As China goes car crazy, a new crowdsourcing website seeks to address the needs of Beijing's lowly pedestrians and bicyclists, reports Nate Berg.
Apparently Beijing still does care for its iconic bikes. Despite recent city-building efforts that have focused on "building the highways and roads of a thoroughly car-dependent society," a new crowdsourcing website developed by Beijing Transport Research Center and the World Bank, "seeks to tap into the wisdom of Chinese
pedestrians and cyclists to identify areas in need of repair or
improvement in Beijing," writes Berg.
"It's a Chinese version of urban problem-spotting websites and apps such as SeeClickFix or FillThatHole.
By making it easy for people to identify problems and notify officials,
it's hoped that Beijing's website and mobile application will help make
the infrastructure of the city work not just for its motorists, but for
its still present pedestrians and bicyclists."
FULL STORY: China Crowdmaps Pedestrian and Cyclist Problem Areas
In D.C., Sidewalks Don’t Equal Walkability
In theory, sidewalks are what make cities walkable. But in Washington, D.C., many sidewalks are not accessible to the people who use them.
Opinion: A Surprising New Foe in the War Against Pedestrians
Allowing bikes on sidewalks pits cyclists against pedestrians, an advocate argues.
A Non-Cyclist's Case For Bike Lanes
I don't bike, but I still feel safer on streets with bike lanes. This essay explains why.
Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?
Car Designs Make it Harder to See Pedestrians
Blind spots created by thicker pillars built to withstand rollover crashes are creating dangerous conditions for people outside vehicles.
Cal Fire Chatbot Fails to Answer Basic Questions
An AI chatbot designed to provide information about wildfires can’t answer questions about evacuation orders, among other problems.
What Happens if Trump Kills Section 8?
The Trump admin aims to slash federal rental aid by nearly half and shift distribution to states. Experts warn this could spike homelessness and destabilize communities nationwide.
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.
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie