In Rust Belt cities like Flint, Michigan, a loss of population translates to less cars on oversized streets. Angie Schmitt examines how Flint, and other cities like it, are trying to right-size their transportation infrastructure.

"Here’s one innovative new idea out of Flint that was a long-time coming and should be emulated in cities across the Rust Belt," writes Schmitt. "Flint is planning to reduce excess vehicle capacity on its streets by implementing road diets that make room for walking and biking. Road diets 'are central' to the city’s in-progress regional plan, known as Imagine Flint, according to a recent report by the Detroit Free Press."
"Other 'shrinking cities,' like Youngstown, Ohio, have tinkered with ideas for reducing the size of their built transportation infrastructure," she adds. "Youngstown’s talked-about proposal was to actually tear out underused streets, a plan that has proved more viable on paper than in practice."
FULL STORY: Flint’s Ingenious Plan to “Right-Size” Its Streets With Road Diets

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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