Mike Lydon

Mike Lydon is Principal of the Street Plans Collaborative and co-author of Tactical Urbanism: Short-term Actions for Long-term Change (Island Press, 2015).

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Full Bio

Mike Lydon is a Principal of The Street Plans Collaborative, an award-winning planning, design, and research-advocacy firm based in Miami, New York City, and San Francisco. Mike is an internationally recognized planner, writer, and advocate for livable cities. His work has appeared in The New York Times, NPR, ABC News, CNN Headline News, City Lab, and Architect Magazine, amongst other publications. Mike collaborated with Andres Duany and Jeff Speck in writing The Smart Growth Manual, published by McGraw-Hill in 2009. Mike is also the creator and primary author of the The Open Streets Project and Tactical Urbanism: Short-Term Action, Long-Term Change Vol. 1 – Vol. 4. Mike also co-created and edited Mercado: Lessons from 20 Markets across South America authored by Julie Flynn. Most recently, Mike finished writing a full-length book about Tactical Urbanism with co-Principal Tony Garcia, to be published by Island Press in March, 2015. Mike received a B.A. in American Cultural Studies from Bates College and a Masters in Urban Planning from the University of Michigan. Mike is a CNU-Accredited Professional and he encourages you to trade four wheels for two.

Miami's Highway Shoe Mystery Remains Unsolved

Was it a walkability protest, political demonstration, or just an accident? Regardless, the thousands of used shoes that covered Miami's Palmetto Expressway last week, delaying traffic for hours, are now on their way to Haiti.

New York City's Ever-Evolving Union Square

Controversy surrounds a $20 million redesign of New York City's Union Square Park.

Of Chickens and Cities

In Cleveland, the rise of urban agriculture has spurred new regulations intended to help farmers raise chickens or bees. Some fear, however, the newly created red tape makes it more difficult.

What A Difference A Year Makes

In late 2007, it was with increasing frustration that I penned and op-ed entitled "Make Miami a Bicycle-Friendly City." Appearing in the December 13th edition of the Miami Herald, the article implored City officials to make the city more amenable to bicycling (It was no surprise in the spring of 2008 when Bicycling Magazine named Miami <a href="http://www.bicycling.com/article/0,6610,s1-2-18-17082-1,00.html">one of the three worst cities in America in which to bicycle</a>). <br /> <p class="MsoNormal"> The City's response exceeded all of my expectations. </p>

Prince of Wales Says 'Green' Architecture Does Not Have To Be Modernist

Prince Charles makes a case for the commercial viability of green housing with traditional design, as opposed to the modernist styles typically associated with the future of low carbon homes.