Experiments with shared (also called "naked") streets in Auckland, New Zealand show that mixing motorized and non-motorized modes can be safe, friendly, and economically successful.

Shared streets (also called "naked" or "woonerf") remove the distinction between footpath and traffic lanes, so vehicles and pedestrians can share roadspace. Auckland New Zealand has implemented this strategy in several downtown commercial streets, as discussed in this website. Each street is assessed and the most appropriate design goes through a public consultation stage before works begin.
The city conducted a detailed study on shared space performance. It found that:
• Peak hour foot traffic increased 50 percent (comparing pre-works in 2008 to post-works in 2011)
• There are noticeably fewer vehicles and they travel slower. Vehicle speeds declined more than 25 percent.
• 91 percent of stakeholders were highly complimentary about the new shared space, compared to 17 percent before.
• 75 percent of property owners determined that it was valuable being sited near or adjacent to a shared space.
• Almost half of those surveyed (49 percent) would visit the area more often, as a destination in its own right.
Well done, Auckland!
FULL STORY: Shared Spaces Website

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

Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.

Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power
Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.

MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns
MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.

Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant
A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.
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.
Caltrans
City of Fort Worth
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie