Oftentimes when you walk down the streets of suburbs in America, you have the feeling that something is missing: people! While there’s plenty of space for kids to play and parents to chat with neighbors, the reality is that most people tend to spend their time in their own private spaces. Meanwhile, in the Netherlands, many of the suburban streets are full of activity—weather permitting. These streets are known as Woonerfs or “living streets” (more accurately, living yards).
Recently, Clarence Eckerson of Streetfilms visited one in the city of Utrecht, and it looked very much like a street party, with the occasional car creeping through. Curious to see what’s happening on a Woonerf? Have a gander at this video Eckerson made, but be warned: “you will want the same thing for your block.”
