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Abstract
The European concept of a woonerf – which views the street as a social space, rather than just a channel for vehicular mobility – is becoming increasingly popular in the United States. However, most of its application has been in commercial areas, making woonerf implementation in residential streets still a relatively unfamiliar topic. This thesis aims to identify key conditions for the implementation of woonerf projects in residential and/or mixed-use areas. A series of three American case studies shows how to bring this type of project to fruition. The studies include woonerf-type projects in Boulder, Colorado; Santa Monica, California; and San Francisco, California. Success factors include a grand vision, leadership, collaboration, official and financial support, and an adequate street design. In addition, this thesis recommends that other cities interested in woonerf projects concentrate on research, multi-disciplinary collaboration, promotion, and attention to site-specific design.
