The yongeTOmorrrow project is heading toward the finish line with widespread support from advocates, but a few want the plan to go one step further.
Albert Koehl and Michael Black write an opinion piece to support a car-free Yonge Street in Downtown Toronto.
The occasion for the opinion piece is the yongeTOmorrrow project, which recently took form as a final environmental assessment, and would transform 1 km stretch of the street into a more pedestrian-friendly environment. But it doesn't go so far as to go car free—hence the complaint by Koehl and Black.
According to a separate news article on the plan by David Nickle, yongeTOmorrrow would reduce the street to two vehicle lanes, wide sidewalks significantly, and block some sections of the street to car traffic at certain times during the day.
Koehl and Black focus on how much more the project could be by going entirely car free.
A car-free Yonge would open space for benches, trees, and patios — benefitting both local residents and visitors to attractions, such as Massey Hall, Yonge-Dundas Square and the Eaton Centre. It would also connect to Ryerson University's small car-free area, which is enjoyed by thousands of students.
The environmental assessment was presented at the Toronto City Council's Infrastructure and Environment Committee Meeting on Monday, January 11th.
FULL STORY: Don’t fear a car free Yonge St.
San Francisco Returns $15 Million Federal Grant for Market Street Improvements
San Francisco was awarded a federal grant in 2018 that it was forced to return in 2022 because it couldn't start construction by 2025.
Milan Commits to a Less Car-Centric New Normal
Milan is making changes to its streets to ensure that the city's residents and employment base don't overwhelm the city with new automobile traffic when the city reopens for business.
3 Ways to Overcome a Century of Car-Centric Planning
The consequences of car-centric planning are clear, a century after cars took over streets and lives across this country. According to this article, so to is a new way forward.
Pennsylvania Mall Conversion Bill Passes House
If passed, the bill would promote the adaptive reuse of defunct commercial buildings.
Coming Soon to Ohio: The Largest Agrivoltaic Farm in the US
The ambitious 6,000-acre project will combine an 800-watt solar farm with crop and livestock production.
World's Largest Wildlife Overpass In the Works in Los Angeles County
Caltrans will soon close half of the 101 Freeway in order to continue construction of the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing near Agoura Hills in Los Angeles County.
California Grid Runs on 100% Renewable Energy for Over 9 Hours
The state’s energy grid was entirely powered by clean energy for some portion of the day on 37 out of the last 45 days.
New Forecasting Tool Aims to Reduce Heat-Related Deaths
Two federal agencies launched a new, easy-to-use, color-coded heat warning system that combines meteorological and medical risk factors.
AI Traffic Management Comes to Dallas-Fort Worth
Several Texas cities are using an AI-powered platform called NoTraffic to help manage traffic signals to increase safety and improve traffic flow.
City of Costa Mesa
Licking County
Barrett Planning Group LLC
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Mpact Transit + Community
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Tufts University, Department of Urban and Environmental Policy & Planning
City of Universal City TX
ULI Northwest Arkansas
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
