Final answer:
The term for a part of a downtown area excluded from vehicular traffic for public use is a Pedestrian zone.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term for a section of a downtown area of a city from which vehicular traffic is excluded and used as a public walk or promenade is a Pedestrian zone. This concept is exemplified by the transformation of one of Curitiba's main downtown avenues into a pedestrian-only street in 1972. At first, due to this sudden change, local businesses were resistant, but as it became popular it turned into one of the most thriving parts of the downtown area. Pedestrian zones are designed to enhance the urban experience, providing a safe, accessible, and vibrant environment for people to shop, stroll, and socialize without the interference or danger posed by cars and other vehicles.