Learning from the 2013 Index of Bicycle Friendly Cities
The second edition of the Index of Bicycle Friendly Cities is out: Steven Bland takes a look to see who the movers and the shakers are in the global cities bicycle race, and what Cape Town can learn from the index.
“Manhattan Landmarks”: The Third Avenue Line (El), circa 1954
Recently released public domain film from the Library of Congress Prelinger Archive reveals the IRT Third Avenue Line, commonly known as the Third Avenue El. An elevated railway in Manhattan and the Bronx, New York City, With first segments of the line opened in Manhattan in 1878 and closed completely after the 1960s, watch this video and take a trip down memory lane.
Suburban Transit Revolution
“Paris is on the verge of a massive transportation upgrade, largely for the benefit of its long-neglected suburbs. The Boulevard Périphérique is currently a physical and psychological border between two unequal worlds….Reaching education and employment centers is extremely difficult for many suburban residents. They often face longer commute times to the center than those from provincial cities linked by high-speed rail. As central Paris becomes a playground for the well-to-do, suburbanites remain marginalized.”
WATCH: Transit Patterns: San Francisco
Over the course of 24 hours, Schema Design visualizes the public transportation ridership in San Francisco.
Visualizing a Walkable City
The city of Pontevedra in northwest Spain has become a leader in walker-friendly urban policy over the past 15 years. To further improve walkability, Pontevedra’s city council produced a map that visualizes the distances and travel times between key places on foot at an average speed of five kilometers per hour. Pontevendra offers insights into the potential for similar initiatives in other cities around the world.
Life In The Bike Lane
This video shows some perspectives on cycling in the city of Philadelphia. Cyclists do not feel safe on the streets.
A Tramway Arrives in Casablanca
The municipal government of Casablanca has recently completed a $1.6 billion tramway that connects much of the city’s east and west sections via the centre. Such lines are becoming a global trend, promoted as environmentally sustainable and socially equitable urban renewal.
Do our roads promote reckless driving?
If our streets and roads are designed as wide, multi-lane race tracks, who is really at fault for speeding and reckless driving?
Pretoria’s BRT System: How will it work?
Pretoria’s new BRT system is in planning, and this video covers some of the main features.
Cities without borders?
What can the founding of ancient Rome teach us about the future? Trevor Sudano hypothesizes about the trajectory of boundaries and how evolving cities should respond.
