Imagine narrow European-style roadways shared by pedestrians, cyclists and
cars, all traveling at low speeds. Sidewalks made of recycled rubber in
different colors under sleek energy-efficient lamps. Mini-islands jutting into
the street, topped by trees and landscaping, designed to further slow traffic
and add a dash of
green.
This is what New York City streets could look like, according to the
Bloomberg administration, which has issued the city’s first street design manual
in an effort to make over the utilitarian 1970s-style streetscape that dominates
the
city.