Jeff Speck
@jeffspeck.bsky.social
Urban Planner, Partner in Speck Dempsey, author of Walkable City, Walkable City Rules, and other stuff I'd like you to read.
Lost in the culture war surrounding rainbow crosswalks: they save lives.
usa.streetsblog.org/2026/02/09/t...
usa.streetsblog.org/2026/02/09/t...
Traffic Safety or Culture War? Trump's Desire to 'Own The Libs' Undermines Safety — Streetsblog USA
Why is the federal government truly playing politics over rainbow crosswalks when human lives are at stake?
usa.streetsblog.org
February 9, 2026 at 4:58 PM
Lost in the culture war surrounding rainbow crosswalks: they save lives.
usa.streetsblog.org/2026/02/09/t...
usa.streetsblog.org/2026/02/09/t...
Reposted by Jeff Speck
ACTUAL RESEARCH: Comparison #2
(This is a new one.)
Please help contribute to this real dataset.
Look at these two slides. Just take a wild guess as to the average home value on each street. Reply with two dollar amounts, Street 1 and Street 2.
Your input matters. Thank you!
(This is a new one.)
Please help contribute to this real dataset.
Look at these two slides. Just take a wild guess as to the average home value on each street. Reply with two dollar amounts, Street 1 and Street 2.
Your input matters. Thank you!
February 3, 2026 at 2:43 AM
ACTUAL RESEARCH: Comparison #2
(This is a new one.)
Please help contribute to this real dataset.
Look at these two slides. Just take a wild guess as to the average home value on each street. Reply with two dollar amounts, Street 1 and Street 2.
Your input matters. Thank you!
(This is a new one.)
Please help contribute to this real dataset.
Look at these two slides. Just take a wild guess as to the average home value on each street. Reply with two dollar amounts, Street 1 and Street 2.
Your input matters. Thank you!
ACTUAL RESEARCH: Comparison #2
(This is a new one.)
Please help contribute to this real dataset.
Look at these two slides. Just take a wild guess as to the average home value on each street. Reply with two dollar amounts, Street 1 and Street 2.
Your input matters. Thank you!
(This is a new one.)
Please help contribute to this real dataset.
Look at these two slides. Just take a wild guess as to the average home value on each street. Reply with two dollar amounts, Street 1 and Street 2.
Your input matters. Thank you!
February 3, 2026 at 2:43 AM
ACTUAL RESEARCH: Comparison #2
(This is a new one.)
Please help contribute to this real dataset.
Look at these two slides. Just take a wild guess as to the average home value on each street. Reply with two dollar amounts, Street 1 and Street 2.
Your input matters. Thank you!
(This is a new one.)
Please help contribute to this real dataset.
Look at these two slides. Just take a wild guess as to the average home value on each street. Reply with two dollar amounts, Street 1 and Street 2.
Your input matters. Thank you!
Speck Dempsey is hiring!
www.speckdempsey.com/joinourteam
www.speckdempsey.com/joinourteam
Join Our Team | Speck Dempsey
www.speckdempsey.com
January 24, 2026 at 2:41 AM
Speck Dempsey is hiring!
www.speckdempsey.com/joinourteam
www.speckdempsey.com/joinourteam
Thanks for your interest. I’ll be back with more shortly. Don’t give anything away!
December 31, 2025 at 1:16 AM
Thanks for your interest. I’ll be back with more shortly. Don’t give anything away!
Sad to read this today. Deep condolences to all his RAMSA colleagues, friends, and family. Bob Stern was both a true scholar and a captain of industry. I got to work with him in the 90s and was touched by how solicitous he was of this nobody’s opinions.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/27/a...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/27/a...
Robert A.M. Stern, Architect Who Reinvented Prewar Splendor, Dies at 86
www.nytimes.com
November 27, 2025 at 9:36 PM
Sad to read this today. Deep condolences to all his RAMSA colleagues, friends, and family. Bob Stern was both a true scholar and a captain of industry. I got to work with him in the 90s and was touched by how solicitous he was of this nobody’s opinions.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/27/a...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/27/a...
We are growing a great data set. Anyone else want to weigh in?
November 5, 2025 at 2:35 AM
We are growing a great data set. Anyone else want to weigh in?
Interesting data point in addition. I posted this on X, where I have many more followers than here, and got 1 reply while receiving 8 replies on Blue Sky. I guess all the urbanists ARE here.
November 2, 2025 at 12:15 AM
Interesting data point in addition. I posted this on X, where I have many more followers than here, and got 1 reply while receiving 8 replies on Blue Sky. I guess all the urbanists ARE here.
