Civic Design Center
@civicdesigncenter.bsky.social
Nashville's urban planning and design non-profit focused on engaging communities to participate in civic action and shape spaces for all.
trains, please
November 19, 2025 at 5:38 PM
trains, please
If we are serious about pedestrian safety there's really only one way to ensure that vehicles will slow down and pay attention.. & that is to build infrastructure that forces drivers to slow down and pay attention.
There may be outcry, but drivers will adjust to traffic calming. They always do.
There may be outcry, but drivers will adjust to traffic calming. They always do.
Update: this is not what we meant
November 19, 2025 at 5:31 PM
If we are serious about pedestrian safety there's really only one way to ensure that vehicles will slow down and pay attention.. & that is to build infrastructure that forces drivers to slow down and pay attention.
There may be outcry, but drivers will adjust to traffic calming. They always do.
There may be outcry, but drivers will adjust to traffic calming. They always do.
This probably wouldn't happen if we had a rail spur to the airport... People need more than one modality option to get to the airport. Future BRT on Murfreesboro will alleviate vehicle traffic! #BetterBusforBNA www.wsmv.com/2025/09/15/a...
Airport leadership to review hours-long traffic issue Monday at BNA
The traffic issue was first reported by BNA at about 3:30 p.m., with the last traffic update from the airport being sent out at about 11:15 p.m.
www.wsmv.com
September 17, 2025 at 3:02 PM
This probably wouldn't happen if we had a rail spur to the airport... People need more than one modality option to get to the airport. Future BRT on Murfreesboro will alleviate vehicle traffic! #BetterBusforBNA www.wsmv.com/2025/09/15/a...
Reposted by Civic Design Center
The Jenkins family lives in an ordinary suburban apartment complex less than a ten-minute walk from a grocery store in Gastonia, North Carolina.
That should mean their children could make the trip on foot without danger.
That should mean their children could make the trip on foot without danger.
August 27, 2025 at 3:19 PM
The Jenkins family lives in an ordinary suburban apartment complex less than a ten-minute walk from a grocery store in Gastonia, North Carolina.
That should mean their children could make the trip on foot without danger.
That should mean their children could make the trip on foot without danger.
Reposted by Civic Design Center
A crosswalk painted at a dangerous intersection. A bench built at a bus stop. Some cones set out to slow traffic in a school zone. These are some of the small, quick steps people can take to make their places safer and stronger.
August 26, 2025 at 3:19 PM
A crosswalk painted at a dangerous intersection. A bench built at a bus stop. Some cones set out to slow traffic in a school zone. These are some of the small, quick steps people can take to make their places safer and stronger.
Reposted by Civic Design Center
New bike lanes connect Germantown to East Nashville
New bike lanes connect Germantown to East Nashville
Getting from place to place by bicycle is becoming increasingly popular in the Metro area.
www.wkrn.com
August 26, 2025 at 2:40 AM
New bike lanes connect Germantown to East Nashville
Reposted by Civic Design Center
Great advocacy here from Meredith Montgomery of @walkbikenashville.bsky.social and Veronica Foster from @civicdesigncenter.bsky.social.
Sounds like it's time for @freddieoconnell.bsky.social to take a position.
Sounds like it's time for @freddieoconnell.bsky.social to take a position.
![“We are stuck in this 100-year culture of car-centric. And we have this blank slate of East Bank to build the road however we want to build it,” said Meredith Montgomery, executive director of Walk Bike Nashville and one of the event attendees. “At a time when we are actively retrofitting roads in our city to make them narrower, safer, better for pedestrians, more multimodal — it seems like the current [East Bank Boulevard] plan that’s out there is just building a new version of what we keep trying to fix.”](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:4hgdjffqxgk3qyzss27rhhl7/bafkreibxeyiy6ccflezy6hwcvw57f37azxqa3c46wawh3so56cwzl3q2ki@jpeg)
August 22, 2025 at 3:20 PM
Great advocacy here from Meredith Montgomery of @walkbikenashville.bsky.social and Veronica Foster from @civicdesigncenter.bsky.social.
Sounds like it's time for @freddieoconnell.bsky.social to take a position.
