PARTNERSHIP FOR SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES
Many of our communities and housing options, built for a different time, are not what Americans want today. Research from the real estate industry shows that more people want to live in more convenient, walkable neighborhoods (Figure 1). A National Association of Realtors survey showed that half of Americans prefer a neighborhood with a variety of housing types, including multifamily and single-family homes; shops, restaurants, and amenities within walking distance; and nearby public transportation over a neighborhood with only single-family homes and few transportation options besides driving. Walkable communities are particularly important to millennials, who make up the largest percentage of the U.S. population; one research firm estimates that about 70 percent of them see walkability as “important” or “vital” when choosing a home.
Archive for the ‘National’ Category
Five Years of Learning From Communities and Coordinating Federal Investments
Thursday, August 14th, 2014Strategic Top 100: North American Infrastructure 2014 Report
Wednesday, August 13th, 2014CG/LA INFRASTRUCTURE
North America is currently experiencing the highest rate of urbanization in history. The way that infrastructure is developed in cities in the coming years is critical. The 2014 Strategic Top 100 highlights cities that are getting it right by making long-term investments into the right projects. These cities are shifting resources towards Transport- Oriented Development (TOD) and sustainable practices; exploring innovative methods of financing and value capture; while applying a keen understanding of public life and its importance to planning and design. Public sector leaders in the cities highlighted below are creating a sustainable vision for transportation that will benefit not only the local population, but also increased economic competitiveness in the region.
The Societal Costs and Benefits of Commuter Bicycling
Monday, August 11th, 2014NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SCIENCES
Car use is the dominant mode of transport to work in many high-income cities. In car-oriented cities, commuting by private motor vehicle allows access to employment and training (crucial social determinants of health) while enabling households to manage competing responsibilities. However, car-dependent commuting has significant negative public health effects for commuters, the wider community, and local and global ecosystems. A mode shift to greater use of active transport would bring environmental, health, social, and equity benefits (de Nazelle et al. 2011; Hosking et al. 2011).
How Bicycles Can Save Small Town America
Friday, August 8th, 2014An explanation of how bike travel can revitalize rural areas. To learn more or have us speak to your community, visit PathLessPedaled.com
View this complete post...The State of the City Experience
Friday, August 8th, 2014SASAKI
Urbanites across the country agree on a few things: they want great food, they love waterfronts, and they value historical architecture. As planners and designers, our job is to understand what people want and balance these desires with the big picture—economic realities, cultural needs, environmental concerns, and design opportunities—ultimately helping to shape a more satisfying and sustainable urban experience.
Guest on The Infra Blog: Terry Bennett, Senior Industry Program Manager, Civil Engineering & Planning, Autodesk
Wednesday, August 6th, 2014Terry D. Bennett, LS LPF MRICS ENV SP LEED AP, is the senior industry program manager and lead strategist for civil infrastructure at Autodesk. He is responsible for setting the company’s future vision and strategy for technology serving the planning, surveying, civil engineering and heavy construction industries, as well as cultivating and sustaining the firm’s relationships with strategic industry leaders and associations.
“…Many of the answers will be found by reconnecting the American people with the many economic, social, and even environmental aspects of infrastructure and its investment. Today’s challenge is really about renewing our vision for how to balance natural and man-made infrastructure, and how to leverage both to enhance our future condition…”
View this complete post...EPA Program to Protect Underground Drinking Water Needs Improvement
Wednesday, August 6th, 2014UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE
Every day in the United States, at least 2 billion gallons of fluids are injected into over 172,000 wells to enhance oil and gas production, or to dispose of fluids brought to the surface during the extraction of oil and gas resources. These wells are subject to regulation to protect drinking water sources under EPA’s UIC class II program and approved state class II programs. Because much of the population relies on underground sources for drinking water, these wells have raised concerns about the safety of the nation’s drinking water.
