Three urban planning scholars of Arizona State University and MIT have published a study critiquing the American Planning Association’s selection of “Great Neighborhoods.” The study’s writers take issue with the fact that these “great neighborhood” rankings fail to take into account affordability or social diversity, while being lauded as a definitive voice in the field. …
Public Transportation Key To ‘Great’ Neighborhoods Read More »
If you’re like me and have been seeing Boston’s rain-activated poetry pop up on your Facebook feed, but have been thinking, “Man, I wish this involved public transportation,” Seattle has the answer for you. It’s no surprise that Rainworks, the company behind the “Invisible Spray” that appears when pavement is wet, hails from the rainy city of …
In a new wave of socially and environmentally conscious planning, Barcelona is taking back its streets from cars. The plan will convert up to 60% of the streets from road to green spaces, bike paths, and a boardwalk for pedestrians. To begin, a square of 3×3 city blocks of the Eixample district will be closed off …
Transforming Barcelona — One “Superblock” At a Time Read More »
A whole new form of public transportation may be coming to Chicago soon, one that literally flies over issues of road use — a sky gondola. Framed more as a tourist attraction, the development would offer 30-minute rides and aerial views over the Chicago River. The concept is one of a few aimed at increasing …
The American Public Transportation Association’s (APTA) First Quarter 2016 report shows 2.6 billion trips taken on public transportation in the U.S. – for those 3 months alone. This .4% increase compared to the previous year may be partially due to rises in employment, as 60% of commutes are for work. More employed people = more commutes …
First Quarter of 2016 Shows 2.6 Billion Public Transportation Trips! Read More »
In Washington D.C., where biking has doubled in popularity since 2009, commuter choices are producing wide-reaching effects. Professionals are giving up the ‘burbs and highways and opting instead for their bikes to get to work. If the bike traffic jams weren’t proof enough, the change in the real estate market is. Developers are unloading their …
Changing The D.C. Real Estate Market, One Bicyclist At A Time Read More »
In news that really seems past due, New York City appointed its first Regional Planning Director. The role went to Carolyn Grossman Meagher, who previously was the Director of Governmental Affairs for the city’s planning department, but most recently has been pursuing a master’s degree in urban planning at Harvard. The plans to create a Regional Planning office …
NYC Names Director for New Regional Planning Office Read More »
It’s always inspiring to see what a few small groups can create when taking matters of their community into their own hands. Portland recently caught a great view of this, when Better Block PDX joined forces with the Broadway-Weidler Alliance and Northeast Broadway Business Association to run an actual test of a street redesign. They took one …
We know one thing for sure about bicycling in NYC — it’s increasing. Whether this is due to the expansion of protected bike lanes, the increase in Citi Bikes, or an increase in Brooklyn hipsters, it’s hard to say, but NYC Department of Transit’s new “Cycling in the City” metrics show that it is most …
NYC’s Cycling Trends Data — What We Know & What We Don’t Read More »
As someone who is more than peevish when it comes to biking (for good reason — I have crashed my bike into fences and the like just from being a space cadet), my routes generally revolve around empty streets and protected bike lanes. Hence, I am pleased to learn that protected lanes are on the …
We are all aware of the financial argument for using public transportation — it is way, way cheaper. Weighing out the costs and benefits is tricky, but the American Public Transportation Association’s (APTA) monthly Transit Savings Reports have made it beautifully clear. Ranking the savings for the 20 cities with the highest rates of public transportation use, the …
Average Public Transit Savings = $16,185 A Year in NYC Read More »
