This week, NACTO released a preview of its Urban Street Design Guidebook, a document meant to assist local governments in designing their streets on the principle that they're spaces for people and commerce as well as arteries for traffic.
Published to coincide with the start of the annual National Association of City Transportation Officials' Designing Cities conference, the guide [PDF] "documents the design principles and strategies that the nation's largest cities are adopting to confront new and growing demands on their streets," says Ray H. LaHood, Secretary of the US Department of Transportation, and conference keynote speaker.
He continues: "[f]rom Bus Rapid Transit to bikeways and public seating, the guide showcases a new model for streets that work better for cities and the people who live, work, and own businesses in them. And not just better in terms of livability--as the data that accompanied today's release indicates, this model is better in terms of business income, jobs and economic growth."
This week's release only provides an overview of the strategies necessary for transforming our streets to suit the needs of 21st Century cities, the full document is slated to be completed next summer.
FULL STORY: Street Design 101: New Guidebook for Cities Released
NACTO Fights Autonomous Vehicle Safety Exemptions
Two major automakers have petitioned for the right to test thousands of vehicles without major safety features such as brake pedals and steering wheels.
Cities Must Act to Curb Delivery Van Congestion
With more and more products available for doorstep delivery, Janette Sadik-Khan argues that policymakers have to proactively face the imminent "delivery deadlock" and take control of curb management.
NACTO Suggests Changes to MUTCD
The association's proposed changes to the manual include a focus on eliminating road deaths, improving pedestrian safety, and creating a more inclusive public process.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Restaurant Patios Were a Pandemic Win — Why Were They so Hard to Keep?
Social distancing requirements and changes in travel patterns prompted cities to pilot new uses for street and sidewalk space. Then it got complicated.
Map: Where Senate Republicans Want to Sell Your Public Lands
For public land advocates, the Senate Republicans’ proposal to sell millions of acres of public land in the West is “the biggest fight of their careers.”
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.
San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths
Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.
California Homeless Arrests, Citations Spike After Ruling
An investigation reveals that anti-homeless actions increased up to 500% after Grants Pass v. Johnson — even in cities claiming no policy change.
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.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
Custer County Colorado
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)