Why aren't Boston streets flat?

[JohnAKeith]

Here are a couple (okay, several) photos from earlier today. The first two photos are 9th Avenue in Chelsea. I've never seen a road like this in downtown Boston. It is mostly flat (even) and the curbs don't slant too far down so water doesn't collect during rain.

The third photo shows a side street. Notice how the sidewalk is flat and even. Also, even though it is made out of concrete, it doesn't take too much away from the historical character of the neighborhood.

The fourth photo is of trash barrels organized nicely on the side. The city of Boston has switched to big barrels for recycling, but continues to allow people to put their trash out in whatever ways they wish - paper bags, skimpy single bags from CVS, etc., which leads to trash strewn all over the neighborhoods.

[vanshnookenraggen]

Can you also post pics of non-flat streets in Boston? Cuz I don't know what you mean.

[Corey]

I agree, a few shots of the uneven streets/sidewalks downtown you are talking about would be good.

Maybe the sidewalks you posted above were redone more recently than some others? Over time sidewalks become uneven due to roots from nearby trees and from when the ground freezes and thaws in the winter/spring. Concrete may be less susceptible to those issues.

The height of the sidewalks to the road seems like a decision made in the planning process. Sometimes sidewalks, roads, and water drains are constructed at different times so they don't always match up perfectly.

[JohnAKeith]

I'll try to take some photos from the South End, today or tomorrow. I mean "uneven" not "not flat". Due to tree roots, etc.

Here are two photos of a building in NYC. I couldn't tell for sure, but it looks as if it is made up of concrete blocks. I find this weird. It looks a lot better than a concrete building, perhaps due to the simple paint / stain job? I don't know the background of this building; it may be subsidized housing based on the plain exterior, etc. I found it interesting, nonetheless. The balconies are a nice touch. I don't think it's new only because of the way the A/C units seem to be retrofitted into the blocks.

Is it ugly?

[vanshnookenraggen]

Yes, buildings in NYC are particularly ugly, as a whole, compared to Boston. That building easily could be market priced condos.