A growing number of cities around the world, and around the United States, have banned horse-drawn carriages out of concern for the health and welfare of the horses.
Jake Blumgart reports on an idea that could change the way tourists and romantics get around cities in the United States.
Janet White, an animal rights activist and leader of the group Carriage Horse Freedom, "has an idea she thinks could help the tourism industry shift away from horse-powered buggy rides, a popular draw in the visitor-packed streets of Philadelphia’s oldest neighborhoods."
"White envisions elaborate carriages, looking as though they just appeared from the set of Beauty and the Beast, but powered purely by electricity," explains Blumgart.
By using batteries to power carriages, instead of horses, White hopes to get the best of both worlds: the appeal of a old-time romantic carriage ride, but without any animal suffering.
White is spreading the idea around the halls of power in Philadelphia, but cities around the world have already banned horse-drawn carriages altogether, including Montreal, Salt Lake City, Rome, Barcelona, and Guadalajara. New York City almost banned horse-drawn carriages during the de Blasio administration, but stopped short.
Read the full story: Hold your horses: Can old-timey ‘e-carriages’ replace Old City buggies?
Philadelphia lawmakers fight to save 'Chinatown Stitch' from Trump cuts
The freeway cap project, approved and funded under the Biden administration, is now in jeopardy after the federal government rescinded all but $8 million in funding.
SEPTA's bus-mounted lane enforcement cameras cut travel times by up to 6%
The AI-assisted cameras have issued nearly 200,000 citations to drivers blocking bus lanes.
Philadelphia officials say city is ready for World Cup
The city touted its plans to ensure security and accessibility during FIFA World Cup events.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
The state-sanctioned urbicide of Austin
People don’t kill cities. Freeways do.
US to reduce Colorado River water deliveries to Mexico
A new Colorado Treaty amendment reduces Mexico’s Colorado River water allocation by 250,000 acre feet.
Nation's most wind-powered state turns to coal as data centers increase energy demand
For the first time in decades, Iowa has increased its generation of coal power.
NYC cools commuters with city's first rain garden above a bus stop
New York City officials say the plants in the rain garden can absorb 16 gallons of rainwater during heavy storms.
Brightline West’s future may rely on $6 billion federal loan
The company has until Nov. 2 to make a $400 million equity investment into its proposed high-speed rail line.
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.
Greater Baltimore Committee
Eagle County Government
Harvard University Graduate School of Design
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
The Pocatello Development Authority
The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello
Journal of the American Planning Association