London
Streetsblog Basics
“My Other Car Is a Bright Green City”
As attention turns to the next federal transportation bill, and livable streets fans scan the platforms of presidential candidates for glimpses of what to expect from Washington over the next four years, Alex Steffen, editor and CEO of the blog WorldChanging, has posted an essay-in-progress called "My Other Car is a Bright Green City." Steffen says that reining in fuel standards and auto emissions, for instance, is not nearly as important to present and future generations as developing communities that behave more like cities, which are, by environmental measures, much cleaner than commute-intensive suburbs and exurbs. Here are some excerpts.
February 13, 2008
London Imposes $50 Guzzler Fee on SUVs and Lux Roadsters
London Mayor Ken Livingstone is on a tear. Yesterday he announced a £500 million investment in new bicycling infrastructure. Today, he approved a plan to charge the drivers of SUVs, high powered sports cars and other large engine, high emission vehicles a £25 fee ($48.75!) to drive into Central London's congestion charging zone. Simultaneously, low emission vehicles will become exempt from paying the charge. In a press release, Livingstone said,
February 12, 2008
London Announces Billion Dollar Bike Plan
Proposed routes for bicycle "superhighways" serving London commuters.
February 11, 2008
The Battle for Britain’s Roads
The whole hour is well worth watching, but here are some highlights:
January 15, 2008
Merry Gridlock!
Streetsblog editor Aaron Naparstek and StreetFilms' Nick Whitaker hit the intersection of Atlantic, Flatbush and Fourth Avenues Thursday morning to see what a "Gridlock Alert Day" looks like at one of New York City's most congested intersections.
December 24, 2007
Highlights of the “Equal Tolls, Unequal Access” Discussion
April Greene reports on Monday's congestion pricing panel discussion at the New School:
December 13, 2007
This Holiday Season London’s Streets Are “Absolutely Jammed”
London retailers enjoyed a £100 million spending spree as Oxford, Bond and Regents Streets were closed to motor vehicle traffic for a day
December 10, 2007
Paris Wins the ITDP Sustainable Transport Award
The Institute for Transportation and Development Policy has chosen Paris for its 2008 Sustainable Transportation Award. In a letter from the ITDP Board of Directors to Paris Mayor Bertrand Delanoë, the Institute praises the French capitol's recent transportation policies, most notably the Vélib project:
November 30, 2007
10,000 New Bike Parking Spaces for London Schools
Speaking of bike parking, 10,000 new bike parking spaces have been installed in 400 London schools since the 2004 launch of the Mayor's School Cycle
Parking Programme, Transport for London announced yesterday. This year alone TfL will spend £1.2 million on school bike parking (that's $2.5 million and rising). Many of the new bike parking facilities are indoors or otherwise protected from weather and often include lockers. Jenny Jones, Mayor Ken Livingstone's Green Transport Advisor, said:
November 9, 2007
Gehl on Wheels
The Jan Gehl product roll-out continues apace. Last week, WNYC. This week, New York Magazine. Word has it Gehl's team will be presenting Department of Transportation brass with some pretty big ideas for street space re-allocation. In the meantime, enjoy another interview with everyone's favorite Danish urban designer:
November 5, 2007