Sounds like it's time for @freddieoconnell.bsky.social to take a position.
This @strongtowns.org article talks about the community taking change into their own hands sparking the debate about government control versus government trust. www.strongtowns.org/journal/2025...
What Happens When Residents Act and Cities Shut It Down
When tension builds between grassroots action and bureaucratic boundaries, cities must choose: partnership or pushback.
www.strongtowns.org
August 4, 2025 at 8:12 PM
This @strongtowns.org article talks about the community taking change into their own hands sparking the debate about government control versus government trust. www.strongtowns.org/journal/2025...
We decided it wasn't enough to say NO to the 6-lane design concept for the East Bank Blvd. We envisioned something to say YES to with Southern Environmental Law Center, @thinktn.bsky.social and @walkbikenashville.bsky.social. @kemcdonell.bsky.social www.civicdesigncenter.org/all-projects...
Reintroducing Everyone’s Neighborhood — Civic Design Center
Coalition launches new concept for the East Bank Transportation Network centering around East Bank Promenade Written By Veronica Foster | Designs By Eric Hoke and Remi Lynch 5 min read Communit...
www.civicdesigncenter.org
July 31, 2025 at 5:40 PM
We decided it wasn't enough to say NO to the 6-lane design concept for the East Bank Blvd. We envisioned something to say YES to with Southern Environmental Law Center, @thinktn.bsky.social and @walkbikenashville.bsky.social. @kemcdonell.bsky.social www.civicdesigncenter.org/all-projects...
Thanks for sharing this honest observation of the advocacy efforts that are underway for the East Bank Boulevard. This is a huge deal!
One East Bank planning decision has stirred up frustration among biking and public transit advocates.
Power Struggle Over East Bank Boulevard
One East Bank planning decision has shown Metro’s limited tolerance for public participation
www.nashvillescene.com
June 24, 2025 at 4:29 PM
Thanks for sharing this honest observation of the advocacy efforts that are underway for the East Bank Boulevard. This is a huge deal!
Veronica here, just tuning in from the International Parklet Symposium in San Fransisco! It’s been such an inspiring first day in the birthplace of parklets. Did you know there are over 300 parklets in SF?! We have work to do in Nashville, friends.
April 10, 2025 at 10:38 PM
Veronica here, just tuning in from the International Parklet Symposium in San Fransisco! It’s been such an inspiring first day in the birthplace of parklets. Did you know there are over 300 parklets in SF?! We have work to do in Nashville, friends.
"The 60-page booklet reads like the Civic Design Center’s long-lost demo tape." 😉
My first @nashvillescene.com cover story is live!
Do you like archival research in narrative form? Charts and maps? Tensions between intentions and outcomes? Tips of icebergs? The long shadow of land use policy?
The Battle for Belmont-Hillsboro has it all.
www.nashvillescene.com/news/coverst...
Do you like archival research in narrative form? Charts and maps? Tensions between intentions and outcomes? Tips of icebergs? The long shadow of land use policy?
The Battle for Belmont-Hillsboro has it all.
www.nashvillescene.com/news/coverst...
The Battle for Belmont-Hillsboro
In 1970, liberal neighbors organized against white flight and transformed Nashville’s inner city. Today, teardowns are selling for more than a million dollars.
www.nashvillescene.com
April 8, 2025 at 6:29 PM
"The 60-page booklet reads like the Civic Design Center’s long-lost demo tape." 😉
Reposted by Civic Design Center
The more land we exclusively dedicate to parking, the less land there is for housing. It's that simple.
April 1, 2025 at 6:25 PM
The more land we exclusively dedicate to parking, the less land there is for housing. It's that simple.
Multimodal infrastructure is responsible and bipartisan. This article is a great example of how to reframe critical infrastructure issues for both parties. These are great talking points for calling your representatives. www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Can Progressive Planners Appeal to Conservative Principles?
