Reclaim Main

Oct 1

Encouraging human interaction through new pedestrian-only streets

By: Dana Rathwell and Jamie Rathwell

Due to COVID-19 and the need to support social distancing efforts, summer 2020 saw a demand for more pedestrian-friendly spaces. Sidewalks alone have not provided sufficient space for pedestrians, restaurants and retailers. This summer in Ottawa, some streets and parkways were closed to motor vehicle traffic to make way for pedestrians and cyclists. In doing so, businesses on Main Streets were also able to benefit from the added space. Retailers moved product onto sidewalks and streets, as did restaurant patios.

This project proposes to prohibit motor vehicles and install simple design interventions to Stittsville Main Street in Ottawa in an effort to welcome human interaction and provide more space for people. Such projects promote active forms of transportation, in turn reducing emissions and increasing healthy forms of physical activity. Removing vehicular traffic from the street improves pedestrian and cyclist safety. Tents, sidewalks and streets provide additional space to Main Street businesses and to other businesses within the community who wish to install pop-up or farmer’s market type shops.

The project proposes temporary and customizable installations. Planter boxes, wooden planks and tenting material can be modified to build benches, tents and tented stalls to accommodate a variety of uses such as dining areas, or for displaying and selling products. The temporary nature of the design elements and simple assembly allows decision makers to determine whether the initiative should be implemented on a seasonal basis and/or during certain days of the week.

Details:

Budget: The budget depends on the length of Main Street used for the project, the elements used in the design, and whether the installations need to be taken down on a weekly, monthly, or seasonal basis. Many of the design elements are reusable, however, need to be stored when not in use, which should also be factored into budget considerations.

Materials and Fabrication: The materials needed are easy to find and may be sourced from local merchants. The following are needed to implement the design: signage, flowers, soil, wood, hardware, tenting material and wheels.

Installation and other services: The project would require labourers to build and install planters, signage, benches and tents. Staff monitoring entrances may be needed for events and or busy times and days of the week.