JO-Urbanist

MMT Flyer-Draft-041525.pdf on Egnyte File MMT Flyer-Draft-041525.pdf shared using Egnyte

Join me on the City Building Express (AKA the Magical Mystery Tour) leading up to the @StrongTowns National Gathering & #CNU33 in Providence RI. We'll see urbanism old & new focusing on #MissingMiddleHousing, #TacticalUrbanism & much more!
Details here: urbanlands.egnyte.com/dl/41NDjnccww

Yesterday, we received unanimous approval at Planning Commission for the Zone Change at We Fortify’s newest Elevate Village-Prospect Village! #tinyhomes #cottagecourt #missingmiddle #coloradosprings

Donald Shoup will continue to open the eyes of government through his books and legacy. Rest in peace. www.cp-dr.com/articles/don...

I'm deeply saddened to share that Donald Shoup passed away last night. He was the ideal academic—curious, methodical, and concerned with turning ideas into real-world change. TAing his parking course these past few years has one of the greatest honors of my life. Rest in peace, Shoup Dogg.

Please send suggestions of places between NYC and Boston to visit on the tour! The tour will be limited to 25.

Magical Mystery Tour, 2025 is in the planning process for 6/9-6/11 beginning in NYC & finishing in Providence, RI, ahead of the @cnunewurbanism.bsky.social Annual Congress.
Day 1: NYC
Day 2: Connecticut, Rhode Island, & Massachusetts
Day 3: Boston

john@urbanlandscapes.design if you’re interested

In 2021, a 5-unit apartment in a Boston suburb burned down. Years later, a developer and former residents are still doing battle with the city after plans to rebuild the apartment were denied for not fitting in with the community character and quaint aesthetics.

This is 100% what'll happen in LA.

Denver may eliminate parking minimums Denver officials are looking into getting rid of regulations requiring developers to build a certain amount of parking to spur more housing developments.

#Denver proposes to remove minimum parking mandates. City planners “said the change would save hundreds of hours of staff time, remove barriers to the creation of more affordable housing and encourage the use of sustainable transportation options”

Fact check: true!
denvergazette.com/news/denver-...

How extreme car dependency is driving Americans to unhappiness A car is often essential in the US but while owning a vehicle is better than not for life satisfaction, a study has found, having to drive too much sends happiness plummeting

“The United States, with its enormous highways, sprawling suburbs and neglected public transport systems, is one of the most car-dependent countries in the world. But this arrangement of obligatory driving is making many Americans actively unhappy, new research has found.” Via @theguardian.com

The streets I’m most comfortable letting my 3-yr old walk alone on are the ones modern engineering practices don’t allow you to build.

📍 Coconut Grove | Miami

Before and after pics of transformed Amsterdam street.

It’s not just about what you remove (cars, noise, dirty air). It’s about what you add (people walking, a lot of bike parking, trees, outdoor dining, and room for kids to play safely). Amsterdam: 1986 and today.

Streets for people.

HT @hackneycyclist.bsky.social

Vehicles stuck in gridlock in New York City

It's not really about whether you personally like, want or need to drive. It’s about not being DEPENDENT on driving all the time, for everything you do. And it’s about the fact that in cities, if everyone has to move by car, no one moves much at all.

Pic via @brooklynspoke.bsky.social

YouTube video by Studio 809 Podcasts Shifting the Status Quo of Development

Before Thanksgiving, I had the opportunity to spend some time with Mary Barber and Dave Gardner discussing development in the Pikes Peak region on the Peak Environment podcast. It was uploaded to You Tube today where you can watch it here: youtu.be/Wai4GHPGKGA

white text on black Two columns THINGS KIDS HAVE SACRIFICED FOR DRIVERS -PLAYING ON THEIR STREET -SAFE SCHOOL STREETS -WALKING TO SCHOOL -BIKING TO SCHOOL -WALKING TO THE PARK -RANDOM PLAY -CROSSING THE STREET -PLAYING AT NIGHT -INDEPENDENCE -QUALITY STREET LIFE -AIR QUALITY -A PLANET -THEIR LIVES THINGS DRIVERS HAVE SACRIFICED FOR KIDS ROVÉLO CREATIVE

New sticker coming soon.

