Download Great Streets Allan B Jacobs Pdf Free and Learn How to Design Urban Spaces

Great Streets Allan B Jacobs Pdf Free

If you are interested in urban planning and design, you may have heard of Great Streets, a book by Allan B Jacobs that compares hundreds of streets around the world to determine the design and other elements that make some of them great. The book was published in 1993 by MIT Press and has been widely praised by critics and practitioners alike for its insightful analysis and practical recommendations. But did you know that you can download Great Streets Allan B Jacobs Pdf Free from online sources? In this article, we will tell you more about this book and its author, why you should download it for free, how to do it, and what to do after downloading it.

Great Streets Allan B Jacobs Pdf Free

What are Great Streets?

According to Jacobs, streets are more than public utilities or traffic conduits. They are also places that shape the form and comfort of urban communities. They provide light and shade, focus attention and activities, create identity and character, enhance social interaction and economic vitality, and contribute to the beauty and livability of cities. Therefore, streets deserve more attention and care from planners and designers who want to improve the quality of urban life.

But what makes a street great? Jacobs defines a great street as one that is "comfortable to walk along or stand or sit within; that is safe; that has enough people on it so that one does not feel alone; that provides interest; that relates well to bordering uses; that responds to differing climate conditions; that changes with time of day or day of week or season; that encourages use." He also identifies some qualities that contribute to making a street great, such as identity and imageability, enclosure or definition by buildings or other elements, transparency or visual access to bordering uses, complexity or diversity of forms and functions, coherence or unity of design elements, human scale or proportionality to human dimensions, linkage or connection to other places or spaces.

Examples of Great Streets around the World

In his book, Jacobs studies and compares hundreds of streets from different countries and cultures, using plans, cross sections, maps, photographs, and sketches to illustrate their features and characteristics. He also provides a set of one-square-mile maps of the street plans of 50 cities around the world, showing the variety and diversity of urban patterns and forms. Some of the great streets that he examines in detail are:

• Via dei Giubbonari in Rome, Italy: a narrow medieval street that connects two major squares, Campo de' Fiori and Largo Argentina, and offers a rich mix of shops, cafes, restaurants, and residences along its edges. The street has a lively and intimate atmosphere, enhanced by the presence of trees, awnings, balconies, and arcades.

• Paseo de Gracia in Barcelona, Spain: a wide and elegant boulevard that runs through the heart of the city and showcases some of the most impressive examples of modernist architecture, such as Casa Batllo and Casa Mila by Antoni Gaudi. The street has a grand and sophisticated character, complemented by the use of paving patterns, street furniture, lighting, and landscaping.

• Monument Avenue in Richmond, Virginia, USA: a residential boulevard that features a series of monuments honoring prominent figures from the American Civil War, such as Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson. The street has a dignified and historic character, reinforced by the consistency and harmony of the buildings and the trees that line both sides.

• The Ramblas in Barcelona, Spain: a pedestrianized street that stretches from Placa de Catalunya to the waterfront and attracts millions of visitors every year with its vibrant and diverse offerings of shops, stalls, performers, artists, cafes, bars, and restaurants. The street has a dynamic and festive character, supported by the variety and flexibility of the spaces and the activities that take place along it.

How to Make Great Streets

Based on his research and analysis, Jacobs provides some recommendations and guidelines for creating great streets in different contexts and situations. He emphasizes that there is no single formula or recipe for making a great street, but rather a set of principles and considerations that can help planners and designers achieve their goals. Some of his suggestions are:

• Requirements: Jacobs identifies four basic requirements for making a great street: (1) places for people to walk with some leisure; (2) physical comfort; (3) definition; (4) qualities that engage the eyes.

• Qualities: Jacobs lists nine qualities that contribute to making a great street: (1) identity and imageability; (2) enclosure or definition by buildings or other elements; (3) transparency or visual access to bordering uses; (4) complexity or diversity of forms and functions; (5) coherence or unity of design elements; (6) human scale or proportionality to human dimensions; (7) linkage or connection to other places or spaces; (8) maintenance or care for cleanliness and order; (9) quality construction or use of durable materials.

• Dimensions: Jacobs suggests some general ranges for the dimensions of streets and their components, such as width, height, length, depth, angle, etc. He also cautions against using fixed standards or rules that may not suit different situations or contexts.

• Elements: Jacobs discusses some of the elements that can be used to enhance the design and function of streets, such as buildings, trees, sidewalks, curbs, crosswalks, parking lanes, bike lanes, transit lanes, medians, plazas, fountains, sculptures, signs, lights, benches, trash cans, etc. He also advises on how to select and arrange these elements to create balance and harmony.

curves, etc. He also examines how these patterns affect the character and performance of streets and their surroundings.

Why Download Great Streets Allan B Jacobs Pdf Free?

Now that you have learned more about this book and its topic, you may be wondering why you should download Great Streets Allan B Jacobs Pdf Free from online sources. Here are some of the benefits and advantages of doing so:

• Convenience: You can download the book anytime and anywhere, as long as you have an internet connection and a device that can read PDF files. You don't have to go to a bookstore or a library to find a copy of the book. You can also save the file on your device or cloud storage for future reference.

• Accessibility: You can access the book from different platforms and devices, such as computers, tablets, smartphones, e-readers, etc. You can also zoom in or out, adjust the brightness, change the font size, or use other features to enhance your reading experience. You can also search for keywords or phrases within the book or use bookmarks or annotations to mark important sections.

• Affordability: You can download the book for free, without paying any fees or charges. You don't have to spend money on buying a physical copy of the book or renting it from a library. You can also save money on transportation costs or other expenses associated with getting a copy of the book.

