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On February 15th, the Alliance for Public Space Leadership (APSL) celebrated the one-year anniversary of Mayor Adams’ appointment of New York City’s first-ever Chief Public Realm Officer, Ya-Ting Liu. The celebration brought together more than 60 advocates from over 50 organizations who have collectively been working to improve New York’s public realm. At the convening, APSL members vowed to continue to push for a fair increase in the City’s budget for the public realm to ensure less-resourced neighborhood parks and plazas are cared for; an increase in capital investment in streetscapes, plazas, and parks throughout all five boroughs; reform of the City’s permitting process to ensure trusted community partners can activate and enrich their public spaces during block parties and Open Streets; and a plan for ensuring the position of Chief Public Realm Officer as well as a larger office of the Public Realm is codified for longevity and success beyond this administration.   The Alliance for Public Space Leadership will continue to support and push the City to develop a long-term and holistic vision for public space for everyday New Yorkers.   Read the full statement here: https://lnkd.in/eZesYPdv Also stay tuned for more information about the coalition’s 2024 agenda. #publicspace #publicrealm #newyorkcity

Metro Parks Tacoma has a long and impactful relationship with Tacoma Public Schools . Shared spaces to benefit the mutual visions of these organizations to serve our students, families, Tacomans is a beautiful example of interdependence and equity through access . Shared playfields, art spaces, kitchens, community centers are just a few examples of how all these assets are used from 6am to midnight. Below is an example of how Tacoma students access the Pagoda venue for easy access to the park. When it’s rented we find another space here in the park. Accessing student-centered, learner-centered, activity-centered spaces shifts us from independence to interdependence- all of us.

We're very proud to celebrate Dr. Huijun Tan, who defended her dissertation yesterday on the Effects of Physical Accessibility and Subjective Accessibility on Grocery Shopping Behaviors in Oakland, California. She just became the newest PhD from PSU Nohad A. Toulan School of Urban Studies and Planning, Portland State University! The study surveyed 306 affordable housing residents in Oakland to analyze grocery shopping frequency, the variety of stores visited, and travel distances. As Oakland and similar cities transition into the post-pandemic era, the findings stress the critical need to rethink public transit and urban infrastructure to adapt to changing resident needs. Addressing the intertwined challenges of safety, homelessness, and gentrification requires integrated strategies that fostered sustainable, inclusive urban environments.

Rebuilding Hope: A Tale of Resilience and Recovery In the wake of adversity, the spirit of community shines brightest. At SS Simon & Jude CE Primary School in Great Lever, Bolton, a devastating fire threatened to dim the futures of 554 bright young minds. But from the ashes emerged a remarkable story of resilience and renewal. Portable Offices were proud to provide a suitable and timely solution, answering the call for swift action. Our mission: to restore not just buildings, but the very heartbeat of education within the local community. With urgency and unwavering determination, we embarked on a journey to create an education village that would serve as a testament to the power of unity in the face of adversity. In just five weeks, 73 buildings rose from the ground, a testament to the dedication and expertise of the team. From modular classrooms to essential facilities such as offices, toilets, and a canteen, every aspect was meticulously planned and executed with precision. But our work extended beyond the mere construction of structures. We became partners in the school's journey to recovery, working hand in hand with a team of around 30 individuals to ensure every detail was attended to with care. From rapid groundworks to the creation of a new access road, every challenge was met head-on, with a comined commitment to excellence that never wavered. The result? A thriving education village, born from the ashes of tragedy, where students were once again pursuing their dreams and teachers were back in class inspiring after only 14 weeks. But more than bricks and mortar, it stands as a testament to the power of resilience, community, and the unwavering spirit of education. If your school or business is facing its own challenges, know that our team are hear to help you find the best solution for your needs. Together, we can turn adversity into triumph and pave the way for brighter futures. Discover more about Portable Offices and the how we can help find the best solution for your business by visiting - www.portableoffices.co.uk #Resilience #Community #Education #EducationRecovery #PortableOffices #BuildingBetterFutures #Modular #ModularBuildings #PortableBuildings #Bolton #BoltonBusiness #NorthWest #NorthWestBusiness

