Pedestrian malls are car-free shopping areas for pedestrians found in many cities worldwide. They may include overpasses and are often located near tourist attractions. Successful malls feature boutique stores and outdoor dining, while big-box stores do not perform as well.
A pedestrian mall is an inner-city shopping area that is blocked from vehicular traffic, but open to pedestrian traffic. Most pedestrian malls are two to four blocks long. A pedestrian overpass may or may not be included in an area designated as a pedestrian and pedestrian precinct. Pedestrian malls are found in many cities around the world.
In Germany, a pedestrian mall is called a fussgangerzone. Frankfurt, Germany is home to one of the most famous German pedestrian malls. It is located in a street called The Zeil and clothing shops, fruit stalls, bakeries and restaurants can be found in this pedestrian area. In Shanghai, China, the Nanjing Road Pedestrian Mall is a major tourist attraction. The mall includes hotels, theatres, sculptures and a tourist train for tourists. The shops in Nanjing Road Mall are a mix of old and new, Chinese and Western. Fast food chain restaurants merge with silk shops.
The first American city to have a pedestrian mall was Kalamazoo, Michigan. This has led to Kalamazoo receiving the nickname “The Mall City”. When Michigan’s Car-Free Business Zone was first created in 1959, it was four blocks and remained that way until 1999, when it was reduced to two blocks to allow more traffic into the area. The Downtown Mall in Charlottesville, Virginia features tree-lined sections and a red brick pedestrian walkway. The Charlottesville Pedestrian Mall is a blend of historic buildings, unique boutiques, theaters and open-air restaurants.
Typically, pedestrian malls are reduced in size over the years to allow for more traffic into the city centre. Pedestrian safety in terms of vehicular traffic growth is a major concern of urban planning committees. A pedestrian mall may be temporarily closed during construction in the city centre. Many successful pedestrian malls are located near tourist attractions and offices. Malls with bars and clubs tend to attract a strong nightlife scene.
Successful tips for creating a pedestrian mall include choosing a location near subways, bus stops, and car parks. Stores that sell big-box items like refrigerators and dining sets usually don’t do as well in pedestrian malls. Stores such as clothing and art boutiques are popular pedestrian mall destinations, as are outdoor cafes and restaurants.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