Trump’s approach to policies like NYC’s congestion pricing isn’t just irrational and wasteful — it defies the tenets of conservatism. But there are ways to reframe the issues.
www.bloomberg.com
March 24, 2025 at 3:07 PM
Multimodal infrastructure is responsible and bipartisan. This article is a great example of how to reframe critical infrastructure issues for both parties. These are great talking points for calling your representatives. www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Bike and pedestrian infrastructure is not only equitable and sustainable, but it is so much more than that. It's safer for all when our streets are designed for people. Our quality of life improves! This will have negative ripple effects. Full stop. usa.streetsblog.org/2025/03/12/b...
U.S. DOT Orders Review of All Grants Related to Green Infrastructure, Bikes — Streetsblog USA
Now U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy is coming for our bike lanes!
usa.streetsblog.org
March 24, 2025 at 2:58 PM
Bike and pedestrian infrastructure is not only equitable and sustainable, but it is so much more than that. It's safer for all when our streets are designed for people. Our quality of life improves! This will have negative ripple effects. Full stop. usa.streetsblog.org/2025/03/12/b...
Reposted by Civic Design Center
not great folks!
there’s nothing historic character about cars killing people on roads
people have been walking on roads for literally thousands of years before cars started using them
www.wkrn.com/news/local-n...
there’s nothing historic character about cars killing people on roads
people have been walking on roads for literally thousands of years before cars started using them
www.wkrn.com/news/local-n...
March 19, 2025 at 3:57 AM
not great folks!
there’s nothing historic character about cars killing people on roads
people have been walking on roads for literally thousands of years before cars started using them
www.wkrn.com/news/local-n...
there’s nothing historic character about cars killing people on roads
people have been walking on roads for literally thousands of years before cars started using them
www.wkrn.com/news/local-n...
Reposted by Civic Design Center
💫 TONIGHT!! 💫 Need some basic help with your 🚲 ? Need a 🔧 or workstand for an hour? The Bike Fun Bike Lab hosts open shop twice a month on the second & fourth Tuesdays from 4-7PM at @cosechacommunity in Woodbine. More info at our calendar page www.nashvillebikefun.org/events/
March 11, 2025 at 1:59 PM
💫 TONIGHT!! 💫 Need some basic help with your 🚲 ? Need a 🔧 or workstand for an hour? The Bike Fun Bike Lab hosts open shop twice a month on the second & fourth Tuesdays from 4-7PM at @cosechacommunity in Woodbine. More info at our calendar page www.nashvillebikefun.org/events/
Reposted by Civic Design Center
Honored to be one of 14 elected officials from across the USA to be selected for the Champions Institute. #Nashville #MetroCouncilNash
Special thanks: @civicdesigncenter.bsky.social @urbanistdad.bsky.social @walkbikenashville.bsky.social
Special thanks: @civicdesigncenter.bsky.social @urbanistdad.bsky.social @walkbikenashville.bsky.social
We're thrilled to announce the 2025 Champions Institute cohort!
These local officials—from 10 states from across the U.S.—are committed to creating safer, healthier communities.
Learn more ⬇️ @completestreets
smartgrowthamerica.org/meet-the-202...
These local officials—from 10 states from across the U.S.—are committed to creating safer, healthier communities.
Learn more ⬇️ @completestreets
smartgrowthamerica.org/meet-the-202...
Meet the 2025 Champions Institute cohort - Smart Growth America
Smart Growth America is excited to announce the 14 local elected officials who will participate in our 2025 Champions Institute. These champions will come together to learn, develop, and advance effor...
smartgrowthamerica.org
March 9, 2025 at 3:14 AM
Honored to be one of 14 elected officials from across the USA to be selected for the Champions Institute. #Nashville #MetroCouncilNash
Special thanks: @civicdesigncenter.bsky.social @urbanistdad.bsky.social @walkbikenashville.bsky.social
Special thanks: @civicdesigncenter.bsky.social @urbanistdad.bsky.social @walkbikenashville.bsky.social
Our team has attended this event in the past and raved about the experience they had. In a time where there are so many uncertainties, this is a great opportunity to understand the state of our resources. anchorlink.vanderbilt.edu/event/11128761
2025 EELU State of the Environment Conference
Discover unique opportunities at! Find and attend events, browse and join organizations, and showcase your involvement.
anchorlink.vanderbilt.edu
March 10, 2025 at 3:57 PM
Our team has attended this event in the past and raved about the experience they had. In a time where there are so many uncertainties, this is a great opportunity to understand the state of our resources. anchorlink.vanderbilt.edu/event/11128761
It's almost time for the release of @nashville.gov's Housing & Infrastructure Study! There are a few in-person opportunities to get questions answered this week before the study is presented to Metro Council. Otherwise you can check out the online resources here: engage.nashville.gov/housingandin...
