Clutter, Clutter Everywhere...

Make sidewalks welcoming for those with limited mobility!

We have all been there at some point, navigating a congested sidewalks full of people moving at different speeds, three people across, or fellow pedestrians who are just seemingly lost and not quite sure where they should be!  Now, people will generally move aside when somebody with an evident mobility limitation needs to pass (white canes and wheelchairs just have this impact on people) but what about those things that don't move?  Our sidewalks and street spaces are increasingly cluttered with municipal services and commerce competing for space with pedestrians.  Power polls, parking meters, fire hydrants, sandwich boards, patios and even panhandlers need to be find some small real estate on our city streets.   Pedestrian pinball is an increasingly common recreational activity being put on pedestrians who in some cities are left to feel like third class cities once space is allocated for vehicles and commerce.   

In addition to the design concepts discussed throughout this site some attention should also be given to clearance and stability.  

Sufficient clearance should be provided.  This means that the path of travel is free of obstacles located in direct lines of travel either vertically or horizontally.  Vertical obstacles tend to be tress, statues or features, whereas horizontal obstacles are more common around construction sites, special events and commercial areas with careless operations. 

An even surface for travel is also essential to ensuring stability.  Imagine walking along three blocks of sidewalk fluctuating due to curb cuts for driveways: would this be comfortable?  Large cracks and heaving surfaces can also pose a challenge. Beyond vision issues, uneven surfaces can also be more difficult to navigate and even painful for the elderly, the injured or those with joint pain such as arthritis.  

These are all problems that can be solved with the proper combination of strong urban design, engineering standards and well informed political decision making.   Consider integrating some of these considerations in both operational practices like routine inspections and political decisions where variances are issued for patios or other commercial services that will have an impact on mobility.  Planners, politicians and business owners would also benefit from walking their city streets.

A street in Ottawa, Ontario cluttered with patios, fire hydrants, telephone poles and parking meters that limit pedestrian movement.

A platform hangs over a sidewalk in Ottawa, Ontario that would not be seen with a cane.

A tree grows in the middle of sidewalk.