Dispatch from Brussels: Urban Design Notes From 2018
Planner/urban designer notes from traveling through a small piece of Brussels
I’ve been digging through photos from past travels, and I thought I would it be a good idea to share photos that can provide insight to what I was thinking when I took these photos. It doesn’t matter if you are a planner, designer, or someone who likes a good photo; I think you’ll find the following notes and photos interesting. These notes are based on my travels through Brussels, but these notes could really be applied to most urban environments. I’ll keep my remarks short because I want you to jump into the main course!
1. Yes - look for walkable streets - but also textured streets
It’s annoying for tourists with rolling suitcases but it’s a small price to pay for all the sites to see along the way
2. Find yourself a local watering hole surrounded by good eats, shade, public art, and good company
Do you prefer indoor or outdoor?
3. The best public spaces are surrounded by interesting buildings
Instead of interesting public spaces surrounded by boring buildings (or worse yet… parking garages)
4. Don’t forget about the upper levels of commercial buildings
Important to build a base of locals and customers for all of those ground floor businesses
5. Wayfinding is way more than signage
Sometimes the best signage is no signage but a few light fixtures instead
6. Speaking of lights… leave the lights on
And you’ll find spaces and places that feel safe, intriguing, and photogenic.
