EPA Study Finds More US Communities Are Embracing Infill Redevelopment

Highlights from the EPA's 2012 Residential Construction Trends in America's Metropolitan Regions report indicates that infill development is becoming increasingly more popular. In the US there still plenty of suburban development on the books, interest in urban development continues to increase because of the intrinsic overall access that comes with urban development. As an urban planner I am excited to explore new concepts for urban living that better aligns with transportation networks. I'm sure architects are excited to get out their creativity pens...I can't wait to see new designs for urban residential architecture.

3 out of 4 large metropolitan regions in saw an increased share of new housing development in previously developed areas during 2005 - 2009 compared to 2000 - 2004.

Source: U.S. EPA

21% of new homes in the 209 metropolitan regions examined were infill. 

8 out of 10 new homes in San Jose, California were infill.

Miami increased from 40% to 49% infill, and Providence, Rhode Island, increased from 20%t to 29%.

New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco all saw a majority of new home construction in previously developed areas during the same time period.

Benefits of Infill Development

• Provides economic and public health benefits to metropolitan areas while protecting the local environment
• Saves money and energy
• Takes advantage of previous investments in existing infrastructure such as water, sewer, and roads 
• Preserves open space
• Protects natural resources
• Reduces transportation emissions
• Decreases the amount of polluted stormwater washing off new roadways and other paved surfaces
• Raises property values 
• Increases a community’s tax base 
• Attracts retail businesses to serve the larger residential population

Source: U.S. EPA

The EPA report includes a listing of resources available to local, regional, and state leaders that want to coordinate land use, housing, and transportation policies.

For more information see the EPA press release.

The Original LA Metro Tunnel

From the LA Times archives: here are photos from LA's first subway tunnel from First Street and Glendale Boulevard to Hill street, between Fifth and Fourth Streets that began construction on May 3, 1924. The subway tunnel was a mile long, 28 feet wide and 21 feet high. It varied from 30 feet to 60 feet below the ground.

Source: LA Times

Source: LA Times

Source: LA Times

NYC DOT Rolls Out ILook NYC Campaign

NYC DOT Commissioner Janet Sadik-Khan rolls out the ILook NYC Campaign with US Secretary of Transportation Ray La Hood on September 19, 2012.

The campaign includes innovative pedestrian street markings, and distracted driving ads to alert New Yorkers to walk safely and drive smart.

Click here for more information about the ILook NYC Campaign on the US DOT Fast Lane Blog. 

Retro London Underground Propaganda

In the earlier days of public transit, posters were used to make a case for the efficiencies and benefits of the London Underground in city life.

1915 

1924

1969

More great London Underground propaganda can be found at the Retronaut.

Survey: What Are Your Top 5 Favorite Apps?

Quotes Inspired by Cities

I love getting furniture store catalogs in the mail...they are great idea generators, very therapeutic, and inspirational.

Yesterday I was even more wowed by Restoration Hardware's catalog around the theme of "Big Style Small Spaces," not so much because of its great ideas of how to turn small apartments into stylish homes, but because of its compilation of quotes from iconic figures inspired by particular cities around the world.

Barcelona
"This is where it all began...there is where I understood how far I could go." - Pablo Picasso

Los Angeles
"I love Los Angeles. It reinvents itself every two days." - Billy Connolly

New York
"Once you have lived in New York and it has become your home, no place else is good enough." - John Steinbeck

Paris
"Though I often looked for one, I finally had to admit that there could be no cure for Paris." - Ernest Hemingway

Milan
"You may have the universe if I may have Italy." - Giuseppe Verdi

More on how US Exports Benefit from NAFTA

I'm not the only one obsessed with the US-Mexico trade numbers, the Washington Post ran a story in their
Sunday, September 9th edition: "Middle-class Mexicans snap up more products ‘Made in USA’."

