@jakepscott16.bsky.social
Reposted
Our cities are controlled by discplines that collapse the moment they're subject to even an even an ounce of sustained outside scrutiny.
March 3, 2025 at 5:02 AM
Our cities are controlled by discplines that collapse the moment they're subject to even an even an ounce of sustained outside scrutiny.
Reposted
US planning workflow:
1. Inherit regulations that were never meaningfully tested or studied.
2. Add a few more regulations that will never be meaningfully tested or studied.
3. Leave home at 5pm. 🎉
1. Inherit regulations that were never meaningfully tested or studied.
2. Add a few more regulations that will never be meaningfully tested or studied.
3. Leave home at 5pm. 🎉
March 3, 2025 at 4:38 AM
US planning workflow:
1. Inherit regulations that were never meaningfully tested or studied.
2. Add a few more regulations that will never be meaningfully tested or studied.
3. Leave home at 5pm. 🎉
1. Inherit regulations that were never meaningfully tested or studied.
2. Add a few more regulations that will never be meaningfully tested or studied.
3. Leave home at 5pm. 🎉
Not sure whether to be hopeful because this project shows what’s possible or depressed because we’re so far from it. I am curious though, what do you mean by zoning orients buildings the wrong way? @holz-bau.bsky.social
didn't make it to this project - but damn near thought about it the entire time.
it really hits home two things that are substantially different between european and US urban development
1. our buildings are waaay too f*cking thick (this is half seattle avg)
2. zoning orients buildings wrong way
it really hits home two things that are substantially different between european and US urban development
1. our buildings are waaay too f*cking thick (this is half seattle avg)
2. zoning orients buildings wrong way
buildings that aren't deeper than 45 feet. open space. space for trees. space for playgrounds. quiet streets.
the US urban planner's mind cannot comprehend
the US urban planner's mind cannot comprehend
July 21, 2025 at 12:18 AM
Not sure whether to be hopeful because this project shows what’s possible or depressed because we’re so far from it. I am curious though, what do you mean by zoning orients buildings the wrong way? @holz-bau.bsky.social
Reposted
didn't make it to this project - but damn near thought about it the entire time.
it really hits home two things that are substantially different between european and US urban development
1. our buildings are waaay too f*cking thick (this is half seattle avg)
2. zoning orients buildings wrong way
it really hits home two things that are substantially different between european and US urban development
1. our buildings are waaay too f*cking thick (this is half seattle avg)
2. zoning orients buildings wrong way
buildings that aren't deeper than 45 feet. open space. space for trees. space for playgrounds. quiet streets.
the US urban planner's mind cannot comprehend
the US urban planner's mind cannot comprehend
July 20, 2025 at 5:38 PM
didn't make it to this project - but damn near thought about it the entire time.
it really hits home two things that are substantially different between european and US urban development
1. our buildings are waaay too f*cking thick (this is half seattle avg)
2. zoning orients buildings wrong way
it really hits home two things that are substantially different between european and US urban development
1. our buildings are waaay too f*cking thick (this is half seattle avg)
2. zoning orients buildings wrong way
Reposted
NYC is ~subtropical~ now 🌧️
Yesterday's downpour was the second wettest hour in NYC history. With @cmjuliewon.bsky.social's universal daylighting bill, NYC could use our intersections to reduce flash floods.
A single bioswale can manage 1,100-2,200 gallons of water during a storm.
Yesterday's downpour was the second wettest hour in NYC history. With @cmjuliewon.bsky.social's universal daylighting bill, NYC could use our intersections to reduce flash floods.
A single bioswale can manage 1,100-2,200 gallons of water during a storm.
July 15, 2025 at 6:14 PM
NYC is ~subtropical~ now 🌧️
Yesterday's downpour was the second wettest hour in NYC history. With @cmjuliewon.bsky.social's universal daylighting bill, NYC could use our intersections to reduce flash floods.
A single bioswale can manage 1,100-2,200 gallons of water during a storm.
