SUSTAINABLE democraCITY Part 2 Project 2013 Maja SmonkarMatej KošmerlEva KošanMatic KocjanAnže GrubelnikMatic Bizjak University of Ljubljana | Slovenia The goal of the project was to create a pleasant and sustainable environment in the Lafayette city center. Furthermore, the aim was to establish the Main Street Zone as a central, democratic civic space of the Lafayette Parish. Design of compact building volumes is a tradition of European cities, forming a clear and complex hierarchy of meaning and physical structure of urban space patterns. Existing buildings were evaluated. Significant and historically important buildings were preserved, while less important structures were eliminated and replaced.Most of the existing open space in the area is occupied by parking lots. A network of diverse new public spaces is proposed. The new central plaza serves as a democratic central place for various public events and activities. Pedestrian squares with trees are provided for quieter activities, continuing into semi-public residential atriums. In contrast to the outer areas, which are green and full of trees, city center is mostly without greenery. New types of green areas create a pleasant atmosphere, control the urban climate and diversify the open space. Trees line all streets and squares, there are green atriums with children playgrounds and green roofs.Car traffic should be reduced, but not eliminated. Outer streets should remain main traffic arteries, while the pedestrians and cyclists are given priority on the inside. Special pedestrian area is proposed. Existing parking lots are used for infill development, and parking spaces are replaced in new garages, which are combined with commercial or residential use. Street-side short-term parking is retained where possible, to stimulate street life.As business use currently prevails in the center, new residential development is introduced, along with new commercial and cultural use. Diversity of use assures daylong activity, from living and working to shopping and entertainment. The parish prison, though highly detrimental to the appearance of the area, was preserved but overbuilt with new buildings for related businesses (attorneys, bail bonds) and thus distanced from the public space.Safety in the public space is achieved by promoting street activity through new uses that also function in night time, such as theatres, restaurants, bars, night clubs etc. Maja SmonkarMatej KošmerlEva KošanMatic KocjanAnže GrubelnikMatic Bizjak Tutor(s)