• Historic square gets new urban makeover

    Nicely proportioned Bergen Square in Jersey City received a road diet, new public space, traffic calming and other upgrades.
    One of the nation’s oldest public squares, degraded by 20th Century parking lots, has been restored to greater pedestrian use with a $1.8 million makeover. Street Plans’ Brooklyn office worked with Jersey City’s Department of Infrastructure to renovate Bergen Square, a beautifully proportioned 17th...Read more

  • The impact of in-city highways

    Dhiru Thadani drew the above cartoon image on the impact of in-city highways, which is a timely topic this week. On Tuesday, June 1, CNU is set to release its biennial report Freeways Without Futures , offering a list of 15 highways most in need of transformation nationwide. In-city freeway...Read more

  • Gingerbread villages feel right for the holidays

    This wonderful gingerbread village was made in the holiday spirit recently by David M. Schwarz Architects (DMSAS). The village is based on principles of good urban planning, reports Lauren Landau for the blog DCist . “Gregory Hoss, president of DMSAS, says the residents of Gingertown don’t mind a...Read more

  • The benefits of urban trees

    Trees are miracles of nature—and one of the least expensive, most effective investments that can be made in a neighborhood. According to The Nature Conservancy, urban—particularly street—trees have environment, health, and economic value. Not mentioned is the benefit of traffic calming in urban...Read more