BrentToderian

BrentToderian, 18 days ago to random

Never forget that when Seoul, Korea removed the Cheonggyecheon expressway in 2003 and replaced it with a restored stream, 1000 acre park and improved transit, not only did it transform the city’s public life & economic success, but the traffic got better.

The traffic got BETTER.

image/png

BrentToderian, 1 month ago to random

“We found there’s this perfect one-to-one relationship. If a city increased its road capacity by 10%, then the amount of driving in that city went up by 10%.” Still one of the best articles on why building bigger roads leads to more driving. Via @WIRED https://t.co/mZbJ0vNhsH
https://www.wired.com/2014/06/wuwt-traffic-induced-demand/

BrentToderian, 1 month ago to random

READ: It’s a pretty big deal when this KEY MESSAGE is in Scientific American. It suggests a bigger tipping point. “We Need to Make Cities Less Car-Dependent: Reducing the need for car travel is better for health, the environment and public safety.”
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/we-need-to-make-cities-less-car-dependent/

BrentToderian, 1 month ago to random

This part of the Strand in London used to be a congested road for cars. Now it’s a magnetic place for people.

Good trade.

It can feel hard to muster the vision and leadership needed for smart urban change. But it pays off with a better city. Gorgeous pic by @livinglondonhis

BrentToderian, 1 month ago to random

So much opposition to new & better ideas in city-building comes down to some version of “Our city can’t ever be a different way, even if we know it needs to be a different way, because being a different way would be different than the way our city is now.”

image/png
image/png
image/png

BrentToderian, 2 months ago to random

The bank of the Seine in Paris. This used to be surrendered space for cars. For several years now it’s been a special place for people. All it took was leadership. Including fighting and winning a court battle when that leadership was challenged. HT @EmmanuelSPV for the great pic.

BrentToderian, 3 months ago to random

NEW: This year, Dublin will become the latest European capital to bar thru-traffic from its city centre. Private cars & commercial trucks will be allowed access only if their final destination is downtown. The goal is a 60% traffic reduction in the centre.
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-02-17/dublin-takes-aim-at-traffic-congestion-with-a-car-ban-on-certain-trips

BrentToderian, 3 months ago to random

It still amazes me that we’ve basically let ourselves be manipulated into buying, and even defending, that THIS is what “freedom” looks like. #cardependency

BrentToderian, 4 months ago to random

BREAKING: Paris voters just won referendum 55% to TRIPLE parking charges for SUVs!

“We’re doing this to reduce pollution & to make our children safer because these cars are dangerous. Paris is transforming itself to allow people to breathe & live better.”
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/feb/02/paris-residents-set-to-vote-on-plan-to-triple-parking-charges-for-suvs

BrentToderian, 4 months ago to random

STUDY: Cars are rewiring our brains to ignore all the bad stuff about driving. “A new study reveals how unconscious bias leads us to neglect negative externalities of driving. You may call it ‘car brain,’ but this research team calls it motonormativity.” https://www.theverge.com/2023/1/31/23579510/car-brain-motornormativity-study-ian-walker

BrentToderian, 4 months ago to vancouver

It’s estimated that one Skytrain transit line in #MetroVancouver replaces between 20 & 26 lanes of freeway vehicle traffic. And then consider the amount of PARKING it replaces, how much pollution & GHG emissions it replaces, how much public cost it replaces.

Mobility in cities is about space.

#CityMakingMath #Vancouver

image/png

BrentToderian, 4 months ago to random

“Now #OpenStreets have entered their real-estate amenity era, where they are placed on par with parks & subway stops.”

Urban living needs good amenities to work. One of the easiest amenities to create is a place for people that used to be space for cars. https://t.co/r6AsJbdsTT

Nonilex, 4 months ago to random

#POTUS #Biden to meet w/ #Congress leaders over #border & #NationalSecurity funding

(But reality check: #MikeJohnson said he doesn’t want to pass #BorderLegislation because he doesn’t want the Biden admin to be able to take credit for it & because he wants to keep the issue alive for the 2024 #election.)

