A crowdsourcing app allows citizens to hold the public realm to higher standards of access and mobility.
Josh Cohen reports that Project Sidewalk, a data gathering mobile app project led by University of Washington faculty and students, has launched in Seattle in the hopes of improving sidewalk conditions.
"First piloted in Washington, D.C., in 2016, Project Sidewalk launched the Seattle version in mid-April," according to Cohen. "The app relies on data generated by users reviewing the city’s sidewalks via Google Street View, an attempt to speed up city audits usually conducted by teams of city workers walking the streets with clipboard in hand."
Leading the University of Washington effort is Computer Science Professor Jon Froehlich, who tells Cohen that desired outcomes for Project Sidewalk include a better educated citizenry and political accountability in maintaining ADA compliant access in the public realm.
FULL STORY: Seattle's got terrible sidewalks. You can help fix them.
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Cities are economically diverse and require accessible health care systems, but this can be challenging to implement. Urban developers are working alongside health professionals to create affordable care for city residents.
Dams on the Way Out on Two California Rivers
The largest dam removal project in U.S. history is about to commence on the Klamath River. Due to a recent development, a dam on the Eel River is also on expected for decommission.
Federal Funds Helping to Create New Parks in San Diego County
The Beyer Park project in San Ysidro and Sweetwater Park development in Chula Vista each received $5 million grants from the U.S. Department of the Interior.
Bus System Redesign Paired With New Light Rail Service Near Seattle
Community Transit, the public transit authority for Snohomish County, Washington, is redesigning its bus system to plan ahead for the Lynwood Link Extension, currently more than halfway done with construction.
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HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
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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.
Hand Drawing Master Plans
This course aims to provide an introduction into Urban Design Sketching focused on how to hand draw master plans using a mix of colored markers.
