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Planners are struggling to devise a Waukesha bypass route that minimizes damage to wetlands, parks and subdivisions. The planners will spend the next two months narrowing project options — in terms of routes, road widths and designs — for detailed study. The route that planners have spent the most time studying thus far is Meadowbrook Road between Interstate 94 and Highway 59, which is the route local governments mapped in the late 1960s.
By now you may have heard about my “tabletop speech” at the National Bike Summit last week. If you missed the summit or want to relive the excitement, here’s some footage courtesy of Streetsblog SF; it’s a bit jumpy, but that seems entirely consistent with the scene. Continue reading US Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood’s view from atop the table at the National Bike Summit
As population and pollution problems continue to develop in our world, new solutions to existing obstacles must be cultivated. Instead of expanding roads and building more bridges for more cars to congest, we must move to a different standpoint. New Urbanism sets out to make cars a source of secondary or even tertiary transportation in an interactive setting where people can prosper together healthily and ecologically. Getting to work in today’s world involves high levels of stress, and poor use of time, not to mention the virtually eliminated element of social interaction. In a New Urbanistic environment, all amenities are within about 10 minutes of walking distance from either home or work. Roads are hidden behind properties in slow speed alleys, promoting walking, bicycling and other sustainable methods of transportation. In such an environment where social interaction is encouraged and sustainable lifestyles are both implemented and encouraged, a healthy culture can emerge and prosper. New Urbanism, in a small area, brings together people of all age, income, culture, and race, setting a standard of equality among all humans, regardless of background. It is imperative that new ideas such and New Urbanism are explored and provided for people to assess for themselves. In this manner we can move forward as a whole society, leaving no one behind. For more info: This provocative documentary, a regular on the film-festival circuit, examines the history of suburbia and the wisdom of this distinctly American way of life. A post-World War II concept, suburbia attracted droves of people, giving rise to sprawl and all that comes with it — good and bad. How has the environment been affected by this lifestyle, and is it sustainable? Canadian director Gregory Greene dares to ask all the tough questions. Since World War II North Americans have invested much of their newfound wealth in suburbia. It has promised a sense of space, affordability, family life and upward mobility. As the population of suburban sprawl has exploded in the past 50 years, so too the suburban way of life has become embedded in the American consciousness. Suburbia, and all it promises, has become the American Dream. But as we enter the 21st century, serious questions are beginning to emerge about the sustainability of this way of life. With brutal honesty and a touch of irony, The End of Suburbia explores the American Way of Life and its prospects as the planet approaches a critical era, as global demand for fossil fuels begins to outstrip supply. World Oil Peak and the inevitable decline of fossil fuels are upon us now, some scientists and policy makers argue in this documentary. The consequences of inaction in the face of this global crisis are enormous. What does Oil Peak mean for North America? As energy prices skyrocket in the coming years, how will the populations of suburbia react to the collapse of their dream? Are today’s suburbs destined to become the slums of tomorrow? And what can be done NOW, individually and collectively, to avoid The End of Suburbia? DVD Features: Vintage short films “In The Suburbs” and “Destination Earth” 2006 Bronze WorldMedal at New York Festivals International Television Programming and Promotion Awards Chris Award at The Columbus International Film and Video Festival Environmental Vision Award at the Putnam County Film & Video Festival Gold Ribbon Finalist (Documentaries and Public Affairs) from The Canadian Association of Broadcasters |
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