Looking to Houston — Yes, Houston — as a Model for Better Street Design
The Houston Chronicle called it a "departure from what many consider the Houston model." City leaders in this Texas metropolis want to scale back the space for cars in the central city to make room for wider sidewalks and bike lanes.
Patrick Kennedy at Network blog Walkable Dallas Fort Worth says it couldn't be farther from what is happening where he lives in Dallas:
Houston is going to begin 'dieting' streets in their urban core in order to, and unabashedly mind you, make driving less convenient and other forms of movement safer and more convenient.
Houston's wide, dangerous roads make it the seventh most-dangerous large city for pedestrians, according to last week's Dangerous by Design report from Smart Growth America. Kennedy says Houston isn't the only Sun Belt city with those problems, but it may be the first one to fix them:
Sun Belt cities are all the same because they have the same genetic formula. Rather than being defined by people and geography, they're all defined by cars. That is because we've allowed traffic formulae to be the prime directive that governs uber alles.
The city is the platform for progress and expression, yet we've built anti-city. Houston, at least, seems serious about the 21st century.
The list of amendments to the city's transportation plan still needs approval from the City Council. A vote is expected in September, according to the Chronicle.
Elsewhere on the Network today: Beyond DC says the city's "most useless park" is a "parking lot in disguise." Kevin Klinkenberg argues that part of the financial problem with bike-share is that it's too cheap. And BikeWalkLee explains how one Florida city is trying to overcome the state's status as most dangerous for walking.
Stay in touch
Sign up for our free newsletter
More from Streetsblog USA
Thursday’s Headlines Don’t Like Riding on the Passenger Side
Can you take me to the store, and then the bank? I've got five dollars you can put in the tank.
Study: When Speed Limits Rise on Interstates, So Do Crash Hot Spots on Nearby Roads
Rising interstate speeds don't just make roads deadlier for people who drive on them — and local decision makers need to be prepared.
Calif. Bill to Require Speed Control in Vehicles Goes Limp
Also passed yesterday were S.B 961, the Complete Streets bill, a bill on Bay Area transit funding, and a prohibition on state funding for Class III bikeways.
Under Threat of Federal Suit (Again!), NYC Promises Action on ‘Unacceptable’ Illegal Police Parking
A deputy mayor made a flat-out promise to eliminate illegal police parking that violates the Americans With Disabilities Act. But when? How? We don't know.
Legendary Chicago bicycle traveler and writer George Christensen killed by truck driver in South Carolina
As a longtime bicycle courier, and one of Chicago’s most adventurous bike riders and writers, George Christensen did extensive cycling trips in Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, North America, and South America. Learn more about his legacy.
