As New York's City Council considers lowering the speed limit in the city's residential neighborhoods to 20 miles per hour, advocates can look to the Claremont neighborhood in the South Bronx where such a move has been well received.
Chris Bragg ventures to the "quiet streets" of Claremont to check up on "the pilot location for the city's new Neighborhood Slow Zone program, which promised to reduce speeding—the greatest contributing factor to traffic fatalities citywide—and in the process protect children and the elderly."
"In kicking off the program two years ago, city Transportation Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan noted, 'To some people, this neighborhood is nothing more than a shortcut,' and vowed to put an end to that."
"By most accounts," notes Bragg, "she has succeeded spectacularly."
In fact, the program has become so successful that the city's Department of Transportation has had to stop taking applications for entry into the program in order to focus on implementing 15 new zones announced in October.
A bill that came before the City Council's transportation committee last week would reduce speed limits to 20 mph in residential areas across New York.
Read the full story: City's first 'slow zone' a lifesaver in the Bronx
NYC renovations for dangerous, ‘mercilessly crammed’ street delayed until 2027
Construction was supposed to begin this fall.
NYC votes to cut outdoor dining red tape, speed up permitting
New York City also voted to allow the Department of Transportation to begin work on urgent projects before notifying elected officials.
Data reveals that NYC’s bet on congestion pricing has paid off
After almost two years of the program, reports show positive impacts on traffic and air quality and no disruptions to parking.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Eastern Nebraska is running out of electricity
Data centers and electrification are straining eastern Nebraska’s grid, throttling economic development.
Study reveals best places in the U.S. for cycling, walking
New research from Streetlight Data examines bicycle and pedestrian miles per capita in the 100 largest U.S. cities by population.
San Antonio is using environmental review to stall ICE detention center
San Antonio sued last month to pause work on the new detention center until the federal government studied its effect on the surrounding area.
Austin plans light rail extension — before breaking ground on light rail
The planned extension is three miles long and will take riders straight to Austin-Bergstrom International Airport.
Chicago cuts ribbon on $300,000, self-cleaning public toilet
The public toilet is the city’s first, and may pave the way for a rollout of similar facilities.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
City of Charlotte
City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS)
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
City of Cambridge
The Pocatello Development Authority
The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello