Fresh stories: What if We Stop Focusing on Cars & 12 more
April 20, 2023 Edition
Curated by Konveio
In this week’s newsletter, you’ll uncover new insights on the future of our suburbs, how to adapt to increasing heat in our cities, and learn how Boston City Hall transformed their concrete plaza into an amazing space for citizens.
Don’t hesitate to reach out with recommendations, we’re always looking for your input!
Lauren Sibley
EngagingCities Editor
Featured Story
What if We Stop Focusing on Cars?
For the last 70 years or so our focus has been set on cars. We have convinced ourselves that cars are the only way to travel, and with that we have convinced ourselves that there is no way to change that. But how would our towns, neighborhoods, and cities look if we took car dedicated areas and focused them on people? How would this change not only the aesthetics but our values?
— Shared by André Schwämmlein
Amplifying Progress
EngagingCities shares stories by our network of community builders that collaboratively plan for a brighter, cleaner, and more equitable tomorrow.
Featured stories from the last two weeks:
🔥 Hot Takes
🎤 Designing the Suburbs of the Future
We expect a lot from our suburbs. The suburban lifestyle has always been about space and a slower pace. But is that really what people are looking for today? The car centered ideology of the suburbs is getting tiresome. More and more those who live in the suburbs still desire the walkability and accessibility that the city has to offer. This is an incredible opportunity to create a new suburb, one that meets the needs and wants of the citizens that live there.
— Shared by Joe Brancato
🎤 A Hot Take on 15 Minute Cities - Is the 15 minute city unrealistic for those who need it most?
— Shared by Ruth Glendinning
🎤 Neighborhood Preservation - Understanding neighborhoods and architecture is the foundation of understanding preservation.
— Shared by Douglas Newby
🎤 Urban Planning is Changing - Urban planning is no longer about developing suburbs along highways but is about bringing people back to the communities.
— Shared by Ross Cann
📝 Insights
💡 Adapting to Extreme Heat
Increasing climatic changes are impacting our communities and forcing us to ask how can we mitigate the weather? In recent years heat waves have caused many problems through cities and countries across our world. We may not be able to stop the climatic changes but we can definitely adapt and make alterations to help with mitigation.
— Shared by Kate Brandt
💡 American Malls - Malls are reimagining and redeveloping to create better experiences.
— Shared by Anton Germishuizen
💡 Neighborhood Making - How do we address the forgotten neighborhoods in our country?
— Shared by Seth Kaplan
💡 The Cost of Affordable Housing - What tools can we use to lower housing costs and speed up production?
— Shared by Nolan Browne
🥳 Success Stories
✅ Boston City Hall Plaza Redevelopment
Have you ever been to a public space that lacks even the basics, no places to sit, no shade. When creating public spaces we need to be mindful of what experiences are meant to be had there. If people are expected to frequent the space then they should have access to a wide range of activities that will enhance and elevate their experiences.
— Shared by Michael Grove
✅ Community Day - Volunteers get out to help improve the corridor in Baltimore, Maryland.
— Shared by Gia Grier McGinnis
✅ Downtown Detroit - Proposed upgrades to Detroit’s Grand Circus Park, helping to create an accessible and inclusive downtown.
— Shared by Eric Larson
✅ Norwalk, Connecticut's Vision - Norwalk is finally getting a zoning regulations update for the first time since 1929.
— Shared by Hector Pachas
🗓 Upcoming Events Mark your calendars
Fireside Chat: 4/21 Sustainable Urbanization Shared by James O'Brien
Do you have interesting resources, events, etc. to share?
Send us your tips to hello@engagingcities.com
