The city’s plan for dealing with snow and ice on sidewalks this winter doesn't address past problems and won't meet the needs of residents, say critics.

Local officials do not have plans to clear snow on enough sidewalks in the old city of Toronto, writes the editorial board of The Star. "Back in February, when streets and sidewalks were clogged by one of the worst winters in memory, Mayor John Tory called on city staff to review their approach to clearing snow."
However, the plan for this year is woefully inadequate, argues the editorial board. Only about 18 percent of central city sidewalks will be cleared, and the most heavily used sidewalks will not be given priority status. "Where’s the urgency after last winter’s hand-wringing over the record number of complaints about icy sidewalks that made it treacherous for many people to leave their homes for weeks on end?"
The haphazard snow removal plan does not make sense, leaving some residents with access to safe, walkable sidewalks and others facing treacherous conditions. "If that all sounds a little like doing nothing, it’s because it is," adds the editorial board.
FULL STORY: One big snow job for people in central Toronto

The Right to Mobility
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.

Opinion: Connecticut Vision Zero Bill A Step in the Right Direction
The proposed legislation could energize efforts to eliminate fatal crashes and fix the structural flaws that make roads inherently more dangerous.

Tacoma Developing New Housing Policy
The city’s Home in Tacoma plan is designed to address the region’s growth and rising housing prices, but faces local backlash over density and affordability concerns.

Green Alleys: A New Paradigm for Stormwater Management
Rather than shuttling stormwater away from the city and into the ocean as quickly as possible, Los Angeles is now—slowly—moving toward a ‘city-as-sponge’ approach that would capture and reclaim more water to recharge crucial reservoirs.
Town of Palm Beach
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
York County Government
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Harvard GSD Executive Education
City of Fitchburg, WI
City of Culver City
Sonoma County Transportation Authority
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.