INDIANAPOLIS — The Community Heights Neighborhood Organization did a tactical urbanism installation along 10th Street on the city’s east side July 15-16, according to the Department of Public Works. Tactical urbanism is a way for the City and residents to work together to test temporary solutions that could lead to informed, permanent infrastructure fixes to problems residents see within their neighborhoods. Community Heights residents had noticed that people were driving too fast down East 10th St. between Arlington and Ritter, using the middle turn lane to pass vehicles doing the speed limit. Concerned that pedestrians and cyclists would be injured, they reached out to the department to see what could be done.
Tactical urbanism projects are carried out by neighborhood/community groups, businesses, grassroots organizations and other private sponsors. Tactical urbanism projects are temporary in nature, ranging from a few weeks to a few months. Some of the purposes of tactical urbanism are to improve public awareness of good urban design, street safety, and functionality, and to improve conditions for pedestrians, bicyclists, and those in wheelchairs.
One of the primary purposes of tactical urbanism is to encourage creativity and try new ideas. Community Heights residents painted temporary barriers and placed them to protect the cycle lanes and to impede drivers from using the turning lane as a passing lane.
Read the city’s tactical urbanism police online at https://bit.ly/44v9UyC) and e-mail ReimagineROW@indy.gov if your neighborhood is interested in a project to help the community.