About 6 million jobs in the United States depend on trade with Mexico (Source: Trade Partnership Worldwide 2008)

US exports to Mexico 2011 FACT highlights from the article and infographic:

• Texas exports more than 70 percent of the chickens it ships out of Texas to Mexico
• California exported $9.3 billion in computers and electronics
• New Jersey exported about $1 billion in pharmaceuticals 
• Iowa exported $121 million in pork (us Mexicans love "carnitas") 
• Montana exported $59 million in copper and molybdenum
• New York exported $500 million in jewelry (I don't think this accounts for the amount of jewelry Mexican tourists purchase on their visits to The Big Apple especially at Tiffany's)
• Tennessee's biggest export south of the border was transportation equipment, totaling $855 million
• Michigan exported $3.6 billion in transportation  equipment, mostly for the automobile industry

The Latest NAFTA Numbers Just in from the BTS

[Network of North American SuperCorridors. (Map by Infranet Lab.)]

While there have been many critiques of NAFTA and other trade agreements, NAFTA seems to be the trade agreement that keeps on giving to the US, Canada and Mexico for almost 20 years since 1994.

The Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) at the US Department of Transportation announced today that surface trade between Canada and Mexico Rose 6.6 Percent from June 2011 to June 2012.

The numbers show that in the last 10 years the US has gotten the better end of the bargain, by almost 20%. Exports were up by 90.8% and imports were only up by 69.7% since June 2002. In 2012 87.7% of trade between the NAFTA countries moved via land (including by truck, rail, pipeline, mail, Foreign Trade Zones, and other modes of transport) , 8.3% moved by vessel, and 4% moved by air.

The top commodity traded between the U.S. and Canada by land in June was vehicles, valued at $9.9 billion. The top commodity traded between the U.S. and Mexico by land in June was electrical machinery (including equipment and parts), valued at $7 billion.

Olympic Cities: Ready or Not, Here Comes Rio 2016 | This Big City

My latest contribution to This Big City about planning in Rio de Janeiro.

Olympic Cities: Ready or Not, Here Comes Rio 2016 | This Big City

And yes, I can't wait to go back and experience more of the Marvelous City!

Some Albert Einstein Wisdom

"I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious."

MAP-21 & the Future of Public Transit in the US

What does MAP-21 Do For the Future of Public Transit Systems in the US?

It gives a new safety oversight role for the Federal Transit Admnistration (FTA), which means the FTA will develop a consistent consistent set of safety standards for transit systems around the nation.

State of Good Repair for transit systems will be paramount. MAP-21 requires the FTA to develop State of Good Repair performance measures and gives them the authority to conduct investigations and audits. It also requires transit agencies to develop asset management plans to meet the performance standards.

For the first time transit agencies will also be able to access New Starts and Small Starts grants for projects that expand "their core capacity."

Authorized funding only saw marginal increases from FY2012 at $10.458 Billion to FY 2013 at $10.578 Billion, for a net increase of $120 Million. Here are some highlights of the funding allocations for FY 2013:

• $2.1 Billion - State of Good Repair 
• $422 Million - Bus and Bus Facilities formula program
• $1.907 Billion New Starts and Core Capacity 
• $4.398 Billion - Urbanized Area Formula Grants 
• $255 Million - Enhanced Mobility for Seniors & Individuals with Disabilities
• $519 Million - Growing States & High Density States Formula
• $10 Million - Transit-Oriented Development Pilot (TOD)

Here is a link to an overview presentation of the FTA's MAP-21 funding allocations:
http://www.fta.dot.gov/documents/MAP-21_Public_Presentation.pdf
Published August 2012

Envision Solar set for partnership with Al Habtoor | utilities-me.com

Envision Solar set for partnership with Al Habtoor | utilities-me.com

Excerpt:

Aconfort president and CEO Aquilino Ornia, speaking on the deal, said, “It is a tremendous opportunity to partner with Envision Solar to expand the Solar Shaded Parking market in the UAE, Qatar and Spain. In the Middle East, the sun shines almost 365 days a year – we must take advantage of this opportunity to capture so much free energy and to also generate clean electricity that will help protect the environment. We selected Envision’s Solar Tree arrays because they are the best and will be most appealing to the market where we operate.”

