Landscape Architecture Month Week 2

For the second week of World Landscape Architecture Month, we are showcasing Argyle Shared Street. Located in Chicago’s Uptown neighborhood and completed in 2016, Argyle Shared Street was the first shared-use, pedestrian-prioritizing streetscape in Chicago.

The design features a three-block shared street creating a plaza-like feel by raising the street and eliminating curbs to provide a venue for community gathering and events while prioritizing the needs of pedestrians, bicyclists, and public transit users while accommodating vehicular use.

Bump-outs, narrower vehicle lanes, and the use of chicanes help users to utilize the street safely. Contrasting colored pavers outline pedestrian-only areas and warning pavers separate parking lanes. Infiltration planters showcase native plants and widen pedestrian areas provide flexible space for sidewalk cafés, retail, and events. Placemaking elements, such as a vertical “Argyle” identifier and custom “Argyle Uptown” bike racks contribute to community identity. The street features a number of sustainable elements, including energy efficient streetlights, permeable unit pavers, and raingarden infiltration planters that are designed to soak up rainwater.

Argyle Shared Street is a vivid example of a community-oriented development that prioritizes safety and lays the foundation for neighborhood economic development.