Issue highlights:

• Street Design for a Better City

• Cities in the News

Dear friends,

Streets comprise 80% of all public space. They are the threads that weave together our cities, as places for movement, access, and connection. But, when people and cars come together in such close proximity there are issues of priority. Should streets prioritize commuters or residents, cars or pedestrians, pavement or greenery? 

During the pandemic, we’ve seen slow streets prioritize people, improve urban life, and increase retail activity. As cities decide how (or if) to make these changes permanent, we should understand how shifting our perspective towards people, residents, and communities can Build Better Cities for everyone.

Hope this gets you thinking,
Kate

All Weather Streets for All Weather People

This winter, I’m experiencing my commute in a winter wonderland. The streets, once active with life, are barren. How can we design streets as public spaces for all climates?

• Find the right equipment for winterizing the bike lane [Grist]

• Design building set-backs and awnings to reduce wind tunneling and bring in the sun [City of Edmonton]

• Activate streets with “sticky” activities- Nordic ice swimming anyone? [Land8]

Safer Streets for Ages 8 to 80

Vehicles on downtown, last-mile streets travel at 20 MPH (or 32 KMH). But, there are still collisions. How can streets be safer? Prioritizing people can make drivers more aware and cautious, reducing collisions.  

• Size sidewalks for furnishing, pedestrians, and frontage [The City Fix]

• The best complete streets policies benefit diverse users [Smart Growth America]

• Ban cars and give the streets back to people [National Geographic]

Joy and Community on the Street

City agencies are turning towards their residents for solutions. Because places for community are best designed by their own communities.

• Los Angeles, Chicago, Seattle are matching funds for community-led projects [Project for Public Spaces]

• Portland encourages residents to paint their streets [Fat Pencil Studio]

• Bristol residents crowdfunded a water slide on their High Street [SpaceHive]

Cities in the News

• ‘Cool Roofs’ are helping women in India make more money [NextCity]

• Curb competition is demanding new solutions… enter tech companies [Smart Cities Dive]

• CO’s GHG Standard prioritizes low carbon projects over road expansion [CODOT]

• Kenyan youth are paid by new carbon markets to restore mangroves [Daily Beast]

• Who should pay for climate change? It depends on which country you ask [Politico]

• Governance drives urban expansion, not population growth [Nature]

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I would love to hear from you and learn more about your work. Don’t hesitate to reach out for a conversation. In the meantime, please forward this email, subscribe your friends, and follow @KateGasparro to stay in touch.