Adding amenities such as public restrooms and shade trees can make greenways like Detroit’s Joe Louis Greenway more inviting and comfortable for their users.
What steps could cities take to make multi-use greenways more user-friendly? According to Boston University lecturer Anne Lusk, adding amenities like restrooms, benches, and playgrounds can make greenways more inviting and comfortable for families and seniors, among others.
In a piece for Time, Micheline Maynard outlines Lusk’s research, which focuses on greenways and how people use them. In many cases, greenway projects are located along formerly industrial corridors with few existing shade trees. “Lusk says she would also like to see cities build more protected bike lanes on their streets leading to greenways, turning them into seamless transportation systems.”
These steps would help integrate greenways into the broader mobility options a city offers and make them a viable, functional part of the transportation network.
FULL STORY: Greenways Are Reviving American Cities. Some Say They Could Be Improved
Public and Private Collaboration Advances Park Development in Houston
Houston may be known to some as a concrete jungle, but its greenspaces continue to expand thanks to combined support from the public, private, and philanthropic sectors.
Miami’s Underline Linear Park Offers Recreation, Transportation, Conservation
A 10-mile park that runs under the Miami Metrorail is nearly complete and features bioswales for water conservation and public recreation facilities.
Atlanta Beltline Expands Westside Trail and Redevelops Rail Corridor
The Beltline is expanding the Westside Trail with new sections, including the Kudzu Trail, while also redeveloping abandoned rail corridors, with completion expected between 2025 and 2027.
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.
North Texas Transit Leaders Tout Benefits of TOD for Growing Region
At a summit focused on transit-oriented development, policymakers discussed how North Texas’ expanded light rail system can serve as a tool for economic growth.
Using Old Oil and Gas Wells for Green Energy Storage
Penn State researchers have found that repurposing abandoned oil and gas wells for geothermal-assisted compressed-air energy storage can boost efficiency, reduce environmental risks, and support clean energy and job transitions.
Santa Barbara Could Build Housing on County Land
County supervisors moved forward a proposal to build workforce housing on two county-owned parcels.
San Mateo Formally Opposes Freeway Project
The city council will send a letter to Caltrans urging the agency to reconsider a plan to expand the 101 through the city of San Mateo.
A Bronx Community Fights to Have its Voice Heard
After organizing and giving input for decades, the community around the Kingsbridge Armory might actually see it redeveloped — and they want to continue to have a say in how it goes.
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.
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Harvard GSD Executive Education
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NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service