Either do this in full, or don't do it at all. Kensington is a pedestrian-first experience for Calgary. Cars just happen to go through it. Is the right answer to acquiesce to cars for a dense high street area that continues to densify with more foot traffic?
Here's what I would ask - would merchants get more business with a no-cars zone? What would increased foot traffic look like for the area?
I'm sure the Kensington BIA would have some opinions on this.
And coincidentally, Kensington Market in Toronto is going through the same discussion. If anyone has been there, there's even more of a case for no-cars. It just makes sense to make it pedestrian-only. The opposition to it is that the city is proposing not the entire area be car-free; there would be shared streets and really doesn't tackle their 'Safe Streets' policy in its entirety.
Canadian (and American) cities are addicted to car culture. Bold moves need to be made, including the re-routing of traffic and public infrastructure where needed.
|