Borough Revitalization: A Traffic Perspective

By Bob Stone, Traffic Planning and Design, Inc.

Using Transportation Issues to Revitalize Pennsylvania's Boroughs

An increasing portion of the population is seeking alternatives to suburban sprawl. The revitalization of Pennsylvania's boroughs can provide the sense of "community" and "place" this portion of the population is seeking. Building a quality community is based on a few simple principals that should be encouraged in a borough plan;

A Sense Of Place - A "place" is a location which transcends physical characteristics, to which people attach certain meaning, themes, or functions. There are certain principles which reinforce the perception, of and are associated with, a "sense of place." These principles distinguish the location from all others, making it distinctive. Researchers have identified several principles that arc commonly associated with a sense of place and community orientation as follows:

A strong focal point or center;
The presence of functions deemed important from a community?wide standpoint that are clustered together;
A sense of enclosure or experience of contrast which makes a location intimate and very distinctive;
Human scale features which are reinforced by the provisions for pedestrian circulation as a primary mode of transit;
Continuity of form which unifies the whole;
Remnants of a transition from the past to the present which enrich perception and understanding;
Connections between the natural landscape and regional setting are reflected in design and function;
The presence of unique opportunities as a result of the interaction of activities, functions, and experiences in a unified community;
Diversity of conditions as reflected by variations in demographics, land uses, circulation systems, and activities; and
The presence of people and recognition that this is a place for people.

Human Scale - Boroughs are places where we live and work. They should be built and redeveloped on a people scale, not a car scale. A borough should give us a feeling of warmth and security, giving people equal access to the roads. Our boroughs should not feel like vast parking lots and expansive roadways that make anyone not in a vehicle feel alien.

Self Contained Neighborhoods - Boroughs which have stores, offices, homes, schools, and parks close together are pedestrian communities. Americans will walk, if they have someplace worth going. They will walk ten minutes to get there. A ten minute walk gives us a radius of nearly a square mile to work within. This is roughly the size of such towns as Jenkintown, Marietta, and Lewisburg.

The mixing of uses improves public safety, because it ensures that neighborhoods remain active throughout the day. Building close?knit communities requires a ratio of two workplaces for every three dwellings, to provide many residents with the opportunity to find jobs within walking distance. Communities benefit by giving people a greater stake in their borough's welfare.

Diversity - Boroughs can provide community-wide places for people of all ages and incomes to live. To make that possible a wide range of housing types should be represented. Small apartment buildings, row houses, small houses on small lots, and large homes can be mixed attractively within a borough. The most important element in providing a clean and safe neighborhood is people who take good care of their properties and insist that others do the same.

Transit-Friendly Design - Every borough should provide transportation alternatives for people without cars. Mobility is essential to maintain the quality of life. No one should be denied that right because they are too old, too young, too poor, or too handicapped to drive a car. Trains and buses are far more energy?efficient and far less polluting than cars. They encourage public interaction. But public transportation is only feasible when buses and workplaces are concentrated near transit lines. The same kind of designs which encourage walking help support mass transit.

Trees - No single element will do more to improve our boroughs than planting shade trees. Young trees are inexpensive and require little maintenance. The power of trees to enhance our urban areas has been woefully unappreciated. Big trees lend an air of elegance and tranquillity to every part of the borough.

Alleys & Parking Lots To The Rear - Communities need alleys and rear parking lots to maintain attractive streets and sidewalks. Parking to the rear can be buffered for adjacent areas and provide a greater sense of enclosure and security.

Humane Architecture - We should make every effort to preserve our historical buildings. New buildings should be created to be beautiful and hospitable, and harmonize with their surroundings.

Outdoor Rooms - Traditional communities create beautiful outdoor spaces by aligning homes close together to make streets into cozy outdoor rooms. The buildings form the room's wall, while street trees create a cathedral ceiling. Parks within walking distance of homes foster a feeling of neighborhood and community. Many Pennsylvania towns have been designed around public squares that have been loved for generations.

Maintenance & Safety - Maintenance and safety is the biggest difference between some of Pennsylvania's most fashionable addresses and its worst slums. Rigorous attention to maintenance is essential. Boroughs should act quickly at the first signs of decline to prevent deterioration and widespread abandonment of neighborhoods. The following discussion focuses on roadway maintenance and upgrade options, as well as funding sources which may assist boroughs in revitalization efforts.

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