CONGRESS FOR THE NEW URBANISM
Successful freeway removal campaigns are characterized by strong community and political leadership; a decision-making process driven by long-term mobility planning, not cyclical federal and state allocations; and a vision for the urbanized environment that is not dictated solely by the fast movement of motor vehicles. CNU’s Highways to Boulevards initiative unites a diverse set of professionals, residents and activists in advocating for these outcomes and demonstrating the value of urban freeway removal by restoring urban neighborhoods and historic street networks.
Archive for the ‘Urban Planning’ Category
Freeways Without Futures
Monday, February 17th, 2014This Infra Week
Friday, February 14th, 2014Thinking of Spreading a Little Artistic Neighborhood Cheer?Don’t. It’s probably against the law.(Strong Towns Blog) Imagine All the People…Without Cars.Could driverless cars really rule the roads in just 16 years?(The Atlantic Cities) Crowdfunding InfrastructureKansas City looks to “transform one of the worst cities for biking into the one of the greatest with a world-class […]
View this complete post...Milwaukie, OR: Creating a Modern Park & Ride Facility
Wednesday, February 12th, 2014The project’s Park & Ride at the SE Park Ave MAX station will do more than provide commuters a place to park cars. It will also have secure bike parking, electric vehicle charging stations and a solar array—and 68% percent of the facility site will be dedicated to new and improved habitat.
View this complete post...In the New Mexico Tradition: The Impacts of MainStreet
Friday, February 7th, 2014PLACEECONOMICS
Main Street is a subsidiary of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The registered Main Street Four-Point Approach is a proven method for the economic development of downtowns in the context of historic preservation. The value and power of this approach as a vehicle for downtown revitalization has been proven in 40 states and more than 2,500 communities.
Early on, New Mexico recognized the potential for using Main Street as an economic development strategy, particularly in its rural communities, and established its state MainStreet Program in 1985. The program was housed in the Lieutenant Governor’s office until 1989 and then transferred to its current place in the Economic Development Department. Since its inception, the New Mexico MainStreet program has been extraordinarily effective in achieving its purpose. From its beginning with a few communities, the program has grown to currently serve 27 towns, cities, and urban neighborhoods.
View this complete post...Interactive Map: The Chicago Commute
Thursday, February 6th, 2014A unique interactive map from Transitized illustrates the various modes of transportation used by Chicagoans in their daily commutes.
You’ll see a lot of red on the map, symbolizing the carbon-conscious citizen’s nightmare of “driving alone,” but the outlook’s not all so bleak–most downtown neighborhoods favor walking, and some transit corridors with direct access to downtown (though not all, surprisingly) bring a majority of residents to work. Biking and carpooling are all but invisible at first, but mouseover any area of the map and you’ll see quick stats for that exact spot, revealing that lesser-utilized modes of transportation are still present in significant–if not majority–numbers.
View this complete post...Charles City, IA: From Flooded Property to Valuable Asset
Thursday, February 6th, 2014After years of fighting against the often-flooded Cedar River, Charles City used land acquired through Federal Emergency Management Agency flood buyouts to create an inviting riverfront park with a whitewater course. Capitalizing on the river’s natural features to help prevent future flooding, Charles City turned the river from an obstacle into an ecological and social benefit. Members of the community were involved in the park’s design and construction. Riverfront Park is a model of how to strategically use flooded properties to create a sustainable and economically valuable amenity.
View this complete post...University Transportation Research Center, Region 2: Annual Report
Wednesday, February 5th, 2014UNIVERSITY TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH CENTER
PLANNING TODAY in Region 2, requires knowledge of multi-modal and intermodal systems serving both freight and passenger movements. Planning in the region involves not only MPOs, but all of the many agencies taxed with the need to move people and goods 24/7. Planning is constrained by institutional mandate and history, the need to catch up with a backlog of capital needs, and a chronic shortage of adequate funds for both maintaining and building the infrastructure.
Guest on The Infra Blog: Dan Pitera, Executive Director, Detroit Collaborative Design Center
Monday, February 3rd, 2014Dan Pitera discusses his work with the Detroit Collaborative Design Center and the University of Detroit Mercy. Key topics include current projects underway in Detroit, strategies for effective citizen engagement, and the need to bring together disparate voices from the community for successful urban design.
“Digital engagement works, but it only works with a certain core group of people who have that technology access. Community meetings work, but they work with a certain group of people. It’s not about developing a tactic that is one-size-fits-all; it’s about developing tactics that connect.”
View this complete post...This Infra Week
Friday, January 31st, 2014INFRA STORIES YOU SHOULDN’T MISS!
San Bernardino, California: Divided No More
Miami Transportation Planners Light the Way
Big Energy Buildings Go Greener
Sprucing Up the Waiting Game
Atlanta Snowstorm Strands Drivers
Marin, CA: The Story of How Marin Was Ruined
Friday, January 24th, 2014The year is 2020, a look back on what might happen to Marin and what you can do to prevent it.
View this complete post...Follow InfrastructureUSA
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