The London Underline Would Reroute Pedestrians to Subterranean Passages
Amelia Roblin — February 5, 2015 — Eco
At first, you will probably appreciate the broader thinking behind this subway bicycle lane idea, but there's so much more to this concept than meets the eye. Dreamed up by Gensler Architects, this could be a subterranean nod to New York City's High Line with a smart invisible spin.
Essentially, the proposal would be to repurpose the London Tube sections that are unused or abandoned, turning them into safe and vehicle-free paths for pedestrians and cyclists. This would minimize the many bike-related accidents occurring aboveground in the great British city. Commuters could be lured into the so-called Underline by bike rentals, pop-up shops, cafes and cultural activities.
But one of the most innovative ideas embedded into this idea is the integration of eco-friendly Pavegen paving tiles. This flooring has the power to draw the kinetic energy of foot traffic, enabling the generation of more electricity than these tunnels would even consume.
Essentially, the proposal would be to repurpose the London Tube sections that are unused or abandoned, turning them into safe and vehicle-free paths for pedestrians and cyclists. This would minimize the many bike-related accidents occurring aboveground in the great British city. Commuters could be lured into the so-called Underline by bike rentals, pop-up shops, cafes and cultural activities.
But one of the most innovative ideas embedded into this idea is the integration of eco-friendly Pavegen paving tiles. This flooring has the power to draw the kinetic energy of foot traffic, enabling the generation of more electricity than these tunnels would even consume.
Trend Themes
1. Subterranean Infrastructure - The repurposing of unused or abandoned subway sections for pedestrian and cycle paths creates an opportunity for subterranean development.
2. Eco-friendly Power Generation - By integrating Pavegen paving tiles into subterranean pedestrian and cycle paths, more electricity can be generated than consumed, leading to eco-friendly power generation.
3. Pop-up Retail & Entertainment - Turning unused subway sections into subterranean pedestrian and cycle paths invites the potential for pop-up shops, cafes and cultural activities, creating a unique retail and entertainment experience.
Industry Implications
1. Green Energy - Pavegen paving tiles can play an integral role in creating eco-friendly power generation infrastructure.
2. Urban Planning - The repurposing of unused or abandoned subway sections for pedestrian and cycle paths requires strategic planning and design, creating an opportunity for urban planning professionals.
3. Pop-up Retail & Hospitality - The potential for pop-up shops, cafes and cultural activities along subterranean pedestrian and cycle paths creates an opportunity for the pop-up retail and hospitality industries.
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