%0 PDF %T Pedestrian Plazas: A Case Study of Best Practices in Three US Cities %A Gohringer, Elizabeth. %D 2017-10-02T09:12:30.532-04:00 %8 2017-10-02 %R http://localhost/files/qn59qg298 %X Abstract: Pedestrian plaza programs, which convert excess roadway into pedestrian-priority spaces, have emerged in several large cities in the US in recent years. Cities are experimenting with different ways to activate public spaces, while working towards public health, active transportation, and economic goals. Public plazas are a result of these motivations. Relatively little has been written in the academic literature about the recent growth of pedestrian plazas in urban centers. This paper explores the implementation, data collection techniques, and evaluation of pedestrian plazas in the United States using three case study plaza programs in Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco. Individuals from the city planning departments and community partner organizations were interviewed to better understand how these cities structure their pedestrian plaza programs, maintain the plazas, and gather and analyze data from the plazas. Twelve key themes emerged from the research, and recommendations and best practices are discussed to support other cities that may be considering creating their own pedestrian plaza programs.; Thesis (M.A.)--Tufts University, 2017.; Submitted to the Dept. of Urban and Environmental Policy and Planning.; Advisors: Mary Davis, and Mark Chase.; Keyword: Urban planning. %[ 2022-10-13 %9 Text %~ Tufts Digital Library %W Institution