Last week, University City District completed a new pedestrian plaza that they are calling Baltimore Crossing. The new pedestrian plaza greatly improves walkability at 48th and Baltimore. As PlanPhilly reports, the five-pointed intersection was "notoriously wide [and] difficult to cross." Now, the intersection is now replete with planters and stone barriers on painted bump-outs that … Continue reading “Baltimore Crossing” pedestrian plaza improves walkability on Baltimore Ave.
Pedestrian walking speed affects how we plan
Today's news is all about walking speed. Traffic signals are required by federal regulations to provide adequate time for pedestrians to cross. But just how much time is adequate? It depends on many factors, including the size and type of the intersection and how fast you are able to cross the street. In an article published … Continue reading Pedestrian walking speed affects how we plan
Friday Links – 6/7/13
Here's a roundup of the latest pedestrian news, brought to you by Feet First Philly. Have a great weekend! AARP's Livable Communities initiative aims to create "great places for all ages." In this article on their website, Sarah Clark Stuart of the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia is praised for her work on bike and … Continue reading Friday Links – 6/7/13
Draft Philadelphia Trail Master Plan released
Philadelphia's City Planning Commission has released a draft of their Trail Master Plan. The plan provides maps and an inventory of the numerous existing and proposed trails in Philadelphia. It also outlines best practices in trail building, defines the different types of trails in Philadelphia, and prioritizes the city's trail projects. The creation of the Trail … Continue reading Draft Philadelphia Trail Master Plan released
Article: Mexico City creates public spaces from vacant areas under freeways
In many American cities (not just in the U.S.), highway infrastructure has changed the urban landscape and created new challenges for planners. Mexico City has developed a unique strategy for dealing with one of these challenges; namely, the empty space under highway overpasses. These areas, which were previously occupied by vagrants and unlicensed parking lots, … Continue reading Article: Mexico City creates public spaces from vacant areas under freeways
Event: Spring Garden Connector St. Meeting
Interested in improving access to the Delaware River waterfront? The Delaware River Waterfront Corporation is holding a public meeting tomorrow at 6:30 pm regarding their next project, the Spring Garden Connector Street. According to DRWC's Master Plan for the Central Delaware, "streets that connect the city and waterfront will be green and pedestrian-friendly."
Cities use policy to fix the parking plight
Excessive surface parking creates virtual deserts of wasted space in cities because parking lots take up a disproportionate amount of room compared to the value they contributes to a city's economy. Some places have taken action to limit or reduce the amount of surface parking in their downtowns to create more walkable and people-friendly communities, … Continue reading Cities use policy to fix the parking plight
Call them what you will, open streets/play streets/ciclovias provide valuable opportunities for recreation
As the weather warms up, it's not unusual to see parks and playgrounds crowded with both the young and the young-at-heart. But technically, these are not the city's only public spaces; there are miles upon miles of public streets. What if these spaces, too, were available for people to enjoy? Open streets projects aim to make this happen. Known … Continue reading Call them what you will, open streets/play streets/ciclovias provide valuable opportunities for recreation
Friday Links for May 10, 2013
Pedestrian fatality rates vary by demographic: The chilling facts about pedestrian fatalities reveal that certain groups are much more likely than others to be injured or killed while walking. As reported on Streetsblog.com, a report by the Centers for Disease Control found that members of certain groups, including the elderly, minorities, and males in general, are killed by vehicles in disproportionate … Continue reading Friday Links for May 10, 2013
Notes from the Greater Philadelphia Pedestrian and Bicycle Summit
On Tuesday, April 30, the Philadelphia Mayor's Office of Transportation and Utilities and DVRPC held a summit on the state of walking and biking in our fair city. Here are some takeaways from Tuesday's summit that may be of interest to pedestrians. Ongoing trail network expansion Jeannette Brugger of the Planning Commission and Chris Linn of … Continue reading Notes from the Greater Philadelphia Pedestrian and Bicycle Summit
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