Pedestrianized area's in Manhattan's Herald Square and Times Square will remain permanently closed to auto traffic.
Safety improvements were a major part of the decision to turn the trial program into a permanent city feature, a move that was announced today by Mayor Michael Bloomberg.
"'The bottom line is overall traffic in midtown has improved,' the mayor said.
The report shows that taxi speeds in western midtown increased by 7% since the project began and injuries to motorists and passengers were reduced by 63%. Injuries to pedestrians were reduced by 35%. What's more, the mayor claimed that New Yorkers like the pedestrian areas, which comprise more than two and a half acres of new public space."
Thanks to ArchNewsNow
FULL STORY: Midtown pedestrian mall gets green light

National Parks Layoffs Will Cause Communities to Lose Billions
Thousands of essential park workers were laid off this week, just before the busy spring break season.

Retro-silient?: America’s First “Eco-burb,” The Woodlands Turns 50
A master-planned community north of Houston offers lessons on green infrastructure and resilient design, but falls short of its founder’s lofty affordability and walkability goals.

Delivering for America Plan Will Downgrade Mail Service in at Least 49.5 Percent of Zip Codes
Republican and Democrat lawmakers criticize the plan for its disproportionate negative impact on rural communities.

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Balancing Bombs and Butterflies: How the National Guard Protects a Rare Species
The National Guard at Fort Indiantown Gap uses GIS technology and land management strategies to balance military training with conservation efforts, ensuring the survival of the rare eastern regal fritillary butterfly.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
EMC Planning Group, Inc.
Planetizen
Planetizen
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service