Market Square

[Bjays93]

That reminds me of the raising of Chicago.

I know one criticism of these spaces is that they are typically private which has a number of implications for free movement, speech etc.

Thanks for the link. I hadn’t heard of that particular project. I’ve heard of places where the existing ground floors were decreed to be the basements and the second floor the new ground floor, with various adjustments made to sidewalks and everything else, but not of actually jacking up the buildings.

Or maybe the account I read was a garbled one.

In any case, very interesting.

I agree about the “private space” criticism. For just having some skybridges, with ground level still a public space, I think it’s important but not critical, just like how I am not completely comfortable with the private nature of enclosed malls but don’t consider it a pressing problem. For the idea of completely separating the motor vehicle and pedestrian level, I would consider it mandatory that the pedestrian level be public. I would also consider it important that it have a lot of outdoor space in it. While I believe in the freedom to choose indoor travel, I also believe in the freedom to choose outdoor travel and would make that choice myself on many days. I also think we should consider having more indoor public spaces owned by the city.

I agree with this. Having indoor public spaces is fantastic. 

I lived overseas for several years in Hong Kong and they've worked this out fantastically. Theres a multitude of above street level outdoor spaces as well as indoor ones. 

There's also ample shops along these corridors, not in the same density as malls, but it allows for the area to retain a vibrant feel, which was one of the expressed concerns. 

There is also plenty of foot traffic on the ground level as well. 

I know it's not a perfect example given how dense and small hong kong is and how much pedestrian traffic it has but nonetheless it's an example of a well executed footpath system