All articles tagged with #city planning
One year after implementing congestion pricing in Manhattan, traffic has decreased significantly, leading to faster commutes, safer streets, and increased transit ridership, though some residents feel the financial burden and personal impacts. The program has generated substantial revenue for transit improvements and appears to have positive effects on city life, with ongoing questions about its impact on air quality.
A city-appointed advisory panel criticized the Philadelphia 76ers' plan for a downtown arena, expressing concerns about its potential impact on the city's urban landscape and questioning whether it would repeat past mistakes. The panel members raised issues regarding the lack of detail in the plans, the design of the public arena area, and its potential long-term effects on the city. The Sixers intend to depart the Wells Fargo Center in 2031 and move into a new $1.55 billion, 18,500-seat venue atop Jefferson Station at 10th and Market Streets, but the approval process for the arena is still in its early stages.
A construction company mistakenly demolished an Atlanta woman's boarded-up property, leaving her with a pile of rubble and a threat of fines from the city. The city issued a "Stop Work Order" to the property owner, who was given two weeks to clean up the mess caused by the accidental demolition. The incident highlights the importance of home insurance in protecting against unexpected events, such as accidental property damage, and emphasizes the need to be prepared for unforeseen circumstances when it comes to safeguarding one's home.
Parisians voted to triple parking fees for out-of-town SUVs in the city center, aiming to reduce congestion, pollution, and traffic accidents. The measure, supported by over 54% of voters, will come into effect from September 1, with fees reaching 18 euros per hour for the first two hours and escalating to 225 euros for a six-hour stay. Mayor Anne Hidalgo's initiative is part of a broader effort to make Paris greener and more pedestrian-friendly, ahead of the upcoming Olympic Games.
The author shares their experience playing Cities: Skylines 2 at Gamescom and highlights the impressive size and scale of the game's maps. The tutorial was newbie-friendly, and the author felt more prepared to play the full game upon its release. They were particularly amazed by the vast playable areas, exemplified by a scenic fjord map they chose. The author initially underestimated the size of the map but realized its enormity when they had to create a sewage pipe that stretched for miles. Despite some initial planning mistakes, the author found the game enjoyable and satisfying, with intuitive menus and the ability to rectify issues.
The Line, a planned city in Saudi Arabia, has been criticized by researchers from the Complexity Science Hub for its linear design, which they argue is inefficient and hinders active mobility. The city's population density is expected to be ten times that of Manhattan, with a high-speed rail system planned for transportation. However, the researchers suggest that a circular design, like The Circle, would be more efficient and allow for better connectivity without the need for supertall buildings. While The Line has sparked discussions about urban forms and sustainability, there are concerns about its construction and long commutes.
San Francisco is preparing to host two weekends of the popular music festival Outside Lands, raising concerns about the city's ability to handle the increased traffic and logistical challenges. Event management and city planning officials are working together to ensure a smooth experience for attendees and minimize disruptions to local residents.
New York City officials have proposed a 10-year extension for Madison Square Garden's operating permit, allowing it to remain atop Penn Station. The proposal includes requirements for aesthetic upgrades to the surrounding area and collaboration with the MTA on the planned $7 billion overhaul of the transit hub. The Garden's owner, James Dolan, would need to work with the MTA once plans for Penn Station's reconstruction are 30% complete. The proposal also calls for improvements to streets, public spaces, and signage around the arena. The extension would not affect the venue's property tax exemptions. The proposal will be voted on by the Department of City Planning, followed by the City Council's decision.
Minneapolis officials are considering a proposal to ban buses from Nicollet Mall, a popular pedestrian shopping area, and to loosen liquor laws to allow for more outdoor dining and drinking. The proposal is part of a larger effort to revitalize the downtown area and make it more attractive to visitors and businesses. Some residents and business owners have expressed concerns about the potential impact on public transportation and safety, but supporters argue that the changes could help boost the local economy and create a more vibrant urban environment.
The Zilker Park Vision Plan, which includes three new parking garages, a land bridge over Barton Springs Road, a welcome plaza, and new hike and bike trails, has been approved by the Austin Parks Board and will head to Austin City Council this summer. The plan faced pushback from the public, with concerns raised about the amount of new construction and the impact on the park. The plan is a guide and does not include detailed design, construction plans, or budgeting for the future of the park.
Parking is a hidden force that shapes our lives in the United States, determining the kinds of homes we live in, the communities we build, and how we interact with our built environments. Zoning requirements requiring off-street parking for new construction strangle new development and help fuel the affordable housing crisis. There are at least four parking spaces for every car in the United States, meaning that the parking stock is never more than 25 percent full at any given time. The solution is to more intelligently manage the parking that we have and try and find ways to control demand for parking by sharing it, pricing it, and telling people where it is.
New York City's plan to combat the rat population with new trash containers could eliminate 150,000 parking spots, according to a report by the Department of Sanitation. The $1.6 million garbage "containerization" study found that the giant receptacles could be installed on 89% of city streets without eating up parking, but it would be more difficult in space-crunched areas south of 110th Street in Manhattan. The groundbreaking trash plan aims to block rodents from feasting on garbage by requiring residents to toss trash, recycling, and compost in giant covered containers instead of on the curb.