Patterns of Use in Main Street Activity: A Case Study of Downtown Chapel Hill

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Krizek, Kevin
- Affiliation: College of Arts and Sciences, Department of City and Regional Planning

Abstract

With increasing growth in suburban fringes, many downtown areas are faced with challenges to maintain their vitality. A thriving business district, a center focus for the community, and the opportunity to walk from shop to shop are common features that help maintain such vitality. While many of these features are dependent upon larger and more complex factors such as economic conditions, coordinated planning efforts, and striking the correct mix of retail, other aspects, including the physical surroundings, how people use downtown public space, and the safety of pedestrian access, are often overlooked. Unsuccessful public spaces in many cities may be a result of this lack of concern with the quality of human use and activity. To address this problem, researchers have examined how pedestrians use urban (and small town) public spaces to improve the quality of those spaces for the pedestrian. This paper continues that research by using Chapel Hill, North Carolina as a case study to examine the relationships between patterns of use, the downtown physical environment, and the time of day. I conclude that increased awareness of commonly overlooked items could lead to important improvements in the total pedestrian environment, thereby leading to increased downtown livability and vitality.

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