
#1 Paint the Pavement: Asphalt Murals
Taking their cues from City Repair in Portland, Oregon, Paint the Pavement (PtP) is a “place-making” effort that helps neighborhoods in St. Paul, Minnesota create on-street murals. These community projects are typically plotted at residential intersections. Since 2006, PtP has received Support from the Saint Paul neighborhood group, Hamline Midway Coalition and Hamline University.Although the group’s website doesn’t expressly target pedestrian safety, they do discuss the relationship between murals and responsible driving:
Folks who live at the painted intersections say that drivers are more observant and cautious, including themselves. A painted pavement, along with any other visual cues (toys, benches, bird feeders) on or along the road, let passers-by know that it is a lived-in neighborhood where folks know each other and might be outside chatting, playing, or gardening at any time — so they should drive carefully.




#2 Merriam Park Neighbors for Peace: Boulevard Gardens
Once again, the state of Minnesota leads the charge in the streets-for-people movement. This time, Twin Cities residents are using flowers. The numerous Boulevards — the strip of dirt between the sidewalk and the street — are legally accessible to homeowners. What better place for a garden. As Merriam Park Neighbors for Peace explains in this instructional guide:
“Up front” gardening is becoming popular as people realize they can get great sun, more space, and the chance to share their gardens with the neighborhood. Boulevards, the area between the curb and the street, are a perfect spot for a garden. A vibrant garden can slow traffic, provide a spot to sit and visit, and is an ideal way to meet neighbors.
Post by Metro Blooms.
Post by Metro Blooms.
#3 Better Blocks: DIY Crosswalks
Better Blocks in Dallas, Texas, organizes “living charrettes” where communities gather to construct pop-up public spaces. One of their most effective tools has been crosswalks that are so bright and decorative, drivers can’t help but notice the pedestrian right of way. The crosswalk immediately below was constructed from strips of reclaimed automobile decal.
How radical can crosswalks be? Depends. How big is your imagination? http://t.co/11NWlgQrlC http://t.co/mBRv1Cs8VH @UrbanFunscape
— Andy Boenau (@Boenau) May 30, 2014
Huge fan of this domino-inspired artistic pedestrian crosswalk by @Roadsworth. Very cool. pic.twitter.com/yw44LkKsK5 — Best Foot Forward (@BestFootOrlando) February 21, 2013
“@TheBostonCal: Rainbow crosswalk at Clarendon & Boylston pic: @taingsauce pic.twitter.com/EwhlhKw1Ul” I’M FAMOUS — meg taing (@taingsauce) June 14, 2014
.@OKDOT is experimenting with a new type of crosswalk: http://t.co/JqoeWMRZu9 (h/t @intersection911 @streetfilms) pic.twitter.com/oLe7RRWnHI — Quality Communities (@OUIQC) August 11, 2014
Amazing 3D forced perspective crosswalk in Kyrgyzstan. (http://t.co/saCuGlgEFm) pic.twitter.com/FZrmnn4eEG
— Meredith Frost (@MeredithFrost) March 30, 2014
#4 Park(ing) Day
The international Park(ing) Day is an open-source project inviting artists, activists and everyday people to transform ordinary parking spaces into vibrant urban parks. The project originated in San Francisco in 2005 with the help of design firm, Rebar and continues spreading to new cities each year. Past Park(ing) days hosted political demonstrations, bicycle clinics, hoola-hoop contests, mini-golf, and even a wedding! Check out these examples from around the U.S. and beyond.
Así disfrutamos nuestro Park(ing) Day @Bucaramanga @CaracolradioBga @BucaraBuca @Santandereanos_ @PinGOBmanga pic.twitter.com/NYkrNjKwU8
— Te Veo Bien (@TeVeoBien1) August 7, 2014
#PARKingDay 2014 #Cork – Calling all enthusiasts to create art installations around the City http://t.co/PeOTrOCPoF pic.twitter.com/KeiBoqMICM
— CorkEnvironForum (@CorkEnvForum) July 28, 2014
#humanscalecities pic.twitter.com/0y2EFcV5oo
— samaria lopez (@samarialopez) June 27, 2014
Blown away by BCJ’s urban boardwalk at @parkingdayphila on Broad & Walnut! @BCJarchitecture #parkingday pic.twitter.com/3925oZgsbH
— Next City (@NextCityOrg) September 20, 2013
Park(ing) day in the #pasadena playhouse district. pic.twitter.com/9V975L2YnP
— Lauren Gold (@laurenkgold) September 20, 2013