Aimee Rawlins’ Post

Streets for people are WAY more profitable than streets for cars! Who’d a thought?! Great to have this evidence from Toronto to prove it. “The key is to think of the street not as inherently being a space to park or drive cars, but as public space that can be purposed for any sort of public activity,” ~ Daniel Herriges, StrongTowns #localbusiness #healthyplaces #carparking #alfresco #community #liveability #livability #walkability #neighbourhood #urbanplanning #transportplanning https://lnkd.in/gAZpszjH

More evidence that we should be designing places for people, not private cars (this time, economic benefits). I hope this can be used for action, advocacy and application to urban design policy/planning! #saferstreets #transportequity #streetsforpeople

In New York City, the escalating car ownership rates, which have never been higher, are amplifying the challenge of finding parking, turning it into a veritable nightmare for many residents. Nia Smith from Bedford-Stuyvesant and Elya Shavrova from Ditmas Park depict the daily struggles they endure due to limited parking, with Smith sometimes waking up at 4 a.m. to relocate her car. In Murray Hill, Jake Dann-Soury continues a car-centric lifestyle inherited from his father, illustrating the common ritual of moving his car for street cleaners. The city’s streets, predominantly occupied by vehicles, are a source of frustration for many as experts like Henry Grabar and Danny Harris advocate for rethinking the allocation of these spaces. With around three million parking spaces, 97% of which are free, and over 2.2 million registered vehicles in New York, the tension over parking availability is palpable. Grabar and other urbanists see the current model of predominantly free, permanent street parking as outdated and a missed opportunity for enhancing urban life. Proposed solutions include a parking permit system for residential areas and the removal of curbside parking near intersections to improve safety. Significant is the initiative known as Park(ing) Day, which originated from a guerrilla art intervention by a group of urbanists and activists who transformed a parking space in San Francisco into a public park. This experiment highlighted the potential of repurposing parking spaces into green, social spaces, promoting a vision for a city that offers more than just vehicle storage. Proposals for repurposing these spaces include creating more green areas to combat climate issues, designing child-friendly zones, encouraging street commerce, and envisioning the streets as extensions of living spaces—proactive steps that could drastically improve the quality of urban life. #NYCParkingNightmare #UrbanPlanning #GreenCities #ParkingDay #SustainableNYC #PublicSpaces #StreetLife https://lnkd.in/eTQYDAMu

🚶♂️ Navigating Toronto's Sidewalks: A Reflection of City Dynamics 🏙️   Toronto's sidewalks are more than just paths; they're a reflection of our city's evolution, from cobblestones to the modern concrete jungle. As pedestrians, cyclists, and businesses share these spaces, they become intersections of stories and resilience. As I returned from Collingwood, where sidewalks are a rarity, I couldn't help but notice Toronto's sidewalk squeeze. It's a multifaceted issue that demands our attention and collaboration.   🛑 Challenges on the Sidewalks: Etiquette and Behavior: From sidewalk bullies to oblivious texters, disruptions abound. Remember when "walk to the right" was a thing? Restaurant Patios: While they add vibrancy, they sometimes encroach upon pedestrian space, especially with CafeTO's expansion. Bicycles and Electric Bikes: Despite bike lanes, sidewalk cycling persists, posing safety hazards. Bike Share Programs: Stations often occupy valuable sidewalk space, exacerbating congestion. Home Delivery Boom: More deliveries mean more bike couriers on sidewalks, alongside FedEx Bike Carts. Construction Zones: From poor signage to unsafe detours, pedestrians face challenges, especially those with disabilities. Homelessness: Sidewalks also serve as refuge for Toronto's homeless, highlighting social challenges. Heritage Plaques: Amidst the chaos, heritage plaques offer glimpses into our city's rich history.   🤝 Addressing the Sidewalk Squeeze: Pedestrian advocacy is about striking a balance between economy, safety, accessibility, and heritage. It requires collaboration and inclusive design to accommodate everyone. In our ongoing urban planning, lets remember that sidewalks are essential arteries of urban life, connecting us to work, leisure, and community spaces and a reflection of Toronto's inclusivity, resilience, and vibrancy.

If they can do it in Austin – one of the most car-centric cities in the country – we can do it here too. Every neighborhood starts with an intention. In Baton Rouge, and the majority of cities around the country, the intention has historically been to develop commercial corridors and car-dependent destinations – hence, stringent parking minimums that require developers to spend resources servicing cars over people. In order to plan for vibrant, pedestrian-safe neighborhoods, we have to do something about these outdated regulations. In implementing the Government Street road diet, we saw that by taking away some road and parking space, the corridor was actually able to welcome more customers, cyclists, walkers, and others who add to the bustling street life. Current zoning rules limit our ability to plan for the kind of places where people actually want to visit, live, and start businesses. City councils across the country are realizing this, and taking steps to enact zoning measures that get rid of parking minimums. I'm glad to see it! The next time the subject of parking comes up in your community, remember: if we want walkable places, we can’t over-prescribe for parking space.  #parking #walkability #urbandesign

