Transportation investment is struggling to keep pace with population growth.
The Columbus Dispatch reports on "modest gains" over the past few years in tackling congestion and promoting sustainable transportation options in Central Ohio. Patrick Cooley explains that while there was a dip in the percentage of commuters who drive, that small achievement was offset by a growth in the overall number of commuters driving.
The Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission, using census data, found that the proportion of Franklin County commuters who drive alone to work fell to 81.2 percent, from 81.7 percent, between 2007 and 2016. It's a small decrease, but it reversed an upward trend. However, the total number of people driving alone to work actually increased in that time, to 503,180 from 463,043.
Some of the share of drivers went to public transit ridership, through programs like free bus passes for employees of Downtown businesses and more than doubling the number of high-frequency lines, among other initiatives. Some also went to cycling, with the addition of bike lanes on major streets. But both options are still difficult to access outside of urban cores, Cooley reports.
FULL STORY: Little progress in cutting central Ohio congestion
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.
Pennsylvania Mall Conversion Bill Passes House
If passed, the bill would promote the adaptive reuse of defunct commercial buildings.
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
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ULI Northwest Arkansas
Town of Zionsville
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