Earlier this week Smart Growth America asked our readers: What makes your neighborhood great? We’re excited to share your responses.
We’ll be asking a new question next week – follow us on Twitter or become a fan on Facebook to join the discussion!
Here are some responses from Facebook:
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And here are some responses from Twitter:
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The Brookings Institution hosted a panel discussion yesterday on the prospect of bus rapid transit (BRT) in the United States and what lessons can be learned from BRT systems currently in place in Latin America.
Unlike a typical bus route, BRT systems generally have exclusive lanes for buses, make limited stops and sell tickets at kiosks rather than on the bus. These strategies keep BRT buses efficient and fast, even in congested traffic. BRT systems provide travelers with the choice of a lower cost, reliable and fast bus service as an alternate to driving by car.
Darío Hidalgo, Director of Research and Practice at EMBARQ, spoke about the organization’s new report on BRT systems in Latin America and Asia. He highlighted the many benefits of BRT, noting that the systems are cost-effective, fast and efficient, move people quickly and more safely and can also alleviate traffic congestion. The concept is also well-suited for big cities and smaller towns alike. In Colombia, capital city Bogotá has an extensive BRT system called the TransMilenio, but the smaller city Pereira, with a population of about 700,000, also makes use of the concept. BRT’s success is so widespread that many cities in Latin America either have BRT systems already or are planning them in the near future.
Last week, we joined dozens of other organizations in urging the U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations to support the interdepartmental collaboration and success of the Partnership for Sustainable Communities.
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Mondays just got a little bit better. Starting this week, Smart Growth America will pose a question to our readers to encourage discussion about smart growth ideas in neighborhoods across America. You can engage in the dialogue by commenting on our Facebook page or through Twitter with @SmartGrowthUSA. If you’re not already a fan or a follower, be sure to sign up so you can participate.
Later in the week, we will compile your responses and post them to our blog – providing a diversity of thoughts and opinions on smart growth issues. We’re excited to hear your stories and share them with all of our readers!
This week’s inaugural question: What makes your neighborhood great?
Ease into your Monday morning with inspiration and practical advice from experts in transforming community streets.
| Daniel Inouye, Chairman U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations United States Capitol, Room S-128 Washington, DC 20510 |
Thad Cochran, Vice Chairman U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations United States Capitol, Room S-206 Washington, DC 20510 |
| Patty Murray, Chair Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing, Urban Development and Related Agencies Dirksen Senate Office Building, Room 133 Washington, DC 20510 |
Susan Collins, Ranking Member Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation Housing, Urban Development and Related Agencies Hart Senate Office Building, Room 123 Washington, DC 20510 |
Dear Appropriations Leaders:
Congress’ decisions about the federal budget can have immense implications for communities across America and their ability to rebuild local economies and improve fiscal stability. As you consider this year’s difficult budget decisions, we, the undersigned group of concerned organizations, urge you to support the federal programs that keep communities strong, healthy and economically vibrant.
Specifically, we urge you to support the Partnership for Sustainable Communities and related grant programs in the FY11 continuing resolution and the FY12 appropriations process.
The Partnership for Sustainable Communities helps community leaders get the most out of each federal or state dollar invested in their neighborhoods. These programs make federal investments go even further by helping local leaders leverage private sector investment, save money in municipal budgets and by helping families save on things like transportation – all while creating jobs. Our organizations strongly support these programs, including:
We acknowledge that this year’s budget decisions are difficult ones and that Congress needs to cut wasteful spending, but the Partnership for Sustainable Communities helps the federal government work smarter. The Partnership is a vital opportunity to effectively coordinate and leverage federal programs for the greatest long-term benefit to our communities. Cutting these programs would be a short-sighted solution to the budget shortfall, and one which would stunt the economic growth of regions currently benefitting from the program.
We urge you to support the Partnership for Sustainable Communities in the FY11 continuing resolution and the FY12 appropriations process.
Sincerely,
| American Institute of Architects American Planning Association American Public Transportation Association American Society of Landscape Architects Apollo Alliance Association of Public and Land-grant Universities Audubon International Center for Community Progress Center for Neighborhood Technology Center for Rural Strategies CEOs for Cities Coalition of Urban Serving Universities Congress for the New Urbanism Denver Housing Authority Enterprise Community Partners Environmental and Energy Study Institute Friends of the Earth Good News Mountaineer Garage Institute for Transportation and Development Policy International Downtown Association League of Rural Voters Local Government Commission Local Initiatives Support Corporation LOCUS: Responsible Real Estate Developers and Investors Low Income Investment Fund Mercy Housing Metropolitan Planning Council National Association of Area Agencies on Aging National Association of Local Government Environment Professionals National Complete Streets Coalition |
National Fair Housing Alliance National Housing Conference National Housing Trust National Resources Defense Council National Trust for Historic Preservation National Wildlife Federation OPAL Environmental Justice Oregon Oregon Public Health Institute Partnership for Working Families PolicyLink Prevention Institute Project for Public Spaces Public Health Law & Policy Quitman County Development Organization Rails-to-Trails Conservancy Reconnecting America RiverStone Health Safe States Alliance Sierra Club Smart Growth America Stewards of Affordable Housing for the Future Strategic Alliance for Healthy Food and Activity Environments The Partnership for Working Families TOD Associates TransForm Transportation for America U.S. Green Building Council U.S. PIRG Upstream Public Health |
cc:
United States Senate Committee on Appropriations
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell
Click here to download a copy of this letter (PDF)
Looking for a way to put your passion for Complete Streets to work this summer? If you’re an undergraduate student or a recent grad based in the DC area, we’d love to have you on our team. Interns are a vital part of our staff, involved in everything from research to strategy to stapling. Our … Continued
Last week, the House of Representatives voted to cut funding for innovative transportation and development programs that help communities across the country build stronger economies, create jobs and provide transportation choices for the 21st century. The Senate will soon be faced with the same decision and we need your help to make sure these crucial programs are preserved for the remainder of the fiscal year.
Speak out for federal support of local smart growth efforts: send a letter to your Senators today.
Among the cuts proposed are funds for the Partnership for Sustainable Communities, an unprecedented collaboration between three federal agencies that helps communities across the country implement their smart growth plans. The Partnership helps community leaders get the most out of each federal or state dollar invested in their neighborhoods. By leveraging private sector investment, saving money in municipal budgets, helping families save on things like transportation and creating jobs, programs like the Partnership for Sustainable Communities make sure federal funds go as far as possible.
There is no excerpt because this is a protected post.