Posts tagged Urban Design
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Breakfast links: Moving On
How much did the shutdown cost Metro?; Huntington development moves forward; Virginia Sq. planning mismatch; Heating plant gets another hearing; Major bike moves in MoveDC; Green paint for bike lanes; Traffic could be worse; Taxi drivers protest credit card fees; And…. Keep reading…
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9 suggestions to change the height limit
Congress is considering whether or not to change DC’s height limit. Here are 9 suggestions that will help the city get the most benefit out of changing (but not eliminating) its height regulations. Keep reading…
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Breakfast links: To the ‘burbs
Wealthy cluster in suburbs after having kids; Biking heads to the ‘burbs; Design places for everyone, not cars; ICC’s broken promises; Tea Party challenges streetcar supporter’s voting rights; More mall at Pentagon City?; Metro back to pre-shutdown normal; New online information hub for DC transportation; And…. Keep reading…
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Reflective surfaces can brighten Metro stations
Many complain that Metro’s subway stations aren’t bright enough, but they’re surprisingly not that dim compared to other systems. Better surfaces can ensure that the limited lighting available is used more effectively without altering Metro stations’ iconic appearance. Which of these stations do you think is better lit? This one in Vancouver:… Keep reading…
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DC planners want height limit that’s targeted, not blunt
The DC Office of Planning (OP) suggests replacing the blunt citywide height limit with more targeted rules that would slightly increase heights downtown, and give DC the option to allow taller buildings elsewhere. Under the proposal, the existing federal height limit would only apply to the L’Enfant City, and would change to allow modestly taller buildings. Elsewhere,… Keep reading…
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Design for pedestrians, not cars in Glenmont
A long-awaited redevelopment could finally bring new housing and retail to Glenmont. But to create a urban, walkable environment around the Metro station, the Glenmont Metrocentre project needs to be designed for pedestrians, not cars. Keep reading…
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Metro stations should be more individual
Metro stations can be dull. Not only are many stations dirty and underlit, they all look the same. What would it be like if WMATA used color and decorations to make it easier for users to navigate the system and the city? Keep reading…
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Pop-ups may look weird, but they’re OK
This 5 story pop-up rowhouse at 11th and V Streets, NW has gotten a lot of negative press. DCist and PoPville had nothing kind to say about it. And while it’s undeniably a silly-looking thing, it’s not actually bad. In fact, from an urbanist perspective, it’s good for the city. First, a bigger building will allow more people to live in a core city neighborhood. Keep reading…
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Issue with Silver Spring apartment plan is design, not height
Neighbors in downtown Silver Spring say a proposed 11-story apartment building is too tall for the area. But as the project goes to the Montgomery County Planning Board, whose staff recommend approving the project, there are still problems with the proposal. It’s not the height, but the design of a single, long building instead of two. In 2009, local developer Robert Hillerson… Keep reading…
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Ward 3 Vision
A community coalition pushing for smart growth in the upper Wisconsin Ave corridor (Tenleytown to Friendship Heights) and elsewhere in DC’s far Northwest ward 3. Keep reading…