The DC Office of Planning is undertaking a public life study in Columbia Heights and Mount Pleasant thanks to an allocation from DC Council. This study is a comprehensive effort to improve the quality and use of public spaces in Columbia Heights and Mount Pleasant through data-driven analysis, guideline development, and inclusive community engagement. It includes four components: Inclusive Engagement, a Public Life Assessment, Design Guidelines, and a Sidewalk Vending Study. https://lnkd.in/e7fiNa5T

Downtown is BACK! “A new study of more than 60 downtowns across the U.S. and Canada places downtown Minneapolis at the top of the pack when it comes to an increase in visitors over the past year…A previous Downtown Recovery study in mid-2023 by the University of Toronto’s School of Cities determined that downtown Minneapolis was third to last in foot traffic recovery compared to the same period in 2019.” This type of progress doesn’t happen by accident, but is the result of hard work by small businesses, city leaders, local organizations, and community organizers. But most importantly this type of progress is the result on Minnesotans showing up and investing their time, money, and energy in the small businesses and local events at the forefront of downtown’s resurgence. Keep up the good work, Minnesota! #ShopLocal #ReadLocal #VoteLocal

Today, Brandon M. Scott released Downtown RISE: A 10-Year Vision, a comprehensive long-term outlook for downtown that builds on Mayor Scott’s Downtown RISE: Strategic Action Plan, launched last month. This 10-Year Vision, a collaboration between Mayor Scott’s Administration, Gov. Wes Moore’s Administration, Downtown Partnership of Baltimore, Baltimore Development Corporation and a diverse downtown stakeholder group, serves as a framework to make #Baltimore’s #Downtown more livable, pedestrian friendly, and vibrant. Congrats to Shelonda Stokes and team on its release! Full Website: https://lnkd.in/eptritHd Downtown RISE: A Strategic Action Plan provides strategies across key four focus areas: 1) economic development, 2) infrastructure development, 3) arts, culture, and entertainment, and 4) public safety and cleanliness. The full plan can be found at https://lnkd.in/eg_cGtBn. Downtown RISE: A 10-Year Vision is a framework for a more livable and inclusive downtown, and the release kicks off 6 months of community engagement. Direct link to the pdf version can be found at https://lnkd.in/efB5Kp_r.

This plot of land I think has the biggest chance to transform one of Experience Columbia SC most historic neighborhoods. This image showcases a 14 acre property just north of Benedict College that has sat empty for about 6 years after public housing was demolished on the site. From what I know, there are no current plans for the property. However, with the land being next to not one, but two historic HBCU colleges, I think that the land can be used to elevate the prominence and prestige of these two colleges while adding tourism to the city. Here are the plans that I think can help change this district and city in a transformational way: 1. A 5 story, 600 bed student dormitory near the corner of Oak and Richland for future Benedict students with study spaces, a new cafeteria, and mix of apartments and suite style. 2. A brand new School of Public Policy and Political Science that will strengthen and train the skills of future Politicians, City Planners, and Lawyers. 3. A state of the art museum next to Harden St. that will bring tourism to the surrounding area and unite the community behind a cause and common interest. This process could perhaps take decades and maybe there is a plan already in place for this land, but it breaks my heart to see it sitting vacantly when it could become the development that can change the atmosphere of a growing city.

For years, the grand Beaux-Arts building known at the 16th Street Station in Oakland has been left to deteriorate and accumulate graffiti. What for decades served as a transit hub and then later an event space, the history of the 112-year-old structure also intersects with local civil rights and labor movements, and with the 1989 earthquake that reshaped West Oakland. Preservationists have pushed to get the station restored for decades. And with new plans to develop 90 homes around the site, they believe there’s an opportunity and a need. City Ventures, an Irvine-based developer, plans to build 90 solar-powered, all-electric homes on the land surrounding the station at 1405 Wood St. The proposed housing, distributed across 10 buildings, consists of mainly two-bedroom townhouses along with some studios, one-bedroom units, and three-bedrooms, all condos for sale. The developer is also planning 1,500 square feet of retail space. the Oakland Heritage Alliance, a preservation advocacy group, is petitioning City Ventures to restore the old station building and seismically stabilize it. They’d like to see the property put back to some sort of use, whether as offices for community organizations, retail, or a performance space, and include features honoring the station’s storied past. Read more here: https://bit.ly/3KXUCue Photo by Katie Rodriguez