Making the Grade – Civil Infrastructure Industry Leaders Weigh In on Plan to Fix America’s Failing Infrastructure
Thursday, July 31st, 2014On June 27th in Washington D.C., a new report was released that outlines innovative new ways that the federal government, industry and other stakeholders can work together to solve the crisis of the failing state of U.S. infrastructure. Entitled “Making The Grade,” the six point plan is the result of experts from 45 different organizations, including corporations, professional organizations, think tanks, financial advisors and academic institutions.
The report’s name is intended as a rallying cry in response to last year’s quadrennial report card by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), which gave America’s overall infrastructure a D+ grade. Several of the report’s contributors continued the rallying cry in a #FlashBlog event last week. Following is a summary:
View this complete post...Guest on The Infra Blog: Frank Moretti, Director of Policy and Research, TRIP
Tuesday, July 29th, 2014Frank Moretti is the director of policy and research for TRIP – a Washington, DC-based nonprofit organization that prepares reports on a variety of transportation issues, including traffic congestion, traffic safety, road and bridge conditions, transportation planning and air quality.
“The nation is increasingly reliant on its rural economy…and as that dynamic is changing we wanted to take a look at the nation’s transportation system and see if we have in place a rural transportation system that can support not only the rural economy, but the nation’s economy moving forward.”
View this complete post...Follow InfrastructureUSA
CATEGORIES
- Accountability (219)
- Aging Infrastructure (747)
- Aviation (130)
- Biking (323)
- Bipartisan (271)
- Bridges (491)
- Broadband (57)
- Buses (160)
- Carbon Tax (22)
- Clean Air (182)
- Climate Change (199)
- Competitiveness (229)
- Congestion (327)
- Dams (77)
- Democrat (123)
- Drinking Water (191)
- Economic Stimulus (275)
- Employment (207)
- Energy (584)
- Environment (615)
- Equity (239)
- Funding (879)
- Global (205)
- Great American Infrastructure (33)
- Green (293)
- Guests on The Infra Blog (263)
- Hazardous Waste (27)
- High Speed Rail (224)
- Highway (783)
- Inland Waterways (204)
- Jobs (251)
- Land Use (97)
- LEED (28)
- Levees (42)
- Local (1,909)
- National (1,523)
- Policy (1,121)
- Pollution (215)
- Private Investment (213)
- Public Opinion (189)
- Public Parks & Recreation (194)
- Public Transportation (1,025)
- Racism (6)
- Rail (501)
- Recession (65)
- Recovery (218)
- Republican (109)
- Roads (1,118)
- Schools (79)
- Seaports (66)
- Smart Grid (98)
- Smart Growth (442)
- Solid Waste (26)
- Sustainability (763)
- Tax (112)
- Technology (395)
- Telecommunications (46)
- Transit (1,330)
- Urban Planning (977)
- Wastewater (180)
- Water Treatment (165)
Video, stills and tales. Share images of the Infra in your community that demands attention. Post your ideas about national Infra issues. Go ahead. Show Us Your Infra! Upload and instantly share your message.
Is the administration moving fast enough on Infra issues? Are Americans prepared to pay more taxes for repairs? Should job creation be the guiding determination? Vote now!
What do the experts think? This is where the nation's public policy organizations, trade associations and think tanks weigh in with analysis on Infra issues. Tell them what you think. Ask questions. Share a different view.
The Infra Blog offers cutting edge perspective on a broad spectrum of Infra topics. Frequent updates and provocative posts highlight hot button topics -- essential ingredients of a national Infra dialogue.
Dear Friends,
It is encouraging to finally see clear signs of federal action to support a comprehensive US infrastructure investment plan.
Now more than ever, our advocacy is needed to keep stakeholders informed and connected, and to hold politicians to their promises to finally fix our nation’s ailing infrastructure.
We have already engaged nearly 280,000 users, and hoping to add many more as interest continues to grow.
We require your support in order to rise to this occasion, to make the most of this opportunity. Please consider making a tax-deductible donation to InfrastructureUSA.org.
Steve Anderson
Managing Director
SteveAnderson@InfrastructureUSA.org
917-940-7125