Presentation by Janne Corneil of the US Audi Urban Future Team and Anne Tate, RISD Professor of Urban Design and Somerville Resident.

1. LANDSCAPE OF COMMUNITY,
MOBILITY HUBS &
NEIGHBORHOOD CONNECTIONS
union square, somerville
THE CENTER FOR THE ARTS
THE ARMORY
SPONSORED BY:
MOBILITY REVOLUTION
after the
saturday, september 13
10am - 2pm
PRESENTED BY:
NEW
Information on speakers, workshops, and registration is available at: http://bit.ly/1tivm2Q
rethinking
the
future
of our american city
What will happen
when cars no longer
dictate the shape of our
cities?
In a community like Somerville,
with more than one third of today’s
land dedicated to roads and parking,
and with less open space than any city in
the Northeast, how will a mobility revolution --
reduced car ownership, automated vehicles, and shifting
global economics -- impact development, community, and
prosperity? Can it bring more jobs, more housing, more public
space, more accommodations for pedestrians and bicyclists -- and a
reduction in carbon emissions?
Join CNU New England and the US Audi Urban Future Team for expert-led
discussion and participatory design workshops that will explore possibilities for
Union Square, Somerville -- a laboratory for the future our American city.
union square, somerville
THE CENTER FOR THE ARTS
THE ARMORY
191 HIGHLAND AVE
SOMERVILLE MA
SPONSORED BY:
MOBILITY REVOLUTION
after the
saturday, september 13
10am - 2pm
PRESENTED BY:
CNUNEW
ENGLAND
Information on speakers, workshops, and registration is available at: http://bit.ly/1tivm2Q
rethinking
the
future
of our american city
What will happen
when cars no longer
dictate the shape of our
cities?
In a community like Somerville,
with more than one third of today’s
land dedicated to roads and parking,
and with less open space than any city in
the Northeast, how will a mobility revolution --
reduced car ownership, automated vehicles, and shifting
global economics -- impact development, community, and
prosperity? Can it bring more jobs, more housing, more public
space, more accommodations for pedestrians and bicyclists -- and a
reduction in carbon emissions?
Join CNU New England and the US Audi Urban Future Team for expert-led
discussion and participatory design workshops that will explore possibilities for
Union Square, Somerville -- a laboratory for the future our American city.

2. Markets, skating rinks, and play areas 2

3. streets for people 3

4. shared streets 4

5. engaged community 5

6. temporary installations 6

7. pop ups 7

8. mobility hubs 8

9. somerville
union
square
assembly
row
davis
square
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innerbelt
brick
bottom
somerville’s creative crescent
boston
cambridge
9

10. landscape of community in somerville
somerville
union
square
assembly
row
davis
square
bostoncambridge
10

11. arterials dissect the neighborhoods
somerville
union
square
assembly
row
davis
square
innerbelt
brick
bottom
boston
cambridge
11

12. car dominated, limited public space
union
square
12

13. today the public realm is dominated by cars
25% FOR PEOPLE & BIKES
union
square
13

14. in a 4M future - more space for people
55% FOR PEOPLE & BIKES
union
square
14

15. union
square
30% more space for people in a 4M future
TODAY:
75% CARS
25% PEOPLE
union
square
4M FUTURE:
45% CARS
55% PEOPLE
15

18. 18
Caitlyn
streets – before & after
NEIGHBORHOOD STREET MAIN STREET

19. proposal for new green line station
WHAT MORE CAN IT BE?
19

20. 4M hub – digital interface/meeting place
MORE THAN A BUS SHELTER
20

21. 4M hub-wait-meet-share
MORE THAN A BUS SHELTER
21

22. 4M HUB – a place for meeting

23. more space for people
4M urban design ideas include:
• 4M HUB as more than a transit
shelter - a meeting place
connecting people and community
• More space for the square to
accommodate community life and
events
• Streets and crosswalks that
balance the needs of pedestrians,
bikes, and cars
• More sidewalks, pocket parks &
pedestrian alleyways for people to
enjoy
WHAT DOES 4M MEAN FOR THE URBAN EXPERIENCE?
23

24. workshop questions 24
Group Discussion (30 minutes)
 What are the physical and organizational characteristics of a multi-modal mobility hub? Where
might the various components be located?
 How should the new Green Line station be connected to other modes of mobility in Union
Square?
 What kinds of activity will a multi-modal hub most encourage?
 How can the neighborhoods around Union Square better connect to the multi-modal hub as
mobility patterns change dramatically? (less car ownership, piloted parking, so less on-street
parking, more efficient traffic patterns)
 How do the streets change with changes on mobility patterns? Beyond protected bike lanes,
dedicated bus lanes in Union Square, how can streets become more part of the public space?
 What kinds of new services will better connect people in the Union Square neighborhood?
(transport, digital, community spaces)
 How can an increase in public space made possible by the mobility revolution best be used to
strengthen the community?