In Rust Belt cities like Flint, Michigan, a loss of population translates to less cars on oversized streets. Angie Schmitt examines how Flint, and other cities like it, are trying to right-size their transportation infrastructure.
"Here’s one innovative new idea out of Flint that was a long-time coming and should be emulated in cities across the Rust Belt," writes Schmitt. "Flint is planning to reduce excess vehicle capacity on its streets by implementing road diets that make room for walking and biking. Road diets 'are central' to the city’s in-progress regional plan, known as Imagine Flint, according to a recent report by the Detroit Free Press."
"Other 'shrinking cities,' like Youngstown, Ohio, have tinkered with ideas for reducing the size of their built transportation infrastructure," she adds. "Youngstown’s talked-about proposal was to actually tear out underused streets, a plan that has proved more viable on paper than in practice."
FULL STORY: Flint’s Ingenious Plan to “Right-Size” Its Streets With Road Diets
Two Rustbelt Cities Take Similar Tacks to Future Planning
Erie, Pennsylvania and Canton, Ohio have faced the challenges of shrinking populations and fewer job prospects, but new comprehensive plans in each city may provide a pathway to resurgence
Youngstown: Another Downtown Revitalizes
Earning negative press as a put-America-back-to-work campaign stop, the Ohio city also suffered from reported connections to crime. Now private developers are working alongside Youngstown State to bring people back.
PPS Unveils Menu for an Effective Road Diet
The Project for Public Spaces has released its "Rightsizing Streets Guide", which "aims to help planners and community members update their streets to make them ‘right’ for their context."
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.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Waymo Gets Permission to Map SF’s Market Street
If allowed to operate on the traffic-restricted street, Waymo’s autonomous taxis would have a leg up over ride-hailing competitors — and counter the city’s efforts to grow bike and pedestrian on the thoroughfare.
Parklet Symposium Highlights the Success of Shared Spaces
Parklets got a boost during the Covid-19 pandemic, when the concept was translated to outdoor dining programs that offered restaurants a lifeline during the shutdown.
Federal Homelessness Agency Places Entire Staff on Leave
The U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness is the only federal agency dedicated to preventing and ending homelessness.
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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Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
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NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service