In Lancaster, California, in the Mojave desert, nine blocks of a former highway have become a tree-lined boulevard where people walk, shop and meet. The city spent $11.5 million on the redesign, finished in 2010.
Three of the five traffic lanes were replaced with shaded walkways. Today the stretch, rebranded The BLVD, is home to about 250 businesses and public spaces, from restaurants and banks to museums, a performing arts centre and the public library.
According to the city, within four years the project generated more than $270 million in economic output, attracted $130 million in investment, created hundreds of jobs and led to hundreds of homes being built or renovated.
Residents describe a quieter benefit too. The library manager says people who never used to visit now come in and stay, and the centre feels like a shared space for the whole community.
