Discussions by Christopher Leinberger and others frequently reference “walkable urbanism,” premised upon increasingly compact, dense neighborhoods.
Ironically, on Seattle’s Capitol Hill, one of the city’s best examples of such neighborhood form, the evening depictions below show the historic, auto-based Dick’s Drive-In as a pedestrian center. Nearby, a classic parking area stands in front of a wok venue.
As the everyday urbanism of neighborhoods such as Capitol Hill evolve, chances are that “wok-able” and “walkable” will more completely align.
This article appeared in slightly different form in Crosscut, here.
This demonstrates that, in selecting historic influences for their dining establishments, many Capitol Hill pedestrians are drawn to Ancient Grease.
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I have harbored a secret scheme to turn that building (now a teriyaki stand) and parking lot into an urban beer garden, for a couple decades now. It’s always seemed like such a lame, unimaginative use of an amazing location.
(And Seattle’s lack of ourdoor dining/ drinking/ socializing spaces has always baffled me. People blame the weather, but I’ve spent time in cities with weather every bit as bad (if not worse) than Seattle’s — London, Berlin, Stockholm, heck even Stavanger Norway [a place I would classify as almost uninhabitably rainy and cold] — that have many thriving beer gardens, outdoor cafes, streetside tables, rooftop restaurants, etc.)
Alex, indeed–more incentives needed, and maybe just cultural evolution. Did you see the article in the Times today? Interesting comment string.
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2012378486_sidewalk17m.html
Thanks!