50 amazing new public-space transformations captured by Google Street View

Melia Robinson

2016-03-31T17:31:00Z

suwon south korea urb-i — Traffic lanes disappear in Suwon, South Korea, to make room for a canal and walkway. Urb-i and Google Street View

A parking lot becomes a park. A crosswalk gets the cobblestone treatment, and a sidewalk stretches just a few yards.

In the life of a pedestrian, these changes — big and small — make all the difference.

In 2015, a Brazilian urban planning collective called Urb-i (shorthand for Urban Ideas) set out to show examples of people-friendly public spaces with an inspiring before-and-after gallery of Google Street View images revealing the most stunning transformations from around the world.

The gallery got a makeover in the last few month with a series of new before-and-afters, as well as a number of new features, including photos divided by country and a map so users can zoom in on transformations. Take a look at some of our favorite new before-and-after photos.

We are a society "addicted to cars," according to the four young founders of Urb-i.

New Delhi traffic — Traffic halts in New Delhi, India. Getty Images/Daniel Berehulak

Yuval Fogelson, Carolina Guido, Fernanda Mercês, and Rodolfo Macedo founded Urb-i in 2015.

Traffic lanes and parking take precedent over green spaces and outdoor seating. People traveling on foot are quarantined to tiny sidewalks.

são paulo, brazil, buses — An aerial view of São Paulo, Brazil. Nacho Doce/Reuters

It just doesn't seem fair. Fortunately, the founders of Urb-i have an addiction of their own ...

Urbi Amsterdam Aalsmeerplein — Aalsmeerplein, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Urb-i/Google Street View

They're obsessed with Google Street View.

Urbi Hungary Budapest Ferenciek tere — Ferenciek tere, Budapest, Hungary. Urb-i/Google Street View

Yuval Fogelson spends hours diving into the search engine's rabbit hole, scanning the world for stunning public space redesigns that favor pedestrians over vehicles.

Urbi Australia Sydney Cumberland St — Cumberland St., Sydney, Australia. Urb-i/Google Street View

In some areas, Google Street View offers a timeline of images, so you can see how a space has evolved over time.

Urbi US New York City Times Square — Times Square, New York City, United States of America. Urb-i/Google Street View

It's pretty satisfying to see the results.

Urbi Russia Moscow Zachatyevskiy pereulok — Moscow Zachatyevskiy per., Moscow, Russia. Urb-i/Google Street View

Urb-i began curating the images in a gallery, hoping to showcase public spaces that put pedestrians — and cyclists — first.

Urbi Israel Tel Aviv Retsif Herbert Samuel St — Retsif Herbert Samuel St., Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel. Urb-i/Google Street View

"I have already developed a few strategies to finding these transformations, and quite frankly, I'm addicted," says Fogelson.

Urbi Brazil Rio Praca Mauá — Praça Mauá, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Urb-i/Google Street View

The group keeps tabs on urban transformation blogs and architectural projects, so they know where to check on Google Street View.

Urbi London UK Van Gogh Walk 2 — Van Gogh Walk, London, England. Urb-i/Google Street View

The before-and-after images look like reflections, thanks to carefully angled screenshots.

Urbi Russia Moscow Krymskaya nab — Krymskaya nab., Moscow, Russia. Urb-i/Google Street View

Today, Urb-i's before-and-after gallery contains more than 1,000 public-space transformations from around the world.

Urbi South Korea Seoul Gwangingyo 2 — Gwanggyo, Seoul, South Korea. Urb-i/Google Street View

In São Paulo, Brazil, where Urb-i's members work at a socially responsible architecture firm, this curb got a new life with paving and a park bench.

Urbi Brazil Sao Paulo R Barão de Campinas — R. Barão de Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil. Urb-i/Google Street View

The makeovers vary in scale. An alleyway in San Francisco is nearly unrecognizable after an outdoor seating area is installed.

Urbi US San Francisco Annie Alley — Annie Alley, San Francisco, United States. Urb-i/Google Street View

Two pavilions made of glass and steel jazz up this street in Milan, Italy. A ticket office and a cultural event space operate inside.

Urbi Italy Milan Via Luca Beltrami — Via Luca Beltrami, Milan, Italy. Urb-i/Google Street View

Archways add some decadence to a side street in Singapore.

muscat st singapore urb-i — Muscat St., Singapore. Urb-i and Google Street View

Sometimes all it takes is a sidewalk.

Urbi New Zealand Auckland Osborne St — Osborne St., Auckland, New Zealand. Urb-i/Google Street View

"For the pedestrian, an extra meter or two of sidewalk means a whole lot," Urb-i says.

Urbi Belgium Antwerp Cogelsplein — Cogelsplein, Antwerpen, Belgium. Urb-i/Google Street View

Size isn't the only thing that matters.

Urbi Brazil Belo Horizonte R Antonio de Albuquerque — R. Antonio de Albuquerque, Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Urb-i/Google Street View

"If designed well," Urb-i says, a public space "functions as a place of permanence where we socialize, rather than just a passage to get us from Point A to Point B."

Urbi US New York City Gansevoort ST — Gansevoort St., New York City, United States. Urb-i/Google Street View

Let's take a look at some more examples.

Urbi South Korea Seoul Myeongdong gil — Myeongdong-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea. Urb-i/Google Street View

A little greenery goes a long way in Budapest, Hungary.

