The 16th St Mall is a pedestrian space and busway that ought to be Denver’s Times Sq … but isn’t. So what to do with this vital, troubled public space? Downtown interests are trying events, signage and a name change. Here’s a vision: Make 16th St worth walking, with things to see and do along the way and a safe, comfortable walk between. https://denverite.com/2025/05/20/16th-street-mall-new-name-denver/ #walkable #downtowns

For 25 years, a program run by the regional council of gov’ts has helped cities in the Atlanta area build #walkable places. How? By offering a small amount of money and planning expertise to local gov’ts wanting livelier downtowns and neighborhoods and better access to transit. Shouldn’t your region have a Livable Centers Initiative? https://saportareport.com/arc-awards-2025-livable-centers-initiative-grants-announces-community-development-assistance-program-recipients/columnists/gracedonnelly/

If you bought an EV, you’d pay a premium for the car but save a lot in maintenance and fuel costs. How much? Fuel alone should save you $100 a month in CA, a personal finance writer says. Now, how about calculating the savings you'd enjoy if you lived in a place where you could walk, bike or take #transit nearly everywhere? Safe bet: a lot more than $100 a month. https://www.sfchronicle.com/personal-finance/article/electric-car-cost-california-20305605.php #walkable

20 years ago Atlanta started work on what seemed like an impossible project: a 22-mile circle of pedestrian and #cycling trails around downtown called the Beltline. As the Beltline nears final construction, it has become so popular it has spawned a new problem: bike-pedestrian collisions. Civic leaders urge the city to build lanes “separating heels from wheels.” https://www.ajc.com/opinion/opinion-the-beltline-is-increasingly-popular-and-atlanta-must-help-it-evolve/R3TR6UQW75H4VJEQKWEPNH4IPI/ #walkable

“A neighborhood is not just a bunch of single-family houses”: If there’s a unifying idea behind #urbanism, it is … turn single land uses to mixed uses. Mixed uses build #walkable areas, reward #transit, bring neighbors together. Single uses make these things harder. Example: See the joy in this Denver neighborhood when a big old single use got mixed. https://denverite.com/2025/05/14/york-street-yards-clayton-neighborhood/

In 2009, NYC closed Broadway through Times Sq to traffic and it set off … a furor. Until people saw the results: Many more people in the street and no gridlock. Seattle’s Pike Place Market has talked about something similar for years, closing streets to increase pedestrian access and safety. Finally, with the city’s blessing, it has done so. https://www.cascadepbs.org/politics/2025/05/vastly-more-walkable-seattles-pike-place-market-tests-car-ban #walkable

Book of the Week: “Streetfight: Handbook for an Urban Revolution” is the inside story of how NYC changed many of its streets, expanding cycling and pedestrian uses. It offers a step-by-step guide for other cities to do the same. https://www.atlantaurbanist.com/book/streetfight/ #walkable

It is scandalous that pedestrian deaths have soared in recent years, especially along suburban highways. What is the answer? Better road design? More traffic enforcement? How about more pedestrian infrastructure (sidewalks, lighting, crosswalks)? Before deciding, let’s publicize the problems more effectively … because the voters don’t yet see this carnage as the crisis it is. https://www.governing.com/transportation/whats-killing-so-many-pedestrians #walkable

The US may have plastic #straws, but we have good #transit, #walkable neighbourhoods, and a variety of different post-work drinks.

There is a failed retail district in downtown Philly that city leaders thought they had an answer for: relocate the NBA arena there. Long story short: Didn’t happen. So now what? City leaders have a second, probably more effective vision for Market St: lots of housing with retail and restaurants. A key challenge: Make the area “safe and attractive.” #Walkable would be nice, too. https://billypenn.com/2025/03/06/jessie-lawrence-planning-market-east/

“The Emerald Brocade”: 20 years ago, a nonprofit created a vision for the Beltline, a 22-mile circle of trails and #parks around downtown Atlanta. It called the vision “the Emerald Necklace,” and the results have been a huge success. Now it’s time, say two who were involved in the first vision, to extended those connected trails and parks to other parts of the city. https://www.ajc.com/opinion/edwards-and-dusenbury-lets-extend-success-of-the-beltline-throughout-atlanta/VRWLJOCK3NGJZL7S54L3IFKV7Q/ #walkable #cycling

#Sidewalks were built for one purpose in the 1800s, then changed mission in the 20th century. They declined in popularity in one period, only to become popular again… along with a new thing, urban trails. At each turn, gov’t played a big role. http://www.fromthegovt.com/sidewalks-and-trails/ #walkable

Denver Mayor Johnston says he is committed to reducing the impact of cars on his city and increasing the share of trips made on foot, by bike and on #transit. So, why does it feel to some like the city is backsliding? Maybe because they depend too much on gov’t for leadership. Shouldn’t there be a role here for BIDs and neighborhood groups to advocate for #walkable streets and organize car-free events? https://denverite.com/2025/03/04/denver-transit-bikes-pedestrians-vision-zero-amy-ford-2025/

MA has a law requiring #suburbs to plan for and permit multifamily #housing near commuter-rail stations. Studies show this would be good for the region AND for the communities. Just one thing: Local voters aren’t buying it. What’s the way forward? How about grassroots groups that learn about and advocate for #walkable cities that include … hmm, denser housing near #transit. https://commonwealthbeacon.org/transportation/suburban-commuter-rail-stations-need-more-housing-density-new-report-says/ #density

Why are pedestrian deaths rising in the D.C. area? Not enough traffic enforcement, alcohol, poor street lighting play roles. But a map shows that fatalities are clustered around suburban highways, near places low-income families locate. Until these highways are redesigned for pedestrians and transit, not speeding cars, they’ll be death traps. https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2025/02/23/pedestrian-deaths-dc-region/ #walkable #suburbs

“Building new gas stations now is like building more Blockbusters in the age of Netflix”: It IS puzzling that companies would build gas stations in cities that are working hard to encourage transit-oriented #density, #walkable neighborhoods, #cycling and mixed uses. But should cities ban stations … or let market forces do the work for them? Denver votes … ban. https://denverite.com/2025/02/18/denver-gas-station-construction-law-limits-ban-2025/

The Strong Towns Housing Toolkit drops February 27.

You can also click here to get a sneak peek at the toolkit and take a quiz to see if your city is ready to welcome more housing. If it is, add it to our map of Housing-Ready Cities!

Sneak Peak: https://www.strongtowns.org/housingready

Enjoy the video, and keep doing what you can to build a strong town: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gAqY7yzk10

#Housing #Affordability #Urbanism #UrbanPlanning #YIMBY #ADU #ABU #Sustainability #Resilience #Economy #Community #Walkable

I definitely walked more in 2 months in France than in 2 years in the USA.

Honestly that the thing I want to do most in France: Just walk everywhere, cause I can.

#CarCulture #walking #steps #healthcare #health #walkable #WalkableNeighborhood

What is a #walkable city? A new study says it’s the average time it takes to walk to “amenities” (schools, restaurants, shops, etc.) AND the percentage of people in the city who can do so in 15 minutes’ time. Most walkable place in the world? Milan, Italy, where nearly 98% of residents can walk to amenities. Average walk: 6.4 minutes. Cities in North America in the top 50 of walkable cities? Zero. https://www.economist.com/graphic-detail/2025/02/07/what-can-the-worlds-most-walkable-cities-teach-other-places