Daigle, André, "Life and Vitality: a new way of looking at downtown streets"

Life and vitality are words sometimes used to describe somebody who is vivacious and energetic. They are used here to describe streets which are full of action during the days, nights, and weekends. These streets by their very nature are attractive, inviting and memorable. It is assumed that life and vitality is measurable and reflective of the way the street is used. The thesis is that life and vitality is closely related to intensity of usage and setting: the compactness of buildings along a commercial street and their relationship to the larger context. In a more general sense, this thesis suggests a specific way to look at the street which requires us to focus on its physical aspects.

Intensity of usage is further defined in terms of continuity of buildings along the street and the grain of subdivision, the predominance of retail uses on the first floor and other uses on upper floors. Setting is described in terms of its proximity to residential areas, accessibility to the street, and the presence of public amenities. Life and vitality, intensity of usage and setting are defined in this thesis to establish a theoretical basis. Theories established by Jane Jacobs, William Whyte, Kevin Lynch, Victor Gruen, Roger Kemble are explored and then applied to streets which are lively, and some which are not so lively. Four areas are chosen for this study: Newbury Street, Boston; Monument Square, Portland, Maine; Spring Garden Road, Halifax; and, Main Street, Moncton. The observations corresponded directly with what was established in the theoretical chapter: that lively and vibrant streets are related to how intensely used, and in what setting the street is found. Once refined and then tested, the criteria are applied to Main Street in Bathurst, New Brunswick. This street is chosen for the study because it is described as a street with a life during the working day but seriously lacking vitality during evenings and weekends. Recommendations are then made to increase intensity of usage, and to improve the setting.

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This document was last modified on January 3, 2001.