Yesterday's downpour was the second wettest hour in NYC history. With @cmjuliewon.bsky.social's universal daylighting bill, NYC could use our intersections to reduce flash floods.
A single bioswale can manage 1,100-2,200 gallons of water during a storm.
Reposted
Yup. If more elected officials depended on public transit in their daily lives, we would have vastly more reliable & frequent transit service and better quality sidewalks. Plus shade at bus stops.
"When you can buy a personal bubble of coolness and not truly feel the heat, the screaming urgency to tackle the collective issue of a world on fire can recede slightly."
Forget air conditioning. She's describing cars. Let's do something about that.
Forget air conditioning. She's describing cars. Let's do something about that.
July 13, 2025 at 8:59 PM
Yup. If more elected officials depended on public transit in their daily lives, we would have vastly more reliable & frequent transit service and better quality sidewalks. Plus shade at bus stops.
Reposted
If we’re going to spend billions of dollars of public money building and maintaining these transit systems, we should change the zoning around the stations so people can live near transit without having to spend two million dollars on a single family house.
July 8, 2025 at 4:30 PM
If we’re going to spend billions of dollars of public money building and maintaining these transit systems, we should change the zoning around the stations so people can live near transit without having to spend two million dollars on a single family house.
Reposted
This is really important.
The main thing that makes it hard to achieve integrated nature and green in cities isn’t density of buildings or density of people — it's density of cars. And the more well-designed and integrated density of people & buildings you achieve, the fewer cars you need or want.
The main thing that makes it hard to achieve integrated nature and green in cities isn’t density of buildings or density of people — it's density of cars. And the more well-designed and integrated density of people & buildings you achieve, the fewer cars you need or want.
July 6, 2025 at 7:57 PM
This is really important.
The main thing that makes it hard to achieve integrated nature and green in cities isn’t density of buildings or density of people — it's density of cars. And the more well-designed and integrated density of people & buildings you achieve, the fewer cars you need or want.
The main thing that makes it hard to achieve integrated nature and green in cities isn’t density of buildings or density of people — it's density of cars. And the more well-designed and integrated density of people & buildings you achieve, the fewer cars you need or want.
Reposted
Congestion pricing by the # ‘s 6 months in:
* 67k fewer drivers entering zone daily
* Delays in Holland Tunnel down 65%
* Traffic deaths down 32% so far in 2025
* $500m projected this year for MTA capital improvements
* B’way attendance +12%
* Subway ridership +7%
So yes this program is a SUCCESS.
* 67k fewer drivers entering zone daily
* Delays in Holland Tunnel down 65%
* Traffic deaths down 32% so far in 2025
* $500m projected this year for MTA capital improvements
* B’way attendance +12%
* Subway ridership +7%
So yes this program is a SUCCESS.
July 6, 2025 at 1:50 AM
Congestion pricing by the # ‘s 6 months in:
* 67k fewer drivers entering zone daily
* Delays in Holland Tunnel down 65%
* Traffic deaths down 32% so far in 2025
* $500m projected this year for MTA capital improvements
* B’way attendance +12%
* Subway ridership +7%
So yes this program is a SUCCESS.
* 67k fewer drivers entering zone daily
* Delays in Holland Tunnel down 65%
* Traffic deaths down 32% so far in 2025
* $500m projected this year for MTA capital improvements
* B’way attendance +12%
* Subway ridership +7%
So yes this program is a SUCCESS.
Reposted
A healthy city is a growing city that attracts private investment. We have done that in Jersey City better than any other city in the region. Today we broke ground on another 675 units, $400m project. Abundance theory is about more supply + we understand that in Jc
June 26, 2025 at 4:59 PM
A healthy city is a growing city that attracts private investment. We have done that in Jersey City better than any other city in the region. Today we broke ground on another 675 units, $400m project. Abundance theory is about more supply + we understand that in Jc
Reposted
Literally everyone with money on the line understands that housing prices are set by supply and demand, and that new market-rate housing puts downward pressure on the price of existing homes.
