I live on a not so great street. It’s a shame because it could be really great! My side of the street is filled with small storefronts, bars and restaurants. There is lots to see from the sidewalk and there are lots of places to stop along the way. The other side of the street is filled with a monolithic building that has no retail (or other) activity at all. And the next … [Read more...] about Great streets.
All
It’s all about walking.
Jeff Speck is a city planner and urban designer who advocates internationally for more walkable cities. As Director of Design at the National Endowment for the Arts from 2003 through 2007, he presided over the Mayors' Institute on City Design and created the Governors' Institute on Community Design. Prior to his federal appointment, Mr. Speck spent ten years as Director of … [Read more...] about It’s all about walking.
It’s a dog’s life.
I measure real estate trends by dogs. Let me explain. Quite a few years ago my son became the owner of an adorable German Shepherd puppy. And then he became an airline pilot and I began to co-parent a handsome 100 lb German Shepherd dog … from my downtown Pittsburgh apartment. I’d take Atlas out for his evening walks. He loved to walk the streets sniffing people and … [Read more...] about It’s a dog’s life.
Parking minimums gone!
The pandemic shone new light on the value of urban land. Climate change has also prompted some serious thought to the role of the car in the urban landscape. In Montreal a parking lot has become a children's playground. In Winnipeg several have become popular beer gardens. In Toronto, a 100-unit apartment building is replacing a downtown parking lot. We are … [Read more...] about Parking minimums gone!
Foot traffic ahead.
Christopher Leinberger has had a singular career embedded in urban land use issues – as a strategist, teacher, developer, researcher and author. Recently retired from academia, he most recently taught at George Washington University as the Charles Bendit Distinguished Scholar & Research Professor and chair of the Center for Real Estate and Urban Analysis. His new venture is … [Read more...] about Foot traffic ahead.