From Project for Public Spaces — How to Restore Walking as a Way of Life

The bias in our national philosophy towards high speed mobility has long been a topic that PPS has advocated against. In addition to stifling Placemaking, forcing people into cars has contributed to a host of growing national problems. Most compelling of those problems is the incredible pedestrian carnage. Yet until recently public outcry was minimal and government investment in transportation paid only lip service to annual fatalities that amount to the equivalent of one major airplane crash each month. Read more: Project for Public Spaces | How to Restore Walking as a Way of Life

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Privately owned public space. What could go wrong? RT @CBC_Aboriginal

Privately owned public space. What could go wrong? RT @CBC_Aboriginal: 6-month ban for Gary Moostoos will be lifted http://t.co/fAkoALg2u2

— NanaimoCommons (@NanaimoCommons) October 29, 2014

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Jeff Speck's Albuquerque New Mexico Downtown Walkability Analysis

Albuquerque, New Mexico Downtown Walkability Analysis. This project focuses on walkability and connectivity in downtown, with special attention to the area surrounding the Convention Center and Innovate ABQ site as well as the railroad track at Central Avenue. Jeff Speck's final report submitted Sept 2014 here. More from the City of Albuquerque's website here.

From Voting Helps — How a boarded up building became the heart of a community

Lisa Helps I was talking with a downtown business owner yesterday evening. She, like many, is concerned about the increased number of vacancies downtown over the past few years. We see this every day in the for lease signs that have become all too common in downtown storefronts. “We need to do downtown what you did in Fernwood,” she said to me. And she pointed to the creativity, innovation and bold action that me and others at Fernwood NRG took to address a big vacancy in the heart of our village centre and to revitalize the neighbourhood. It was early 2005... 

Read more: How a boarded up building became the heart of a community: The Cornerstone Story - Voting Helps

From Better! Cities & Towns — A low-cost approach to walkability

Making downtown Albuquerque, New Mexico, more walkable doesn’t have to cost a bundle, according to consultant Jeff Speck. The author of Walkable City delivered a report to the city, which included the following recommendations:.

• Replace 19 low-volume traffic lights with stop signs.

• Narrow standard 12-foot travel lanes lanes to 10 feet. “This extra (lane) width does nothing except to encourage speeding,” he said. “It doesn’t improve the flow.”

• Convert two streets to two-way traffic from one-way.

• Provide more green space.

• Reduce the number of travel lanes on a few streets.

• Provide more on-street parking, which buffers pedestrians, and bicycle lanes. Reduction in lanes and lane widths will provide the space.

• Reduce the size of a major public space, Civic Plaza, which Speck says is too big to feel comfortable for pedestrians.

Read more: A low-cost approach to walkability | Better! Cities & Towns Online

#SD68 First for all the wrong reasons @jeffsd68 #nanelxn14

Post by Jeff Solomon for School Board Trustee.

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Your Waterfront — Where Aukland City Meets the Sea

‎"A world-class destination that excites the senses and celebrates our sea loving pacific culture and maritime history. It supports commercially successful and innovative businesses and is a place for all people, an area rich in character and activities that link people to the city and the sea".  

More at Your Waterfront, Where Aukland City Meets the Sea  

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TCL + WA present … Auckland Waterfront – North Wharf Promenade & Silo Park from TCL on Vimeo.

Why are candidates afraid to discuss this during the current #Nanaimo campaign?

Post by Nanaimo Commons.

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#Minneapolis' Downtown Transit Hub @archpaper

Pictorial> #Minneapolis' Downtown Transit Hub by @PerkinsEastman http://t.co/AQokVa3Ya1 pic.twitter.com/kpZ5T0UmzG
— Architects Newspaper (@archpaper) October 20, 2014

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@BrentToderian on #Aukland's waterfront @WaterfrontAKL

Well into 2 creative days working with @WaterfrontAKL on planning, design & "culture" of #WynyardQuarter #Auckland. pic.twitter.com/U9x7aJ5lo6

— Brent Toderian (@BrentToderian) October 19, 2014

The transformation of #Auckland's waterfront has been remarkable - creative, successful #placemaking. @WaterfrontAKL pic.twitter.com/5P0JcQQL0z

— Brent Toderian (@BrentToderian) October 19, 2014

Transformative #placemaking. RT @AKLdesignchamp: @WaterfrontAKL before & after. Making dramatic changes. #Auckland pic.twitter.com/NiJtjmEfw7

— Brent Toderian (@BrentToderian) October 19, 2014

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South Downtown Waterfront, Georgia Park On Monday Council Agenda

South Downtown Waterfront Committee — Revised Mandate and Objectives To obtain Council support for the continuation of the South Downtown Waterfront Committee.

