I really wish smaller municipalities would do this!
Some downtown areas in places like Oshawa, Whitby, Port Perry, or Port Hope would absolutely benefit from allowing more pedestrian/cyclist traffic and less car traffic, even if just for the weekend.
“They also create a sense of community for the people that live in the area,” Plante said earlier this year. “They also become destinations for tourists, visitors and students.”
I couldn’t agree more! Closing a street off from car traffic gives you the same feeling as when streets are closed off for community events.
You get to actually smile and chat with people, while enjoying access to local businesses without the noise and car exhaust that normally causes someone to avoid those places.
The missing sense of community is a huge problem in Canadian cities. It feels people don’t even want to know their neighbours anymore. Improving walkability and reducing cars will make our cities more social and increase our social capital and sense of local community.
I really wish smaller municipalities would do this!
Some downtown areas in places like Oshawa, Whitby, Port Perry, or Port Hope would absolutely benefit from allowing more pedestrian/cyclist traffic and less car traffic, even if just for the weekend.
I couldn’t agree more! Closing a street off from car traffic gives you the same feeling as when streets are closed off for community events.
You get to actually smile and chat with people, while enjoying access to local businesses without the noise and car exhaust that normally causes someone to avoid those places.
The missing sense of community is a huge problem in Canadian cities. It feels people don’t even want to know their neighbours anymore. Improving walkability and reducing cars will make our cities more social and increase our social capital and sense of local community.