Free talk tomorrow. . . Hope to share with you the amazing story of downtown OKC. Also, I'm giving away my slides at the end. Enticed? gatech.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: Ep 48, Oct 31: Redesigning city streets in downtown Oklahoma City, OK. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the webinar.
How did Oklahoma City go from being America’s least walkable city in 2009 to an award-winning thriving downtown attracting an influx of jobs, dining, recreation, and young adults? Through the implemen...
gatech.zoom.us
October 30, 2025 at 7:29 PM
Free talk tomorrow. . . Hope to share with you the amazing story of downtown OKC. Also, I'm giving away my slides at the end. Enticed? gatech.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Have you been taking my courses on @planetizen?
Try it, you'll like it!
Walkable City 6, The Interesting Walk just dropped today:
courses.planetizen.com/courses/the-...
Try it, you'll like it!
Walkable City 6, The Interesting Walk just dropped today:
courses.planetizen.com/courses/the-...
Walkable City 6: The Interesting Walk
Nothing interests people more than other people. Humans will avoid walks that do not provide a sense of human habitation, human effort, and human scale. An interesting walk comes from urban design tha...
courses.planetizen.com
October 8, 2025 at 1:47 AM
Have you been taking my courses on @planetizen?
Try it, you'll like it!
Walkable City 6, The Interesting Walk just dropped today:
courses.planetizen.com/courses/the-...
Try it, you'll like it!
Walkable City 6, The Interesting Walk just dropped today:
courses.planetizen.com/courses/the-...
THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS when you run for mayor on a "pull out the bike lanes" platform in Boston.
Yay @wutrain !
@bostonbikeunion
@MassBike
@WalkMass
apnews.com/article/elec...
Yay @wutrain !
@bostonbikeunion
@MassBike
@WalkMass
apnews.com/article/elec...
Josh Kraft, son of billionaire Patriots owner, drops out of Boston mayor’s race against Michelle Wu
Son of billionaire Patriots owner Josh Kraft announced Thursday that he is dropping out Boston’s mayoral election, in which he was set to battle incumbent Michelle Wu in November.
apnews.com
September 12, 2025 at 1:46 PM
THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS when you run for mayor on a "pull out the bike lanes" platform in Boston.
Yay @wutrain !
@bostonbikeunion
@MassBike
@WalkMass
apnews.com/article/elec...
Yay @wutrain !
@bostonbikeunion
@MassBike
@WalkMass
apnews.com/article/elec...
Rule 101: Dream Big
Cities like NYC & Chicago didn’t just fix problems—they dreamed big. Charleston’s mayor, Joseph Riley’s message was "No one recalls a balanced budget—build a park instead.” His parks now host 5M+ visitors yearly.
Walkable City Rules www.amazon.com/Walkable-Cit...
Cities like NYC & Chicago didn’t just fix problems—they dreamed big. Charleston’s mayor, Joseph Riley’s message was "No one recalls a balanced budget—build a park instead.” His parks now host 5M+ visitors yearly.
Walkable City Rules www.amazon.com/Walkable-Cit...
September 9, 2025 at 1:22 AM
Rule 101: Dream Big
Cities like NYC & Chicago didn’t just fix problems—they dreamed big. Charleston’s mayor, Joseph Riley’s message was "No one recalls a balanced budget—build a park instead.” His parks now host 5M+ visitors yearly.
Walkable City Rules www.amazon.com/Walkable-Cit...
Cities like NYC & Chicago didn’t just fix problems—they dreamed big. Charleston’s mayor, Joseph Riley’s message was "No one recalls a balanced budget—build a park instead.” His parks now host 5M+ visitors yearly.
Walkable City Rules www.amazon.com/Walkable-Cit...
Yes, UPS gets it right. Thank you for not blocking the bike lane!
September 8, 2025 at 11:10 PM
Yes, UPS gets it right. Thank you for not blocking the bike lane!
Rule 100: Don't Give Up on Sprawl
Instead of trying to end sprawl, focus on improving it for the people there by reviving town centers, reusing empty malls, & building mixed-use neighborhoods. This is called “Retrofitting Suburbia."
Walkable City Rules www.amazon.com/Walkable-Cit...
Instead of trying to end sprawl, focus on improving it for the people there by reviving town centers, reusing empty malls, & building mixed-use neighborhoods. This is called “Retrofitting Suburbia."
Walkable City Rules www.amazon.com/Walkable-Cit...
September 7, 2025 at 9:01 PM
Rule 100: Don't Give Up on Sprawl
Instead of trying to end sprawl, focus on improving it for the people there by reviving town centers, reusing empty malls, & building mixed-use neighborhoods. This is called “Retrofitting Suburbia."