• Learning opportunities: You can learn more about urban planning and design by reading this book, which is considered one of the best and most comprehensive works on the subject. You can also gain insights and inspiration from Jacobs' analysis and recommendations, which are based on his extensive research and experience. You can also apply his principles and guidelines to your own projects or situations, or compare them with other sources or perspectives.

How to Download Great Streets Allan B Jacobs Pdf Free?

If you are convinced that downloading Great Streets Allan B Jacobs Pdf Free is a good idea, you may be wondering how to do it. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to find and download the book for free from reliable websites:

• Go to your preferred search engine (such as Google or Bing) and type in "Great Streets Allan B Jacobs Pdf Free" as your query. You will see a list of results that match your query.

• Look for websites that offer free downloads of PDF files, such as archive.org, escholarship.org, or accessmagazine.org. These are some of the websites that have uploaded the book for free and allow anyone to download it without any restrictions. Avoid websites that ask you to register, sign up, log in, pay, or provide personal information before downloading the book. These may be scams or malware that could harm your device or compromise your privacy.

• Select one of the websites that offer free downloads of PDF files and click on it. You will be directed to the website's page that contains the book's information and download link.

• Check the book's information and make sure it is the correct one. Look for details such as title, author, publisher, date, edition, pages, etc. You can also preview some pages of the book or read some reviews or comments from other users.

• Click on the download link and choose where you want to save the file on your device or cloud storage. The file will start downloading automatically and may take a few minutes depending on your internet speed and file size.

• Open the file once it is downloaded and enjoy reading it!

What to Do After Downloading Great Streets Allan B Jacobs Pdf Free?

After downloading Great Streets Allan B Jacobs Pdf Free, you may be wondering what to do next. Here are some suggestions of some actions and activities that you can do after downloading the book:

• Read it: Of course, the most obvious thing to do after downloading the book is to read it! You can read it at your own pace and convenience, skipping or revisiting sections as you wish. You can also take notes or highlight important points as you read.

• Apply it: If you are working on a project or situation that involves urban planning or design, you can apply the principles and guidelines that Jacobs provides in his book. You can use his examples and comparisons as references or inspiration, or adapt them to your own context and needs. You can also evaluate your own streets or those of your city or neighborhood, using his criteria and methods.

• Share it: If you find the book useful or interesting, you can share it with others who may benefit from it or enjoy it. You can send the file to your friends, family, colleagues, or classmates, or post it on your social media accounts or blogs. You can also recommend the book to others who are interested in urban planning or design, or join online forums or groups that discuss the topic.

• Give feedback: If you have any comments or suggestions about the book or its topic, you can give feedback to the author or the website that uploaded the book. You can write a review or a rating, or send an email or a message. You can also express your appreciation or gratitude for their work and contribution.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Great Streets Allan B Jacobs Pdf Free is a book that compares hundreds of streets around the world to determine the design and other elements that make some of them great. The book was written by Allan B Jacobs, a renowned urban planner and designer who has studied and taught the subject for decades. The book is relevant and useful for anyone who is interested in urban planning and design, as it provides insightful analysis and practical recommendations for creating great streets in different contexts and situations. The book is also available for free download from online sources, such as archive.org, escholarship.org, and accessmagazine.org. Downloading the book for free has many benefits and advantages, such as convenience, accessibility, affordability, and learning opportunities. After downloading the book, readers can do various actions and activities, such as reading it, applying it, sharing it, and giving feedback.

If you want to learn more about great streets and how to make them, don't hesitate to download Great Streets Allan B Jacobs Pdf Free today and enjoy reading this amazing book!

FAQs

Here are some frequently asked questions and answers about the book and its topic:

• Who is Allan B Jacobs? Allan B Jacobs is a professor emeritus of city and regional planning at the University of California, Berkeley. He has been involved in urban planning and design for over 50 years, working as a planner, consultant, teacher, researcher, and author. He has written several books on the subject, such as The Boulevard Book (2002), The Good City (2011), and The Death and Life of Great American Cities (2016).

• What is the difference between a street and a road? A street is a public way that serves primarily urban areas and provides access to buildings and other uses along its edges. A road is a public way that serves primarily rural areas and provides transportation between places. Streets tend to be narrower, shorter, slower, more complex, more diverse, more social, and more aesthetic than roads.

• What are some challenges and opportunities for making great streets in the 21st century? Some of the challenges for making great streets in the 21st century are: increasing population growth and urbanization; rising environmental concerns and climate change; changing mobility patterns and modes; competing demands and interests; limited resources and funding; lack of vision and leadership; outdated regulations and standards; etc. Some of the opportunities for making great streets in the 21st century are: advancing technology and innovation; increasing public awareness and participation; expanding knowledge and research; improving collaboration and coordination; enhancing diversity and inclusion; fostering creativity and experimentation; etc.

• What are some examples of great streets in your city or neighborhood? This question may have different answers depending on where you live or visit. Some possible examples of great streets in your city or neighborhood are: Main Street, Broadway, Fifth Avenue, Market Street, etc. You can use Jacobs' criteria and methods to evaluate these streets or others that you know or encounter.

• Where can I find more information or resources about great streets? If you want to find more information or resources about great streets, you can check out some of these sources: Great Streets website (http://greatstreets.org/); Project for Public Spaces website (https://www.pps.org/); Institute for Transportation & Development Policy website (https://www.itdp.org/); Walkable & Livable Communities Institute website (http://www.walklive.org/); etc.

71b2f0854b