The domination of Amazon has the potential to transform the spatial structure of cities; therefore, the global transition from the traditional “brick-and-mortar” business model to the Internet era “click-and-mortar” business model poses great threats to local marketplaces as well as some of the world’s biggest retailers. While cumulative effects of e-commerce remain unknown, developing proactive planning initiatives to address possible benefits and concerns is advised when planning for a future sustainable transportation system.
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urban planning
This memo-style essay assesses the seasonal closure of Main Street in downtown Ann Arbor, MI through the lens of Jane Jacobs’ criteria for a vibrant urban space. Public feedback and photos were collected to aid in the analysis in the viability of formalizing and making permanent the pedestrian-only area. The main strengths of the temporarily closed streets are increased foot traffic and diversity of uses which contribute to safety and a great place to raise a family. However, while the area is heavily utilized in the summer and fall, its hasty and temporary designation means that the area is not accessible to all. Inaccessibility and lack of residential space are the main weaknesses of the current plaza and should be addressed if it is turned into a permanent installation.
The domination of Amazon has the potential to transform the spatial structure of cities; therefore, the global transition from the traditional “brick-and-mortar” business model to the Internet era “click-and-mortar” business model poses great threats to local marketplaces as well as some of the world’s biggest retailers. While cumulative effects of e-commerce remain unknown, developing proactive planning initiatives to address possible benefits and concerns is advised when planning for a future sustainable transportation system.
Master’s students at the University of Michigan’s Taubman College of Urban and Regional Planning (colloquially referred to as MUPs) tend to spend their summers applying their knowledge in locations throughout the globe. A few MUPs shared their experiences with Agora over the summer.