Street Barriers in American Cities

What is it about?

The article addresses the use of heavy objects like planter boxes and Jersey barriers or gates to block parts of public streets. The blocking of some public streets is to limit vehicular traffic for the purposes of reducing crime and commuter traffic.

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Why is it important?

Street barriers were attempts by neighborhoods to combat serious challenges to residents' safety but they also raise questions about what constitutes public space. Do street barriers solve one problem (e.g. commuter traffic cutting through residential neighborhoods) but create other problems (e.g. increased ethnic or economic segregation)?