The case against 12-foot lanes in cities, in 3 charts. At first glance, it makes sense that wider traffic lanes could be safer traffic lanes. Drivers are prone to bad decisions and sleepiness and text messages and fits of rage. Providing some buffer room seems a reasonable way to keep them from veering into anything…
In a new paper published Thursday, a team of researchers present a compelling case for why urban neighborhoods filled with trees are better for your physical health. The research appeared in the open access journal Scientific Reports. The large study builds on a body of prior research showing the cognitive and psychological benefits of nature scenery…
An active commute matters, wherever you live. It’s been more than seven years since Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett put his entire city on a diet and invested in wider sidewalks, better bike routes, and a larger park to encourage fitness. For politicians and urbanists alike, the connection between the shape of our cities and…
Walking is moving fast these days. We may think of it as a slow activity, but travel by foot is quickly being recognized as an effective prescription for health, a convenient means of transportation, a great way to meet people, a smart strategy for saving money and a lot of fun. Six in ten Americans…
Walking is moving fast these days. We may think of it as a slow activity, but travel by foot is quickly being recognized as an effective prescription for health, a convenient means of transportation, a great way to meet people, a smart strategy for saving money and a lot of fun. — In the coming…
A city known for some of the world’s worst traffic jams is getting a radical pedestrian makeover. Dublin ranks just under Los Angeles for having some of the worst traffic jams in the world. The problem is predicted to get worse as the city quickly grows—somehow, it will have to squeeze in 20% more commuters…
Cities around the world are coming to the same conclusion: they’d be better off with far fewer cars. So what’s behind this seismic shift in our urban lifestyles? Stephen Moss goes on an epic (car-free) journey to find out Gilles Vesco calls it the “new mobility”. It’s a vision of cities in which residents no…
Entrepreneurs constantly test their endurance on every level — mentally, emotionally and physically. It seems as if there’s never enough time to tackle everything that needs to get done. Too often, the first thing that falls from the to-do list is physical exercise. Does that happen to you? I’m an exercise junkie, but when I…
You might want to sit down for this. Or stand up. Better yet, do both. A new batch of so-called smart desks can monitor your movements, track your calories and even nudge you to stand up at various intervals throughout the day without interruption or loss of concentration. Over the past three years, I have…
Private money can speed progress, gain public trust and lead to big results In the pre-Intertwine days, Metro’s Blue Ribbon Committee for Trails thoughtfully strategized about how to fund the region’s vision for an interconnected network of trails. Supported by a team led by Metro and including staff from the City of Portland, Oregon State…
