People-powered street design is getting a major boost with the help of two new tools that make it easy to reimagine unsatisfactory streetscapes.
Streetmix has some competition.
The first platform, presented by Alissa Walker, is Blockee, another Code for America product. "Blockee is really easy to use," she explains. "Just type in an address to generate a Google Street View image (or upload your own photo), and using the blissfully simple editor, drag and drop everything from vegetable gardens to food trucks to bike share kiosks into the street. Once you share your creation, the site even offers tips for how to make your vision a reality."
In Fast Company, Ben Schiller looks at Key to the Street, "a new citizen-planning tool" developed by Jessica Lowry. "Using your phone, it lets you take a photograph of a site, and immediately start sketching and filling in features. You can then share your concept with the city government, and allow others to riff on your ideas."
"Lowry is planning a pilot with Austin next January," notes Schiller. "Volunteers will use the tool to make diaries of what it's like to travel the city's public transit, and generate suggestions for improvements. A full version of Key to the Street should be available for other cities next March."
FULL STORY: This Awesome App Helps You Add "Civic Bling" to Your Street
Streetmix Socializes Street Design
OK, so we missed this relaunch for our just-published list of the Top Websites. Another remarkable venture from the fellows at civic tech leader Code for America, Streeetmix is an impressively user-friendly and attractive tool for designing streets.
Bogotá Uses 7,000 Public Design Proposals to Redesign its Main Artery
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Atlanta Regional Planners Adopt ‘Safe System’ Approach to Transportation
A new Road Safety Strategy was recently adopted by the Atlanta Regional Commission with a promise to create “a comprehensive framework and action plan to support the long-term safety vision and goals” of the region.
New York Governor Advances Housing Plan Amid Stiff Suburban Opposition
Governor Kathy Hochul’s ambitious proposal to create more housing has once again run into a brick wall of opposition in New York’s enormous suburbs, especially on Long Island. This year, however, the wall may have some cracks.
The End of Single-Family Zoning in Arlington County, Virginia
Arlington County is the latest jurisdiction in the country to effectively end single-family zoning.
The Quiet Housing Crisis in Rural America
While housing shortages in major cities are grabbing headlines, rural communities are seeing higher rates of growth in housing prices and a silently spreading homelessness crisis.
Federal Loan to Support San Diego Desalination Plant Overhaul
The financing will go toward funding an updated cooling system and ensuring the protection of local marine life.
Seattle Bus Lane Cameras Capture Over 100,000 Violations
An automated traffic enforcement pilot program caught drivers illegally using transit lanes more than 110,000 times in less than a year.
The Joy of Walking
An essay meditating on the simple pleasures of a good walk.
Alamo Area Metropolitan Planning Organization
City of Kingsville
Princeton Planning
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
City of Spearfish
City of Lomita
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.
