The city of Seattle has finally been compelled to maintain pedestrian infrastructure in keeping with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Ryan Packer reports that the city of Seattle settled a class action lawsuit in U.S. District court alleging that the city is violating the Americans with Disabilities Act, "based on the current number of intersections that are lacking proper curb ramps and the fact that many intersections have curb cuts that are substandard."
"Under the settlement, the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) will be required to build 1,250 curb ramps every single year, adding up to a commitment to install 22,500 over the next 18 years," reports Packer. That pace will double the city's total number of curb cuts by the year 2035.
The article digs much deeper into the subject of curb cuts, their costs, and the lack of political will to construct the important feature of complete streets infrastructure (shown to benefit broad cross sections of the public). The court decision will also impact the spending allotments made from the Move Seattle levy, as approved by voters in November 2015 and planned in the draft Pedestrian Master Plan released in March 2017.
FULL STORY: Disability Rights Victory Means Curb Cut Deluge Coming
Why Accessible Sidewalks Fall by the Wayside
Despite the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act more than 30 years ago, most U.S. cities delay making accessibility improvements to sidewalks until activists bring them to court.
'Project Sidewalk' Crowdsources ADA Compliance
A crowdsourcing app allows citizens to hold the public realm to higher standards of access and mobility.
An App to Map the City's Most Accessible Routes
Google Maps is built for able-bodied people, but the AccessMap Seattle app is for everyone.
The Slow Death of Ride Sharing
From the beginning, TNCs like Lyft and Uber touted shared rides as their key product. Now, Lyft is ending the practice.
Cool Walkability Planning
Shadeways (covered sidewalks) and pedways (enclosed, climate controlled walkways) can provide comfortable walkability in hot climates. The Cool Walkshed Index can help plan these facilities.
Congestion Pricing Could Be Coming to L.A.
The infamously car-centric city is weighing a proposed congestion pricing pilot program to reduce traffic and encourage public transit use.
How San Diego Camping Ban Could Impact Neighborhoods
An ordinance supported by the city’s mayor would bar people from sleeping on the street near shelters or services, but critics say it will simply push people to other neighborhoods and put them farther away from the supportive services they need.
Expanding Access to Golf in South Los Angeles
L.A. County’s Maggie Hathaway Golf Course getting up to $15 Million from U.S. Open Community Legacy Project to expand access to the sport in South L.A.
Opinion: Failed Housing Bills Could Signal California-Style Housing Crisis in Texas
Legislators in a state that so often touts its policies as the opposite of California’s defeated several bills that would have made housing construction easier, leading to concerns that a constricted housing market may exacerbate the housing crisis.
Wichita-Sedgwick County Metropolitan Area Planning Department
City of Bangor
Park City Municipal Corporation
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Montrose County
Wichita-Sedgwick County Metropolitan Area Planning Department
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.
