Toronto is modifying its subway cars to improve safety in this age of terrorist bombings, while one expert says the change will only create an illusion of safety.
"An expert on public transit says a controversial new seat layout for TTC subway cars may make commuters feel safer, but there's no proof they actually will be.
Amer Shalaby, a civil engineering professor at the University of Toronto, says perimeter seating â€" bench-like seats that line the sides of subway cars, eliminating hiding places for explosives â€" is a relatively new concept that hasn't been monitored long enough to know if it actually thwarts possible terrorist attacks.
However, Shalaby says the proposed seating arrangement will go a long way to making commuters feel safer. Some Toronto transit users may be worried about taking the subway after terrorist attacks on commuter systems in Madrid, London and Mumbai, he says."
FULL STORY: Does subway seat layout help safety?
What ‘The Brutalist’ Teaches Us About Modern Cities
How architecture and urban landscapes reflect the trauma and dysfunction of the post-war experience.
‘Complete Streets’ Webpage Deleted in Federal Purge
Basic resources and information on building bike lanes and sidewalks, formerly housed on the government’s Complete Streets website, are now gone.
Montreal’s Gorilla Park Repurposes Defunct Railway Track
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Art in Action: USC Event Calls for an Urgent Green Energy Transition
The El Respiro / Respire event at USC uses a large-scale human geochoreography to demand an urgent and equitable transition to green energy, blending art, activism, and community engagement to amplify the message of climate justice.
Safe Parking Programs Help People Access Housing
The safety and stability offered by Safe Parking sites have helped 40 percent of unhoused San Diego residents who accessed these programs get into permanent housing.
Study: Single-Staircase Buildings Pose No Additional Risks
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Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority (NJTPA)
Economic & Planning Systems, Inc.
UCLA Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
City of Piedmont, CA
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research