When the railroad was the primary means of interstate travel, America's cities relied on their train stations to provide grand first impressions to travelers. As transit ridership soars, a bevy of new stations are being designed as civic centerpieces
Will Doig looks at a selection of new stations being built in New York, San Francisco, and elsewhere, and sees signs that cities are again lavishing money on their transportation hubs, expanding on the role of the grand station houses of the past to provide "transit environments" that reflect "today's urban ideals". Doig focuses his attention on Minneapolis's new hub, called the Interchange, which architect Peter Cavaluzzi, principal at EE&K, describes as functioning, "in the new wave of transit hubs where we're trying to blend transit and culture."
So, what is a "transit environment"? "First off, it's not just trains," writes Doig. "It's
heavy rail, light rail, buses, streetcars, subways, bicycles,
pedestrians, all integrated into a single multi-modal hub. Second, it's
an activated space, with shops and restaurants (not just kiosks and food
courts, but stores and restaurants you'd want to hang out in), live
performances, art, parks - a true public gathering space. Finally, it's
integrated into the city, less a soaring monument to transportation than
a celebration of urban life - and in the more ambitious efforts, a
small city in itself."
However exciting the premise of these "magnificent public gathering spots" based around the clamor for increased transit options represents, Doig questions whether the expanded role envisioned for such facilities could come at the expense of their central function, "providing the best possible ways to get from one place to another."
FULL STORY: Commuting to Disneyland
Seattle Legalizes Co-Living
A new state law requires all Washington cities to allow co-living facilities in areas zoned for multifamily housing.
NYC Officials Announce Broadway Pedestrianization Project
Two blocks of the marquee street will become mostly car-free public spaces.
The City of Broken Sidewalks
Can Los Angeles fix 4,000 miles of broken sidewalks before the city hosts the 2028 Olympic Games?
Housing as a Climate Resilience Strategy
Ensuring that housing, including in informal settlements, is safe and healthy for its residents is a key tool in the fight to build more sustainable and equitable communities in the face of climate migration.
Southeast LA Road Safety Advocates Call for Improved Infrastructure
Streets in southeastern Los Angeles County have a severe lack of protected bike lanes and traffic safety measures, leading to high numbers of fatalities in a community where many residents depend on walking and biking for daily needs.
USDOT: Low-Income Households Bear Highest Transportation Cost Burden
Transportation costs are the second-highest household expenditure behind housing for all income levels.
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.
Alamo Area Metropolitan Planning Organization
Village of Glen Ellyn
City of Laramie
American Planning Association, Sustainable Communities Division
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
City of Cambridge, Maryland
Newport County Development Council: Connect Greater Newport
Rockdale County Board of Commissioners