In a move that is likely to have a dramatic ripple affect on thinking on Urban Renewal across the globe- New York City is closing down some of its major roads to cars. A program titled [1] “Green Light for Midtown” has turned lanes of Broadway in Times Square and Herald Square into pedestrian zones. The ambitious pilot program is aimed at reducing traffic congestion and improving safety at targeted locations.

According to New York’s Department of Transport - 356,000 pedestrians walk through Times Square each day. And even though there are 4.5 times as many people as vehicles in Times and Herald Squares - only 11% of the space was allocated for pedestrians. As a result, Broadway at Times Square averages 137% more pedestrian crashes than at other avenues in the area.

The result of the program is truly fantastic. Times Square which was once full of chaotic car traffic is now a public square.The leader behind this transformation is the charismatic and dynamic Janette Sadik-Khan, Commisioner of the New York’s Department of Transportation. I had a chance to interview the Commissioner and I predict that she is soon going to join the assembly of some of the world’s most legendary urbanists for the pioneering programs she is leading in the city.“PlaNYC agenda, which is our sustainability agenda, calls for us to design strategies to help New York be the biggest, greenest city on the planet.” She said.

“21st century cities need to understand that sustainability and mobility are twin sides, of the same coin.” She added.Today, Transport Sector contributes to around a quarter of energy use & related greenhouse gas emissions that have led to Climate Change. But, while other sectors have managed to reduce their energy use and related emissions; the transport sector emissions have been consistently increasing. Reducing energy use in the transport sector is among the most challenging tasks in Climate Change Mitigation. So it is exciting to see New York, arguably the most important city of the world taking on such bold steps towards dealing with one of the most challenging urban development issues of our times.

Ps:

Look out for Janette Sadik-Khan’s interview in “Urban Vision 101 “, which is an audio interview series , that will be available on the brand new TUV website we are launching shortly.

Times Square

Author Bio: Prathima Manohar oversees the design and creation of all of the The Urban Vision's products and initiatives. She directs the company’s content development, management, strategic planning and technology development. She also hosts “The Visionary” show. Prathima is an architect, critic, writer and a TV Journalist. She has been a contributing columnist on architecture, urban development and design with India’s Leading News daily – The Times of India. She has also worked in the Television media and has been a correspondent with France24 - a 24 hour global TV news channel and TF1 where she did news reports, interviews with business leaders and several documentaries on Indian economy, Developmental and Cultural issues. She has also written for the opinion pages of the International Herald Tribune and has reviewed for the Architecture Record. She has authored a 600 page monograph on the works of one of India's leading architects. She is currently working on a book on the themes of Cities, Townships/ Communities that was commissioned by the publishing arm of the "Landmark Group" -a Tata –Trent Company.

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