Streetfilms: “Lounging on High” in Wodonga, Australia
David Engwicht is a livable streets philosopher and author. Creator of the Walking School Bus, Mental Speed Bumps and many other innovative ways of taming traffic and increasing pedestrian safety, he has taken on “the challenge of a lifetime” to revitalize the downtown district of Wodonga, a small city in Australia often referred to as “Struggle Town” in comparison to its sister city Albury just across the Murray River.
Watch the video to see great placemaking in action. Engwicht has initiated the successful Lounging on High Friday night series. The diverse programming features giant versions of board games and an eclectic range of seating options, the goal being to encourage residents to take back their streets and re-imagine what is possible. To create a more human pace, on these Friday nights Wodonga closes one street and removes two lanes of car travel on another to encourage relaxation and fun.
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That's brilliant! While some might find the idea of sitting with your back a few feet from moving traffic a bit scary, it also reflects that European concept of eliminating all traffic controls resulting in far more careful drivers. If you feel like you're driving through a living room, you may be more careful. If we could get the open beer bottles legal here in North America, we'd have a winner.
Comment by Don — March 26, 2008 @ 3:55 pm | Link
Great film again, Clarence! I've actually been to Wodonga and Albury before so I was amazed to see a video about it on your website. Of all the places I visited in Australia, these two probably reminded me most of a small Midwestern city. Glad to see that a place like this can be turned into such a wonderful event. Engwicht is amazing!
Don, it's not as bad as you might thing sitting out next to vehicular traffic... depending on what street you pick of course.
Comment by Eric Fredericks — May 1, 2008 @ 12:58 pm | Link