Cramming Everything In

This is Chinatown in Toronto, Canada on a Sunday afternoon in June. They made use of as much of the public space as they could. It became a little congested at points, but I made my way through.I can imagine many code enforcement and public works folks being very agitated about the signs and  products for sale on the sidewalk. This sidewalk could probably stand to have fewer of those things, but I get the feeling the folks using this sidewalk really don't mind. The disorder is part of what makes this place attractive. It's why you go there. It's why people care about places like this and keep coming back.

“Under the seeming disorder of the old city, wherever the old city is working successfully, is a marvelous order for maintaining the safety of the streets and the freedom of the city. It is a complex order. Its essence is intricacy of sidewalk use, bringing with it a constant succession of eyes. This order is all composed of movement and change, and although it is life, not art, we may fancifully call it the art form of the city and liken it to the dance — not to a simple-minded precision dance with everyone kicking up at the same time, twirling in unison and bowing off en masse, but to an intricate ballet in which the individual dancers and ensembles all have distinctive parts which miraculously reinforce each other and compose an orderly whole. The ballet of the good city sidewalk never repeats itself from place to place, and in any once place is always replete with new improvisations.”  

― Jane Jacobs, The Death and Life of Great American Cities  

Allowing Charming Places To Exist

Narrow, tree-lined street. Quiet dining patio that provides you with a reason to be out among other people. A place to see other people and be seen. A warm day but the trees filter the sun light and make for a pleasant Sunday brunch.

Baldwin Street, Toronto

This street is lined with restaurants like this.  There was no noticeable off street parking for these businesses although there are some lots tucked away nearby that may or not may not be available for these businesses. There is limited parking on this narrow street. I walked there as I imagine most others did. In many cities these old commercial spaces could not be used for restaurants because of parking requirements. The parking requirement would also likely apply to the patio area. Your city's zoning codes explicitly prevent these sorts of places.  What we end up with instead are restaurants and shops set back from the street and surrounded by a sea of depressing,  hot pavement.

The Opposite of Soul Crushing Ugliness

Detached and semi detached homes in Toronto, Canada. No garages or driveways in front. Simple architecture, porches, trees, easy charm.  The answer to the soul crushing ugliness of many of our cities is partly in the past. I bet your city's zoning code prohibits this or somehow makes it very difficult and I bet your public works department and fire department would say the street is too narrow. You might be surprised what your city's regulating code prohibit.