FTA FY2012 Discretionary Grant Appropriations

Curious about which projects the Federal Transit Administration gave discretionary grant funding too? Well so was I. The US Department of Transportation just released a cool interactive map with info about the $787 million allocated by State of Good Repair, Bus Livability and Transit Asset Management Project grants to 255 projects across 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rio.

Here are the grant appropriations for transit systems of cities that I have lived in the US:

New York City - $34,468,000

The New York City Department of Transportation got $14,680,000 State of Good Repair grant to "rehabilitate 20 miles of existing bus lanes. Many of these lanes are in a state of poor repair, and NYCDOT has worked with the Pennsylvania State University to develop a more effective method of applying red lane markings that addresses past maintenance problems and greatly prolongs longevity." They also got a $3,400,000 Bus Livability grant to "implement a package of improvements along Utica Avenue in Brooklyn, making intermodal connection improvements such as better sidewalks, lighting, bus stop amenities, way finding, and subway station stairs."

The NY Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) got $24,000,000 State of Good Repair grant to "replace its obsolete bus radio system and construct a modernized bus command center. Bringing the bus radio system to a state of good repair is critical for day-to-day bus operations and will improve safety, service reliability and overall operating efficiency." They also got a $5,600,000 Transit Asset Management grant for the Integrated Whole Life Asset Management Planning System for the NYCT Bus Rolling Stock Revenue Fleet.

Los Angeles - $20,000,000

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) got $10,000,000 State of Good Repair grant to "replace buses in its fleet that have met or exceeded their useful life with Clean Natural Gas (CNG) vehicles." They also got a Bus Livability grant of $10,000,000 for the Metro Orange Line Bus Enhancement project that will provide a pedestrian connection improvements to the North Hollywood Red Line Station.

San Diego - $13,000,000

The San Diego Metropolitan Transit system (MTS) got $10,000,000 State of Good Repair grant to "expand and modernize its East County Bus Maintenance Facility in Cajon. The buildings at this location were originally constructed in 1959, are no longer compliant with city and state building codes, and are hindering MTS' ability to maintain it nealy 100% CNG vehicle fleet. These renovations will also incorporate the use of solar panels to reduce the carbon footprint and energy use of the facility." They also got a $3,000,000 Transit Asset Management grant that is aimed at helping agencies "develop and implement new or improved transit asset management systems and cost-effective ways to manage and maintain the condition of their systems."

Wisdom about Globalization from Stiglitz

"The problem...is that economic globalization has outpaced political globalization. Governments use to ensure that the capitalism was tempered and that development helped people across society. Now we are more interdependent and need collective action on a variety of things, yet we have yet to create the political structures that allow that to be done in a democratic way."

Joseph Stiglitz  

Globalization & Its Discontents, 2002

NYC Internet Speeds and Infrastructure Map - Inequity at Play?

While doing research about smartphones and urban access I came across this great map of Internet speeds and infrastructure in NYC.

From this map it seems as though low-income neighborhoods have slower internet speeds on the megabytes per second scale and that this is related to the amount of fiber optic in areas. A possible explanation is that there are not many commercial office uses in low-income neighborhoods. However, if you consider the Lower East Side (LES) that is not exactly bustling with commercial office spaces and yet there is an abundance of fiber optic infrastructure it is hard to wonder if this is not just another example of systematic inequities at play.

The ACEEE 2012 International Energy Efficiency Scorecard

The ACEEE created an interesting map that ranks countries on overall "energy efficiency" and across sectors.

However, in this map the energy efficiency innovating countries Norway, the Netherlands, Sweden or Spain are not necessarily ranked.

Great interactive data visualization of energy consumption and production by The Guardian courtesy of data from BP.

How do you use your iPhone, android or iPad to experience a city?

Do you have an iPhone, Android, iPad?...fill out a quick survey for research on how you use your iPhone, android or iPad to experience a city?

NYC Special Zoning Issue - Urban Magazine

In 2011, the 1961 New York City's Zoning Resolution turned 50.

