"Zoning rules could save retail corridors."

Charlestown Road between Klerner and Silver?

Zoning rules could save retail corridors, by John Conti (Pittsburgh Trib)

 ... Most of these corridors were built up in the wave of suburban expansion in the 1950s. There's been little in the way of zoning rules to guide their development, and they've always been characterized by visual disorder.

Buildings are set back irregularly, sometimes close to the street, sometimes not. Sometimes at angles, sometimes not. It's possible to find a quaint church adjacent to a used-car lot; a one-story, mid-'50s, drive-in bank next to a brick yard. Often, you can still see a lonely remaining house, misguidedly built close to what was once a quiet country road, now turned into an insurance agency and flanked by something like an Arby's on one side and a McDonald's on the other.

Landscaping is infrequent, sidewalks nonexistent, pedestrians totally unwelcome. Crossing these streets on foot is perilous. The car traffic moves fast, except at rush hour, when it sometimes doesn't move at all ...

Jeff Gahan simply cannot fathom the principled Pittsburgh approach to complete streets.

Consider this a ready-made platform plank for the Baylor for Mayor campaign.

Mayor Peduto Issues Complete Streets Executive Order #StreetsforAllPeeps

PITTSBURGH, PA (April 10, 2015) Mayor William Peduto today announced the City’s commitment to adopt a complete streets policy for Pittsburgh’s public rights of way.

The Mayor issued an Executive Order calling on the City Planning Director to work with all city departments, authorities and agencies to develop a complete streets policy and framework to guide the design, construction, maintenance, and use of the city’s public rights of way.

The policy will impact streets, sidewalks and other critical pieces of infrastructure used every day in the city by those of all ages and incomes, and those with disabilities, whether by driving, walking, bicycling, using public transportation, or providing emergency services.

“Investing in smart, multimodal transportation infrastructure is among the greatest needs facing Pittsburgh, and will not only support economic growth, but the health and safety of everyone in the city. Through complete streets policies and programs we will commit to the quality design and maintenance of rights of way, and further mark Pittsburgh as a leader in 21st Century planning,” Mayor Peduto said.
The Executive Order issued today signaled the city’s commitment to guide investments in transportation infrastructure in ways that benefit all residents, businesses and visitors sustainably and intelligently.

“As Pittsburghers, we use our streets more than any other public asset of the city,” said Planning Director Ray Gastil. “The complete streets approach is about working together to make this shared property work better for the people who use our streets and rights of way every day.”

The policies are meant to assist all those using streets, sidewalks and other rights of way — of every age, need, or type of travel — and are supported by a wide range of advocates.

(click through to read the executive order)

"Cities across the country have been electing mayors who understand one of the keys to growing a city is having equitable transportation policies that work for all people."

As JeffG pithily notes:

From Pittsburgh we get "We're reworking the whole place". From far smaller and easier New Albany we get "Can't move some temporary booths".

Watch the video here: Pittsburgh's Mayor Peduto Wants to "Leapfrog" Your City in Bicycling & Livability (Streetfilms). The introductory text follows.

Are you optimistic or pessimistic about the future as it pertains to a progressive program like this one?

Mayor Bill Peduto is putting the rest of the United States on notice. His city is on the rise and he fully intends on implementing bicycling, walking and complete streets policies that enhance and make his city more attractive to young talent and business. For the first time in over half a century, Pittsburgh is expecting an increase in residents as the trend in the number of people moving back to cities grows.

In September, the ProWalk ProBike ProPlace conference took place in Pittsburgh and the energy of the city was on display as was Mayor Peduto, who was very active at the event. The hope local advocates have for the mayor is apparent as Pittsburgh has implemented its first true protected bike lanes downtown and is looking to create a more multi-modal city that more fairly balances transportation modes.

When talking with the Mayor it's immediately obvious how well-versed in urbanism and the history of cities he is. Even so, he went on a study tour with The Green Lane Project to experience some of the best bicycling in Denmark this past summer.

Our interview with Mayor Peduto touches on quite a few topics of Streetfilms' audience will love. There is a real momentum: cities across the country have been electing mayors who understand one of the keys to growing a city is having equitable transportation policies that work for all people.

A theory of river towns, civic assets and underperformance.

It's remarkable how at various points in their lives, New Albanians glance around them and remark, "well, we're just a dirty ol' river town, and things will never change here."

Seems Aaron Renn has heard it, too. Bluegill recommended this essay, and it's a stimulating read. It may actually be less of "it's in the water" than bad habits learned during two hundred years of practice.

On the Riverfront, by Aaron Renn (Urbanophile)

Thursday I took a look at my “Cincinnati conundrum,” namely how it’s possible for a city that has the greatest collection of civic assets of any city its size in America to underperform demographically and economically. In that piece I called out the sprawl angle. But today I want to take a different look at it by panning back the lens to see Cincinnati as simply one example of the river city.

There are four major cities laid out on an east-west corridor along the Ohio River: Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Louisville, and St. Louis (which is not on the Ohio River, but close enough. I’ll leave Memphis and New Orleans out of it for now). All of these are richly endowed with civic assets like Cincinnati is, having far more than their fair share of great things, yet they’ve all been stagnant to slow growing for decades.