Hey folks, we built enough so that rents are coming down ever so slightly. It’s a slippery slope.
The best time to stop building was yesterday but the second best time is now.
The best time to stop building was yesterday but the second best time is now.
June 24, 2025 at 6:11 PM
Literally everyone with money on the line understands that housing prices are set by supply and demand, and that new market-rate housing puts downward pressure on the price of existing homes.
Reposted
crank it up to 11
cities aren't loud - cars are loud.
cities aren't loud - cars are loud.
Take away all the car noise and you’d swear you’re in a bird sanctuary, yet this is in the urban center of Edinburgh.
June 11, 2025 at 10:40 PM
crank it up to 11
cities aren't loud - cars are loud.
cities aren't loud - cars are loud.
Reposted
daylighting from the blue-green infra and bike parking is a great touch
it also opens up the visibility for the corner store as well...
next step is to remove the contraflow bike lane against car parking.
it also opens up the visibility for the corner store as well...
next step is to remove the contraflow bike lane against car parking.
Before (2016) / After (2025) two little changes Rue des Gatines in the 20th arrondissement of Paris. One short part of a street pedestrianized on the left, and one tree planted on the right. Both changes happened in 2020.
June 11, 2025 at 5:17 PM
daylighting from the blue-green infra and bike parking is a great touch
it also opens up the visibility for the corner store as well...
next step is to remove the contraflow bike lane against car parking.
it also opens up the visibility for the corner store as well...
next step is to remove the contraflow bike lane against car parking.
Reposted
Paris, leading from the front.
June 9, 2025 at 12:27 AM
Paris, leading from the front.
Reposted
Personally I think that having some of the most powerful institutions in American life publicly identify themselves as supporters of LGBT equality was (and is) a good thing, and that their retreat from that is quite bad.
Corporate Pride Is Dying. Good.
The sudden withdrawal of big corporate sponsors from Pride events is an opportunity, not a crisis.
theintercept.com
June 5, 2025 at 9:51 PM
Personally I think that having some of the most powerful institutions in American life publicly identify themselves as supporters of LGBT equality was (and is) a good thing, and that their retreat from that is quite bad.
Reposted
Photo from a while ago: Tokyo, Japan
Older neighbourhoods had narrow alleyways between the timber-framed buildings. Cool, quiet and homely, usually with potted plants, clothes drying, bicycles and a sense of neighbourly support.
#Photography
Older neighbourhoods had narrow alleyways between the timber-framed buildings. Cool, quiet and homely, usually with potted plants, clothes drying, bicycles and a sense of neighbourly support.
#Photography
June 3, 2025 at 11:00 AM
Photo from a while ago: Tokyo, Japan
Older neighbourhoods had narrow alleyways between the timber-framed buildings. Cool, quiet and homely, usually with potted plants, clothes drying, bicycles and a sense of neighbourly support.
#Photography
Older neighbourhoods had narrow alleyways between the timber-framed buildings. Cool, quiet and homely, usually with potted plants, clothes drying, bicycles and a sense of neighbourly support.
#Photography
Reposted
Richmond, California legalizes community-built bus benches, an example of "guerrilla tactical urbanism."
Every bit helps.
Every bit helps.
For years, transit riders' most basic needs have been unmet. So community members took it upon themselves to offer a little comfort by building and placing benches where none existed.
In late May, the City of Richmond became the first to formally legitimize that effort.
In late May, the City of Richmond became the first to formally legitimize that effort.
June 3, 2025 at 2:52 PM
Richmond, California legalizes community-built bus benches, an example of "guerrilla tactical urbanism."
Every bit helps.
Every bit helps.
Reposted
Walkable, mixed use communities create positive feedback loops. Not only do they support resident health and wellbeing, community building, and diverse local business, they do an impressive job of funding local public services.
June 1, 2025 at 2:32 PM
Walkable, mixed use communities create positive feedback loops. Not only do they support resident health and wellbeing, community building, and diverse local business, they do an impressive job of funding local public services.
