The development of cities in the last century was built around asphalt and the automobile, with wide avenues and squares. This brought complications such as pollution and congestion, but also made public space inhospitable and uninteresting. The surroundings of Arroios Market, in Lisbon, are undergoing a very important transformation: the area dedicated to cars is being reduced to increase pedestrian space.
For now, a series of rubber bollards mark the new limits for people's enjoyment, while at the same time reducing the curves for cars by forcing them to reduce speeds as well. Everybody wins. It is believed that this (brave) change will bring more movement to the Market and merchants, put people first, and curb abusive 2nd line parking.
According to the City CouncilThe intervention will allow the widening of the sidewalks with the addition of 1174 m2 of pedestrian area, "ensuring safe movement and proper physical distance"increase the shade in the area with the planting of 14 trees and also "redesign the geometry of intersections in order to decrease the speed of automobile circulation and improve market accessibility". New street furniture will be placed and esplanades can be created, enabling new uses of the Market's surroundings.
The automobile is not forgotten, however. A parking reorganization will be made in the surrounding area for the public and for merchants with the creation of 11 parking spaces for loading and unloading, 7 spaces for picking up and setting down passengers/quick stop (20 min) and also 11 normal rotating spaces in Rua José Ricardo. Everyone wins.
