The Bottom-Up Revolution Bottom-Up Shorts: How To Save Main Street
Dec 10, 2024
Sully Israel, the leader of Strong Towns Santa Barbara, shares insights on transforming urban spaces into pedestrian-friendly areas. He discusses how the pandemic allowed Santa Barbara to close a street to cars, creating a vibrant atmosphere for diners and cyclists. Sully highlights the importance of balancing urban safety and accessibility, and how community engagement is essential for sustaining these changes. His grassroots advocacy emphasizes the power residents have in shaping their local environment for the better.
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State Street Closure
- During the COVID-19 pandemic, Santa Barbara closed State Street to cars for social distancing.
- This revitalized the area, leading to lower vacancy rates and increased cycling.
The State Street Debate
- The State Street closure sparked debate, with some wanting cars to return while others support the car-free status.
- Strong Towns Santa Barbara advocates for keeping State Street car-free and implementing "behavioral infrastructure."
Behavioral Infrastructure
- Design streets with behavioral cues like textures, colors, and elevation changes instead of relying solely on signs and enforcement.
- This "behavioral infrastructure" can guide cyclists and pedestrians, creating safer and more enjoyable spaces.