Rebecca Jacobs

Over the past few months, Livable Streets Education has worked with schools across New York City on We're Walking Here NYC. Educators were asked to engage students in an exercise that highlights the importance of safety, healthy choices, walkable streets and sustainable transportation, and to share that message with others. This was the pilot run of our web-based project and we had a great group of participants. Next fall we plan to continue the initiative and invite any and all NYC schools to join in. 

With the Walk21 Conference in town next week, New York City will be the focus of this year's Walk to School Day, and we want New York kids to benefit. To help out, Livable Streets Education is organizing a project to celebrate walking in schools: We're Walking Here NYC.

Last month, more than 500 people gathered in Portland, Oregon for the second National Safe Routes to School Conference. Maybe it's the fact that Congress might triple national funding for safe routes to school programs. Or maybe it’s the way that walking and biking to school fits so well with efforts to improve public health, safety, and the environment. Whatever the reason, you definitely got the feeling at this event that you were part of something that’s gaining momentum.

The mysterious Zozo came out from hiding to make his first appearance this Saturday at Celebrate Brooklyn's Family Day in Prospect Park. He reminded kids and families that the green way is also the fun and healthy way to get around the city. Zozo was particularly impressed with Celebrate Brooklyn's Bike Zone, and loves that you can get to the concert "by feet, by train, by bike, by bus"!

Asking kids how they would re-design their streets is a revealing exercise. Students concerned about sustainability have a lot to say about their built environment, and they say it with conviction.

If you caught our Streetfilm last week, then you know about Livable Streets Education and our curriculum on urban livability, green transportation, and safer streets. We get a lot of questions about how our lessons work in the classroom, so I wanted to share a little bit about what we did this semester with the eighth grade at Dual Language Middle School (MS 247) on the Upper West Side.

Little-known fact: In addition to publishing Streetsblog, the Livable Streets Initiative does grassroots work in New York City neighborhoods. This year you'll find us putting on activities at community events all over the city. In particular, Livable Streets Education is organizing a big slate of outdoor family events, art projects and kid-friendly activities in conjunction with schools, neighborhood associations, and cultural organizations.

Last September, The Open Planning Project officially launched Livable Streets Education (LSE), to inspire students, teachers, and families to make the changes they want to see on their streets and in their neighborhoods. LSE's learning units explore a range of topics, including the urban environment, traffic calming, biking and walking, public transit, and safe routes to schools. Our pilot program is already up and running in four schools. The response has been very positive -- young people are incredibly interested in improving the environment and their city. This spring we'll be expanding to ten New York City schools, working with over 500 students in kindergarten through eighth grade.