Parallel Park for VIVA Vancouver
As an experiment in urban placemaking, the city of Vancouver, Canada have been transforming street spaces into people places in various areas around the city. The VIVA Vancouver program seeks to demonstrate new, interesting and fun uses for public space. This week, Parallel Park, a deck-like seating structure that extends the use of the sidewalk and takes up two parking spots, was completed on a street in east Vancouver next to a JJBean coffee shop.
.
Images by BRITEWEB and VIVA Vancouver
.
shane on 07 Sep 2011 at 7:49 am #
what a great idea. Are these portable? If they were it be a fantastic solution to the lack of patios where winters deter businesses from including patios in their designs
pthomas on 07 Sep 2011 at 11:00 am #
There is nothing more relaxing then sitting out in the middle of the street drinking coffee, updating your facebook status, with cars looking for a parking space accelerating inches behind you with nothing more than a 1 x 2 pine batten separating you from the ER.
derobeds on 07 Sep 2011 at 5:37 pm #
Excellent! Though they should go a step further and complete the making of the bench backs into bike racks.
The healthier the life people lead, the happier they’ll be, and the more generous to each other.
We hope.
Cathy on 08 Sep 2011 at 1:41 pm #
Must agree @pthomas. Location and especially how transportation departments implement these curb extensions is key. San Francisco spent a bundle on curb extensions no-one uses in Union Square. http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=237295219634282&set=a.237293606301110.62550.185101894853615&type=1&theater
tmart on 09 Sep 2011 at 9:02 am #
The Parallel Park is portable and can be relocated to any street. It could be designed to any shape or size. This particular project is based on modules built in 4′ increments for efficient use of materials and easy handling. It can sit on the sidewalk or street, and be placed in a storage box during the winter months if necessary. If you have any specific questions or would like to inquire about having one built email: theparallelpark (at) gmail.com
mchammer on 11 Sep 2011 at 5:44 pm #
No one would feel safe looking away from the street with cars coming by so close. Reorient the seating; otherwise a good idea. Hope they didn’t cost more than $5k each.
Robert on 14 Sep 2011 at 3:37 pm #
It actually took up more than 2 spots. It sat across 2 spots and the support structure completely covered the only dedicated motorcycle/scooter parking in the neighborhood. Just for the sake of accuracy.