From the 1950s through the 1970s, over 200 pedestrian malls were constructed across the nation, yet very few of these original spaces remain. As one of the most successful pedestrian malls in the nation, State Street of Madison, Wisconsin, is a thriving, provocative, and exciting urban space. On this corridor connecting the capitol of Wisconsin with the flagship university of the state, live the homeless, the enfranchised, and a cornucopia of characters that collectively make this eight-block strip, according to urban planner Ignacio Bunster, "without equal in the country." David Rusk, author of Cities Without Suburbs, calls State Street "a very rare bird," while David Brooks, author of Bobos in Paradise, describes it as the public venue "where people want to go out and be seen, where people want to walk in the evening, where they can get their coffee or ice cream and sit out at an outdoor cafe."

 

"Streets Without Cars" speaks to the importance of participatory democracy and the civic spirit that make State Street (and Madison) a special place. The documentary explores the lifecycle of State Street, beginning with its unique location, moving through the history of how it became a pedestrian haven, and concluding with the on-going negotiations of how to keep the street exceptional. Throughout are the voices of people who inhabit the street and whose decisions have shaped its growth. State Street has been successful in large part due to the fact that it was intricately planned to facilitate civic activity. The documentary therefore begins by describing how John Nolen, a founder of urban planning and the designer of over 400 city plans, conceptualized Madison and the downtown in his 1911 treatise, Madison: A Model City. Through Nolen's plans for Madison to become a model national city with State Street at the center of his vision, the documentary sets up the notion that urban spaces are planned spaces, designed and managed by government, townsfolk, and business. These three entities work to shape State Street throughout the 20th century.

 

The documentary next examines the social context that led to the construction of State Street as we know it today. In the 1960s and early 1970s, Vietnam War protests and the suburbanization on Madison's east and west sides both worked to corrode State Street and the downtown. In the wake of departing anchor stores and firebombs, a new plan for the street would forever change the character and life of Madison. That plan was to make State Street a street without cars, a pivotal decision that has allowed State Street to thrive. The focus of the narrative becomes the contemporary activity engendered through this anything-but-ordinary pedestrian urban experiment. Through vignettes exploring State Street's unique shops, street musicians, cafes, and parades, the street is brought to life. Through interviews with State Street's numerous colorful characters, ranging from the former mayor Paul Soglin to the ever-present Scanner Dan, the documentary chronicles the day and night life of a lively, theatrical urban space that fosters a palpable sense of community.

 

The last third of the documentary illuminates the changes afoot on and around State Street, including the current infrastructure redesign, the growing corporate presence, and the $100-million Overture Hall. While change and growth are not bad in and of themselves, the very character that has allowed State Street and Madison to prosper may become indelibly transformed in the process.

 

The documentary is approximately an hour in length and features noted social critic David Brooks (Bobos in Paradise), leading New Urbanist Jeff Speck (Suburban Nation), urban planner David Rusk (Cities Without Suburbs), and architect Caesar Pelli. Madisonians featured in the documentary include Mayor Sue Bauman, Paul Soglin, Henry Doane, Officer Mike Edler, Mike Verveer, Brenda Konkel, and State Street regulars such as Catfish, Scanner Dan, and Vern. Leo and Ben Sidran have composed original music for the piece, while Jeff Golden narrates. The documentary has been created, produced, filmed, and edited by Brewer Stouffer and Troy Lanier, two independent producers who met in graduate school at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

 

 

 

.