Jane E. Brody reports on the safety features New York City has instituted as part of an ambitious effort to completely re-engineer city streets.
As the numbers of pedestrians and cyclists in New York City have risen, a remarkable thing has happened, "the number of traffic-related deaths on city streets fell last year to the lowest level in a century, declining 40 percent since 2001."
Brody attributes these statistics to a plan-in-progress being led by the city's transportation commissioner, Janette Sadik-Khan, to re-engineer the city's streets with safety features such as, "pedestrian plazas, well-marked crosswalks, bike lanes (both segregated and shared with vehicles) and timed traffic signals that enable pedestrians to better judge their ability to cross streets safely."
According to Brody, "The city is also enhancing enforcement of traffic laws, with more summonses for drivers who ignore stop signs, sail through red lights, and talk or text on a handheld device while driving. But as Ms. Sadik-Khan acknowledges, this is only the beginning; a lot more must be done to make the city streets safer for people who wish to navigate them under their own steam."
FULL STORY: Personal Health: Giving City Streets Built-In Safety Features
Where Cities Have Helped Walkers
Laura Laker surveys efforts to make cities more walkable, from Melbourne's converted alleys to Guangzhou's 60-mile ecological corridor.
To Control Health Costs, Build Sidewalks
Each month new research emerges linking public health with the built environment. Yet just a small fraction of healthcare spending goes toward reducing our exposure to unhealthy environments. Under the Affordable Care Act, that could soon change.
What More 'Livable Streets' Could Mean for New York
This article from The New York Observer looks at how New York City might be different with more "livable streets".
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.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Ascent Environmental
Borough of Carlisle
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