The United Arab Emirates has plenty of tall, flashy buildlings, but the rush to build has largely left street life scarce in many parts.
"It could be argued that both Dubai and Abu Dhabi have developed too quickly, and according to how planners thought cities ought to look, not how they ought to function. The result is the appearance from afar of large, populous cities, but the reality is that much of Abu Dhabi and Dubai are entirely unfriendly to pedestrians – and what is the point of a city without pedestrians? Because priority was given to cars and not to people, walking is difficult, sometimes impossible and usually dangerous. Street life is at a minimum.
Here, the idea of public space has not yet permeated the civic consciousness. The excessive heat is often cited as an argument against creating more exciting outdoor businesses and other spaces, but it doesn't hold water: for more than half the year we have the kind of weather that most cold-climate people envy."
FULL STORY: Pedestrian-friendly Abu Dhabi, a step in the right direction

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

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Spokane Mayor Introduces Housing Reforms Package
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Houston Mayor Kills Another Bike Lane
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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.
Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Jefferson Parish Government
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont