What could the city look like if budget and bureaucracy were no object?
In interviews with Houston Public Media, Houston mobility advocates and residents told Michael Hagerty what changes they would make to their city’s streets if they could.
One listener suggested getting rid of freeways inside the 610 loop and replacing them with surface boulevards that offer the potential for more uses.
Another wondered whether elevating roadways could prevent further road expansions. One listener wants to replace a local highway with a high-speed rail system complete with rail and bus connections to other destinations.
Some respondents criticized traffic calming measures, expressing the common concern that they negatively impact local businesses (bike lanes and other road safety infrastructure have been shown to be good for business). One listener called for adding a left turn lane and banning right turns on red on West Dallas Street to improve pedestrian safety.
Ultimately, it seems that Houston residents have opinions on their roadways — and many of them want to see safety improvements, pedestrian and bike infrastructure, and more transit options.
Read the full story: If you could wave a wand and redesign a Houston road, what would you change and why?
Understanding Road Diets
An explainer from Momentum highlights the advantages of reducing vehicle lanes in favor of more bike, transit, and pedestrian infrastructure.
Seattle Mobility Advocates Say City Should Triple Transportation Levy
A measure set to go before voters in November will fund road safety and mobility projects, but advocates say a much bigger investment is required to meet the city’s needs.
Multimodal Improvements Coming to Houston
The city is continuing its investment in safety and accessibility improvements for transit riders, pedestrians, and cyclists.
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.
Chicago breaks ground on $3 billion megadevelopment
The new neighborhood, titled Foundry Park, will one day host 3,700 residences.
California High-Speed Rail Authority CEO resigns after $600,000 scandal
Under Ian Choudri, the authority used taxpayer dollars to fund first class flights and trips to nightclubs.
Want to study the Missouri River? Soon, you may need unanimous approval from 10 states
Legislation would require 10 governors’ permission to study or build projects moving water outside the basin.
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.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
City of Cambridge
Montrose County
The Pocatello Development Authority