A Major Planning Blunder: Skywalks

Skywalks, popular in the 1960s as urban renewal projects, represent the worst planning decisions made by some cities.

1 minute read

August 8, 2005, 9:00 AM PDT

"Like many failed ideas, the skywalks in Cincinnati were built with the best intentions. They were dreamed up in a fit of 1960s urban renewal, a development guru's idea for making downtown Cincinnati easier to navigate and enjoy... Two dozen cities across the country pursued similar plans over the last 30 years, building skywalks and underground retail catacombs to keep businesses and stores from fleeing to shopping malls.

... Yet, many cities are gripped with builders' remorse. They say the skyways and tunnels have choked off pedestrian traffic, hurt street-level retailers and limited development in the city core."

Thanks to Chris Steins

FULL STORY: Decades old, skywalk idea doesn't seem to fly anymore

Saturday, August 6, 2005 in The Salt Lake Tribune

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