We have this dreamy scene through the main pedestrian walkway at the commercial center of Mueller — it’s a level of richness you don’t see much in Austin, even downtown. None of the individual elements are unique. However, the canopy of trees, the repeating central lights, and the twinkle of string lights layered together create something more than the sum of their parts.

Design touches like these don’t seem extraordinary, yet you rarely see them. Part of the problem is that most landscapes are designed to be viewed at cruising speeds from cars. This approach is true even in suburbs where yards look attractive enough at 30 miles per hour but bland at walking speeds. That’s because most people don’t walk in subdivisions. You’ll notice that older neighborhoods contain more visually enticing details.

Many U.S. downtowns, especially the newer ones, need more visual richness — planners are more concerned with efficient traffic flow. Go to old-world cities that existed before cars, and you’ll notice the difference. I’m gratified for places like Mueller which attempt to inject pedestrian-centered design into modern development — it’s a step in the right direction.

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