• USDOT seeks to reconnect Philly neighborhoods

    This article is part of our ongoing coverage of the Ladders of Opportunity Every Place Counts Design Challenge, a program of the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) with design assistance from CNU. Learn more at cnu.org/everyplacecounts.
    Mayor Jim Kenney calls I-676 in Philadelphia the “not-so-great wall of Chinatown.” The US Department of Transportation (USDOT) held a two-day workshop in mid-July to explore ways to reconnect the expanding Chinatown neighborhood with the redeveloping Callowhill neighborhood. The workshop, hosted by...Read more

  • USDOT explores urban design ideas for Nashville highway and neighborhood

    This article is part of our ongoing coverage of the Ladders of Opportunity Every Place Counts Design Challenge, a program of the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) with design assistance from CNU. Learn more at cnu.org/everyplacecounts.
    The US Department of Transportation spent two days in Nashville, Tennessee this month to imagine new urban design opportunities for reconnecting a historic African-American community bifurcated five decades ago by the construction of Interstate 40 through the city. Many people assume that Nashville...Read more

  • FHWA proposal would undermine traffic calming

    There is still time for public comment on an ill-considered rule tying lower speeds on urban streets to "excessive delay." Please read the article and tell FHWA to drop or change this proposal.
    To increase speeds for cars and trucks during peak hours, FHWA (Federal Highway Administration) is proposing a rule that could harm walkability and quality of life 24 hours a day on specific urban streets. The FHWA, a division of US DOT, is focused on highways—so maybe the Administration doesn’t...Read more

  • The walkable, urban world of Pokemon

    The game celebrates art, architecture, and culture, so businesses near cultural landmarks have a better chance of having PokéStops, which is what you need to be able to place a lure.
    “Mom, I need to walk 10k today,” coming from my 11-year old this morning almost gave me whiplash, as I turned to look at him to ensure an alien wasn’t inhabiting his body. In fact, there was one, if you view Pokémon as other-worldly. The playful new video game, Pokémon GO, is distracting kids and...Read more