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Just a point, because people discuss safety - I don't think it matters one bit. At least, the portion involving crime in general, not low safety because you're liable to be hit by a car, which is another issue.
My reason for saying this is because I've been in more than a few (and know of many more) high crime areas which nonetheless maintained functional walkable business districts. They might not look very nice overall, and they might not have businesses which cater to the gentrified set, but nonetheless there's a ton of people on the streets. It's only once a neighborhood declines so much that the business district goes from shabby to blighted/abandoned that street life vanishes.
Just a point, because people discuss safety - I don't think it matters one bit. At least, the portion involving crime in general, not low safety because you're liable to be hit by a car, which is another issue.
My reason for saying this is because I've been in more than a few (and know of many more) high crime areas which nonetheless maintained functional walkable business districts. They might not look very nice overall, and they might not have businesses which cater to the gentrified set, but nonetheless there's a ton of people on the streets. Its only once a neighborhood declines so much that the business district goes from shabby to blighted/abandoned that street life vanishes.
I don't think crime is what most people were referring to. Speaking for myself, I meant safety from auto-pedestrian accidents. I've been a visiting nurse. I've been to the seamier side of many cities. Not much scares me.
I don't think crime is what most people were referring to. Speaking for myself, I meant safety from auto-pedestrian accidents.
I think others meant auto-pedestrian accidents, too. However, there has been mention of safety walking (at least alone for females at night) in regards to crime, so perhaps it should be mentioned.
Quote:
I've been a visiting nurse. I've been to the seamier side of many cities. Not much scares me.
Out of curiosity what's the seemiest city neighborhood you've spent much time in?
Last edited by nei; 04-27-2014 at 09:49 PM..
Reason: typo
I think others meant auto-pedestrian accidents, too. However, there has been mentioned of safety walking (at least alone for females at night), so perhaps it should be mentioned.
Out of curiosity what's the seemiest city neighborhood you've spent much time in?
Probably Braddock,PA, a suburb so to speak,of Pittsburgh. Also St. Clair Village, a housing project in Pittsburgh. I'm not sure it's around any more. Champaign has a good size ghetto. Some of Commerce City,CO is pretty rough,too.
I do agree that women walking alone at night is a safety issue.
nei-- I think you hit the nail on the head when you mentioned drivers who don't expect pedestrians. Too often, "planned" cities try to make navigation easier for drivers and pedestrians, but in Boston, the opposite is the case, and yet it's safe. Driving, walking, and cycling in Boston require a heightened, not a reduced, level of attention, and people make the required adjustments.
Regarding safety from car-pedestrian accidents, if that's your chief worry, then don't jaywalk, and wait for the light to change. And pay attention to traffic anyway, even when you've clearly got the right of way. Don't use your cell phone, unless you know you can prioritize attention to traffic over the attention you devote to the phone. Don't be a "rights activist" in the street, but be ready to sprint on a moment's notice. And so on.
Regarding safety from car-pedestrian accidents, if that's your chief worry, then don't jaywalk, and wait for the light to change. And pay attention to traffic anyway, even when you've clearly got the right of way. Don't use your cell phone, unless you know you can prioritize attention to traffic over the attention you devote to the phone. Don't be a "rights activist" in the street, but be ready to sprint on a moment's notice. And so on.
Saint Clair is gone now. Braddock is so depopulated/demolished that it's a relatively safe place now. Hasn't been a murder in ten years or so, IIRC.
I did my work there in the early 70s. It's amazing what a little 30 year recession will do. Braddock lost 90% of its population between 1920 and 2010. Population in 1970 was about 8800. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Braddock,_Pennsylvania
Last edited by Katarina Witt; 04-28-2014 at 08:22 AM..
Regarding safety from car-pedestrian accidents, if that's your chief worry, then don't jaywalk, and wait for the light to change. And pay attention to traffic anyway, even when you've clearly got the right of way. Don't use your cell phone, unless you know you can prioritize attention to traffic over the attention you devote to the phone. Don't be a "rights activist" in the street, but be ready to sprint on a moment's notice. And so on.
Also drivers need to be more aware of their surroundings while driving, stop talking on the phone, trying to read a text message while driving, or fiddling with the radio when in areas that have pedestrians. And most importantly, slow down and lose the aggressive driving.
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