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

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series
The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

Driving Equity and Clean Air: California Invests in Greener School Transportation
California has awarded $500 million to fund 1,000 zero-emission school buses and chargers for educational agencies as part of its effort to reduce pollution, improve student health, and accelerate the transition to clean transportation.

Congress Moves to End Reconnecting Communities and Related Grants
The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee moved to rescind funding for the Neighborhood Equity and Access program, which funds highway removals, freeway caps, transit projects, pedestrian infrastructure, and more.

From Throughway to Public Space: Taking Back the American Street
How the Covid-19 pandemic taught us new ways to reclaim city streets from cars.
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