Minutes of the Georgia Park / Insight Developments Public Hearing. Adopt the amended minutes.

100+ in attendance, a large majority of the delegations were opposed. Councillor Brennan's motion to defer the Staff Report back for further work, clarification, defeated. Councillor Brennan, Kipp, Pattje in favour. Motion to approve the height and square footage increases approved, Councillors Brennan, Kipp, Pattje opposed. Council now to decide on method of "elector  assent".

There is every indication that Senior Staff and most Councillors want to ensure that the lease of the waterfront park is not an issue for public discussion during the current election campaign. We can each draw our own conclusion as to why they fear its proper public airing.

Written submissions to the hearing (minutes state there were 36 written submissions and 20 delegations) here.

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@Helijet to launch flights between ‪#‎Nanaimo‬, Vancouver

Post by Nanaimo Commons.

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Squamish Oceanfront Development

Oct 18 + 25 @SqFarmersMarket come chat with staff working on the #Oceanfront project & have your questions answered pic.twitter.com/2pCvG2QWtM
— Squamish Oceanfront (@sqoceanfront) October 15, 2014

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From Squamish Oceanfront Development Corporation website — 
Impressive in scale and inspiring in spirit, Squamish Oceanfront is a new master-planned community that brings together the best British Columbia has to offer for living, working, learning and playing. This is a community in the truest sense of the word, incorporating residential, professional, commercial, educational, cultural and recreational elements in an area already world-renowned for its unparalleled beauty and outdoor recreation opportunities. 

RT @DenverWWAD @SFUPublicSquare Video on Civic Engagement

For #walkers interested in health issues: Video on Civic Engagement http://t.co/wEu1i2SA39 via @NanaimoCommons @SFUPublicSquare:

— Walk with a Doc DEN (@DenverWWAD) October 14, 2014

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Hashtag #nanelxn14 #Nanaimo election 2014

#nanelxn14 Tweets

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In honour of #InternationalWalkToSchoolDay @BrentToderian

"Your point? Made." In honour of #InternationalWalkToSchoolDay, #LetKidsRide or #LetKidsWalk to school. pic.twitter.com/l5UQzby6EF

— Brent Toderian (@BrentToderian) October 8, 2014

"There is too much #traffic for Billy to walk to school. So we drive him." We can change this. Help spread the word. pic.twitter.com/FC93lCsqmP

— Brent Toderian (@BrentToderian) February 17, 2014

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"Empire Days" an international embarrassment for #Nanaimo @CBC_Aboriginal

Seattle City Council replaces Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples' Day http://t.co/QexChigsVy pic.twitter.com/da6ixcdsrQ

— CBC_Aboriginal (@CBC_Aboriginal) October 7, 2014

Overdue by decades! @JJWmortgages "Empire Days" an international embarrassment for #Nanaimo @CBC_Aboriginal @dougswhite

— NanaimoCommons (@NanaimoCommons) October 7, 2014

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Audain Whistler museum takes shape with major E.J. Hughes loan @bcbusiness

Future #Whistler museum takes shape with major E.J. Hughes loan: http://t.co/gjLNG6qEaM pic.twitter.com/SgR98OPkD9

— BCBusiness (@bcbusiness) October 7, 2014

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New fast acting "Lout" spray — Politician remover

Post by Gord Fuller.

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Georgia Park should stay a park and not be part of a hotel. @BuccaneerInn

This should stay a park and not be part of a hotel. #badidea #Nanaimo @cityofnanaimo pic.twitter.com/xnduCIU0Jl

— Buccaneer Inn (@BuccaneerInn) October 4, 2014

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Remind me — Why do we fight to get big box retail? @StrongTowns

Post by Strong Towns.

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From YourWaterfront.co.nz — Where Auckland City Meets the Sea

"A world-class destination that excites the senses and celebrates our sea loving pacific culture and maritime history. It supports commercially successful and innovative businesses and is a place for all people, an area rich in character and activities that link people to the city and the sea". Read more: Your Waterfront, Auckland | Events, Activities, Marinas, Arts, Restaurants & Bars, Things to Do | Home

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Seaspan Marine railway barge connecting Nanaimo to all of NA Class 1 Railways @ICF_IslandRail

Post by Island Corridor Foundation.

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"But there may be changes to the [#Nanaimo Georgia Park] lease area" — City Mgr @TedSwabey

"But there may be changes to the [#Nanaimo Georgia Park] lease area" City Mgr @TedSwabey @RobertJBarron @NanaimoDaily http://t.co/aPSMmFhahJ

— NanaimoCommons (@NanaimoCommons) October 2, 2014

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