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".
Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series
The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.
New Jersey Lawsuit Targets Rent-Setting Algorithms
The state of New Jersey is taking legal action against landlords and companies that engage in what the state’s Attorney General alleges is illegal rent fixing.
Washington Legislature Passes Rent Increase Cap
A bill that caps rent increases at 7 percent plus inflation is headed to the governor’s desk.
From Planning to Action: How LA County Is Rethinking Climate Resilience
Chief Sustainability Officer Rita Kampalath outlines the County’s shift from planning to implementation in its climate resilience efforts, emphasizing cross-departmental coordination, updated recovery strategies, and the need for flexible funding.
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.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Ada County Highway District
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