Part 7/10:
As Barkha, a representative from Street Plans, explains, the pandemic created a perfect storm for rapid city adaptation. Streets formerly dominated by cars were transformed into vibrant outdoor dining areas and community gathering spaces. These initiatives not only responded to immediate health needs but also stimulated joy and social connection at a difficult time.
The urgency to adapt urban spaces quickly led many cities to embrace this approach, with some noting a newfound momentum. “Seeing streets closed for families to gather,” Mike Lydon remarks, “brought a level of joy and normalcy back when we needed each other most.”