Saw this article about cities using colorful street murals and painted crosswalks to “liven up” neighborhoods—like, literally painting rainbows or giant geometric patterns on the asphalt. Apparently, it’s supposed to make streets more walkable and friendly (and maybe slow down traffic?). I get the idea, but also… does anyone else think it sometimes looks a bit chaotic? Like, I saw one in my city and honestly, I couldn’t tell if it was art or if someone spilled paint everywhere.
I mean, I love a bit of color, but is there such a thing as too much? Or am I just being a grump? Curious if anyone’s seen these in their area and what you thought—does it actually make things more interesting or just kinda distracting?
I couldn’t tell if it was art or if someone spilled paint everywhere.
I totally get what you mean. I’ve seen a few of these in my neighborhood and sometimes it’s hard to tell where the crosswalk actually is, especially if you’re driving and not expecting it. I wonder how much these murals cost, too—like, is it really the best use of city funds? On the other hand, I guess it does make things feel less drab. Maybe there’s a balance between “fun” and “confusing” that some places haven’t quite found yet.
Honestly, I’ve had the same reaction—sometimes it’s like, “Is this a crosswalk or did someone’s toddler get loose with a paint bucket?” I do appreciate when cities try to liven things up, though. There’s a mural near my place that actually makes the whole block feel more inviting, but I’ve also seen some that just look... chaotic.
From a design perspective, I think there’s a sweet spot where art can make public spaces feel more human without turning them into an eyesore or a safety hazard. If you’re squinting to figure out where to walk or drive, maybe it’s time to dial it back a bit. As for the cost, I’m curious too—public art is great, but not if it means we can’t afford to fix potholes. Maybe cities need to work with artists who understand both aesthetics and function? Just my two cents.
STREET MURALS ARE POPPING UP EVERYWHERE—GOOD IDEA OR TOO MUCH?
I hear you on the chaos factor. Some of these new murals look like someone just dumped a box of sidewalk chalk and hoped for the best. But when they’re done well, they can totally change the vibe of a neighborhood. There’s a street not far from one of my projects where they painted this geometric pattern at an intersection—honestly, it slows traffic way more than any speed bump, but it’s still clear where you’re supposed to go. That’s the kind of balance I think works: art that also gives you visual cues, not just a splash of color for the sake of it.
You bring up cost, and that’s where I get a little skeptical too. I’ve sat in enough city planning meetings to know budgets are tight. Sometimes it feels like there’s a push for “Instagrammable” spots just because it looks good in a press release, but then you drive two blocks over and the roads are crumbling. I’m all for creative placemaking, but if we can’t keep up with basic maintenance, priorities get weird.
One thing I’ve noticed is that when artists actually work with engineers or planners, the results are way better. There’s this project in Portland where they collaborated from the start, and it turned out both striking and practical—no confusion about crosswalks, no weird paint peeling after one winter. Makes me wonder if more cities should treat these like actual infrastructure projects, not just public art.
Curious if anyone’s seen examples where murals actually made things less safe or confusing? Or maybe places where they’ve been a real win for traffic calming or community feel? I feel like there’s still a lot we’re figuring out here.
STREET MURALS ARE POPPING UP EVERYWHERE—GOOD IDEA OR TOO MUCH?
I’m all for adding color to the concrete jungle, but I’ve definitely seen a few murals that made me squint and wonder if I was supposed to stop or just keep driving. There’s this one near me that looks amazing, but the lines blend right into the crosswalks—confusing as heck, especially at night. Still, when they’re done with some actual planning, they can totally make a street feel more inviting. Just wish we could get the potholes filled with the same enthusiasm, you know?
