Andrews just re-created Victoria

Originally posted by pintohoo: ↑

"changing local laws and even closing down streets or making them one-way traffic to enable businesses to operate outside shop fronts, even onto adjacent roadways and parks."

it will be interesting if they can get it to work - there's absolutely zero doubt that if you can drop the screens and barriers - (windows and doors) - and bring commerce into public spaces - that people actually more than like it - they love it

it's a mingling of society that's been happening almost forever - the town square type thing (there's a word for it, but, I cannot recall what it is).

Rome was very much a good example and when I was in Khiva - a small place - but, it made me think of it by how they street traded - a spillout.

people travel overseas to many places to experience it - italy, france, germany

it has deep psychological effects and is deeply rooted in psychology - just look at any movies or scenes from ancient times

it's one of the reasons why malls work - but, they only do it in a half r's fashion - a very poor replication - which is why many in architecture speculate for a return to the town square when the mall era dies

interestingly enough - much of our societies/towns are are built on it - those with long enough histories -------- people used to walk to markets - to trade their goods - and, they had a practical limit on how far they could walk, carry goods and have the time to leave home, travel, do business, leave to go home and fit it into a day ---------- a lot of overseas countries have towns that are spaced because of that time/walk limitation ?? from memory it's 10 miles apart - meaning that the furthest one had to walk if one was in the middle between two was --- a 10 mile return journey - which is why old places are magic to walk from village to village for a day walk ---------- because - that's what they were built for - not too much of a stretch if you aren't carrying a load - or you can get a bus one way and walk the other - or an easy bike ride.

people might dump shit on Andrews as you would expect - but, Covid will change society in many ways - this may well be one of them -

people pulling away from malls and perhaps moving outdoors more and more - it will be interesting to see - Melbourne weather will be much the same as some European places - and, it works there

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It's a bit off topic but these changes could really revitalize a city like Melbourne. Replicating the European style town squares, it could be a real winner.

With the advent of self driving vehicles and last mile transport systems, large space will be freed up as roads become less crowded. This could be a real long term benefit.