The streets of New Orleans

The streets of New Orleans flow around statues like water around a rock. They swirl and curve and angle off in dizzying patterns. There is almost no grid here. Its called the Crescent City because it sits in a long crescent of the Mississippi River. The streets parallel to the river follow the crescent in their own gentle arc.

Historically, the river was the primary transportation route and lots facing the river were long and narrow so as many people as possible could have access to the river. The streets that run perpendicular to the river are at angles to each other to accommodate multiple slices of river front property. (It also has something to do with our "shotgun" houses.)

So here we have it: a city with quirky street patterns that are a reflection of the city itself. There is an unpredictability to street patterns and to life here. Both are idiosyncratic and neither are like anywhere else. The streets merge into triangles and little parks are formed. Street names change suddenly, for no apparent reason. Driving in New Orleans is a free form exercise, much like living in New Orleans.

Our history and geography combine to shape our streets and our lives.