The bustling scene at the intersection of East 77th Street and Lexington Avenue summarizes the current tension on New York City streets, a blend of energy and chaos that balances the allure of urban life with growing livability concerns. Amid a backdrop of a taxi dodging a Verizon crew, a bus navigating around illegally parked trucks, and commuters weaving through obstacles like a stuck shopping cart and bikes darting around, the city’s streets pulse with activity. This vibrancy, however, is shadowed by issues like noise, traffic, and safety disputes that increasingly frustrate residents. The proposed congestion pricing plan, aiming to charge drivers $15 to enter lower Manhattan, represents a significant attempt to address these issues by reducing traffic and funding public transportation improvements. Yet, it faces strong opposition and legal challenges from those who see it as unfair to drivers reliant on inadequate public transit options. This plan is part of a broader narrative of evolving urban transportation, traced back to the days when the streets were dominated by horse-drawn carriages and bicycles—a time when New York’s streets were a far different kind of chaotic. The city's journey from then to today’s gridlocked streets reflects a series of shifts in urban planning and transportation policy, marked by increasing vehicle sizes and an ever-growing population. Looking forward, there are numerous potential initiatives to reclaim and transform these streets, from banning parking near intersections to improving garbage management and rethinking delivery logistics. New Yorkers are poised at a critical juncture, with the opportunity to redefine urban space and mobility as the city embarks on what could be a transformative streetscape renaissance. NYCStreets #CongestionPricing #UrbanLiving #TransportationReform #CyclingNYC #PublicTransit #CityLife #StreetSafety #UrbanPlanning https://lnkd.in/eMAupQCr

As I re-listen to Joni Mitchell's opening line of Big Yellow Taxi, "They paved paradise, put up a parking lot," I can't help but think of the enormous amount of precious land I've seen covered in asphalt and concrete. Thankfully, forward-thinking municipalities are now giving us the chance to slow the paving down and reclaim pieces of our urban paradise. Austin and more than 50 other cities and towns have thrown out their government mandated parking spot minimums. These minimums, attached to almost every type of development, are often arbitrarily assigned, and have led to parking lot sprawl pretty much everywhere in the US. These sprawling areas of asphalt and concrete have made our cities hotter, less livable, less green, less walkable and less bikable, and less developable and affordable (yes, countless housing developments have been nixed because they couldn't meet parking minimums). By throwing out their parking spot minimums, these are cities displaying leadership and are broadcasting that it's time to be smarter (and more market driven) about how we use our urban real estate - that is, in the service of making our cities more livable for people, not more convenient for cars. Bravo, and may many more cities follow in their footsteps. #urbandevelopment #urbanmobility #urbanism #livablecities #austin

Thinking about moving to Etobicoke? DON'T 🛑 Unless you're prepared to handle these 3 quirks. 1. Construction 🏗: The amount of redevelopment Etobicoke is seeing at the moment is 🤯. Between the entire redo of Kipling-Dundas, endless condos, adding bike lanes, and just new homes being built within the neighbourhood, it seems like you can't turn down a street without encountering some kind of construction. This makes for frustrating commutes, noise, and dust pollution. 2. Travel Trials🚗🚌: Want to get from A to B without a car? You might find it a bit challenging! Etobicoke was designed for vehicles. We only have 4 subway stops that service the neighbourhoods close to Bloor Street, so you'll have to take the bus to get to all of the other areas. And while the City is trying to make Etobicoke more accessible via other means of transportation, I don't think reducing lanes on major roads to add in bike lanes is the answer. 3. Cost of Living 💰💰: Living in Etobicoke is like falling in love at first sight – it's easy to get wrapped up in the moment and overlook the price tag. We have beautiful homes, on quaint streets and lots of parks and green spaces. But living costs here tend to run higher than the national average. Be prepared – from real estate to groceries — for things to be a bit more expensive. 4. Small Businesses 🏪: Unfortunately, there are very few independent cafes, restaurants, and shops located in Etobicoke. Big box stores do make up the majority of retailers here, so it can be difficult to find those one-of-a-kind or unique pieces. However, I am starting to see more independent shops open up which is very promising. After all, it's the small businesses that bring the community to life. Planning your move? Have questions or need advice? Let's chat 📲. Together, we can turn your relocation into an exciting adventure — quirks and all!

Auckland, I hope, is about to undergo a beneficial retrofit to bring it into the modern era. Reliable public transit, less car dependency, multiple modes of transport eg scooter onto bus onto scooter etc and LESS parking. Given the strength of feeling around the intended removal of the Downtown parking building, have a look at the below article.....the USA has 8 parking spaces for every car registered therein.....imagine the $$ and resources tied up in that (not so) little lot. I am sure someone smarter than I am has information on NZ cities and how we could reuse some of the parking space we have for medium density housing etc. https://lnkd.in/dcXQGXPv

🚗 Think beyond the meter! Paid parking is more than just a way to make money. It's a powerful tool to: ✅ Reduce traffic congestion - Encourage people to choose walking, cycling, or public transit, creating smoother commutes for everyone. ✅ Fund essential city services - Revenue from parking can improve roads, parks, and public transport, making your city a better place to live. ✅ Promote sustainable development - Encourage mixed-use buildings and walkable neighborhoods, reducing our reliance on cars. ✅ Create a more equitable city - Invest in projects that benefit everyone, not just drivers. Looking for a parking management solution? We can help. Learn more at www.premiumparking.com #ParkingIndustry #Parking #PremiumParking #GreatPlaces #Parking #CityLife #SmartCities #GLIDEPARCS #Premium