Once again, the New York City Department of Transportation (NYCDOT) delightfully surprises the design community with another major leap forward in making city streets a public realm for all users (I can’t tell you how odd it still feels to write that). As if the impressive, incessant roll-out of bike lanes, successful implementation of the “Select Bus Service”, and the unprecedented changes to Times Square and its environs weren’t enough to pique the imaginations of New Yorkers used to streets built for cars, NYCDOT has just issued their “2009 Street Design Manual”. Planners and Engineers, get ready for a thrill!
Once again, the New York City Department of Transportation (NYCDOT) delightfully surprises the design community with another major leap forward in making city streets a public realm for all users (I can't tell you how odd it still feels to write that). As if the impressive, incessant roll-out of bike lanes, successful implementation of the "Select Bus Service", and the unprecedented changes to Times Square and its environs weren't enough to pique the imaginations of New Yorkers used to streets built for cars, NYCDOT has just issued their "2009 Street Design Manual". Planners and Engineers, get ready for a thrill!
Don't let the year in the name fool you; if you've endured the rigors of learning the ropes of roadway design in New York City, then you know well enough that such a comprehensive document has never existed to guide the designer through the complexities of one of the most challenging processes known to man (Full disclosure: that might be a slight exaggeration). It is with great joy (and relief) that I can dispense with the ten-times-photocopied half-sheet details and loose collection of materials assembled over the years that substituted for a comprehensive design manual, and share with you a document that stresses the importance of accommodating all modes, offers a broad range of design treatments, and is bursting at the seams with visual examples and precedents from around the world (for illustrative purposes only, of course!).
So don't waste any more time reading my banter, dig into the 2009 Street Design Manual right away and discover the eerily new NYCDOT; it may in fact be the perfect set of guidelines for other cities to adopt in their pursuit of a safer, more balanced public street space. Enjoy!
http://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/html/about/streetdesignmanual.shtml
Beating Extreme Heat Through Community Efforts
U.S. cities don't provide residents with enough protection against heat, the deadliest weather-related killer in the world. In New York City, one organization came together to distribute ACs to neighbors in need.
Nearly Half of New York City Burdened by Pollution
Communities of color make up the majority of people harmed by pollution, as well as heat and flooding, says the study, which is New York City’s first comprehensive survey of environmental injustices.
New York City Debuts Roomier Subway Cars
The car design is used throughout Europe and Asia, but it’s a first for the U.S.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
San Francisco's School District Spent $105M To Build Affordable Housing for Teachers — And That's Just the Beginning
SFUSD joins a growing list of school districts using their land holdings to address housing affordability challenges faced by their own employees.
The Tiny, Adorable $7,000 Car Turning Japan Onto EVs
The single seat Mibot charges from a regular plug as quickly as an iPad, and is about half the price of an average EV.
Seattle's Plan for Adopting Driverless Cars
Equity, safety, accessibility and affordability are front of mind as the city prepares for robotaxis and other autonomous vehicles.
As Trump Phases Out FEMA, Is It Time to Flee the Floodplains?
With less federal funding available for disaster relief efforts, the need to relocate at-risk communities is more urgent than ever.
With Protected Lanes, 460% More People Commute by Bike
For those needing more ammo, more data proving what we already knew is here.
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.
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)
