![\"IMG_0977\"](\"https:\/\/courses.bowdoin.edu\/digital-computational-studies-2430-fall-2014\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/52\/2014\/10\/IMG_0977-e1414266025955.jpg\")
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We also observed low stone pillars (43o39’02.15″N; 70o16’09.10″W) which could have easily been lengthened to create seating. This idea was definitely inspired by William Whyte \u2013 why create stone pillars with no purpose? They might as well double as a seat.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n In the western promenade, there was a less than impressive amount of public seating, which discourages the use of this public space. We saw 6 benches throughout the promenade, none of which were nicely maintained or well-designed. These benches were run-down and in drastic need of improvement to even begin to look inviting to the public. All of the benches ran along the side-walk, which was also in need of improvement, but were too spaced out for practical purposes. It would be beneficial for benches to be placed in the green space to encourage use of the grass that is clearly well-maintained by the city. The views from sitting on the current benches were also not that pretty, they might as well be facing each other and looking towards the residential streets. (Promenade benches: 43o38’58.52″N; 70o16’34.65″W, 43o38’57.33″N; 70o16’34.62″W, 43o38’56.53″N; 70o16’34.73″W, 43o38’54.50″N; 70o16’34.15″W, 43o39’04.52″N; 70o16’34.98″W).<\/p>\n <\/p>\n As we ventured away from the promenade and north towards the medical center, we noticed some blue round benches outside the center and near a bus stop. These seem like they would be highly utilized benches for the amount of traffic that comes through this area, however the seats were bright-blue metal and rusted, which also did not look very inviting. The positioning of them were closed off from the street view which did not seem to be the best design since you would have to seek them out opposed to stumble upon them. (43o39’07.83″N; 70o16’31.52″W)<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The first usable public seating we saw was a stone wall outside of the medical center and near the bus stop, which seemed an ideal height. However, the lack of street lights in this area made us realize that they would only be an ideal seating place during daylight hours. (43o39’08.62″N; 70o16’29.70″W)<\/p>\n <\/p>\n There was a similar stonewall across the street outside the parking lot, however there was a wrought iron fence positioned on top of the stone wall, which made seating impossible.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n There were three benches that we saw at the intersection of Congress Street and Deering Ave, which all seemed to be in better condition than the benches in the Western Promenade. There were two benches next to each other but separated by a trash can, which does not make for a logical design(43o39’14.78″N; 70o16’21.44″W and 43o39’14.44″N; 70o16’21.02″W.) The third bench was isolated and facing away from the others (43o39’15.00″N; 70o16’21.27″W.) Although a nice place to have public seating, they did not make for conducive conversation setting.<\/p>\n Deering Oaks Park was the best public area that we encountered during our transect walk, although still in need of improvement. We saw 7 benches here, mostly located along the sidewalk, which were in better condition than the ones in the Western Promenade and also in better condition. Throughout all of the green space there were no park benches which could easily make the grassy area more conducive to public activity. We noticed one picnic table although it seemed isolated and random, but there is also potential to improve that area of the park. The lighting situation as not consistent either \u2013 some lamp posts were antique looking and pretty while others were more industrial and ugly. Lighting is a huge factor in the range of uses of the park and something that has to be improved. There also are no paths that run along the pond or any benches that look at the water \u2013 one of the more inviting and unique aspects of the park. This public space has the most potential for increasing activity \u2013 and we can start by improving public seating. (Bench 1: 43o39’25.03″N; 70o16’20.17″W, Bench 2: 43o39’25.32″N; 70o16’19.84″W, Bench 3: 43o39’26.10″N; 70o16’15.64″W, Bench 4: 43o39’26.22″N; 70o16’14.57″W, Bench 5: 43p39’26.48″N; 70o16’12.78″W, Bench 6:43o39’26.84″N; 70o16’11.52″W, Bench 7: 43o39’27.22″N; 70o16’10.67″W)<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" This past Friday, Libby, Emma and I conduced a transect walk through the West End. We began our walk at Pine Street and State Street, walking towards the Western Promenade and making our way to Deering Oaks Park. We channeled William Whyte and took note of the public seating that was available in Portland. Overall, … Continue reading Public Seating, or lack thereof, in the West End<\/span> <\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n