Softening Sidewalks

'Most of us take sidewalks for granted.  An undervalued element of the urban form, this public ground connects points of origin and destination, and few people go through the day without traversing at lease one sidewalk.  Sidewalks are unassuming, standardized pieces of gray concrete that are placed between roadways and buildings, and their common appearance belies their significance and history as unique but integral parts of the street and urban life.  A commercial terrain for merchants and vendors, a place of leisure for flaneurs, a refuge for homeless residents, a place for day-to-day survival for panhandlers, a space for debate and protest for political activists, an urban forest for environmentalists: U.S. sidewalks have hosted a wealth of social, economic, and political uses and have been integral to a contested democracy.' - Anastasia Loukaitou-Sideris

The 2010 A1 Road Redevelopment Project saw the start of the reconstruction of the main road network north of the exclusion zone of Montserrat.  During this time the island also saw the construction of culverts, drains, and pedestrian walkways along the spine of the country's vehicular path.  Although the focus was primarily to improve the drainage, the quality of the road surfaces, and the subterranean ducting, I believe that the 'people' aspect of this infrastructure project was omitted. 

Concrete sidewalks have been laid based on technical functionality, with seemingly little consideration of the reception by their everyday users.  Footpaths that are exposed to the midday sun with few rest points or greenery, encourage an uninspiring experience for the pedestrian.  Montserrat has created an environment for pedestrians that is both rigid and machine-like.  

So what would be a viable solution?

Well, considering that there are constraints in the available land on the periphery, the character of the land, as well as economic and political implications, a solution may not be easily determined.

The ideal tropical urban environment would account for 'green streets' with trees for shading, benches for seating, parks for playing, and public rubbish bins strategically placed along sidewalks.  Stone pavers would break up the large expanses of concrete or asphalt in driveways and allow greenery to emerge between the tiles.  A user-friendly atmosphere would further consider murals on retaining walls, and monuments or symbolic gestures towards the local culture.   

We are instead developing an island for us, by us...but with no signature of 'us'.

To revitalize this urban atmosphere, I believe we must now consider a rejuvenation project for the de facto capital of Brades.  One that will acknowledge the needs of the people and embrace the local culture, while elevating both with pride.  It's not enough that we build emotionless cities, where pedestrians avoid some areas of sidewalks in favour of cooler pathways.

We must also build cities for people.

Quote taken from:

LOUKAITOU-SIDERIS, A. & R. Ehrenfeucht (1958) Sidewalks: Conflict and Negotiation over Public Space. USA: Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Photo 1 - A1 road near The Lyme showing unbroken sidewalk and retaining wall, taken in Brades, Montserrat (Photo courtesy of Nerissa Golden)
Photo 2 - A1 road near Credit Union House showing exposed sidewalk, taken in Brades, Montserrat (Photo courtesy of Nerissa Golden)
Photo 3 - Biorentention in Portland, Oregan
Source: LOW IMPACT DEVELOPMENT CENTRE INC. (2008) LID Centre - Green Streets [Online] Available from: http://www.lowimpactdevelopment.org/greenstreets/practices.htm
Photo 4 - A1 road near MS Osborne Ltd. showing exposed sidewalk, taken in Brades, Montserrat (Photo courtesy of Nerissa Golden)

Image 1 - Anatomy of a Green Street.
Source: LOW IMPACT DEVELOPMENT CENTRE INC. (2008) LID Centre - Green Streets [Online] Available from: http://www.lowimpactdevelopment.org/greenstreets/practices.htm