How One University Will Become Less Car-Centric

Fresno State University in California has released plans for a suite of changes that will redefine its approach to transportation—away from a devout focus on cars and toward more transportation options.

2 minute read

February 8, 2016, 12:00 PM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Fresno State

David Prasad / Flickr

James Sinclair writes about the efforts of Fresno State University in California to shift its transportation focus away from parking and cars toward a more multi-modal community. Sinclair's post begins by describing the land use context of the city of Fresno, located in an expansive part of California's Central Valley that has seen waves of urban and suburban development.

Despite the city's transition away from the agricultural setting of its past, Fresno State has "operated as a car-campus, and made no efforts to change that," writes Sinclair. His analysis of those efforts includes a look at collision data from around the campus and references to earlier posts critiquing developments and plans.

Yet in the current post, Sinclair is able to report a new direction for the university's transportation strategies:

Anyway, after apparently conceding that you can't build your way out of congestion and parking demand, it looks like change has finally arrived at Fresno State. And not just a small change: a wave of changes meant to encourage alternative modes of transportation, all happening within the past 6 months. 

Sinclair breaks down each of these specific points of action by Fresno State in much more detail in the post:

  • New campus shuttle bus
  • Partnerships creating bus service to Visalia and north to Yosemite
  • Free bus passes on FAX and Clovis Stageline for all students and staff
  • Scramble crosswalk on Cedar
  • Bicycle barns (secure bicycle parking)
  • Bicycle maintenance stations
  • High quality Active Transportation Master Plan prepared by Alta

Hat tip to Angie Schmitt at Streetsblog USA for sharing Sinclair's post.

Wednesday, February 3, 2016 in Stop and Move

Sweeping view of Portland, Oregon with Mt. Hood in background against sunset sky.

Oregon Passes Exemption to Urban Growth Boundary

Cities have a one-time chance to acquire new land for development in a bid to increase housing supply and affordability.

March 12, 2024 - Housing Wire

Aerial view of green roofs with plants in Sydney, Australia.

Where Urban Design Is Headed in 2024

A forecast of likely trends in urban design and architecture.

March 10, 2024 - Daily Journal of Commerce

Cobblestone street with streetcar line, row of vintage streetlights on left, and colorful restaurant and shop awnings on right on River Street in Savannah, Georgia.

Savannah: A City of Planning Contrasts

From a human-scales, plaza-anchored grid to suburban sprawl, the oldest planned city in the United States has seen wildly different development patterns.

March 12, 2024 - Strong Towns

Aerial View of Chuckanut Drive and the Blanchard Bridge in the Skagit Valley.

Washington Tribes Receive Resilience Funding

The 28 grants support projects including relocation efforts as coastal communities face the growing impacts of climate change.

March 18 - The Seattle Times

Historic buildings in downtown Los Angeles with large "Pan American Lofts" sign on side of building.

Adaptive Reuse Bills Introduced in California Assembly

The legislation would expand eligibility for economic incentives and let cities loosen regulations to allow for more building conversions.

March 18 - Beverly Press

View from above of swan-shaped paddleboats with lights on around artesian fountain in Echo Park Lake with downtown Los Angeles skylien in background at twilight.

LA's Top Parks, Ranked

TimeOut just released its list of the top 26 parks in the L.A. area, which is home to some of the best green spaces around.

March 18 - TimeOut

News from HUD User

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Call for Speakers

Mpact Transit + Community

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

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.