Safety

The Rise of the ‘Night Mayor’
More cities are acknowledging the unique role of nighttime activities in urban life and the need for special ‘night governance.’

Report: American Downtowns Safer Than You Think
A Brookings Institution study reveals that crime rates in major cities have risen, but downtown districts account for a negligible part of the growth.

Lessons from Pandemics: Comparing Urban and Rural Risks
Many people assume that infectious disease risks make cities dangerous, but this is generally untrue. Other factors have more effect on pandemic risk and mortality rates, making cities safer and healthier than rural areas overall.

L.A. Metro Report Examines How Women Travel
Findings from a new study about the mobility needs and concerns of women in Los Angeles will inform future initiatives and planning.

An App That Maps Safer Cities for Women
The Safe & the City app uses data to help women find the safest routes in cities.

Beat Tries to Top Uber in Mexico City with Focus on Safety
Ride-hailing company Beat hopes its dedicated safety team and linked accounts service will make its service attractive to women in Mexico’s capital.

Deadly New York Limousine Crash Prompts Oversight Questions
The deadliest transportation accident in recent years has some asking whether more can be done to regulate modified vehicles, including limos.

For Tiny Vehicles, Safety Comes With Numbers
Motorists tend to look out for hazards they expect. If tiny vehicles proliferate, including electric scooters, greater safety will follow.

States Risk Losing Billions in Funding for Trains if They Don't Act on Safety
The Federal Transit Administration cannot award funds to states that don’t have federally approved safety-monitoring programs in place. On Monday, the agency warned a number of states that they needed prove they've undertaken these programs.

3-D Crosswalks Slow Traffic, For a While
Traffic officials around the world are testing 3-D crosswalks in hopes of slowing traffic, and having some success

Research: Bus Riders Safer Than Car Drivers
Taking the bus might not feel as comfortable as going by car, but according to this research from Montreal, it's safer.

Should Risky Playgrounds Make a Comeback?
From the mid-19th century to the early 1980s, playgrounds were designed public spaces that would likely horrify parents today. Swiss urban planner Gabriela Burkhalter has studied how these public spaces have evolved over the years.

Building Cities to Meet the Needs of Women
Men are often overrepresented in consultations about how city facilities are built. To account for this, planners need to seek out women's comments and look for ways to better serve them, argues Alexander Starritt.

What Does Architecture for Security Look Like?
There's a difference between designing for safety and designing for fear.

Los Angeles' Metro Launches New Phase in Effort to Curb Sexual Harassment
After first launching its program in the Spring, law enforcement and Metro are reminding riders to report instances of sexual harassment on trains and buses
Making Transportation Options Safer for Women
A post by the World Band surveys efforts around the world to mainstream gender on public transport—an effort challenged substantially by continued risks to the safety of women.
How Your House's Garage Induces More Speeding and Less Walking
Throughout North America's auto-oriented suburbs, front-facing garages are a common feature of home design. According to Brent Toderian, that design decision has a significant impact on speeding and the quality of neighborhoods.
Black Friday Ops
When millions of Americans venture forth from their food comas tomorrow to their nearest mall, the shopping environment may have changed from last year. By design, most shoppers are unlikely to notice the increased security measures.
Low Crime Rates In Large Cities Support Multi-Modal Planning and Smart Growth
Contrary to popular assumptions, large, transit-oriented cities have lower crime rates than smaller, automobile-oriented cities. Jane Jacobs was right! This column discusses this phenomenon and its implications for transport and land use planning.
Can Planning Reverse the Rise in Sexual Violence in India's Cities?
The increase in vehicular speeds, removal of street hawkers, and addition of gated neighborhoods are all seen as contributing to a rise in crimes against women in New Delhi and other Indian cities. How can planning and design reverse this trend?
Pagination
City of Grand Junction Police Department
Amazon Web Services (AWS)
Code Studio
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Washington University
Mpact: Mobility, Community, Possibility
City of Waukesha, WI
Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority
Montrose County
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.