Recent Streetsblog USA posts about Urban Planning

When “Old and Blighted” Development Beats “Shiny and New” Suburbanism

By Ben Goldman | Jan 3, 2012 | 3 Comments

There are plenty of hidden costs to auto-oriented development: increased levels of air and water pollution, safety risks posed to pedestrians and cyclists. But as Strong Towns Blog points out, some costs are hardly hidden at all. The authors of the comprehensive plan for Brainerd, Minnesota (pop: 13,590) probably thought they had a great idea: […]

Transforming Tysons Corner: A High-Stakes Suburban Retrofit

By Tanya Snyder | Oct 27, 2011 | 7 Comments

“That strip mall just got rezoned for high rise buildings.” “These auto dealerships are going to disappear.” Those aren’t words you hear very often in suburbia, but if you’re hanging out in Tysons Corner, Virginia, you’d better get used to it. This office enclave, which sits dead center between Washington, DC and Dulles International Airport, […]

NACTO: Feds Already Greenlighting Bikeway Design Innovations

By Angie Schmitt | Mar 10, 2011 | 2 Comments

The National Association of City Transportation Officials’ Urban Bikeway Design Guide was 20 years in the making, and already it’s having an impact, says the organization’s Mia Birk. Bringing together transportation officials from 20 major cities to discuss progress on bikeway designs in the U.S. produced quite a few “aha moments,” said Birk. For one, […]

Urbanism in the Age of Climate Change: Urbanism Expanded

By Peter Calthorpe | Feb 1, 2011 | No Comments

Editor’s note: This week, we continue our 5-part series of excerpts from Peter Calthorpe’s book, “Urbanism in the Age of Climate Change.” This is installment number three. Thanks to Island Press, a few lucky Streetsblog readers will be selected to receive a free copy of the book. To enter the contest, fill out this form. […]

“Anti-Livability” Bills Threaten to Clip Arlington’s Wings

By Angie Schmitt | Jan 28, 2011 | 3 Comments

A pair of bills making their way through Virginia’s House of Delegates threaten to slam the brakes on smart growth and livability efforts in Arlington and throughout Northern Virginia. House Bills 1998 and 1999, put forward by Delegate Jim LeMunyon (R-Fairfax), have been dubbed the “Anti-Livability” bills by local transportation reformers. HB 1998 seeks to […]

Urbanism in the Age of Climate Change: Vision California

By Peter Calthorpe | Jan 28, 2011 | No Comments

Editor’s note: This week and next, we’re presenting a 5-part series of excerpts from Peter Calthorpe’s book, “Urbanism in the Age of Climate Change.” This is installment number two. Thanks to Island Press, a few lucky Streetsblog readers will be selected to receive a free copy of the book. To enter the contest, fill out […]

Show More Stories