Four designs cater to various street conditions and locations.
In a piece for The Architect’s Newspaper, Moses Jeanfrancois outlines New York City’s new outdoor dining regulations, highlighting the pre-approved setups designed by firms WXY and SITU.
According to the article, “The four designs address different scenarios identified as commonplace in the setups for roadway cafes.” They range from a midblock design to a corner setup for high-traffic areas and a “floating park lane” that adjusts for bike lanes.
Each setup is designed to weigh at least 150 pounds per linear foot to protect users in case of car crashes. “Modeled after Yodock water-filled traffic barriers, most of the setups have bladders that allow for weight distribution allowing the shacks to be car-proof as well.”
It remains to be seen whether most restaurants will be able to afford the investment in the new structures, which, under new program guidelines, can only be installed between April and November.
Read the full story: Inside the new guideline-approved prototypes for outdoor dining made by WXY and SITU
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour
If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.
Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River
Draining the reservoir could reduce evaporation losses by a couple hundred thousand acre-feet.
Chicago voters approve permanent festival grounds, penalty for vacant property owners
Currently, major summer and fall festivals take over public parks for weeks at a time, drawing criticism from nearby residents
NYC votes to cut outdoor dining red tape, speed up permitting
New York City also voted to allow the Department of Transportation to begin work on urgent projects before notifying elected officials.
California appears to reject Prop. 45
The proposition would have expanded the projects that qualify for a streamlined environmental review, effectively paring down the California Environmental Quality Act.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
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Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
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One Hundred Miles
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