Each Friday, the Wagner Planner editorial board will publish a news roundup of recent planning news. Topics range the gamut of urban planning concentrations, but will mostly be at the discretion of the editor.

 

Cities are pledging to confront climate change, but are their actions working?

“Since 1991, over 600 local governments in the United States have developed climate action plans that include greenhouse gas inventories and reduction targets, reflecting growing public concern about the consequences of a warmer planet. Recently, this local action has been accelerating. But despite numerous studies, we still don’t know if all this effort is working.” (Brookings)

 

In a Land of Cul-de-Sacs, the Street Grid Stages a Comeback

“According to one recent study, since 1975, the disconnectivity of street networks, both in terms of new cul-de-sacs and lengthening distances between intersections, has increased dramatically — not only within American suburbia but across much of the developing world. It’s a space- and resource-hungry pattern that has long attracted criticism. ” (CityLab)

 

Ground robots are coming – This step can help keep streets safe

“A recent study by George Mason University and Mobility Lab of delivery vehicles in Arlington, Va found that 73% of delivery vehicles would stop in unauthorized places, obstructing bike lanes, fire hydrants and pedestrian crossings. While introducing PDDs could help reduce such violations, and ease congestion, policymakers must also consider the impact of introducing these devices to pedestrian spaces.” (World Economic Forum)