Reposted
There is a very basic set of principles to fix affordability in US cities:
1. Upzone the city to add supply
2. Invest in social housing
3. Legalize single stair buildings
4. Make permitting quick
We are under supplied and need quick solutions that continue as rents drop
1. Upzone the city to add supply
2. Invest in social housing
3. Legalize single stair buildings
4. Make permitting quick
We are under supplied and need quick solutions that continue as rents drop
May 31, 2025 at 3:49 PM
There is a very basic set of principles to fix affordability in US cities:
1. Upzone the city to add supply
2. Invest in social housing
3. Legalize single stair buildings
4. Make permitting quick
We are under supplied and need quick solutions that continue as rents drop
1. Upzone the city to add supply
2. Invest in social housing
3. Legalize single stair buildings
4. Make permitting quick
We are under supplied and need quick solutions that continue as rents drop
Reposted
Good urbanist messaging here.
We’re fixing Atlantic Avenue! This is what a comprehensive community-led rezoning looks like 🏠
May 30, 2025 at 3:49 PM
Good urbanist messaging here.
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I feel sorry for Daniel. Once you see what human-centered land use looks like, you spend the rest of your life in the US looking around going "ugh, why did we do THIS?" It ruins you.
I’m in Barcelona and wow this place is incredible. The bike lanes, buses, super villes just incredible design. Everything is convenient and safe with no almost no cars. They too inefficient.
@volts.wtf is 100% right. If we brought this to SF I’d cry tears of joy.
@volts.wtf is 100% right. If we brought this to SF I’d cry tears of joy.
May 25, 2025 at 5:18 PM
I feel sorry for Daniel. Once you see what human-centered land use looks like, you spend the rest of your life in the US looking around going "ugh, why did we do THIS?" It ruins you.
Reposted
I’m always confused when people complain about cyclists not stopping at stop signs.
The vast majority of drivers do a “rolling stop” (i.e., they don’t actually stop) when possible.
This is so normal people don’t even see it as breaking the law, but when cyclists do the same thing, it stands out.
The vast majority of drivers do a “rolling stop” (i.e., they don’t actually stop) when possible.
This is so normal people don’t even see it as breaking the law, but when cyclists do the same thing, it stands out.
May 23, 2025 at 4:48 PM
I’m always confused when people complain about cyclists not stopping at stop signs.
The vast majority of drivers do a “rolling stop” (i.e., they don’t actually stop) when possible.
This is so normal people don’t even see it as breaking the law, but when cyclists do the same thing, it stands out.
The vast majority of drivers do a “rolling stop” (i.e., they don’t actually stop) when possible.
This is so normal people don’t even see it as breaking the law, but when cyclists do the same thing, it stands out.
Reposted
Protected bike lanes protect everyone:
May 22, 2025 at 7:11 PM
Protected bike lanes protect everyone:
Reposted
In less than a year Utrecht transformed its unattractive and busy inner ring road into a livable and green city boulevard.
Less car traffic, new trees, more green, cleaner air, improved livability. A win on many levels!
Less car traffic, new trees, more green, cleaner air, improved livability. A win on many levels!
May 20, 2025 at 7:57 PM
In less than a year Utrecht transformed its unattractive and busy inner ring road into a livable and green city boulevard.
Less car traffic, new trees, more green, cleaner air, improved livability. A win on many levels!
Less car traffic, new trees, more green, cleaner air, improved livability. A win on many levels!
Reposted
Bigger isn’t always better.
Small alleys and sides streets make for an interesting walk and a nice place to rest away from traffic.
Small alleys and sides streets make for an interesting walk and a nice place to rest away from traffic.
May 18, 2025 at 11:04 AM
Bigger isn’t always better.
Small alleys and sides streets make for an interesting walk and a nice place to rest away from traffic.
Small alleys and sides streets make for an interesting walk and a nice place to rest away from traffic.