"Last year the government spent less on the ministry of silly walks than it did on national defense."
"And now for something completely different: A Monty Python-inspired crosswalk in the middle of an East Texas town."
That's the lede from an article by Michael Merschel, who reports on the crosswalk located at main and Gilmer streets in Sulphur Springs. Texas.
The joke: "A pair of traffic signs featuring the silhouette of a slouching, high-stepping, bowler-wearing John Cleese figure doing a silly walk."
As Monty Python proved unequivocally, silly walks are funny, and the decision to add the signs to the crosswalks in Sulphur Springs is all in good fun. Merschel reports that Shane Shepard, former Sulphur Springs community development director, was inspired by a similar sign in Ørje, Norway.
The Silly Walks sign is not the only whimsical element to be found in Downtown Sulphur Springs, as detailed in the article.
FULL STORY: What's this Monty Python sign doing in the middle of Sulphur Springs, Texas?
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.
Pennsylvania Mall Conversion Bill Passes House
If passed, the bill would promote the adaptive reuse of defunct commercial buildings.
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.
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.
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
Town of Zionsville
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.