#immigration #HouseRepublicans #Republicans #TheCrueltyIsThePoint #TheDysfunctionIsThePoint #PublicDisservice
https://www.nbcnews.com/now/video/biden-to-meet-with-congressional-leaders-over-border-and-national-security-funding-202058821879

BrentToderian, 4 months ago to random

WATCH: Over 600 attended in person, but if you missed my public presentation last week in Mississauga Ontario, and the lively discussion and Q&A afterward with CAO Shari Lichterman, the City of Mississauga has it online now for you to take your time with.

The purpose is to start a NEW CIVIC CONVERSATION!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVVdmRGZ0hM

BrentToderian, 4 months ago to random

REGISTER TODAY, and note change to BIGGER venue! Mississauga Ontario, I’ll be back in town January 17th & will do A FREE PUBLIC TALK/EVENING to discuss Mississauga’s urban future and the many big challenges cities are facing. Thread below is from my last trip. Please help spread the word!
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/an-evening-with-brent-toderian-tickets-782321373287

BrentToderian, 5 months ago to random

A new 5 yr Belgian study shows the BIG impact of increasing vehicle weight on road deaths & injuries. When a person on a bike or walking is hit by a pick-up, the risk of serious injury increases by 90% compared to a car. The risk of death goes up by 200%.
https://www.vias.be/fr/newsroom/des-voitures-plus-lourdes-plus-hautes-et-plus-puissantes-pour-une-securite-routiere-a-deux-vitesses-/

BrentToderian, 5 months ago to random

READ:

• 12% reduction in rush hour cars
• 40% fewer cars on main bike routes
• 25% more people on bikes
• 28% more public transit use
• 18% better city centre air quality

The Belgian city of #Ghent’s circulation plan is worth studying.

cc @filipwatteeuw
https://www.transportenvironment.org/discover/how-belgian-city-cutting-rush-hour-traffic/

BrentToderian, 5 months ago to random

READ: “25 simple #NewYears resolutions you can make to improve your city!” Revisit my @FastCompany article — the resolutions feel just as relevant in 2024 (maybe MORE). I’d probably add a few tho…What would you add? #HappyNewYear #Resolutions #NewYearsEve
https://www.fastcompany.com/90287193/25-simple-resolutions-you-can-make-to-improve-your-city-in-2019

BrentToderian, 5 months ago to random

Does your city REALLY want to attract & keep families living in your downtown & urban places? Then your city needs to get real about what it will really take.

These are the 3 KEYS, in THIS ORDER:

1. ensure family-sized homes (2-3 bedrooms)
2. build local daycare, schools & supports
3. design places & streets for kids

BrentToderian, 5 months ago to random

WATCH how a simple idea can add a lot of life to a people-place. A big, internally-lit wooden box with a lot of holes and a bunch of coloured water bottles becomes a giant lite-brite, drawing a big crowd here in central Coquitlam in Metro Vancouver. Had to drag our kids away!

video/mp4

BrentToderian, 5 months ago to random

Mark your calendars, Mississauga Ontario! January 17th I’ll be back in town working the city’s excellent leadership team on important & challenging things, PLUS A FREE PUBLIC EVENING to discuss the city’s future and the many big challenges our cities are facing. REGISTER NOW!
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/an-evening-with-brent-toderian-tickets-782321373287

BrentToderian, 5 months ago to random

NEW: “A North American city planner contracted by European cities — that’s curious.”

My interview with France-based @Lettre_du_cadre and writer @MarjolaineKoch covering a lot of ground on better European & North American city-building. Article starts in the screen shots. Print edition comes out in January!
https://www.lettreducadre.fr/article/brent-toderian-la-plupart-des-villes-europeennes-pensent-que-la-densite-est-mauvaise-pour-l-environnement-en-realite-c-est-l-inverse.54419

image/png
image/png
image/png