Where the sidewalk ends

I feel like in every history and theory class we have read part of Jane Jacobs' The Death and Life of Great American Cities so I was interested to read this section. The Uses of Sidewalks: Safety talks about the importance of vibrant urban sidewalks in fostering safety and community. She argues that busy sidewalks promote safety by encouraging "eyes on the street." Jane Jacobs emphasizes the role of diverse, mixed-use neighborhoods in generating pedestrian traffic and fostering social interactions, which contribute to safer urban environments. 

Architects and urban designers continue to prioritize creating lively, pedestrian-friendly environments that promote safety through active street life. Elements such as mixed-use developments, well-connected street networks, and amenities that attract people to public spaces align with the idea that Jane Jacobs mentioned about fostering safer and more vibrant cities. 

This reading reminded me of when the Charleston Design Center took a trip to Savannah, GA. We compared the two cities and the main differences that everyone seemed to bring up were the sidewalks and how Savannah was more pedestrian-friendly. The sidewalks are bigger in Savannah and more of an intentional design for the city. Rather than in Charleston, you don't have much of a sidewalk to walk on so you really have to keep your eyes on the street. Savannah has squares throughout the downtown area which have evolved into mixed-use spaces so as you're walking through you see something different in each one. Unpopular opinion, I love Savannah way more than Charleston :)