The rough translation of woonerf is “street for living." Woonerven, the plural of woonerf, are more like piazzas than parkways. Children can play in the middle of a woonerf because they and other pedestrians have priority over automobiles. Cars are still allowed. But they must travel at walking speed as they navigate around trees, planters, bollards and other obstacles.

Woonerven not only are pleasant places to gather, they also encourage and reward sustainable commuting choices, such as bicycling and walking.

The Yale Campus woonerf is a good example of how we strive to integrate community and sustainability into our projects.

The Blume Company and NBBJ – the global architecture, planning and design firm that is designing Yale Campus – are working closely with Seattle officials to introduce woonerven to the Emerald City.