
Tourism.
Gentrification from tourism: air bnb, costs of meals, grocery shopping, congestion.
How can public space change this? Keep in mind that policies can change things too.
If you take the perspective of a resident how is it perceived? Is it different by different users: by age (retirees have a fixed income, and young people earn less but pay more); income; cultural background.
Good start!
Push the infographics! Statistics Will offer clubes yo indicators.