A lack of funding prevents many U.S. parks and public spaces from playing a more significant role in helping residents meet daily needs.

A survey from Project for Public Spaces asked respondents to describe how they feel about their local public spaces and what amenities could make them better and more welcoming.
According to a Smart Cities Dive article by Rachel H. Pollack, the survey reveals that only 5 percent of respondents feel that public spaces are fully meeting community needs or letting residents easily and equitably “go outside, connect with neighbors and families and meet daily needs.” Respondents, some of whom were professionals from city planning and civic engineering, cited funding as a key factor impacting U.S. public space development and maintenance.
Interventions that improve public space can cater to the specific needs of each city, such as regional extreme weather events. “Cities can introduce new trees and awnings in public spaces to increase shade and combat rising temperatures, as in Phoenix, helping people better enjoy them. And they can design rain gardens and other green infrastructure in public spaces to help mitigate the effects of flooding, as New York City has done.”
FULL STORY: Public spaces could better meet community needs: survey

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series
The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

Driving Equity and Clean Air: California Invests in Greener School Transportation
California has awarded $500 million to fund 1,000 zero-emission school buses and chargers for educational agencies as part of its effort to reduce pollution, improve student health, and accelerate the transition to clean transportation.

Congress Moves to End Reconnecting Communities and Related Grants
The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee moved to rescind funding for the Neighborhood Equity and Access program, which funds highway removals, freeway caps, transit projects, pedestrian infrastructure, and more.

From Throughway to Public Space: Taking Back the American Street
How the Covid-19 pandemic taught us new ways to reclaim city streets from cars.
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