From Lewis Villegas — A Great Work at 53

Among the first 10 books I was assigned to read at the start of my career in architecture this one still stands as the odd ball. Fifty three years after its publication I return to its pages to highlight and debate its most important points. I have found recently that although Death and Life is much talked about, its principal thesis and ground-breaking assertions are not read much less understood. The book opens with crushing salvo and an enormous boast: Read more: A Great Work at 53 | lewisnvillegas

Jan Gehl says that #Vancouver's @granville_isle is the best example of all his principles of life between buildings. pic.twitter.com/cvkM09V39G
— Brent Toderian (@BrentToderian) February 8, 2014

From Reurbanist — Pedestrians or Drivers: Who is More Important?

In planning retail and mixed use environments, it is important that we accommodate for all modes of travel. Studies have shown that there is a tendency among retailers to overestimate the volume of customers arriving by vehicle, and underestimate the numbers arriving by other modes. Combined with the significant infrastructure costs required to accommodate cars, this perception has historically led to strategically poor investments in road improvements and municipally subsidized parking garages. Read more: Pedestrians or Drivers: Who is More Important? | Reurbanist

RT @bponsot: Which American municipalities have filed for bankruptcy? http://t.co/Zl1Jx7mYVt | pic.twitter.com/zYgtSZoyg1

— TheSidewalkBallet (@1sidewalkballet) February 8, 2014

Your brain after a 20 min walk; why walking to school is linked to academic performance. http://t.co/elybCQFrFf pic.twitter.com/QmCu0foTWW

— jennifer keesmaat (@jen_keesmaat) February 6, 2014

From Planetizen — #Sneckdowns: Nature's Street Safety Pilot Project

It's hard to imagine how the wintry mess blanketing cities across midwest and northeast could improve street safety. But recent snows provide one benefit being touted by safety advocates: temporary curb extensions or "neckdowns" caused by snow banks. Having trouble convincing local officials or neighbors that curb extensions or "neckdowns" can improve pedestrian safety without taking necessary space away from vehicles? Maybe all you need is a good snowstorm, so that "nature's tracing paper" can create a temporary, but educational, snowy neckdown–or "sneckdown". Read more: Sneckdowns: Nature's Street Safety Pilot Project | Planetizen: The Urban Planning, Design, and Development Network

Vancouver Cycle Chic: Another adorable video http://t.co/iABgQVcjhb

— pricetags (@pricetags) February 5, 2014