New Transit-Funding Rules Make Streetcars More Desirable January 22, 2010
Posted by Jamie Buss in Uncategorized.1 comment so far
To those who don’t know why we spend time clarifying goals, here’s a case-in-point. If your goal is strictly moving people far and fast (so they can live in suburbs), then Bush rules follow naturally. If your goals includes reducing driving, containing sprawl, providing jobs, connecting people with jobs and housing and each other, then different projects look better. This is another decision that builds on the administration’s direction for coordination between housing, transportation, and jobs efforts. AND this new policy improves the profile of the Central Corridor between St Paul and Minneapolis.
“The Obama administration said it was revamping rules on federal transit funding to funnel more of the money to streetcars, bus routes and other projects that promote “livability.”
“The new policy announced Wednesday, part of a broader effort by the Obama administration to use transportation and housing programs to reduce driving, contain sprawl and create transit-related jobs, could lift the fortunes of makers of light-rail and other transit equipment sold to states and cities. “
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704675104575001560050211080.html
How walkable is your neighborhood? January 13, 2010
Posted by Jamie Buss in Uncategorized.add a comment
Well, more like “How close are various amenities and shops to your home?” The website walkscore.com scores addresses based on proximity to neighborhood amenities, a simplistic version of “walkability”. Of course, other factors are key to actual walkability — access to transit, design of public spaces, connectedness of streets, condition of sidewalks, and many others. These are not currently factored into the website scores. But it is a start. More and more people, companies, ideas are launching and developing concerning walkability, alternative transportation, and place-making. This is very good!
www.walkscore.com
