Much more than just an extension of a house, the porch has long been a place of safety, intimacy, and communality.

Front porches have played an integral role in African-American life, writes Audra D. S. Burch. "From the narrow shotgun homes of Atlanta to the dormer-windowed bungalows of Chicago, the front porch has served as a refuge from Jim Crow restrictions; a stage straddling the home and the street, a structural backdrop of meaningful life moments."
Burch highlights the work of architecture scholar Germane Barnes, who has explored the role of porches in communities across the country. In Detroit, Barnes collected stories from African-American residents about the front porch as a place for socializing, a symbol of economic prosperity, and the site of cultural and neighborhood empowerment.
The diverse experiences include the story of Shamayim Harris, who spent time on her front porch reflecting on the struggling neighborhood around her:
That was the quiet beginnings of what is now Avalon Village, a green development project birthed on Ms. Harris’s porch and inspired by her youngest son, Jakobi Ra, who died in a hit-and-run accident 11 years ago. The growing village, composed of 32 abandoned parcels, now includes solar-powered streetlights, a park, an educational center and a marketplace for women entrepreneurs.
Another profile describes how Cornetta Lane decided to reclaim the history and identity of her Detroit neighborhood, Core City, by organizing a bike event where participants stopped at porches to hear residents’ stories. "I never considered doing this without the porch," Ms. Lane said. "It is a natural place for convening. You sit on the porch and tell stories. Porches are built for storytelling."
FULL STORY: On the Front Porch, Black Life in Full View

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As we consider how to decarbonize transportation, preserving mobility, especially for lower- and middle-income people, must be a priority.

Early Sharrow Booster: ‘I Was Wrong’
The lane marking was meant to raise awareness and instill shared respect among drivers and cyclists. But their inefficiency has led supporters to denounce sharrows, pushing instead for more robust bike infrastructure that truly protects riders.

Push and Pull: The Link Between Walkability and Affordability
The increased demand for walkable urban spaces could make them more and more exclusionary if cities don’t pursue policies to limit displacement and boost affordability.

U.S. Transit Agencies Face a Financial Crisis
Transit providers around the country are scrambling to find new sources of revenue to replace lagging ridership and reorienting their systems to a future less dependent on daily commuters.

California Rejects Six-State Colorado River Plan, Proposes Its Own
State officials claim a proposal agreed upon by the other six states using Colorado River water disproportionately impacts California farmers.

Washington Focuses Road Safety Efforts on Individuals, Neglecting Design
Legislative efforts to reduce traffic deaths could move the needle toward Vision Zero, but state leaders failed to commit infrastructure funds to making structural improvements.
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