Sidewalks

Workers pouring concrete in wooden mold for new sidewalk

Completing Sidewalk Networks: Benefits and Costs

Many communities have incomplete or inadequate sidewalk networks that fail to accommodate all users. A new study indicates that completing sidewalk networks is one of the most basic and cost effective transportation improvements.

August 6, 2023 - Todd Litman

Snow covers a sidewalk and small homes on a Chicago street

Chicago Approves Sidewalk Clearing Pilot

The new program will develop plans for keeping sidewalks clear of snow and ice to improve accessibility.

July 21, 2023 - Streetsblog Chicago

People walking on crowded New York City sidewalk

A Fair Share for Walking

Most people value walkability, yet most communities underinvest in pedestrian facilities. Some jurisdictions are investing more in sidewalks and crosswalks in order to better serve community values.

July 3, 2023 - Todd Litman

Route 6 highway in Massachusetts with fall trees on either side

Provincetown Proposes New Car-Free Trail

An underused highway could become a pedestrian and bike trail connecting the Cape Cod town to its beaches.

June 4, 2023 - Streetsblog Mass

Two-story split lot housing in Houston, Texas with two-car garages

Houston Debates Shared Driveway Requirement

A proposed rule would require developers to build shared driveways for narrow lot projects.

May 22, 2023 - Houston Chronicle

Vividly colored orange and red autumn trees along sidewalk in Nashville, Tennessee

Court Rules Against Nashville Sidewalk Ordinance

The city can no longer require developers to pay for or build sidewalks.

May 15, 2023 - Courthouse News Service

Sidewalk

Mapping Sidewalks for Improved Connectivity

A new tool uses aerial image recognition to map a city’s sidewalks and crosswalks. Its developers hope it will aid in creating a more comprehensive understanding of pedestrian networks and where improvements are needed.

March 22, 2023 - MIT News

Snow-covered Chicago sidewalk with piles of snow on either side and red brick homes on the right

Chicago Could Start Plowing Sidewalks Next Winter

Keeping sidewalks free of snow has historically been the task of adjacent property owners, forcing pedestrians and people with mobility challenges to navigate a patchwork of conditions. A new ordinance would place the responsibility on the city.

March 16, 2023 - Block Club Chicago

St. Louis

St. Louis Pledges to Repair Sidewalks. Residents Have Heard it Before.

A $6 million program takes aim at a backlog of thousands of requests for sidewalk maintenance, but critics say requiring property owners to foot half of the bill excludes less affluent neighborhoods.

February 23, 2023 - St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Adult holding small child and holding hand of older child walking across crosswalk

Where Washington Students Lack Safe Walking Routes

In many rural and suburban Washington state communities, children who walk or bike to school don’t have access to safe, adequate pedestrian facilities.

February 22, 2023 - The Seattle Times

New York City sidewalk with outdoor dining patio with black and white striped umbrellas and black barriers protecting diners from traffic

New York Hires ‘Public Space Czar’

The public space officer will be in charge of making the city’s sidewalks more pedestrian-friendly while keeping streets clean and accessible.

February 19, 2023 - Bloomberg CityLab

An aerial view of a typical suburban neighborhood in Texas.

Houston Considering a ‘Sidewalk-In-Lieu-Fee’ for Residential Projects

Developers and homeowners might be able to opt-out of the Houston’s sidewalk ordinance under legislation under consideration by the Houston City Council this week.

January 25, 2023 - Houston Chronicle

View down covered sidewalk in historic Stockyards district in Fort Worth, Texas

Fort Worth Could Start Contributing to Sidewalk Repair Costs

A proposal in the city council could shift the burden of sidewalk repairs away from property owners, who are currently responsible for 100 percent of expenses.

January 5, 2023 - Fort Worth Report

Sidewalk curb cut painted with blue and white disability symbol

Why Accessible Sidewalks Fall by the Wayside

Despite the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act more than 30 years ago, most U.S. cities delay making accessibility improvements to sidewalks until activists bring them to court.

November 15, 2022 - Streetsblog USA

Street in San Francisco's Tenderloin District with tents on sidewalk

Sacramento Voters to Decide on Using Lawsuits to Reclaim Sidewalks

Measure O may be one of the first ballot measures of its kind to empower residents to take legal action against a city for illegal encampments on city property. The Sacramento City Council voted 7-2 on August 9 to place the ordinance before voters.

September 29, 2022 - San Francisco Chronicle

Kansas City

Kansas City Pedestrian Deaths Surpassing Last Year’s Rates

The city has taken some steps to address gaps in pedestrian infrastructure, but fatalities are growing as the most disadvantaged communities continue to lack safe walking conditions.

June 28, 2022 - KCUR

A view up Santa Fe Drive in Denver. Stores and construction are visible along the street, and Downtown Denver looms in the background.

Denver Wants Ground Floor Retail, Sidewalk Extensions to Achieve Main Street 'Vibe'

The Arts District on Santa Fe Drive is considered one of Denver's final frontiers for revitalization. Local stakeholders are targeting zoning changes as a potential solution.

March 13, 2022 - The Denver Post

Atlanta Scooter

Atlanta Urges Tactical Urbanism To Speed Up Vision Zero Goals

The city's department of transportation has released a guide to help community groups implement low-cost 'tactical urbanism' projects.

March 11, 2022 - Smart Cities Dive

East Nashville

Nashville Releases 5-Year 'WalknBike' Plan

The plan lays out the city's plans for improving its bike infrastructure and sidewalk network.

February 28, 2022 - News Channel 5 Nashville

Rendering of proposed Church Street raised separated cycletracks and reduced traffic lanes

Separated Bike Lanes, Traffic Calming Coming to Decatur Street

Decatur's Church Street is set to undergo a transformation that will reduce traffic lanes, add cycletracks, and widen sidewalks in an effort to make the corridor more 'people-friendly.'

February 18, 2022 - Urbanize Atlanta

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