Last year more than 9,000 sidewalk sheds dotted New York streets, protecting public safety and inspiring universal frustration.
The sidewalk sheds accompanying new construction have long been a thorn in the side of New York residents. While mandated to protect pedestrians from potential falling objects, they're widely considered obtrusive and unsightly.
Toronto and New York projects are experimenting with an alternative shed designed by Urban Umbrella, which won a design competition convened by former Mayor Michael Bloomberg. Made of recycled steel, translucent plastic, and LED lights, the product "looks like an umbrella unfolding and allows natural light to hit sidewalks that would normally be darkened and narrowed by traditional sheds," Amanda Fung explains in Yahoo Finance.
It's not the first attempt to aestheticize the sidewalk shed—Zaha Hadid designed one in 2015—but most previous options haven't been cost-effective. Urban Umbrella's model is still more expensive than a standard shed, but creators say the price is dropping as projects in Boston, Québec, and Vancouver join the trend.
FULL STORY: The ugly scaffold industry is about to be disrupted
New York City's Sidewalk Shed Epidemic
A 1980 law protecting pedestrians from falling debris has spawned a labyrinth of sidewalk sheds: the covered walkways that often support scaffolding. Many of these "temporary" structures linger for years.
Art May Be Coming to New York City Sidewalk Sheds
Scaffolding and sidewalk sheds being a fixture of life in NYC, the city has decided to let artists do their thing with all that blank canvas.
Central Park Sidewalk Restoration Project Balances Accessibility, Preservation
The original tile and brick sidewalks now pose safety hazards and don’t fully serve modern accessibility and mobility needs.
Seattle Legalizes Co-Living
A new state law requires all Washington cities to allow co-living facilities in areas zoned for multifamily housing.
Central Florida’s SunRail Plans Major Expansion
The expanded train line will connect more destinations to the international airport and other important destinations.
Las Vegas Golf Course to Become Over 1,000 Units of Affordable Housing
The project is part of an initiative to build affordable housing on shuttered golf courses.
Cities and States Taking Action to Limit Rent-Setting AI
Federal prosecutors are charging a software company with using algorithms to artificially inflate rents.
BART to Raise Fares in January
The transit agency says it needs more state and federal support to meet its operating costs and avoid a growing budget gap.
Montreal Bike Share Breaks Ridership Record With 13 Million Rides
The Bixi system introduced a winter pilot project last year, leading to a rise in winter cycling.
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Los Alamos County
City of Culver City
Skagit Transit
American Planning Association, Sustainable Communities Division
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
City of Cambridge, Maryland
Newport County Development Council: Connect Greater Newport
Rockdale County Board of Commissioners