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Sources and Conceptual Planning ---
Puerto Plata Centro Historical&
Its potential for a Pedestrian Zone
Randolph Langenbach, 2007
SAN ANTONIO RIVER WALK
1. One of the most successful urban pedestrian zone developments in the United States.
2. It is claimed to be the most visited urban site in all of Texas.
3. San Antonio is close to Mexico, and has a large Hispanic population (and where the Battle of the Alamo took place.)
http://thesanantonioriverwalk.com/
The History of the Paseo del Rio Association
• The Paseo del Rio Association is a nonprofit organization founded in 1969 to promote and support the San Antonio River Walk, the number one tourist attraction in Texas.
• The Association accomplishes this through the production of special events along the,River Walk throughout the year and through the publication of Rio Magazine, a monthly visitor magazine distributed to 50,000 each month.
• On another level, the Association serves as an advocate, facilitator, and moderator among the business, civic and governmental communities on matters concerning the River Walk.
PASEO DEL RIO ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIP
Giving Back to the Community• The Paseo del Rio Association membership is comprised
of businesses and associations throughout San Antonio
• Our members have a vital interest in promoting, protecting & preserving the San Antonio River walk .
• The Association uses membership dues to produce 16 free events and festivals along the River which draw thousands of locals and tourists to our area and showcase San Antonio as a premier tourist destination.
• The Association also publishes Rio Magazine, a free, monthly publication that reaches over 140,000 people.
• Members of the Paseo del Rio Association enjoy discounted advertising rates in the Rio Magazine.
SAN ANTONIO RIVER WALK- MANAGEMENT
The Paseo del Rio AssociationThe Paseo del Rio Association recognizes the River Walk as a key element of the city's character, its visitor industry and its economy.
The mission; therefore, of the Association is to promote business on the River Walk:
Mission Statement
• The Paseo del Rio Association is a nonprofit organization founded in 1969 to promote and support the San Antonio River Walk, the number one tourist attraction in Texas.
• By producing special events and providing information that attracts visitors and local residents to the San Antonio River Walk.
• By advocating the preservation of the River Walk's character and ambiance, as well as the enhancement of the San Antonio River's environmental integrity.
• By working with public and private entities to establish sound planning and operational policies for the River Walk.
• By providing a forum for businesses, residents, civic and governmental entities to resolve issues concerning the River Walk.
SAN ANTONIO RIVER WALK EVENTSLIST FOR January – August, 2007
BUD LIGHT Mardi Gras River Parade Sunday, February 18, 2007A procession of decorated river barges will transform the San Antonio River Walk into a floating Bourbon Street. Krewes of costumed revelers & live entertainment will celebrate Mardi Gras San Antonio Style!
Guinness Dyeing O' the River Green & St. Patrick's Day Parade March--3/16/2007 - 3/18/2007Floats release 35 pounds of environmentally friendly green dye into the San Antonio River. The event transforms the 2.5 mile river into a miniature Emerald Isle where a proclamation is read, temporarily re-naming the river "The River Shannon". Estimated Attendance: 15,000.
Children's Festival Saturday, April 21, 2007The only KID event during FIESTA week! Festival with live entertainment mascots, face painting, moon bounce, games, and more! Held at Peak's Park (near the Chamber of Commerce) and Rivercenter Mall.
FORD Mariachi FestivalApril -- 4/24/2007 - 4/27/2007Local middle school and high school Mariachi Bands perform on floating barges along the River Walk during FIESTA from 7 pm - 10 pm. Free to the public.
Memorial Day Arts & Crafts ShowMay -- 5/25/2007 - 5/28/2007Free Arts and Crafts Show in River Extension - near Chamber of Commerce! Applications for the Memorial Day Arts & Crafts Show are due by April 23,2007.
July 4th Arts & Crafts ShowJune -- 6/29/2007 - 7/2/2007A perfect setting for unique shopping--the banks of the San Antonio River. Local & regional artists, craftsmen & jewelers offer various gift items for that special someone.
FORD Canoe ChallengeAugust 18, 2007Over 90 canoe teams compete in the FORD Canoe Challenge…local celebrities, city officials, Corporate teams and Boy Scouts & Girl Scouts compete in timed heats. The race begins at the Chamber of Commerce, heads east through and around the Convention Center Lagoon, through the River Center Mall Lagoon and ending back at the Chamber of Commerce.
How to Create a Pedestrian Mallby Michelle Wallar
• http://www.culturechange.org/issue14/pedestrianmall.html
• Merchants on Copenhagen's Stroget-who initially opposed closing the street to vehicles-reported sales increases of 25-40%.
• Bonn, Cologne, Hamburg, and Munich have all reported a visitor increase of 50% following the creation of pedestrian areas.
• It was observed: people in cars do not window shop, people on foot do.
• It should be noted that shops specializing in furniture or large appliances either were not found along these streets or had decreased sales while other shops prospered.
• Pedestrian malls have demonstrated their value to such an extent that many storekeepers stopped opposing pedestrian zones along their storefronts.
• In Minneapolis, retailers were all for the idea of a pedestrian mall. In fact they supported the idea so much that they picked up most construction and maintenance costs.
From: http://www.culturechange.org/issue14/pedestrianmall.html
• In Essen, Germany, merchants found that even on rainy days, pedestrian streets are frequented by leisurely strollers, suggesting that heavy traffic is a greater impediment to walking than bad weather.
From: http://www.culturechange.org/issue14/pedestrianmall.html
• One objective of closing off a street to traffic was to improve traffic flow.
• Evidence from numerous street closures shows that 100% of the traffic does not go to the adjoining streets.
• In Copenhagen only 72% of vehicles formerly on Stroget reappeared on parallel streets. During peak hours the percentage of cars displaced to parallel streets dropped to 38 %.
• Following a street closure in Bonn:
– property value along the street went up, – the number of consumers increased,– retail trade increased.
• While people in cars tend to be cut off from their surroundings, people in pedestrian areas are said to be more considerate.
• In Norwich noticed that people left less food on their plates, claiming that less exhaust fumes led to no more loss of appetite.
• They also enjoyed the quieter atmosphere, and the lessening of dust made it easier to keep things clean.
• Twenty-eight out of thirty businesses along this same street in Norwich did more trade than before-one shopkeeper claiming to have experienced an increase of 20%.
• A poll in Germany found that in sixteen cities, foot streets are used for art exhibitions, concerts, parades, processions, and political campaigns.
• Open markets serve not only as cultural centers, but as political ones as well.
Prepared by Randolph Langenbach, 2007
Conservationtech Consulting
www.conservationtech.com