March 5, 2025 at 5:58 PM
It's almost time for the release of @nashville.gov's Housing & Infrastructure Study! There are a few in-person opportunities to get questions answered this week before the study is presented to Metro Council. Otherwise you can check out the online resources here: engage.nashville.gov/housingandin...
If anyone receives the Tennessee Dept of Health Built Environment newsletter, they shared this cool article about research on lighted crosswalks to prevent pedestrian deaths. This doesn't feel groundbreaking, so why don't we have these? www.iihs.org/news/detail/... @nashvilledot.bsky.social
Lighted crosswalks make drivers more apt to yield to pedestrians
Crosswalk illuminators and flashing beacons dramatically increase the likelihood that drivers will yield to pedestrians, a new IIHS study shows.
www.iihs.org
February 27, 2025 at 4:06 PM
If anyone receives the Tennessee Dept of Health Built Environment newsletter, they shared this cool article about research on lighted crosswalks to prevent pedestrian deaths. This doesn't feel groundbreaking, so why don't we have these? www.iihs.org/news/detail/... @nashvilledot.bsky.social
Donald Shoup, a parking reform advocate, scholar and author, passed away this month. In honor of his legacy, learn more about how our cities grew into places designed for cars over humans in the quick video. www.youtube.com/watch?v=Akm7...
The high cost of free parking
YouTube video by Vox
www.youtube.com
February 25, 2025 at 5:44 PM
Donald Shoup, a parking reform advocate, scholar and author, passed away this month. In honor of his legacy, learn more about how our cities grew into places designed for cars over humans in the quick video. www.youtube.com/watch?v=Akm7...
@nashvilledot.bsky.social did you listen to our podcast before you made this decision? If not, so glad we are on the same wavelength! 👀 Hopefully we can help ensure that the design doesn't feel hostile...
www.wsmv.com/2025/02/11/p...
www.wsmv.com/2025/02/11/p...
Plans for permanent safety barriers laid out for downtown Nashville
NDOT hopes to have the barriers in place on Broadway by Summer of 2026.
www.wsmv.com
February 12, 2025 at 3:28 PM
@nashvilledot.bsky.social did you listen to our podcast before you made this decision? If not, so glad we are on the same wavelength! 👀 Hopefully we can help ensure that the design doesn't feel hostile...
www.wsmv.com/2025/02/11/p...
www.wsmv.com/2025/02/11/p...
Reposted by Civic Design Center
“We found there’s this perfect one-to-one relationship. If a city increased its road capacity by 10% then driving went up by 10%.” Still one of the best articles on why building bigger roads leads to more driving. Understanding “The Unbreakabke Law Of Congestion” aka #InducedDemand. Via @wired.com
What's Up With That: Building Bigger Roads Actually Makes Traffic Worse
The concept is called induced demand, which is economist-speak for when increasing the supply of something (like roads) makes people want that thing even more. Though some traffic engineers made note ...
www.wired.com
February 7, 2025 at 7:19 AM
“We found there’s this perfect one-to-one relationship. If a city increased its road capacity by 10% then driving went up by 10%.” Still one of the best articles on why building bigger roads leads to more driving. Understanding “The Unbreakabke Law Of Congestion” aka #InducedDemand. Via @wired.com
Seems like Senate Bill #0137 regarding eliminating public comment for developments was withdrawn this week. As an organization rooted in community voice, we would be opposed to this legislation and will keep an eye on the issue in general.
February 7, 2025 at 4:07 PM
Seems like Senate Bill #0137 regarding eliminating public comment for developments was withdrawn this week. As an organization rooted in community voice, we would be opposed to this legislation and will keep an eye on the issue in general.