Today on Streetsblog.net

2951392025_c5a315b489.jpgStreetsblog Network is our brand new clearinghouse
of sustainable transport, smart growth and livable streets news, linked
from blogs across the country. Here’s a taste of what’s on the site
right now.

Seeking Redemption for the Strip Mall.
Milwaukee, WI: Is there an upside to strip mall sprawl? Some believe
big box stores like Wal-Mart, by forcing small retailers to diversify,
make a valuable and necessary contribution to the economy. Where looks at how "the boxscape" might be an asset to a new suburbia.

The Meaning of an American Commonwealth.
Indianapolis, IN: What role should the federal government play in
ensuring economic health for all regions of the nation? What
responsibility do prosperous areas have to those suffering a downturn?
Midwesterners and others debate the answer on The Urbanophile.

Also on Streetsblog.net:
bike commuting tips, congestion pricing in San Francisco, thoughts from
Texas on how to encourage connectivity in subdivisions, and much more.

Photo: austrini/Flickr

ALSO ON STREETSBLOG

Today on Streetsblog.net

By Sarah Goodyear |
We’re headed out to the West Coast this morning on Streetsblog Network, where we are now featuring feeds from 142 blogs and adding new members all the time (welcome Kansas! welcome Kentucky!). A Lesson from San Francisco: How Streetcars Can Evolve. Seattle, WA: Can streetcars that share space with car traffic become part of a […]
STREETSBLOG USA

From Strip Mall to Neighborhood

By Angie Schmitt |
Just how much potential is embedded in the local strip mall with its acres of surface parking? A project in Montgomery County, Maryland, provides a great example of how to transform car-oriented suburban development into a walkable place with a mix of uses. Dan Reed has been tracking the progress of Pike + Rose, a […]

Today on Streetsblog.net

By Sarah Goodyear |
Image: Leimert Park Beat We’re coming to the end of our first week at Streetsblog Network. The response has been overwhelming and very heartening. We’ve been getting e-mails from all over the country, and the message we’re hearing is that people are craving connection with others who are thinking about the ways in which smart […]

Crenshaw Residents Fighting New Fresh & Easy Over Parking Lot

By Damien Newton |
The Segundo-based Fresh & Easy grocery store chain has earned high marks from environmental advocates for their LEED certified green building designs and hybrid-diesel trucking fleet.  However, the issue of where they place their parking lots and the impact that placement has on urban walkability may trip the green giant’s plan to open a store […]
Only a small portion of the Seattle region is considered "urban" in a new report by the Urban Land Institute. Image via RCLCo
STREETSBLOG USA

How Much of Your City Is Really Urban?

By Angie Schmitt |
Many places that get categorized as "suburbs" are actually pretty urban. They may not be located in a central city, but they are compact, walkable places. But the inverse is also true: Large portions of nearly every American city are pretty spread out and suburban in character. A new report from the Urban Land Institute [PDF] divides every metro area into a number of classifications based on density and other factors.
STREETSBLOG USA

It’s Not Good Transit If the Streets Nearby Aren’t Good for Walking

By Angie Schmitt |
All transit stops aren’t created equal. The street environment around the station — especially safe, convenient pedestrian access — has a major influence on how people use transit. Edward Russell at Greater Greater Washington compares two stops that offer very different walking environments — one in San Diego and one in Washington: The 1.1-mile walk from the Grossmont Trolley station […]