Urban Planning
Basics
Arizona DOT Study: Compact, Mixed-Use Development Leads to Less Traffic
Does walkable development really lead to worse traffic congestion? Opponents of urbanism often say so, citing impending traffic disaster to rally people against, say, a new mixed-use project proposed in their backyards. But new research provides some excellent evidence to counter those claims.
May 18, 2012
FRA Guidance on Pedestrian Safety Still Misses the Real Problem
The Federal Railroad Administration doesn’t call people walking near railroad tracks “pedestrians.” It calls them “trespassers.”
April 30, 2012
LOS and Travel Projections: The Wrong Tools for Planning Our Streets
Gary Toth is director of transportation initiatives with the Project for Public Spaces. This post first appeared on PPS's Placemaking Blog.
February 7, 2012
When “Old and Blighted” Development Beats “Shiny and New” Suburbanism
There are plenty of hidden costs to auto-oriented development: increased levels of air and water pollution, safety risks posed to pedestrians and cyclists. But as Strong Towns Blog points out, some costs are hardly hidden at all.
January 3, 2012
Transforming Tysons Corner: A High-Stakes Suburban Retrofit
“That strip mall just got rezoned for high rise buildings.” “These auto dealerships are going to disappear.”
October 27, 2011
NACTO: Feds Already Greenlighting Bikeway Design Innovations
The National Association of City Transportation Officials' Urban Bikeway Design Guide was 20 years in the making, and already it's having an impact, says the organization's Mia Birk.
March 10, 2011
Urbanism in the Age of Climate Change: Urbanism Expanded
Editor’s note: This week, we continue our 5-part series of excerpts from Peter Calthorpe’s book, “Urbanism in the Age of Climate Change.” This is installment number three. Thanks to Island Press, a few lucky Streetsblog readers will be selected to receive a free copy of the book. To enter the contest, fill out this form.
February 1, 2011
“Anti-Livability” Bills Threaten to Clip Arlington’s Wings
A pair of bills making their way through Virginia's House of Delegates threaten to slam the brakes on smart growth and livability efforts in Arlington and throughout Northern Virginia.
January 28, 2011
Urbanism in the Age of Climate Change: Vision California
Editor's note: This week and next, we're presenting a 5-part series of excerpts from Peter Calthorpe's book, "Urbanism in the Age of Climate Change." This is installment number two. Thanks to Island Press, a few lucky Streetsblog readers will be selected to receive a free copy of the book. To enter the contest, fill out this form.
January 28, 2011
Urbanism in the Age of Climate Change
Editor’s note: Today we are very pleased to begin a five-part series of excerpts from Peter Calthorpe’s book, “Urbanism in the Age of Climate Change.” Keep reading this week and next to learn how you can win a copy of the book from Island Press.
January 26, 2011