Specialization 2: Urban Design Studio

AR 591B - ARCH51S1

Assignment No. 2

Submitted by:

De Claro, Ericka C.

Galang, Jayson L.

August 2023
1. Identify a community or a street in your neighborhood in which people feel safe walking at any
time of the day or night. List down or mention the (physical and social) characteristics of that street
that you think make people think that they are “safe” even in the middle of the night.

Kapitan Moy Street, Marikina, Metro Manila

Kapitan Moy Street is known as the safest street in Marikina where people can walk at ease
without worrying about their safety throughout the day. The first thing that piques your interest when
you first go to Kapitan Moy Street is the placed benches and public seating areas that could be
integrated along raised sidewalks, these spaces would invite people to rest, enjoy the
surroundings, and interact with fellow pedestrians by encouraging a lot of people to use the
amenities having more people in Kapitan Moy Street can mitigate the committing of a crime. Kapitan
Moy Street has a lot of speed humps for cars to reduce the speed of cars to avoid car accidents,
additionally, the illegal dropping of commuters is prohibited around Marikina City to help them to
achieve more organized drop-off points and avoid sudden car bumps accidents or a sudden hit by
a car.
Kapitan Moy Street is also known for having public green spaces that are accessible to
everyone where children play, families stroll, and seniors socialize contributing to increased
surveillance while enjoying the surroundings, making Kapitan Moy Street feel secure. Aside from
people, having the combination of buildings oriented toward the street, windows that allow
visibility, and active entrances contributes to a safer and more secure environment on Kapitan Moy
Street even during nighttime. Marikina is known as a city that promotes a bicycle lane in the street
which is a good choice to prevent a cyclist from going on the sidewalk instead of the bicycle lane.

2. Enumerate the characteristics of sidewalks that Jane Jacobs identified as a factor that makes a
certain sidewalk “safe”.

According to Jane Jacobs the factors that make a certain sidewalk “safe” are there should be
more eyes on the street that provide surveillance throughout the day and sidewalks should be
accessible for mixed ages no matter whether it is considered a child or elderly it should be open
for everyone. Jane Jacobs identified that a constant flow of people also contributes to the safety of
people especially children who love to play during the night time, Aside from that providing an
interaction space on a certain street for people to have a purpose to stay much longer in a certain
street and not to get bored, but to achieve the basic needs of surveillance is necessary to have
existing stores, restaurants, and other enterprises that are mostly used especially at night time.
3. Use a Venn diagram to compare and contrast the characteristics of your “safe”
community/sidewalk with Jane Jacobs.

4. What are the characteristics you identified in your community/street that were not identified in
Jane Jacob’s essay? How do you think do these characteristics contribute to the feeling of safety in
a specific area?

Despite the fact that Jane Jacobs “The Uses of Sidewalk: Safety” covers a wide spectrum of
urban design aspects, there are still several attributes that were not mentioned and given importance
such as the utilization of traffic calming measures. In Kapitan Moy Street, speed humps and raised
sidewalks were integrated into the streets to reduce vehicle speed while increasing pedestrian
safety in the community. With this, there will be a separation of the road for people and automobiles,
In addition, people walking in the streets would have a sense of assurance and surety that cars will
not exceed the speed limit because of the provided traffic control humps as much as cars will not
use the designated sidewalks as an extension for their roads. Another characteristic that was not
identified by Jane Jacobs is the incorporation of bicycle lanes in the streets. Proper infrastructure
for bicycles allows the organization and flow of the street. Employing this, cyclists will not need to
use sidewalks as their roads which concurrently mitigate risks and danger for the community.
The integration of public green spaces in urban design was also not mentioned in the
essay but is evident in Kapitan Moy Street. Jane Jacobs was very particular about her “eye on the
street” principle which allows ‘free security measures’ in communities. Public parks and areas would
have been a great addition to her essay as it allows people to gather in one place enabling fewer
crimes and criminals. In accordance with public green spaces, adding art and cultural elements
would also enable a number of people or eyes to accumulate in a single place which means these
eyes could act as surveillance in the area. The proper placement of drop-off points is also vital in
Kapitan Moy Street to achieve a safe community as it provides an ensured space for people while
they wait for public transportation. Lastly, Jane Jacobs was not able to incorporate adaptive reuse
into her essay. Adaptive reuse is the process of repurposing and revitalizing existing buildings. With
this, unused spaces in the community, which can potentially become a hideout or some sort of area
for criminals, will be transformed into lively spaces or structures for people.

5. As a future architect/planner, how did this analysis of sidewalk safety affect your approach to
planning?

The analysis of Kapitan Moy Street has profoundly influenced our approach to urban
planning, leading us to broaden our perspective beyond Jane Jacobs' insights and consider
additional factors that contribute to creating safe and vibrant communities. As aspiring architects and
planners, we recognize that safety isn't solely dependent on the presence of "eyes on the street."
Instead, our assessment has prompted us to delve into elements such as traffic management,
cycling infrastructure, public spaces, and adaptive reuse, each of which plays a pivotal role in
shaping our planning strategies. By examining the impact of traffic calming measures like speed
humps and raised sidewalks, we have come to appreciate the importance of designing physical
environments that inherently prioritize pedestrian safety. These features not only reduce vehicle
speeds but also establish distinct boundaries between pedestrians and vehicles, fostering a safer
atmosphere. Similarly, our focus on designated bicycle lanes reflects a commitment to harmonious
mobility. We understand that a well-planned infrastructure that accommodates cyclists separately
from pedestrians enhances overall traffic flow and safety. Moreover, our emphasis on public green
spaces, art installations, and adaptive reuse stems from a recognition that safety is intertwined with
community engagement and design innovation. These elements create places of congregation,
encouraging continuous surveillance through the presence of people and shared activities. The
concept of adaptive reuse, in particular, demonstrates our dedication to transforming underutilized
spaces into dynamic hubs that deter criminal activities. This holistic approach has enriched our
understanding of urban planning, pushing us to integrate diverse elements that contribute to safety
and foster a strong sense of community ownership.
In conclusion, our analysis of Kapitan Moy Street has significantly impacted our approach to
urban planning by urging us to expand our horizons beyond the conventional understanding of
safety. As future architects and planners, we are committed to designing environments that not only
align with Jacobs' ideas but also incorporate additional dimensions to enhance safety, mobility,
engagement, and revitalization. By doing so, we aspire to create communities that radiate security,
inclusivity, and a thriving communal spirit.