CNU President and CEO John Norquist, in the first two parts of a three-part series, discusses with Streetsblog how the right US transportation policy could be building “good street networks-plus-transit versus [the current US transportation policy of] mindless building of out-of-scale roads.”
Stayed tuned for the third installment, which will be posted on and on .
CNU’s John Norquist appeared before the committee this morning, bringing a message about how federal investments in integrated networks of walkable streets and public transportation will strengthen communities, bolster regional economies and dramatically reduce carbon emissions and other environmental impacts. “For thousands of years, urban thoroughfares were used for commerce, movement, and social interaction,” says Norquist. “Only in the 20th century did engineers start to think that traffic should be segregated from other activities. Increasingly though, Americans are turning away from the isolation of automobile-dependent areas and choosing to live in neighborhoods with traditional walkable street networks. Federal policies should reflect the choices people are making. The time for grade-separated highways as the centerpiece of federal transportation policy has come and gone.”
Today, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan and U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced a new partnership to help American families gain better access to affordable housing, more transportation options, and lower transportation costs. The average working American family spends nearly 60 percent of its budget on housing and transportation costs, making these two areas the largest expenses for American families. Donovan and LaHood want to seek ways to cut these costs by focusing their efforts on creating affordable, sustainable communities.
Read more .
On Wednesday, February 25, Presidents John Norquist and Robert Yaro, of and , respectively, discussed the heightening affair between urban planning and America’s current economic situation. Both spoke on President Obama’s stimulus package and the effects it will have on the future of our cities. While Yaro gave a hopeful list of smart growth-based guidelines for economic revitalization throughout New York State, Norquist weighed both the possible positive and more negative consequences of the Obama administration’s plan. Both men, however, agreed that a new urbanist foundation should lead the way to recovery.
Read more about the event in the American Institute of Architects’ .
If you missed the event, you can of the entire evening, plus the powerpoints given by each speaker.
On Wednesday, February 25, at 6:30 pm, Regional Plan Association and CNU New York partner with the Museum of the City of New York for a timely discussion about urban design theories and their effects on climate change, quality of life and the economy. Download the event Flyer (1.2 MB PDF) for details.
President of RPA will discuss the effects of new urbanism, transit-oriented development, LEED-ND and smart growth in the New York metropolitan region and offer his suggestions for moving forward in this tough economic time. CNU President will comment with his own thoughts about how New York’s urbanism positions it for future success and how the nation as a whole can benefit from the techniques of new urbanism. The evening will begin with an introduction of the region’s New Urbanist precedents, including Jersey City, Forest Hills, Queens, Battery Park City and more.
After the event, join us for a 30-minute informal discussion and networking opportunity. Refreshments will be served.
Reservations are required. Please call 212.534.1672 x3395 or visit to reserve a spot today!
$9 for non-members, $5 for CNU, RPA, APA, ICA and MCNY members.
Museum of the City of New York is located at 1220 Fifth Avenue at 103rd St.
This event is presented by CNU New York in partnership with:
Regional Plan Association
American Planning Association - NY, CT and NJ Chapters
The Institute for Classical Architecture
