A lack of funding prevents many U.S. parks and public spaces from playing a more significant role in helping residents meet daily needs.
A survey from Project for Public Spaces asked respondents to describe how they feel about their local public spaces and what amenities could make them better and more welcoming.
According to a Smart Cities Dive article by Rachel H. Pollack, the survey reveals that only 5 percent of respondents feel that public spaces are fully meeting community needs or letting residents easily and equitably “go outside, connect with neighbors and families and meet daily needs.” Respondents, some of whom were professionals from city planning and civic engineering, cited funding as a key factor impacting U.S. public space development and maintenance.
Interventions that improve public space can cater to the specific needs of each city, such as regional extreme weather events. “Cities can introduce new trees and awnings in public spaces to increase shade and combat rising temperatures, as in Phoenix, helping people better enjoy them. And they can design rain gardens and other green infrastructure in public spaces to help mitigate the effects of flooding, as New York City has done.”
FULL STORY: Public spaces could better meet community needs: survey
Montreal’s Gorilla Park Repurposes Defunct Railway Track
The park is part of a global movement to build public spaces that connect neighbors and work with local elements to serve as key parts of a city’s green infrastructure.
Exposition Park’s $351.5 Million Transformation
This revitalization will create vital green spaces, improve accessibility, and enhance connections with community, making Exposition Park a central hub for recreation and culture in Los Angeles.
Rethinking the Definition of City
A city has always been understood and defined as a pattern of human settlement. This op-ed suggests that a city needs to be a product of its environment, rather than the environment simply being a product of it.
Americans May Be Stuck — But Why?
Americans are moving a lot less than they once did, and that is a problem. While Yoni Applebaum, in his highly-publicized article Stuck, gets the reasons badly wrong, it's still important to ask: why are we moving so much less than before?
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.
Placekeeping: Setting a New Precedent for City Planners
How a preservation-based approach to redevelopment and urban design can prevent displacement and honor legacy communities.
Montana Bill Promotes Parking Reform
A bill before the Montana state senate would bar cities from requiring more than one parking spot per new housing unit.
USDOT Targets Transit, High-Speed Rail, Sustainable Transportation for Cuts
High-profile projects like New York City congestion pricing, California high-speed rail, and major transit agencies face drastic federal funding cuts.
Minnesota Seeks State Support for Office Conversions
The 30% “CUB credit” would support the conversion of buildings 15 years or older into any use that “will return that vacant area to an income-producing, habitable condition.”
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.
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