In a special zoning issue, Columbia University's Urban Planning student run magazine, Urban, considers the question of the future of zoning in New York City and how it may evolve to tackle the pressing issues or our time.

link to Urban's special Zoning Issue

Abraham Lincoln on the Role of Government

President Obama likes to quote President Lincoln in his speeches for High Speed Rail. One of his favorite quotes to use is the following 1854 quote:

“The legitimate object of government is to do for the people what needs to be done, but which they cannot, by individual effort, do at all, or do so well, by themselves ...Making and maintaining roads, bridges, and the like...”

Absolutely classic!

Great New York City Population Facts

In the 2010 Census New York City's had population of 8,175,133 

Putting NYC's population into context:

• It is the most populous city in the United States, it is more than twice as populous of the 2nd largest city, Los Angeles
• New York City has more people than 39 of the 50 US states. This one is my favorite
• There are approximately 375,000 more women than men in NYC
• NYC still receives a substantial number of in-migrants, but has a net loss of 1 migrant every 26.5 minutes
• 1 in every 2 NYC households is occupied by someone living alone

Mexico City Transit: El Metro y el Metrobus

Mexico City has the most extensive metro system in Latin America, it also has a growing Bus Rapid Transit system (Metrobus). Collectively, the public transportation network moves about 80% of the 13.5 million residents and commuters throughout the city. Below I combine the maps of both systems  to give a quick snapshot of the city's comprehensive rapid transit infrastructure. Despite the service capacity of both systems, many areas in the periphery lack access to the public transport system and must still rely on other forms of transport.

Solar Powered Parking Meters in Los Angeles, CA

At the 80th Winter Meeting of the US Conference of Mayor the City of Los Angeles receives award of excellence for its public private partnership with San Diego based, IPS Group Inc. that has upgraded traditional parking meters to solar powered parking meters. LA now has the most solar-powered parking meters in the country.

The project has amounted lots of public support and improved in parking/transportation operations. More importantly has generated millions of additional annual revenue for the city and is helping make LA more sustainable. Additionally, the new card and coin solar-powered meters will reduce the need to dispose of 40,000 AA batteries per year. 

Mayor Villaraigosa told the US Conference of Mayors that “By reusing our existing poles and using clean solar power, these new Coin and Card meters are a win-win for customers, the city, and the environment.” 

Parking an Amenity, Not a Right

My perspective on easing parking violation policies in New York City is that they should not happen. Parking is not a right, at most it is an amenity. No one likes parking tickets, but it comes with the territory and the privilege. It is the driver’s responsibility to know the conditions of the public or private parking space they use, and decide whether to leave the car or not, and to plan accordingly. Parking tickets are a part of driving, drivers need stop complaining and simply have better parking sense and practice better parking patterns. 

For more on NYC's recent parking policies: http://t.co/74KCB0AX

A Look into Mexican Drug Lord Homes

It is fascinating that an article (a very good one at that) about Mexican drug lord homes made it into the Home & Garden section of the New York Times. The NYTimes never ceases to amaze. In his article, "Inside the Homes of Mexico's Alleged Drug Lords" Damien Cave states that for many people in Mexico "crime represents a meritocracy in a country of oligarchy and poverty. Work hard, do what it takes and a crime boss will reward you with money, cars and responsibility."

For narcos homes are a symbol of wealth and power, crime is simply the means to obtain not just a home, but in the best of aspirations homes filled with plush luxury. However, as he gets a glimpse into the psyche of Mexican drug lords as he tours government captured homes of the illicit perpetuators of "narquitecture" he discovers that "most of the homes I visited were hardly palaces. Many were entirely average and darkly utilitarian...Even on the more luxurious end of the spectrum, most of the homes could best be described as upper-middle-class. Packed into nice neighborhoods, they were usually three- to five-bedroom houses of around 3,000 square feet, lacking exterior charm or adornment. The biggest tipoffs about the occupants: a shortage of street-facing windows, and the best security systems money could buy." Evidence of family life in the homes is also found that reminds us that the security systems are not just to protect their business enterprises, but also to protect their loved ones from the potential backlashes of their profession.