(Boston, Ma., Wednesday, 5:30pm). The block covering Newbury Street to Mass Ave to Boylston Street to Hereford offers an interesting mix of atmosphere as well as users. Heading west up Newbury Street, the block is intimate and close. Many shops and restaurants occupy the brick, detailed buildings that are reminiscent of bygone days. Street trees line the sidewalks and in the evening during the winter, are lit with twinkling white lights. Parked cars occupy the sidewalks on both sides and thru traffic passes by slowly on the narrow street. The sun has set and the sky is dark. It feels like a ceiling, with an expanse visible only when seen while looking west beyond the end of the block. The air is calm and rather warm for a February night. There are many pedestrians with shopping bags from local stores, students carrying backpacks, tourists and commuters. A homeless man sells papers outside the North Face store. For the most part, the age of the pedestrians range from early 20's to middle aged. There are very few, if any, senior adults and no small children to be seen.
Turning on to Mass Ave, the streets seem to open up and widen with traffic covering four lanes heading both north and south. It becomes noisier. The buildings have less character and pedestrians, while still among the same age range as on Newbury street, walk and pass by with more purpose as if they are concentrating on their destination. A line for the bus is formed outside of the Best Buy and most people are busy corresponding on their handhelds or have earphones on. Heading up to the bridge that expands over the Massachusetts Turnpike, the sky opens up and it appears that the neighborhood lies out before you. The wind is stronger and carries a chill that was not felt on Newbury Street, exposing you to the elements. A homeless person has set up a sign asking for donations and a seating area, but at the moment is not at his or her post. The feeling is one of vastness as the cars rush by underneath you along the turnpike, the sky is open and the Prudential Tower and other tall buildings rise up over the neighborhood rooftops to the southeast. Their are lights everywhere and the roads and sidewalks are wider than on Newbury Street. I feel like I am walking faster.
Turning onto Boylston Street and heading eastward, the wind still carries a bite. The street is just as wide as Mass Ave and carries the same feeling of openness. The intersection is crowded with cars stopped at the traffic light and a large crowd of pedestrians crosses from each corner. Parked cars line the street on either side and the four lanes traveling east and west are wide and carry relatively little traffic right now. Pedestrian traffic is also much less condensed than the other two blocks. There are several people ranging in age from early 20's to 50's and as before walk with purpose and move with a steady stride. There are no children and as before, no senior adults. The Mass Pike generates noise and movement below to my left. The buildings on the south side of the street are large but low in height. Their presence is felt but not in an imposing way.
As I proceed onto Hereford Street the feeling changes again to one of closeness. The street is narrow with cars lining both sides. The buildings are low but large giving the street a "boxed in" vibe. The sidewalks are narrow and the sky closes in again. There are 2 pedestrians including myself. The person on the other side of the street is a young woman, carrying a large "Blick" bag. I am wondering if she is also a student at the BAC. There are no street trees, just buildings, concrete and cars.
I think that the reason certain users occupy these streets can most definitely be linked to the design of each street. Along Newbury Street for instance, the streets are lined with stores and restaurants creating a space that offers the opportunity to slow down, look at the window dressings, stop in to shop, grab a coffee or have a bite to eat. The narrowness and quaint feeling is comfortable and causes one to almost slow down. It is a destination. I feel that the absence of senior adults and children could be that the type of commercial businesses that line the street don't really have anything to offer the two age categories. Mass Ave, Boylston Street and Hereford Street feel like they are a means to get to the next spot. They are pathways to public transportation and nearby parking areas and have very few, if any, places to stop and "have a look". With wider streets and sidewalks they are designed to accommodate large amounts of people and their movement. Where as Newbury Street is a destination, Mass Ave., Boylston and Hereford Streets are a means to any number of destinations.
No comments:
Post a Comment