Free the transit: Paris could be on the way to having the largest urban fare-free public transit zone in the world while Estonia will go fare-free country-wide this summer.
Sketchy lawyering: Sound Transit staff has tried to dash the hopes of a First Hill station with a very questionable legal interpretation.
Hard to predict: Why is it hard to predict when the bus will turn up?
Bad faith player: Despite lots of noise and threats, Amazon is back to constructing the company’s Block 18 tower.
Right-on-red: Perhaps it’s time to rethink right-on-red for safety.
Greenwashing: Oregon is trying to greenwash a dirty urban highway expansion in Portland.
Making PTC progress: Railroads in the region appear to be making on-time progress toward implementing positive train control.
Coalescing opposition to shelter: A coalition has formed and raising funding to oppose a new citywide tax on wealthy businesses dedicated to shelter and housing attainment.
#1 for bikes: Minneapolis is America’s most bikeable city.
Pedestrianizing Lower Manhattan: In New York City, a strong coalition is supporting pedestrianization of the Financial District.
Reinvesting in Detroit: A plan is affoot to continue improving Detroit neighborhoods as the city recovers from its long-standing economic and population decline.
All-in for TOD: Montréal’s transit agency is venturing directly into investing in transit-oriented, mixed-use development at a planned metro station.
Sickening: Michigan could pass a very draconian Medicaid bill meant to strip people in need of vital healthcare benefits.
Parking reform angst: Despite the success of slashing parking requirements several years ago in Philadelphia, political opposition to the policy change.
Build Cascadia HSR: The Cascadia Innovation Corridor will need substantial changes to movements across the Canadian border if it’s to become reality ($), according to its proponents.
Saving Cougar Mountain: A last-ditch effort is underway to save Cougar Mountain, an important regional conservation area, from further urban development.
Dutch the parking: Dutch residents are transforming street parking to better uses like gardens, terraces, and play areas.
Rent in decline: Rent for housing is falling in New York City with the onset of rising housing supply.
Falling behind the pack: In spite of skyrocketing healthcare costs since the 1980s, American life expectancy gains has essentially flatlined while it grows in other wealthy nations ($).
Public versus private: In Washington, D.C., private dockless rental bikes are growing shared bike use, but it is likely serving a very different market from public dock-based bikeshare, which remains successful.
Housing now: Could the American housing crisis become the next national political issue?
20 is plenty: Scotland could soon make it national policy to set street speed maximums in cities, towns, and villages at 20mph.
Map of the Week: If Massimo Vignelli had his way, Washington, D.C. would have a much more abstract transit map.
Stephen is a professional urban planner in Puget Sound with a passion for sustainable, livable, and diverse cities. He is especially interested in how policies, regulations, and programs can promote positive outcomes for communities. With stints in great cities like Bellingham and Cork, Stephen currently lives in Seattle. He primarily covers land use and transportation issues and has been with The Urbanist since 2014.