Coronavirus Presents Opportunities for Resilience in Dallas

Dallasites have a history of responding to times of crisis with plans for reinvention. What could the city do to improve public life after the coronavirus pandemic?

2 minute read

May 1, 2020, 8:00 AM PDT

By Lee Flannery @leecflannery


Dallas

kan_khampanya / Shutterstock

Dallas isn't known for being a particularly walkable city. Lockdown has brought more people into the streets, seeking solace in exercise and a reminder of social life in public spaces.

Mark Lamster envisions a future where this newfound fervor for pedestrianism reshapes the city: "When lockdown ends, and it will, our streets will reopen. But instead of returning them to the status quo ante, why not take this opportunity to rapidly paint in bike lanes and adapt our streets to better suit the needs of pedestrians. That means expanding sidewalks, squaring off those infernal 'radiused' corners — the corners rounded off to allow cars to turn faster — creating median strips and bump outs at crossings, and many other proven traffic calming techniques."

Building a stronger Dallas begins with modifying the streets, removing I-345, and creating additional pedestrian-friendly infrastructure, persuades Lamster pointing to Klyde Warren Park as a proof of concept.

What else can Dallasites do to improve urban infrastructure after the passing of the pandemic? Dallas could design public infrastructure with the concept of dual-use facilities in mind. Resilience planners are calling for flexible use of public buildings like the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center, which was recently converted into a medical center to facilitate increased demand for medical care.

In Lamster's view, Dallas has two options: "better or worse for it, better prepared for the next disaster, or more susceptible than it is even now."

Thursday, April 30, 2020 in The Dallas Morning News

babyt Boomer Homeowners

The Shifting Boomer Bulge: More Bad News for America’s Housing Crisis?

In the first of a two-part series, PlaceMakers’ Ben Brown interviews housing guru Arthur C. Nelson on the sweeping demographic changes complicating the housing market.

March 12, 2023 - PlaceShakers and NewsMakers

Aerial view of snowy single-family homes in suburban Long Island, New York

New York Governor Advances Housing Plan Amid Stiff Suburban Opposition

Governor Kathy Hochul’s ambitious proposal to create more housing has once again run into a brick wall of opposition in New York’s enormous suburbs, especially on Long Island. This year, however, the wall may have some cracks.

March 20, 2023 - Mark H. McNulty

Yellow on black "Expect Delays" traffic sign

A Serious Critique of Congestion Costs and Induced Vehicle Travel Impacts

Some highway advocates continue to claim that roadway expansions are justified to reduce traffic congestion. That's not what the research shows. It's time to stop obsessing over congestion and instead strive for efficient accessibility.

March 14, 2023 - Todd Litman

Pedestrian stoplight with green 'walk' silhouette lit up and blurry city buildings in background

Historically Redlined Neighborhoods Have Higher Rates of Pedestrian Deaths, Study Says

The consequences of historic redlining continue to have consequences in the present day United States. Add another example to the list.

59 minutes ago - Streetsblog USA

A toll payment facility in Florida.

Tolling All Lanes

Bay Area transportation planners are studying a radical idea to reduce traffic congestion and fund driving alternatives: tolling all lanes on a freeway. Even more radical, the plan considers tolling parallel roads.

March 21 - San Francisco Chronicle

Close-up of person holding up smartphone next to contactless fare reading device on bus

Federal SMART Grants Awarded for Transportation Safety, Equity Projects

The grant program focuses on the use of technology to improve safety, accessibility, and efficiency in transportation.

March 21 - U.S. Department Of Transportation

Planner II

City of Greenville

Planner I

City of Greenville

Rural Projects Coordinator (RARE AmeriCorps Member)

Resource Assistance for Rural Environments (RARE) AmeriCorps Program

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.