Todd Litman's blog

Rethinking Traffic Safety

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Submitted by Todd Litman on October 3, 2016 - 5:00am

The United States has, by far, the highest traffic fatality rate among peer countries. Don’t blame drivers; planners need to rethink transportation safety.

Urban Sanity: Understanding Urban Mental Health Impacts and How to Create Saner, Happier Cities

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Submitted by Todd Litman on September 6, 2016 - 5:00am

Some experts claim that city living causes mental illness and unhappiness, but a new study indicates that urban environments provide many mental health benefits. Better planning can help make sane and happy cities.

Funding Multi-Modalism

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Submitted by Todd Litman on August 3, 2016 - 5:00am

The new Republican Party Platform wants to stop spending federal fuel tax funds on walking, cycling, and public transit. That would be unfair and inefficient.

Arbitrating Fairness: Potty Parity

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Submitted by Todd Litman on July 14, 2016 - 2:00pm

Planners are often involved in social equity analysis. How issues are defined and measured can affect what seems fair and just. Consider, for example, the fairness of toilet access.

Smarter Taxi and Ride-Hailing Policies

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Submitted by Todd Litman on June 27, 2016 - 7:00am

Taxis, including new ride hailing services, play unique and important roles in an efficient and equitable transport systems. Let's support them with smart policies.

An Accurate Answer to an Interesting Question: Are Compact Neighborhoods Really Most Affordable?

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Submitted by Todd Litman on June 1, 2016 - 5:00am

Contrary to recent claims, the evidence really does indicate that compact, multi-modal neighborhoods tend to be most affordable overall, considering both housing and transportation costs.

Selling Smart Growth

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Submitted by Todd Litman on May 10, 2016 - 1:00pm

Smart Growth can provide many direct benefits to residents, businesses and local governments. Our challenge is to better answer the question that many stakeholders ask, "What’s in it for me?"

Evaluating Affordable Housing Development Strategies

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Submitted by Todd Litman on March 23, 2016 - 6:00am

There are many ways that communities can support and encourage affordable housing development. Let's compare them.

Smart Growth Policies for Urban Affordability and Fertility

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Submitted by Todd Litman on February 10, 2016 - 7:00am

The new International Housing Affordability Survey contains various errors and biases. The author even claims that compact housing reduces fertility. Really? Smart policies can create affordable and family-friendly housing.

Implications for Planning Emerge From COP21

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Submitted by Todd Litman on December 16, 2015 - 11:00am

The Conference of Parties (COP21) held during the last two weeks in Paris establishes ambitious climate change emission reduction targets. This will be a challenge and opportunity for planners. Here are some highlights.

Not So Fast: Metro Board Hits the Brakes on Southern California Highway Expansion Plans

An American Urban Coronavirus Success Story

Four Steps for Effective Land Use Reform

Brookings Report Measures 100 U.S. Cities' Adherence to Climate Action Pledges

From Eco-Districts to Green Justice Zones

'The Affordable City' Offers Solutions for the U.S. Housing Affordability Crisis

Are Pedestrians Moving to Danger?

A Bipartisan Case for Mass Timber—Combating Wildfires and Developing Local Economies

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Todd Litman's blog

Rethinking Traffic Safety

Urban Sanity: Understanding Urban Mental Health Impacts and How to Create Saner, Happier Cities

Funding Multi-Modalism

Arbitrating Fairness: Potty Parity

Smarter Taxi and Ride-Hailing Policies

An Accurate Answer to an Interesting Question: Are Compact Neighborhoods Really Most Affordable?

Selling Smart Growth

Evaluating Affordable Housing Development Strategies

Smart Growth Policies for Urban Affordability and Fertility

Implications for Planning Emerge From COP21

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