Street Sections: Helping to Understand Cities
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 05.17.07
Sometimes you walk down a street and it just feels right, the proportions of the sidewalks, the width between the buildings, the height of the wall of buildings on either side. Why do some work and others not? Minneapolis urban designers Charrette Center have developed a world library of streets and sections and invite submissions from others:" Each street is documented by contributors officially registered at StreetSections.com using the breakthrough web based design environment called StreetSections Studio." It is a powerful tool; architect Robert Oullette says "When we strip away materiality and glitter in a street section the skeleton of the city is laid bare."::Street Sections via ::Reading Toronto
Street sections are a wonderful tool for planners, architects and engineers to get not only sense of the street, but a methodical dissection of what makes it work. I think the general public has issues with interpreting a section, plan and elevation when discussing a development project. These sections are a wonderful resource, but when going to the public, a photograph, photosimulation or 3D rendering will make more of an impact than sections.
Take for instance the Washingon Av, Providence, RI section and picture. The section helps me understand the configuration of the street, but does nothing to sell me on that specific sense of place. The picture does wonders to convey the sense that this is a vibrant urban center.