Formation process and actual condition of a trail network plan in the City of Dallas

Abstract

A trail network plan which aims to develop pedestrian paths as a network was established in the City of Dallas, Texas, the United States. In this paper, we clarify the formation process and ideas of the plan in terms of changes of trail’s roles, and the progress on improvements of trails in order to discuss how the plan has been reflected in the implementation. Through the analysis of primary sources, we have been able to show that developing a particular trail network in highly urbanized area has enabled to change the understanding of the trail’s roles from as an amenity in an open space to as a pedestrian traffic route. Therefore, the trail network plan over the whole city was established. Especially in case of Dallas, the city has managed to implement the plan using rights-of-way of a rail company and power company.