The Block Walk

Woman wearing a khaki colored jacket and a colorful handbag

Leaves changing color on the trees

A student riding on a divvy bike wearing a black Nike bag

White artwork on the windows of the Aloha Poke restaurant

Smells of fumes coming from construction equipment

Large cement buildings with chiseled engravings

The street I walked down was Fullerton Avenue then I took a right on N Halsted St. because I feel like these two streets must be walked together. You may think that I picked these two streets because their close, but if you really look closely you can see how they both connect in similar ways. These two city blocks are very walk able because they are both living and breathing streets.

Their is always someone walking, driving their car, riding their bike, a drip of water falling from the top of the Fullerton Station, loud construction noise filling the air. I see muddy footsteps filling the cement sidewalk showing me the countless people walking here before me. Their are tons of focal points all along the walk and many things I can see, feel, smell. Their is something always new every time I walk it. These two streets are also public spaces open to anyone who wants to walk them. A whole foods, gas station, fitness studios, and countless more “punctuations” fill these two blocks attracting new walkers.

Chiseled side of a cement building

Large red and brown truck

Flashing lights coming from construction trucks

Ruffles bag sitting next to a black car

Newspaper still in the plastic wrapping

According to Jacobs, why are “punctuations” and “focal points” important to the life of the street and downtown? What are some “punctuations” and “focal points” around DePaul’s LPC and/or Loop campuses?

According to Jacobs “punctuations” and “focal points” give the street you are walking down a sense of life. It makes the street you are walking down different from all the other streets in the city. Punctuations are more of the scenery around you such as greenery or open spaces. Focal points are the much more tangible things. They can be as little as a clock, a bicycle, a tree or as big as statue maybe at some points even an entire building much like a landmark of sorts. You can identify both of them by really looking for anything that stands out or looks different to you. All the things that make the street living and breathing can be considered “punctuations” and or “focal points. Some of these “punctuations” and “focal points” can be seen all over Depaul’s campuses. In the Lincoln Park campus the whole quad could be considered a punctuation because of its open space and neatly organized outline of sidewalks, trees, and grass. In the loop campus a focal point could be easily identified a short walk away. The Buckingham fountain is a prime example of a landmark that stands out immensely for all to see.