That poster
Regular readers of this blog will know that versions of this poster have been on here made in various cities. I have been looking for what I think may be original. The version above was used in Milan in 1970. But the one I recall is shown below. Both are from the newly refurbished London Transport Museum in what was the former flower market (where Eliza Dolittle worked) in Covent Garden. Just to make this even more appropriate for this blog, Covent Garden was going to be the subject of comprehensive redevelopment, once the fruit and veg moved out to Nine Elms. Road widening was a huge part of that “to relieve traffic congestion”. Fortunately wiser heads prevailed, but by that time the GLC had already bought up lots of the property. So it became the landlord of what has since become one of the most successful urban regeneration schemes of recent years. It was inspired by similar the redevelopment of Fanieul Hall in Boston, Mass by the Rouse Corporation.
And here is the poster I remember – by an unknown artist, 1965
[...] tend to think in terms of moving capacity – and of course transit can move many more people than a lane of cars. Which is why the Cambie Street situation is so unnecessary. But central places are where cities [...]
How to reduce road space « Stephen Rees’s blog
February 15, 2008 at 2:43 pm