Streetscape Analysis along the Phoenix Street
Introduction
Most of the streets in phoenix do not actually have the elements required to be grouped or considered as boulevard. This makes them unique and interesting to study. However, it is remarkable to mention Washington Street is running all the way from the seventh to the fifteenth avenues. Such kinds of streets have well recognised patterns with a flow of rhythm that incorporates visual dominancy of elements such as tress and the proper street lighting. This enables an environment of clarity and show a clear picture of the demarcations in terms of the width and the road height (Dowling 176). Of these elements to mention but a few, they contribute significantly to the identification of what a standard streetscape represents. This makes it more distinguishable as shown below.
Comparison of Streetscape in Phoenix Streets
Spatial Organization
Some of the outstanding characteristics of such streets is that they are long (this can measure from one-half mile and beyond). They are normally wide and straight often having trees planted and arranged in median strips. They also have varied building put up from zero to around fifty feet and even more.
It also has a very broad street side area for planting and for beautification. This in most cases is done geometrically as depicted in the photograph below at Mohave Street.
The Setting and Environment
These kinds of streets have an automobile- dominated environment fit for easy travelling. Taking for instance the central avenue as shown in the picture above do have a formal design that often features a views cape. The adjacent land in turn can be used for future expansion. The streets are well light with the lighting having good heights. The sidewalks are well demarcated and distinguished for the different motorists. This makes it more secure and safer to use this kind of roads.
Boundary Demarcations
The central avenue at Hadley Street depicts a wide multilane street and this resembles an urban street that often becomes so busy with the many road uses. There are also detached and separate sidewalks. This gives a better view and a captivating design in its landscape and setting. The presence of the defining trees is an absolute evidence of how the street captivates. The multilane makes it more convenient for many motorists to use. Apart from the motorists, there are well spacious sidewalk paths that can accommodate quite a number of pedestrians comfortably as in the drawing below of the grand avenue.
Buildings, Structures and Objects
There are gutters that are made do help for the drainage system as well as below grade techniques. The buildings are separated well enough from the road with the help of strips done by median planting. There are also small scale elements which include furniture done for the bus stop and the light fixtures. This makes it more presentable and well organised to all the road users. When considering the vegetation, more often the trees are planted in two rows characterised with taller vegetation at the edge of the road. And to maintain the street circulation efficiency, on-street parking space is well catered for since there is enough and spacious sides that are well demarcated for parking. This makes sure that the traffic is always running. To maintain the beautification of the street, most of the trees are being replaced on special occurrences whereby some may fade off or get destroyed; this creates a continuous flow of the beautification (BaHammam 171). However, there are types of trees that are not good for this as shown in the picture below, such kind of trees are defining.
In the other hand, some of the streets are not that great due to the elements that they lack as discussed below.
The twenty-first street at Bethany Home Road and vineyard road are typical examples of such kind of streets. This type of streetscape depicts a rural setup that does not measure up to the standards of the time. It is an informal landscaping type that is characterised by low development density. It is characterised by narrow roadways usually having the shoulders unpaved and with absence of gutters. As highlighted earlier, this kind of street have very few traffic signals, limited street lighting of which sometimes it is absent in most parts of the road. They also have open drainage ditches and even ornamental features along the driveway. The vegetation thereof are mainly composed of agricultural produce e.g. orchards and pastures.
In order to maintain this kind of street, then narrow widths are needed for the roadway, avoiding installing gutters and curbs. The vegetation should be having mature vegetation as seen from the well-established streets that have taller and mature trees; this will also have to include matching pattern.
A well maintained deep building is necessary. The fencing should also be renovated and open. The lot sizes in the other side should also be made in such a way that they can conform to future expansion. Similarly, land use should be put into check by avoiding high density erection of apartments. Street edge should be maintained by having lower density of buildings closest to these streets. It is recommended to use no ornamental poles and utilities for lighting that are also low in height and are not bright, hence, brighter lighting is necessary.
Conclusion
It is evident that the streets named as great are those that have showed the elements of an organised street in contrary to the less popular streets. This is basically due to the structural arrangement, special and environmental characteristics they have showed. . Maintenance of the streets is important irrespective of the type of streetscape it depicts. This should include proper environmental assessment and cleanliness to be observed. In addition, it is notable to recognise the essence of planting trees along the sidewalk and paths in organised strips. This makes it easier for the streets to be identified and clustered notwithstanding the changes in technology and for future expansion. Quite a good space should be left to cater for such changes they may erupt due to natural causes and for future development.
Work cited
BaHammam, O. S. “Streetscape techniques in a water scarce environment.” WIT Transactions on Ecology and the Environment 171 (2013): 139-149.
Dowling, Richard, et al. “PeRfoRMaNCe MeasuRes.” Urban Street Design Guide 42 (2013): 176.