The focus point of this proposal is to create a friendlier environment for pedestrians and cyclists, who experience the street at a different pace.
The idea is to create a central platform on each street, 4th avenue and 9th street, which will take the pedestrians and the cyclists’ movements all along the given length. The purpose is the creation of a shelter for the alternative users of these busy streets, in a way that cross movements would be reduced and become safer. For this reason a travel lane is taken from each travel direction and is given to the central platform, which is devoted exclusively to pedestrians and cyclists. A central bike path takes the movements of both directions while adjacent to it there is a pedestrian path. All along the street these paths are defined by metal frames at a rate, with extensions and intervals, in order to create a signal of entering and leaving those paths. At the same time these frames can also function as a pergola with creeping plants, so that a naturally sheltered environment would be given to cyclists and pedestrians. Additionally, with the tree lines along the 9th street, a connection with the Prospect Park is created. Tree lines and bike parking continue on the sidewalks encouraging other facilities.
As far as 4th avenue is concerned, this one functions as a zone that takes the most movements which will distribute to the cross streets. That is why it needs a wider central platform, in order to bring in safety the pedestrian and the cyclist and channel their movements in 9th street. This platform along 4th avenue takes additionally bike parking, offering all the safety and comfort, without cutting out the movements of other vehicles.
Besides the main gesture of creating this urban platform, the urban equipment can also define, direct and protect all movements. This happens with every additional feature, from frames to cubes, but also the speed-reducer. This special structure is placed near crosswalks and with its different material obliges cars to move slower and reminds them of other street users.