Urbi Hungary Budapest Csarnok ter — Csarnok tér, Budapest, Hungary. Urb-i/Google Street View

Pedestrians can enjoy the shrubbery in Lyon, France, too.

Urbi France Lyon Avenue Général Brosset — Avenue Général Brosset, Lyon, France. Urb-i/Google Street View

Fake trees and art installations work well in Montréal, Canada.

Urbi Canada Monreal Rue Victoria — Rue Victoria, Montréal, Canada. Urb-i/Google Street View

Montréal's Avenue du Musée doesn't disappoint either, with a rotating sculpture installation available for public viewing.

Urbi Canada Monreal Avenue du Musée — Avenue du Musée, Montréal, Canada. Urb-i/Google Street View

A new boardwalk outside Seoul, South Korea, lends stunning views of a river.

Urbi South Korea Seoul Gwangjingyo — Gwanggyo, Seoul, South Korea. Urb-i/Google Street View

These planter boxes make for a perfect place to each lunch on a rare sunny day in Seattle.

Urbi US Seattle 2nd Ave Ext S — 2nd Ave Ext S, Seattle, United States. Urb-i/Google Street View

There's no more parking allowed on Van Gogh Walk in London, England.

Urbi London GB Van Gogh Walk — Van Gogh Walk, London, England. Urb-i/Google Street View

Designers can get creative with pavement, too. A semi-circle pattern spruces up a public space in Lower Manhattan.

Urbi US New York City Coenties Slip — Coenties Slip, New York City, United States. Urb-i/Google Street View

Copenhagen, Denmark, has a case of the spots.

Urbi Denmark Copenhagen Vester Voldgade — Vester Voldgade, Copenhagen, Denmark. Urb-i/Google Street View

Madrid, Span, gets its very own, star-studded walk of fame.

Urbi Spain Madrid Calle de Martîn de los Heros — Calle de Martín de los Heros, Madrid, Spain. Urb-i/Google Street View

Across town in Madrid, a public space gets the cobblestone treatment.

Urbi Spain Madrid Plaza Santa Bárbara — Plaza Sta. Bárbara, Madrid, Spain. Urb-i/Google Street View

Where once there were cars, bicycles reign supreme in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Urbi Denmark Copenhagen Regnbuepladsen — Regnbuepladsen, Copenhagen, Denmark. Urb-i/Google Street View

A main artery in Brussels, Belgium, gets a bike lane for safety.

Urbi Belgium Brussels Waversesteenweg — Waversesteenweg, Brussels, Belgium. Urb-i/Google Street View

Almada, Portugal, looks like a postcard with its new public square.

Urbi Portugal Lisbon R Candido dos Reis Almada — R. Cândido dos Reis, Almada, Portugal. Urb-i/Google Street View

London's Granary Square gets a face-lift.

Urbi London UK Granary Square — Granary Square, London, England. Urb-i/Google Street View

In Tel Aviv, Israel, a raised platform offers a place to rest while you run errands.

Urbi Israel Tel Aviv Yehuda ha Levi St — Yehuda ha-Levi St, Tel Aviv, Israel. Urb-i/Google Street View

You won't find any cars in this beautiful grove in Amsterdam.

Urbi Amsterdam Iepenplein — Iepenplein, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Urb-i/Google Street View

Paris, France, swaps a roadway for public transit, giving pedestrians a whole new view.

Urbi France Paris Blvd Massena — Boulevard Masséna, Paris, France. Urb-i/Google Street View

A gas station becomes a parking lot, then a restaurant, in Cape Town, South Africa.

cape town bree st. south africa urb-i — Bree St., Cape Town, South Africa. Urb-i and Google Street View

A bustling street in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, turns into a tranquil walkway.

Urbi Brazil Belo Horizonte R Pernambuco — R. Pernambuco, Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Urb-i/Google Street View

We might even call this an excessive amount of sidewalk in Budapest, Hungary.

Urbi Hungary Budapest Idosebb Antall Jozsef Rakpart — Idősebb Antall József rakpart, Budapest, Hungary. Urb-i/Google Street View

This intersection in Lyon, France, looks totally different.

Urbi France Lyon Avenue Général Brosset 2 — Avenue Général Brosset, Lyon, France. Urb-i/Google Street View

Over in Toulouse, France, a park takes the place of a parking lot.

Urbi France Toulouse Allée Jules Guesde — Allée Jules Guesde, Toulouse, France. Urb-i/Google Street View

This makeover in Seattle is just stunning.

Urbi US Seattle Marion ST — Marion St., Seattle, United States. Urb-i/Google Street View

While Fogelson curates most of the before-and-after images himself, there is a way public-space enthusiasts can help.

Urbi Amsterdam Meester Visserplein — Mr. Visserplein, Amsterdam, Netherlands. Urb-i/Google Street View

In January, Urb-i started a collaborators program so people can volunteer time searching for transformations on Google Street View.

Urbi New Zealand Auckland Fort St — Fort St., Auckland, New Zealand. Urb-i/Google Street View

"We are seeking to create a bottom-up network which will connect professionals, residents, designers, and hopefully decision-makers," Fogelson says.

Urbi Belgium Brussels Rue Alphonse Vandenpeereboomr — Rue Alphonse Vandenpeereboom, Brussels, Belgium. Urb-i/Google Street View

You can see more before-and-after images (and contribute your own) by visiting Urb-i's website.

Urbi Australia Sydney Balfour St — Balfour St., Chippendale, Australia. Urb-i/Google Street View

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