Re-allocating space on streets to accommodate new uses – particularly for walking, biking, and being – is not new. However, COVID-era needs have accelerated the process that many communities use to make such street transitions.. Many communities quickly understood that the street is actually a public place and a public good that serves broader public needs more urgent than the free flow or the storage of private vehicles. This seminar describes a new case study book that captures some of these quick changes to city streets in response to societal needs during COVID. More information.
COVID19
Webinar: On the Park Bench – Pandemic Toolkit
What’s likely to linger in the aftermath of the global COVID crisis are the impacts on local and regional governments that provide the services citizens experience most directly in their daily lives. Faced with budget shortfalls, growing to-do lists for routine tasks delayed by the emergency, and general uncertainty about a “new normal,” how might governments address the uncertainty and respond effectively to the challenges? That’s the goal of our Pandemic Toolkit. Join this session with the toolkit’s lead authors, Hazel Borys and Susan Henderson to explore the applications. More information.
Webinar: A re-imagined American city? Urban mobility after covid-19
During the coronavirus pandemic, cities saw a decade’s-worth mobility transformation within just three months. But as life returns to a new normal, will those changes last? Will America turn the page on car-centered mobility?
In this live discussion, leading American mobility experts offer an exclusive insight to the decision-making process happening right now across the nation.
The webinar will be moderated by Arjan van Andel, Director of Smart City Solutions at PTV Group America. More information and registration.
Webinar: The Role of Trails, Walking and Biking in COVID-19 Management
As the nation works to manage the spread of COVID-19, having access to trails and safe spaces for walking and biking has been essential to people’s health, safety and well-being. Nationwide, trail use spiked to rates 200% higher than last year, bike counts on trails hit a high point of more than 350% higher than last year, and people are reporting trails that are busier at every hour of the day than normal. In many places, trails were one of the only spaces available for walking and biking while separated from vehicle traffic. In places where trails haven’t been available, some have advocated to re-purpose streets for walking and biking while others have struggled to find ways to safely be active outside.
Join Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, along with experts in the transit, transportation planning, and local economic development fields for a discussion about the actions we need to take now in the early stages of planning for recovery. Registration.
Webinar: Effect of COVID-19 on Mobility
Join Ohio State University faculty and industry experts for a conversation about the potential implications of COVID-19 for the design of our communities and various modes of transportation, including air travel, personal vehicles, and public transit, micro-mobility and ride-hailing services.
Panelists
- Chris Atkinson, Senior Leadership Office of Research, College of Engineering
- Jennifer Clark, Professor and Head, City and Regional Planning Section, Knowlton School
- Harvey Miller, Reusche Chair in Geographic Information Science; Director, Center for Urban and Regional Analysis
- Sophia Mohr, Chief Innovation Officer at COTA
- Stephanie Morgan, Executive Director, Air Transportation and Aerospace Campus
- Giorgio Rizzoni, Center for Automative Research, Ford Motor Company Chair, Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering
This event is free and open to the public. Registration and more information.
Open for Whom? Streets as a Platform for Recovery
Crisis precipitates change. The novel Coronavirus has transformed our lived experience in the blink of an eye, generating mass uncertainty and economic upheaval while laying bare the inequities in America. As we witness the struggle to maintain a sense of self, purpose, and hope, it is paramount to understand that the collective utility of the street has never before played such a crucial role in determining our American destiny.
In this free webinar, Tamika Butler, Esq, Jason DeGray P.E., PTOE and Kristof Devastey, P.E., PTOE, PTP of Toole Design will discuss equitable, ethical, and empathetic approaches to “open streets” recovery initiatives.
This presentation will:
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Table pre-pandemic agendas
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Reflect on the nuance of how people rely on streets
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Address the need to dismantle racial, economic, and environmental inequities for streets to be truly open
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Identify the need for those who are most impacted by changes to the street to have the most power to shape those changes
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Provide practical considerations for deploying open streets
More information.
Quick Build Projects: Moving from CV-19 Response to Recovery
Cities across the globe are implementing low-cost, flexible transportation solutions to address emerging needs from the pandemic. These solutions have been marketed as “active” or “slow” streets—to enable those sheltered in place to recreate safely.
As we slowly return to work, cities will need to creatively think about getting more people to and from work on limited street space and with lower transit capacity.
Come hear from Mike Lydon, author of Tactical Urbanism, Emiko Atherton, Vice President for Thriving Communities at Smart Growth America, and Warren Logan, Policy Director of Mobility and Inter Agency Relations for the Mayor’s Office of Oakland speak about what they are seeing across the globe and in their cities, and the emerging needs in the road to recovery. These speakers will talk about quick build’s role in this recovery, how to get the funding you need to get projects underway, and lessons learned from implementation and how to make projects permanent.
CITIES IN THE TIME OF COVID SERIES: How do we respond to anti-Black racism in urbanist practices and conversations?
How do we respond to anti-Black racism in urbanist practices and conversations?
Moderator: Jay Pitter
Panel:
Orlando Bailey, BridgeDetroit & Urban Consultate
Tamika Butler, Toole Design
Anthonia Ogundele, Ethós Lab
Will Prosper, Montréal-Nord Républik & Hoodstock