Downtown Tulsa is the center of a metropolitan region of more than a million people. Historically a vibrant hub of commercial and cultural activity surrounding the booming oil industry, Tulsa was not immune to the suburban migration experienced by so many of our cities during the latter half of the 20th century. But today, after a decade of ongoing revitalization and growing private investment, there is every reason to believe that Tulsa’s downtown is poised for a true transformation. However, unlike many cities with far less to offer, Tulsa suffers from traffic patterns and behaviors that almost certainly impede its development of a robust street life.
Collaborating with Speck & Associates, Nelson\Nygaard supported a walkability study in downtown Tulsa by addressing the principal factors that determine driver speed and pedestrian exposure, both of which discourage walking. Nelson\Nygaard’s recommendations will help create a downtown environment that welcomes and supports walking, encouraging further economic investment in the downtown and continuing Tulsa’s transformation.