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A Lighter, Quicker, Cheaper Winter: In some neighborhoods, rows of heat lamps will become a defining feature of Covid winter sidewalks. But costly heaters aren’t the only or best option for many restaurants (CityLab). Gérôme Glad, cofounder of Montreal-based placemaking nonprofit La Pépinière, offers even more ideas (La Presse).
Loving the Slow Life: For cities holding UNESCO World Heritage Sites, like the historic districts of Edinburgh, Scotland, prioritizing “slow traffic” is an attempt to mitigate the damage of overtourism and sustain the historic character that attracts visitors in the first place (National Geographic). Despite a loud opposing minority, a new poll by YouGov found that the UK’s low-traffic neighborhoods are increasingly popular (The Guardian).
The Other Invisible Cities: In a new book from the host and creator of beloved podcast 99% Invisible, Roman Mars condenses a decade’s worth of investigations into the details of the often overlooked design elements of cities (Azure).
The Death and Life of Great American Neighborhoods: Transportation systems are often designed for peak commuters going downtown, which has plummeted since the pandemic. To not only recover but emerge improved, cities must invest in a travel pattern long neglected: the neighborhood trip (Forbes).
Parklets, by the Numbers: San Francisco released a report on its “shared space platforms” (streateries or outdoor dining parklets for the rest of us). Some of the highlights include 440% increase in the number of parklet permits since the start of the pandemic, and the wide range of costs that businesses have incurred, from $5,000 in the Richmond District to $90,000 in Hayes Valley (Eater).
White Livability, Black Lives: Pittsburgh has occasionally been hyped as the most livable city in the United States. But a personal essay by Damon Young offers proof that if you’re a Black woman, it’s one of the worst cities in America (Esquire). What does that say about livability as a metric of urban success?
The Amazing Disappearing Urban Exodus: Many media outlets have reported on a supposed exodus from big cities as a result of the pandemic. But data tracking change of address requests tells a different story: While moves were up back in March and April, moves during May, June, and July have actually declined by 2.9% compared to 2019 (Urban Observatory).
Paris Parking Goes Poof: Recent reports from Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo look like she will make good on her campaign promise to remove half of the city's 140,000 parking spaces as part of her plan to create a 15-minute city (Forbes).
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