Planning for active transportation is the new trend in urban development, according to the Urban Land Institute—and it pays off.
The concept of transit-oriented development is by now widely embraced. A new report from ULI explores what it calls "the next frontier": trail-oriented development.
As The Architects' Newspaper puts it, the report asks: "What happens when officials, urban planners, and developers, and other professionals involved in the built environment put a premium on safe sidewalks, cycle paths, the pedestrian, and the cyclist?"
The study looked at 10 residential and commercial developments in cities around the world, as well as five "catalytic" bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure projects.
It found that trail-oriented development has a positive impact on "economic development, public health, air quality, community design and real estate design and investment." Trail systems can boost retail sales, commercial property values, and tourism, while creating savings in health and business costs.
Bike ridership is growing worldwide, even in already-bike-friendly cities. In the United States, San Jose is updating its Trail Strategic Plan, while Houston recently unveiled a new plan for "casual riders."
For cities playing catch-up, the report includes a guide to becoming a bicycle-friendly community.
FULL STORY: New study: trail-oriented development improves public health and property values
Depopulation Patterns Get Weird
A recent ranking of “declining” cities heavily features some of the most expensive cities in the country — including New York City and a half-dozen in the San Francisco Bay Area.
California Exodus: Population Drops Below 39 Million
Never mind the 40 million that demographers predicted the Golden State would reach by 2018. The state's population dipped below 39 million to 38.965 million last July, according to Census data released in March, the lowest since 2015.
Chicago to Turn High-Rise Offices into Housing
Four commercial buildings in the Chicago Loop have been approved for redevelopment into housing in a bid to revitalize the city’s downtown post-pandemic.
How California Transit Agencies are Addressing Rider Harassment
Safety and harassment are commonly cited reasons passengers, particularly women and girls, avoid public transit.
Significant Investments Needed to Protect LA County Residents From Climate Hazards
A new study estimates that LA County must invest billions of dollars before 2040 to protect residents from extreme heat, increasing precipitation, worsening wildfires, rising sea levels, and climate-induced public health threats.
Federal Rule Raises Cost for Oil and Gas Extraction on Public Lands
An update to federal regulations raises minimum bonding to limit orphaned wells and ensure cleanup costs are covered — but it still may not be enough to mitigate the damages caused by oil and gas drilling.
City of Costa Mesa
Licking County
Barrett Planning Group LLC
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Mpact Transit + Community
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
City of Universal City TX
ULI Northwest Arkansas
City of Laramie, Wyoming
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