Car-Centric Planning

Calls for Environmental Action Increasing as Coronavirus Lingers
We can't go back to the way of life that makes pollution and climate change acceptable, according to multiple articles published on and around Earth Day. It's time for change.

Congestion Pricing in Manhattan Likely Stuck in COVID-19 Limbo
The federal government was already slow to cooperate with a plan to charge automobile drivers for entering certain parts of Manhattan, but with coronavirus commanding so much attention, the project isn't likely to move forward any time soon.

Lessons from Pandemics: Transportation Risks and Safety Strategies
Many people assume that infectious disease risks make public transport dangerous and automobile travel safe, but this is generally untrue. Other factors have more effect on pandemic risk.

Milan Commits to a Less Car-Centric New Normal
Milan is making changes to its streets to ensure that the city's residents and employment base don't overwhelm the city with new automobile traffic when the city reopens for business.

Car-Free Market Street Benefits Micromobility, Transit Without Ruining Car Commutes, Studies Say
Multiple studies have quantified the early results from a project in San Francisco that blocked most private automobile traffic from Market Street in the city's downtown.

Chain Restaurants and Cars Go Together. Driving Ruins Local Flavor
City Observatory research shows that urban regions where residents drive less and rely more on other travel modes have more independent restaurants and more varied dining options. Bon appetit for walking, bicycling and public transit.

Philly Safe Streets Advocates Want What San Francisco and New York Are Having
The idea of blocking major streets to private automobiles is making advocates envious in cities that have yet to implement the idea. A petition is circulating to give the car-free treatment to Chestnut Street in Philadelphia.

Congestion Pricing Has Mayoral Support in San Francisco
Additional disincentives for driving (i.e., congestion pricing and new parking fees) are on the mayor's agenda in San Francisco.

How Cars Make Life More Expensive—Even If You Don't Own a Car
Auto-dependence starts with land use, and zoning codes ensure everyone pays for the privilege only available to some.

When Cities Are Designed for Driving, Car Bans Are Not the Solution
Banning cars will not be effective as long as U.S. cities continue to prioritize transportation systems where mobility is dependent on driving.

Opinion: Car Culture Will Shift in the Next Decade
Cars and vehicle emissions are undoubtedly central to the climate change problem. The solution, however, might not be cleaner vehicles but rather a drastic change in our relationship to automobiles and driving.

Opinion: When New Growth Is Really a 'Giant Ponzi Scheme'
Development that depends on subsidies is not fostering true growth and instead is a financial house of cards.

3 Ways to Overcome a Century of Car-Centric Planning
The consequences of car-centric planning are clear, a century after cars took over streets and lives across this country. According to this article, so to is a new way forward.

Research Quantifies the High Price of the Massachusetts Car Economy
Car culture isn't free, even for people who don't own cars.

U.S. Land Use, SUVs Targeted in New U.N. Climate Change Report
The United Nations announces more bad news for the climate and the role of American society and culture in causing the destruction of the planet.

A Post-Car-as-King Planning World
Cities not named from Boston in Massachusetts are explored for lessons in contemporary parking regulations.

$1.6 Billion Highway Improvement Program Announced in Colorado
The Colorado Department of Transportation will spend big on highway projects over the next three years.

No Cars Allowed: Arizona Multi-Family Development Tests the Market for Car-Free Living
Culdesac Tempe will offer will have apartments for 1,000 people and zero space for cars.

Austin to Ban Cars From Popular Street on Weekends
An entertainment district in Austin will soon be the sole province of pedestrians on busy weekend nights.

$900 Million in BUILD Transportation Grants Announced
The U.S. Department of Transportation this week announced $900 million in BUILD grant funding for transportation projects around the country, supporting a similar focus on rural and highway projects as in previous rounds of spending.
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