How much water do Colorado communities actually need? In one, surprisingly little. With new houses using 30% less water, Sterling Ranch asked Douglas County for tighter household water limits.

The way that we develop our cities is critical for water use. Designing for low density lots with with private lawns will compound our water issues. Build more communities-actual communities-with a mix of home types including mixed use with apartments & offices above coloradosun.com/2024/11/24/c...

Build markets to last. Do we build anything more throwaway than strip malls and convenience stores? Buildings meant to be thrown away after a short life are by definition some of the most inauthentic ever built. City markets built as civic buildings can last for generations.

Visited a prior project today in Gunnison, where we took Ohio Ave that was previously over 60’ wide curb to curb. We chalked it in 2019 to show how it we could return some of it for a bike/ped connection from Western Colorado U. to downtown.
New sidewalk, cycle track and slower speeds! 💯

Expressway before removal

Stream and park after

Never forget that when Seoul, Korea removed the Cheonggyecheon expressway in 2003 and replaced it with a restored stream, 1000 acre park and improved public transit, not only did it transform the city’s public life and economic success, but the car traffic got better.

The traffic got BETTER.

Some of the biggest names in the urbanist community have recently joined, including @stevemouzon.bsky.social @victordover.bsky.social @penalosag.bsky.social @mallorybaches.bsky.social @mikelydon.bsky.social @jeffspeck.bsky.social
If they’re not on your feeds yet, they should be added.

Some of the biggest names in the urbanist community have recently joined, including @stevemouzon.bsky.social @victordover.bsky.social @penalosag.bsky.social @mallorybaches.bsky.social @mikelydon.bsky.social @jeffspeck.bsky.social
If they’re not on your feeds yet, they should be added.

You got it.

a man in a tie is sitting at a table with his mouth open . ALT: a man in a tie is sitting at a table with his mouth open .

A few more of my favorite urbanists have joined Bluesky! Victor Dover, Jeff Speck, Mike Lydon, & Gil Penalosa!
go.bsky.app/UzuheTx

Making the most of a small mixed-use site A development plan in Edmond, Oklahoma, has 10-foot-wide townhouses and a mix of small commercial and residential buildings to create intimate urban spaces on the edge of downtown.

10’ wide Townhouses! So cool! www.cnu.org/publicsquare...

Starting over is hard, but my understanding is that many of the X followers aren’t there anymore anyway. Glad to see your content here!

Bloomberg recently posted a related article about the same topic. Happy to know that it’s on the mind of others as well. www.bloomberg.com/news/feature...

The Corner Store Comeback Small-scale neighborhood retail is staging a post-Covid revival in many cities, thanks to a mix of zoning reforms, shopping trends and local incentives.

Can Corner Stores Mount A Comeback? Via @bloomberg.com

“Toderian champions a finely grained retail model he calls ‘corner convenience’: a small market, cafe/restaurant or service that ideally would be legal on every street corner across the city & suburbs.” www.bloomberg.com/news/feature...

Ditch woonerf

Dutch woonerf

Dutch woonerf

Dutch woonerf

One of the most intriguing & misunderstood street design and place-making ideas in the world is the Dutch #Woonerf, or “living street.” When I studied woonerfs while working for the City of Groningen, I learned the key is street design that makes it impossible to drive faster than people can walk.

You know that you’re not well when you visit one of your former development projects and smile ear to ear because you can’t find a parking space. #LincolnCenter #placemaking

Only 13 Tickets for the Gala, Not Gala this Saturday are left. Grab your tickets while you still can!
crm.bloomerang.co/HostedDonati...

Makes sense, less money to pay for those services. The value of an acre with 4 homes on it is going to be less than the value of an acre with 10 homes.