Milwaukee To Hire Vision Zero Czar

The mayor’s office has created a new position responsible for leading the charge on the city’s efforts to eliminate roadway deaths.

1 minute read

November 11, 2022, 7:00 AM PST

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


Two women waiting to cross street facing Milwaukee Public Market sign

Wendy van Overstreet / Milwaukee Public Market

Milwaukee will soon gets its own ‘Vision Zero czar,’ a position responsible for coordinating the city’s Vision Zero efforts and leading the charge on eliminating traffic deaths.

In an article in Urban Milwaukee, Jeramey Jannene writes, “The policy is designed to make streets safer for all users, including drivers and pedestrians, by reducing the number and severity of crashes.” The new position, based out of the mayor’s office, will “elevate the importance of the effort,” according to Public Works Commissioner Jerrel Kruschke and Alderman Michael Murphy.

“According to Wisconsin Department of Transportation statistics, 87 people were killed in traffic fatalities in Milwaukee County in 2021, 101 in 2020 and 74 in 2019. Eighty-six fatalities have been reported in 2022,” prompting the city to adopt a Vision Zero policy in June.

One alderwoman has suggested delaying the start date of the position to offer a higher salary than the currently budgeted $53,957, which could help the city recruit a higher-quality candidate.

Wednesday, November 9, 2022 in Urban Milwaukee

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

Large historic homes and white picket fences line a street.

The End of Single-Family Zoning in Arlington County, Virginia

Arlington County is the latest jurisdiction in the country to effectively end single-family zoning.

March 23, 2023 - The Washington Post

Dilapidated vacant wood slat house painted white in Louisiana

The Quiet Housing Crisis in Rural America

While housing shortages in major cities are grabbing headlines, rural communities are seeing higher rates of growth in housing prices and a silently spreading homelessness crisis.

March 20, 2023 - The Daily Yonder

Aerial view of desalination plant in Carlsbad, California

Federal Loan to Support San Diego Desalination Plant Overhaul

The financing will go toward funding an updated cooling system and ensuring the protection of local marine life.

March 28 - The San Diego Union-Tribune

Buses in downtown Seattle on the dedicated 3rd Avenue bus lanes

Seattle Bus Lane Cameras Capture Over 100,000 Violations

An automated traffic enforcement pilot program caught drivers illegally using transit lanes more than 110,000 times in less than a year.

March 28 - Axios

People walking on the Camino de Santiago trail in Spain

The Joy of Walking

An essay meditating on the simple pleasures of a good walk.

March 28 - The New York Times

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

HUD’s 2023 Innovative Housing Showcase

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

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.