Recent Streetsblog NYC posts about Quality of Life

The Case for Active Transportation, by the Numbers

By Sarah Goodyear | Oct 24, 2008 | 3 Comments

Thanks to commenter Stephen for prodding us to post on the new report from the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, "Active Transportation for America" (download the PDF here). What makes the report notable are the numbers it contains. It’s jam-packed with quantifiable benefits that would result from increased investment in infrastructure that encourages and supports pedestrians and cyclists. […]

Study Provides a New Vision for Allen and Pike Street Malls

By Sarah Goodyear | Sep 19, 2008 | 7 Comments

Local residents turned out to give their opinions on the renovation of the malls early last summer. Residents of the Lower East Side and Chinatown have been fighting for improvements to the Allen and Pike Street pedestrian malls for more than a decade. Now, with the city’s Parks Department set to begin a $5.4 million […]

San Francisco Debuts Car-Free “Sunday Streets”

By Brad Aaron | Sep 5, 2008 | 6 Comments

San Francisco held its inaugural car-free "Sunday Streets" event last weekend. New Yorker Jen Petersen was there and files this report. Whatever the weather, San Francisco’s Fisherman’s Wharf doesn’t suffer from a shortage of dollar-shelling, strolling tourists on weekends, and so clearing street space for more people-powered mobility on a sunny morning had instant takers. […]

Measuring the Value of Livable Streets

By Ben Fried | Jul 31, 2008 | 2 Comments

Ever wonder how much New York stands to gain by making its streets more livable? Transportation Alternatives has been gathering evidence measuring the economic and social benefits that accrue when cities put pedestrians first. Their report is coming out next week, but the Observer published a sneak preview (headline: "The Woonerf Deficit") this Tuesday: The […]

Want a Park(ing) Day Spot? 50 Spaces Now Available.

By Ben Fried | Jul 30, 2008 | 5 Comments

Mark September 19 on your calendars. That’s when Park(ing) Day returns to New York. Last year, neighborhood groups all over the city got into the street reclamation groove, converting 25 parking spots into temporary parks. Park(ing) Day 2008 figures to be even more visible. Fifty spots will be set aside to show how public street […]

Streetfilms: A New Play Street for Jackson Heights

By Ben Fried | Jul 25, 2008 | 3 Comments

Streetfilms newcomer Robin Urban Smith brings us this romp through a new play street in Jackson Heights. Located in a neighborhood with little access to park space, the 78th Street Play Street effectively extends Travers Park out past the curb every Sunday for 20 weeks. Neighborhood groups Jackson Heights Green and Friends of Travers Park […]

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