Our design for the intersection of 9th Street and 4th Avenue transpires from the concept of a braid. Through a series of curving and crossing travel routes, the design addresses the needs of the three modes of transportation that frequent the site. Although the paths appear to have separate identities, each path equally contributes to movement on the street, not unlike three strands uniting to establish a braid. The design focuses on shuffling movement along the site, in contrast to the currently straight and parallel movement that quickly travels through the site. Considering each mode of transportation as a thread in the weave, the automobile thread weaves the most, which slows down the speed of vehicles, while the bicycle thread weaves less frequently. Further respecting the hierarchy, the pedestrians have the most right of way.

Decreasing the number of lanes and curving the vehicular paths increase the concentration of motorists while decreasing their speed. The design also examines the interstitial spaces formed between the paths of travel as nodes for activity. Curved paths create moments where at least two routes intersect. Knowledge of these instances, which occur more often than regularly planned crosswalks, obliges individuals to increase their awareness of other street users. The necessity for being aware of one’s surroundings establishes a safer street.

Furthermore, the weaving routes present favorable moments for the ground level building activities to spill into the street and challenge the traditional boundaries defined by curbs separating pedestrians from motorists. Establishing activities throughout the site promotes social and economic development, which is important in creating a viable twenty-first century street. The interstitial spaces provide unique opportunities for programs such as: food vendors, art exhibits, bike racks, games, performance spaces, and green spaces. Striving for a modern street that centers around these activities allows the design to focus on “shared spaces” that everyone can enjoy and easily access, as opposed to the current city street that focuses on moving from “point a” to “point b” in the shortest amount of time.

The built environment of the public spaces on the site further affects traffic behavior. Vehicular traffic slows down as drivers subconsciously drive slower with greater attention to bicyclists, pedestrians, and the leisure activities that occur along the site. At the same time, these active public spaces will generate more foot traffic by individuals that want to use these spaces.

Addressing public transportation and the existing subway entrances are also important to the 9th Streeth and 4th Avenue site. Our design improves the existing entrances by creating larger, more celebrated openings to the space below. Increasing the width of the staircases allows more people to pass through without being discouraged from being cramped, pushed, or stepped on. Furthermore, wider entrances allow more light as people transition between grades, which increases safety. In addition, these entrances will attract people in their own right. The walls that line the staircases will feature murals and the waiting spaces below will also contain art exhibits to entertain the eyes.