What France Can Teach U.S. Cities About Transit Design
It will be a long time until Americans are comfortable enough with sexual innuendo to appropriate that term. But there’s an awful lot that U.S. cities should learn as soon as possible about the way the French design their transit networks. Whereas American light rail systems have had modest success and modern streetcar lines have […]
How to design communities that make residents fitter and healthier
The design of neighbourhoods, offices and green spaces can help to encourage physical activity and combat obesity
The city that could help people with AUTISM: Planner designs urban hub to make transport, jobs and public spaces more inclusive for her brother
Finding your way around a bustling city can be difficult – and it can be even trickier if you suffer from autism. The condition affects people in a variety of ways, but it is characterised by deficits in language and social skills, making tasks such as shopping, asking for directions, planning a route and navigating […]
Complete Streets Toolkit
GO TO 2040 recognizes the need for a modern, efficient transportation system to support the growth, diversity, and prosperity of the region. To help achieve this, the plan recommends policies, actions, and investments to improve conditions for bicycling, walking, and the use of public transportation, including a Complete Streets approach to planning and designing local […]
Time to Think Differently
Edward Steinfeld, AIA and Director of the IDeA Center, wrote a fantastic article for the American Architectural Foundation about the need for age-friendly community design. Steinfeld argues that the creation of age-restricted communities, like The Villages in Orlando, FL, removes older adults who can afford them from the community at large. This negatively impacts communities, […]
Complete Streets Policy Adds to Momentum in Hamilton
On June 26, the SPRC hosted a policy event to gather feedback about a draft Complete Streets policy for Hamilton. The success of this event is one of many indicators of momentum for Complete Streets in Hamilton and beyond.
Right to Walk in Chennai, India
Universally Designed cities need to be walkable cities, where pedestrians can easily and safely access goods, services and social actives. Unfortunately, many cities were not designed this way. The Hindu, an Indian newspaper has launched a “Right to Walk” campaign in Chennai, a large city in the south of India, to address the city’s unsafe […]
The City of New Orleans Drafting a Public Right-of-Way Transition Plan
The city of New Orleans is drafting a public right-of-way transition plan that will provide a blueprint for addressing accessibility needs for people with disabilities, and will establish priorities to enhance pedestrian access routes on city streets. The street enhancements will include curb ramps, accessible pedestrian signals and transit stops. The plan is being overseen […]
Future Communities Must be Sustainable and UD
We came across a great post on the American Architectual Foundation‘s website that not only outlines the importance of Universal Design and visitability, but also explores their relationship to sustainable design. Written by Kathy Sykes, Senior Advisor for Aging and Sustainability at U.S. EPA, the article looks at the principles of Universal Design, explains how […]
Color-Coded Accessibility Map
The disAbilities Resource Centre in Queenstown, Australia has created a color-coded map detailing the accessibility of the streets and footpaths in the area. The map can act as a guide for new residents and visitors who have walking difficulties or use a wheelchair, mobility scooter or pram. Gently sloped streets are labeled in green, steeper […]