Co-existence

Currently bicycles and cars are always battling for space on the streets. When there is an absence of bike lanes cars may think that bikes are crowding their space while bikes are subject to being pushed closer and closer into parked cars. When a bike lane is present problems do persist. Bikes are at risk of running into opening doors of parked cars as well as cars turning right at intersections. Another major problem with intersections is the conflicts involved with turning. Cyclists have no safe way to turn left and are always at risk of being hit by cars turning right assuming that the cyclist is riding on the right side of the road.

A solution to this conflict is the co-existence of bicycles and cars. In this situation both types of vehicles share the same lane in traffic. The result is a disappearance of the hierarchy between bicycles and cars. The speed of the cars will be brought down to the maximum speed that a bicycle can travel and the presence of the bicycle will be brought up to the stature of an automobile. Not only does this equality make it safer for bicycles to occupy the streets but the speed reduction also makes it safer for pedestrians.

Urbanization of the Median

Two issues come into play in this intersection of 4th Avenue and 9th Street. In a city where space is a rare commodity, opportunities for gaining usable space is highly coveted. Also an 85 foot wide - 8 lane street presents a problem for crossing pedestrians. The solution to both these problems is the widening of the median. By subtracting all but two of the lanes on 4th Avenue valuable space is gained for public use. In this scheme the subway entrances are consolidated to the median to create an opportunity for a building. A public pavilion with lounge space as well as a large screen for film viewings was placed on the new median parcel between 8th and 9th Streets.

The subway vent exhaust proved to be a valuable resource for this site. The exhaust air is channeled through the hollow tube structural system of the pavilion. This creates air pressure which then rotates a small windmill embedded in each of the structural tubes. A total of 12 windmills generate energy for the needs of the pavilion.

The second parcel between 9th and 10th Streets which is partially under the subway platform is converted into a basketball court. Lights are placed on the underside of the subway platform to provide lighting for night games on the court.

The designs of these two parcels are only conceptual examples of how the middle of the street can be used. The space gained from subtracting lanes on 4th Street create endless opportunities. Finally, the resources on site are plentiful and should be used, subway vents, wide streets and the subway platform are all examples of existing objects that can be rethought and taken advantage of.