A Gift to the Street
Though we think of cities as places of buildings, ultimately the people are what make up a great city. No matter how high the quality of its architecture a city is nothing without people and all the varied things they do. Cities are often described as being dead when people and the signs of people are absent - a problem all too common in many parts of Buffalo. Of course people do respond positively to a quality built environment, and it is very often the case that cities that are people-friendly also have great architecture, which in-turn attracts people. There is a delicate and intricate web of interdependence between a city's people and buildings. Part of what makes a high quality urban environment is the ability of the city's buildings to project the ‘life and being’ of its inhabitants, even when they may not be physically present.
This little porch on Bird Avenue activates the street with the life of its owner even when no one is home. A street filled with spaces like this will never feel empty. It could never be described as dead. Even though no one is sitting on this porch the place feels inhabited. It spills life onto the street. Too often today's architectural practice is to separate and isolate. We build in a culture of fear that would make a street-side porch like this a highly unlikely feature in new construction. That is too bad because often the resulting environment is cold, dead and less safe. Everyone loses when fear is the main design criteria.
What Others Have To Say
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Dave
It’s not fear that keeps me from building a front porch. After a long day of dealing with people, I would rather face a back yard looking at a garden then more people, traffic and other houses. I think that is the design criteria today. But that sure is a cute porch and porches like that do make the city look alive and friendly.
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lanap
Front porches, porticos, stoops and more are what can make a street safe and secure. Visibility of residents shows they are out there, approachable, and ready to defend their street's sanctity. These front "welcomes" also provide a venue for residents and passers-by to learn more about a neighborhood and those who live there. Cheers to the front porch! This one is gorgeous!
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davvid
great. Another post about porches.
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STEEL
Actually it is a post about what makes streets great. I am glad you approve however.
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sugarm0mma
On my block everyone is out on the porch when ever the weather is nice. It's really great to walk down the street and be able to find out what's been going on around the neighborhood. I feel much safer going out of town knowing that my neighbors are keeping an eye on things. I remember getting a call from my very sweet next door neighbor to tell me that someone was going through my garbage cans and taking discarded mail, she chased him off. It's nice to know what's happening even when you're out.
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VictrolaMan
The neverending annoyance of trashy "neighbors" on porches is not something to wish for. My front porch needed rebuilding or demolition, and I chose demo. I join Dave in the more relaxed habit of sitting in the back yard, with the flowers and trees & away from the gossip and blather of the worst jerks on the block, who seem to be the only occupants of front porches.
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suzette
Come on, not all of us who enjoy our porches are jerks. Shame on you for making such sweeping generalizations of your neighbors.
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stargazer
Welll said................
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