Walkable City Rules www.amazon.com/Walkable-Cit...
Instead of trying to end sprawl, focus on improving it for the people there by reviving town centers, reusing empty malls, & building mixed-use neighborhoods. This is called “Retrofitting Suburbia."
Walkable City Rules www.amazon.com/Walkable-Cit...
Rule 99: Start Code Reform Now
Form-based codes helps walkability by focusing on how spaces look & feel, not just what they’re used for. Start w/a 1 page zoning overlay to guide better development while planning long-term reforms.
Walkable City Rules www.amazon.com/Walkable-Cit...
Form-based codes helps walkability by focusing on how spaces look & feel, not just what they’re used for. Start w/a 1 page zoning overlay to guide better development while planning long-term reforms.
Walkable City Rules www.amazon.com/Walkable-Cit...
September 6, 2025 at 10:10 PM
Rule 99: Start Code Reform Now
Form-based codes helps walkability by focusing on how spaces look & feel, not just what they’re used for. Start w/a 1 page zoning overlay to guide better development while planning long-term reforms.
Walkable City Rules www.amazon.com/Walkable-Cit...
Form-based codes helps walkability by focusing on how spaces look & feel, not just what they’re used for. Start w/a 1 page zoning overlay to guide better development while planning long-term reforms.
Walkable City Rules www.amazon.com/Walkable-Cit...
91: Save Those Buildings
Preservation isn’t only about nostalgia, it also has practical benefits!
- Historic districts thrive in recession & attract small businesses
- It’s greener & less wasteful
- They support diversity & community
Walkable City Rules www.amazon.com/Walkable-Cit...
Preservation isn’t only about nostalgia, it also has practical benefits!
- Historic districts thrive in recession & attract small businesses
- It’s greener & less wasteful
- They support diversity & community
Walkable City Rules www.amazon.com/Walkable-Cit...
September 6, 2025 at 2:16 AM
91: Save Those Buildings
Preservation isn’t only about nostalgia, it also has practical benefits!
- Historic districts thrive in recession & attract small businesses
- It’s greener & less wasteful
- They support diversity & community
Walkable City Rules www.amazon.com/Walkable-Cit...
Preservation isn’t only about nostalgia, it also has practical benefits!
- Historic districts thrive in recession & attract small businesses
- It’s greener & less wasteful
- They support diversity & community
Walkable City Rules www.amazon.com/Walkable-Cit...
Rule 65: Provide Angle Parking Where Warranted
Angled parking fits more cars without widening streets & calms traffic by requiring careful backing-in. Tucson switched to rear-angle parking & cut crashes from 1/week to 0 over 4 years.
Walkable City Rules: www.amazon.com/Walkable-Cit...
Angled parking fits more cars without widening streets & calms traffic by requiring careful backing-in. Tucson switched to rear-angle parking & cut crashes from 1/week to 0 over 4 years.
Walkable City Rules: www.amazon.com/Walkable-Cit...
September 6, 2025 at 2:15 AM
Rule 65: Provide Angle Parking Where Warranted
Angled parking fits more cars without widening streets & calms traffic by requiring careful backing-in. Tucson switched to rear-angle parking & cut crashes from 1/week to 0 over 4 years.
Walkable City Rules: www.amazon.com/Walkable-Cit...
Angled parking fits more cars without widening streets & calms traffic by requiring careful backing-in. Tucson switched to rear-angle parking & cut crashes from 1/week to 0 over 4 years.
Walkable City Rules: www.amazon.com/Walkable-Cit...
Rule 98: Do Some Tactical Urbanism
Start w/looking for temporary ways to improve your area, & call it a pilot project. Use "Walk [Your City]", which offers tools 4 guerilla wayfinding signs & ask to do tests instead of costly studies.
Walkable City Rules www.amazon.com/Walkable-Cit...
Start w/looking for temporary ways to improve your area, & call it a pilot project. Use "Walk [Your City]", which offers tools 4 guerilla wayfinding signs & ask to do tests instead of costly studies.
Walkable City Rules www.amazon.com/Walkable-Cit...
September 5, 2025 at 10:36 PM
Rule 98: Do Some Tactical Urbanism
Start w/looking for temporary ways to improve your area, & call it a pilot project. Use "Walk [Your City]", which offers tools 4 guerilla wayfinding signs & ask to do tests instead of costly studies.
Walkable City Rules www.amazon.com/Walkable-Cit...
Start w/looking for temporary ways to improve your area, & call it a pilot project. Use "Walk [Your City]", which offers tools 4 guerilla wayfinding signs & ask to do tests instead of costly studies.
