The city is one of many to face lawsuits for failing to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
A court ordered the city of Baltimore to spend at least $44 million over the next four years on accessibility upgrades for the city’s sidewalks. The decree stems from a 2021 lawsuit.
As Danielle McLean explains in Smart Cities Dive, the agreement requires the city to “ implement new programs to make its public rights of way comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act, including a plan to alleviate sidewalk obstructions and improvements to the city’s 311 system allowing reports about inaccessible intersections and sidewalks.
In addition to building thousands of curb cuts and improving sidewalk conditions, the city os ordered to inspect its pedestrian walkways every 10 years, keep walkways clear of vegetation and overgrowth, prune obstructive trees, and other actions.
According to McLean, “The court-enforced agreement is considered a partial consent decree because the two sides will still negotiate a longer-term plan to bring the remaining sidewalks and curb ramps into ADA compliance.”
FULL STORY: Court orders Baltimore to spend $44M on sidewalk upgrades for ADA compliance
Why Accessible Sidewalks Fall by the Wayside
Despite the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act more than 30 years ago, most U.S. cities delay making accessibility improvements to sidewalks until activists bring them to court.
For Advice on Accessibility, Look to Iceland
Cities around the country installed over 1,700 wheelchair ramps in the last five years, thanks in part to one man’s initiative.
Chicago Budget Fails to Include Snow Plowing Program
Disability rights advocates say the “Plow the Sidewalks” program is a necessity for Chicagoans with limited mobility in winter months.
Rethinking Redlining
For decades we have blamed 100-year-old maps for the patterns of spatial racial inequity that persist in American cities today. An esteemed researcher says: we’ve got it all wrong.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Walmart Announces Nationwide EV Charging Network
The company plans to install electric car chargers at most of its stores by 2030.
New State Study Suggests Homelessness Far Undercounted in New Mexico
An analysis of hospital visit records provided a more accurate count than the annual point-in-time count used by most agencies.
Michigan Bills Would Stiffen Penalties for Deadly Crashes
Proposed state legislation would close a ‘legal gap’ that lets drivers who kill get away with few repercussions.
Report: Bus Ridership Back to 86 Percent of Pre-Covid Levels
Transit ridership around the country was up by 85 percent in all modes in 2024.
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.
City of Moorpark
City of Tustin
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions