"Cities Alive," an attractive new report by Arup, one of the world's largest engineering firm, highlights the significant social, economic, environmental and political benefits of walking.
The new free report, Cities Alive, by Arup, one of the world's largest engineering and planning firms, describes why and how to create more walkable cities. Informed by specialist insight and multidisciplinary expertise from across their global offices, the report highlights 50 benefits of walking explored through 16 distinct indicative themes, and lists 40 actions that city leaders can consider to improve walking policy, strategy and design. These are informed by a catalogue of 80 international case studies that will inspire action and further aid cities in identifying and evaluating opportunities. It is a terrific, attractive document.
This is an example of the shift among professional organizations toward more comprehensive and multi-modal transport planning, which is particularly important in developing country cities where the costs of automobile dependency are particularly high, and most households will never own automobiles.
“...I truly believe that if you can change the street, you can change the world.” —Janette Sadik-Khan, Commissioner of the New York City Department of Transportation from 2007 to 2013
FULL STORY: Cities Alive: Towards a Walking World
Meet NYC’s New Office of Livable Streets
The NYC DOT program will build on pandemic-era initiatives to promote safe and comfortable streets that enhance community and expand uses beyond just moving cars.
FHWA Opens $45 Million in Bike and Pedestrian Grants
Active Transportation grants are aimed at helping communities build and maintain bike and pedestrian infrastructure.
Minnesota Awards Active Transportation Grants
The grants are aimed at helping cities create action plans for improving their bike and pedestrian networks.
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.
Google Maps Introduces New Transit, EV Features
It will now be easier to find electric car charging stations and transit options.
Ohio Lawmakers Propose Incentivizing Housing Production
A proposed bill would take a carrot approach to stimulating housing production through a grant program that would reward cities that implement pro-housing policies.
Chicago Awarded $2M Reconnecting Communities Grant
Community advocates say the city’s plan may not do enough to reverse the negative impacts of a major expressway.
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