Livable Streets
Streetsblog Basics
Streetfilms: The Glory Days of Car-Free Park Rallies
If you've ever wondered how Aaron Naparstek and Clarence Eckerson whiled away the hours before the advent of Streetsblog and Streetfilms, here's your answer. They donned cheeseheads and Hummer suits while role-playing in support of a car-free Prospect Park. Clarence has been hanging on to this proto-Streetfilm for some time (it was shot in 2002), waiting for the right moment to spring it on us. With the push for a car-free Central Park and Prospect Park gaining steam as summer approaches, not to mention the launch of the Livable Streets Network two days ago, that time is now.
June 13, 2008
Portland Elects Cyclist Mayor; Obama Draws 8,000 on Bikes
On Tuesday, voters in Portland, Oregon elected Sam Adams as their next mayor. A former Congressional staffer and current Portland city commissioner, Adams -- who is a cyclist -- ran on a platform that emphasized environmental and progressive growth initiatives, including, in the words of the Oregonian, "use [of] the
Portland Streetcar and better planning to spur urban
renewal." Adams received strong support from the livable streets community, which helped earn him a 52-34 percent margin of victory.
May 22, 2008
Coming Soon: A Major Car-Free Event in NYC
Cyclists enjoy Bogotá's weekly Ciclovía. Which New York streets will host a similar event this summer?
May 22, 2008
Eyes on the Street: Biking on the Brooklyn Waterfront Greenway
Last time we checked in on the Columbia Street section of the Brooklyn Waterfront Greenway, construction was in full swing. Now, along much of the path in Carroll Gardens and Red Hook, the orange barrels are gone and new plantings are taking root. Streetfilms' Clarence Eckerson snapped these shots last week, noting that about 40 new trees have been planted on Columbia between Atlantic Avenue and Degraw Street. The paths and plantings have completely changed the feel of the street, he tells us.
May 19, 2008
DOT to Hold Woodhaven Boulevard Forum Tonight
Here's another opportunity for livable streets advocates to make themselves heard tonight: DOT will be hosting a public input session regarding congestion on Woodhaven Boulevard in Queens, focusing on the area between Queens Boulevard and Liberty Avenue.
May 19, 2008
Federal Complete Streets Legislation Gains Momentum
Complete streets advocates received a double dose of good news
this week from Washington, D.C. For the first time ever, complete streets legislation is now introduced in both chambers of Congress,
after the Safe and Complete Streets Act was introduced in the House of
Representatives. Meanwhile, the Senate version of the bill received its
first Republican cosponsor.
May 2, 2008
Streetfilm: Lessons from L.A.
Never let it be said that transportation reform advocates don't have a sense of humor. How else can you explain the decision to take one of Los Angeles' best known pedestrian advocates and interview her while driving around the Hollywoods at rush hour on a Friday night?
May 1, 2008
Sadik-Khan Introduces the New York City Model
DOT revealed its "Sustainable Streets" strategic plan last night, in the very same room where the New York City Streets Renaissance Campaign held its kick-off event a little more than two years ago. Once again, Streetfilms' Clarence Eckerson was there. Here are excerpts from the presentation by Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan, who says that, rather than duplicate the livable streets efforts of cities like London, Paris and Copenhagen, her agency intends to implement "the New York City Model" of sustainable transportation and urban design.
April 29, 2008
Streetfilm: The Transformation of Meat Market Plaza
The past few weeks, we've kept an eye on the rapid progress of Gansevoort Plaza in the Meatpacking District. Lest we forget about its slightly older neighbor to the north, Meat Market Plaza, Streetfilms' Clarence Eckerson, Jr. cut together this short video capturing the site (Ninth Avenue between 14th and 15th Streets) before, during, and after construction. The project was completed last fall and is enjoying copious use with the advent of spring.
April 25, 2008