Walkable City Rules www.amazon.com/Walkable-Cit...
Rule 97: Rebuild... or Restripe?
In 2012 Cedar Rapids planned a $3M rebuild for 5 blocks, instead they repainted 30 blocks for the same price.
Results: 78%↓ pedestrian crashes, 57 new businesses, 800 homes, 2k jobs & $282M growth
Walkable City Rules www.amazon.com/Walkable-Cit...
In 2012 Cedar Rapids planned a $3M rebuild for 5 blocks, instead they repainted 30 blocks for the same price.
Results: 78%↓ pedestrian crashes, 57 new businesses, 800 homes, 2k jobs & $282M growth
Walkable City Rules www.amazon.com/Walkable-Cit...
September 4, 2025 at 10:19 PM
Rule 97: Rebuild... or Restripe?
In 2012 Cedar Rapids planned a $3M rebuild for 5 blocks, instead they repainted 30 blocks for the same price.
Results: 78%↓ pedestrian crashes, 57 new businesses, 800 homes, 2k jobs & $282M growth
Walkable City Rules www.amazon.com/Walkable-Cit...
In 2012 Cedar Rapids planned a $3M rebuild for 5 blocks, instead they repainted 30 blocks for the same price.
Results: 78%↓ pedestrian crashes, 57 new businesses, 800 homes, 2k jobs & $282M growth
Walkable City Rules www.amazon.com/Walkable-Cit...
Rule 96: A Network of Walkability
Show which streets are best for walking, streets fall into 3 groups:
Priority: Busy but unsafe, fix first
Primary: Decent now, upgrade next
Secondary: Low need now
Walkable City Rules www.amazon.com/Walkable-Cit...
Show which streets are best for walking, streets fall into 3 groups:
Priority: Busy but unsafe, fix first
Primary: Decent now, upgrade next
Secondary: Low need now
Walkable City Rules www.amazon.com/Walkable-Cit...
September 4, 2025 at 11:54 AM
Rule 96: A Network of Walkability
Show which streets are best for walking, streets fall into 3 groups:
Priority: Busy but unsafe, fix first
Primary: Decent now, upgrade next
Secondary: Low need now
Walkable City Rules www.amazon.com/Walkable-Cit...
Show which streets are best for walking, streets fall into 3 groups:
Priority: Busy but unsafe, fix first
Primary: Decent now, upgrade next
Secondary: Low need now
Walkable City Rules www.amazon.com/Walkable-Cit...
Rule 95: Do a Frontage Quality Assessment & Locate Anchors
See where people want to walk & where they need to go.
Frontage Quality: lively streets, where they want to walk
Anchors: where they need to walk (key destinations ex: shops).
Walkable City Rules www.amazon.com/Walkable-Cit...
See where people want to walk & where they need to go.
Frontage Quality: lively streets, where they want to walk
Anchors: where they need to walk (key destinations ex: shops).
Walkable City Rules www.amazon.com/Walkable-Cit...
September 2, 2025 at 10:40 PM
Rule 95: Do a Frontage Quality Assessment & Locate Anchors
See where people want to walk & where they need to go.
Frontage Quality: lively streets, where they want to walk
Anchors: where they need to walk (key destinations ex: shops).
Walkable City Rules www.amazon.com/Walkable-Cit...
See where people want to walk & where they need to go.
Frontage Quality: lively streets, where they want to walk
Anchors: where they need to walk (key destinations ex: shops).
Walkable City Rules www.amazon.com/Walkable-Cit...
Rule 94: Do a Walkability Study
A walkability study helps communities make areas safer and easier for walking and biking by focusing on 4 types of walks:
- the useful walk
- the safe walk
- the comfortable walk
- the interesting walk
Walkable City Rules www.amazon.com/Walkable-Cit...
A walkability study helps communities make areas safer and easier for walking and biking by focusing on 4 types of walks:
- the useful walk
- the safe walk
- the comfortable walk
- the interesting walk
Walkable City Rules www.amazon.com/Walkable-Cit...
September 1, 2025 at 10:26 PM
Rule 94: Do a Walkability Study
A walkability study helps communities make areas safer and easier for walking and biking by focusing on 4 types of walks:
- the useful walk
- the safe walk
- the comfortable walk
- the interesting walk
Walkable City Rules www.amazon.com/Walkable-Cit...
A walkability study helps communities make areas safer and easier for walking and biking by focusing on 4 types of walks:
- the useful walk
- the safe walk
- the comfortable walk
- the interesting walk
Walkable City Rules www.amazon.com/Walkable-Cit...