Bloomberg Philanthropies is funding projects that take an artistic approach to traffic safety.
Bloomberg Philanthropies announced Asphalt Art Initiative grants for 26 U.S. cities. Each city will be provided up to $25,000 to install projects that use art and design to improve street safety, revitalize public spaces, and engage residents of their communities, according to a Bloomberg Philanthropies press release.
Bloomberg Philanthropies also awarded Asphalt Art Initiative grants to projects in 16 U.S. cities in 2020. According to the press release, the results of the initiative are still being evaluated, but some positive sings are already emerging, like in Kansas Cuity, where "the redesign of a problematic intersection reduced overall vehicle speeds by 45 percent, cut pedestrian crossing distances in half, and increased the percentage of pedestrians who feel safe crossing the intersection from 23 to 63 percent."
In 2021, the selected Asphalt Art Initiative projects and cities include:
- Pedestrian and cyclist safety enhancements in 10 cities: Atlanta, GA; Baltimore, MD; Houston, TX; Kansas City, MO; Long Beach, CA; Memphis, TN; San Juan, PR; St Louis, MO; Tucson, AZ; and Wilmington, DE
- Pedestrian plazas and public space improvements in 7 cities: Birmingham, AL; Denver, CO; Detroit, MI; Fairbanks, AK; Newark, NJ; Providence, RI; and Syracuse, NY
- Intersection and crosswalk murals in 9 cities: Billings, MT; Chicago, IL; East Providence, RI; Huntington, WV; Kodiak, AK; New Brunswick, NJ; Niagara Falls, NY; Starkville, MS; Tallahassee, FL
Let’s End Traffic Stops
The technology to make traffic enforcement obsolete is becoming available. But in the U.S. willing to use it?
Nation's Top Safety Board Recommends Protected Bike Lanes
The NTSB chair issued a stark warning on Nov. 5: "If we do not improve roadway infrastructure for bicyclists, bicyclists will die who otherwise would not," stated Robert Sumwalt in introducing their first report in 47 years devoted to bike safety.
In Crosswalks, Public Art Meets Transportation
Colorful, engaging crosswalks aren’t the norm, but they’re popping up around the country. And while they aren’t in line with federal guidelines, they have transformed streets and intersections.
Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage
Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”
Study: Maui’s Plan to Convert Vacation Rentals to Long-Term Housing Could Cause Nearly $1 Billion Economic Loss
The plan would reduce visitor accommodation by 25% resulting in 1,900 jobs lost.
Why Should We Subsidize Public Transportation?
Many public transit agencies face financial stress due to rising costs, declining fare revenue, and declining subsidies. Transit advocates must provide a strong business case for increasing public transit funding.
Paris Bike Boom Leads to Steep Drop in Air Pollution
The French city’s air quality has improved dramatically in the past 20 years, coinciding with a growth in cycling.
Why Housing Costs More to Build in California Than in Texas
Hard costs like labor and materials combined with ‘soft’ costs such as permitting make building in the San Francisco Bay Area almost three times as costly as in Texas cities.
San Diego County Sees a Rise in Urban Coyotes
San Diego County experiences a rise in urban coyotes, as sightings become prevalent throughout its urban neighbourhoods and surrounding areas.
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.
Smith Gee Studio
Alamo Area Metropolitan Planning Organization
City of Santa Clarita
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service