Land Use
Photo by jennifer yin licensed under Creative Commons
Greater Greater Washington writes about where we live, work, and play, why we make the location choices we do, and what forces shape these places.
Many people would like to live in safe, diverse, walkable neighborhoods with access to transit, stores, parks, good schools, and other amenities. While our region has more walkable urban places than most, the demand still exceeds available housing, making these places more expensive (and prices keep rising rapidly).
We must ensure that there are enough housing choices so everyone who wants to live in such a neighborhood can choose to do so. We should ensure that housing in desirable areas is available to people at many points along the income spectrum, and take action to fight segregation. And we can improve the vitality of all neighborhoods by encouraging new retail and amenities to improve the quality of life for all residents.
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Plan to extend the MBT to Maryland has safety flaws
The Metropolitan Branch Trail is finally being extended to Maryland, but one resident long involved with plans to extend it argues that the current designs should do more to ensure user safety. Keep reading…
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National links: Bike shares nationwide face challenges amid Lyft’s financial struggles
Bike shares face uncertainty as Lyft struggles to rebound from the pandemic. How accessory dwelling units could help seniors age in place. Ithaca hopes to be a model city for emissions reduction. Keep reading…
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Breakfast links: MARC trains one step closer to running through to Virginia, Delaware
MDOT announces plans to extend MARC into Virginia, Delaware. 14th Street Bridge to undergo $90 million in renovations. Amazon applies for $152 million in HQ2 incentives from Virginia. Keep reading…
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Turnback on the clock: How ending the Yellow Line at Mt. Vernon Square will improve headways
Although many are interpreting the turnback as a service cut, this configuration will provide 6-minute headways and more equitable coverage for Green Line riders. Keep reading…
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Sarah Langenkamp’s legacy lives on in Congressional bill to increase federal bike/ped funding
If passed, the bill would end the requirement for municipalities to match federal bike/pedestrian spending dollars and allow the federal government to put more funding directly into those projects. Keep reading…
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Hill Family Biking: New group to organize rides, call for safe streets
A community’s efforts to fill a critical one-block gap in a safe biking network met with limited but intense opposition. Now, a group is forming to encourage families in Capitol Hill to bike together and support safe, inclusive infrastructure. Keep reading…
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Tastee Diner is not Silver Spring’s soul
I wondered why I can’t just give in and enjoy Tastee Diner the same way. One reason is that, for a few reasons, I didn’t go to Tastee Diner much. The other is that to say one diner marks the decline of an entire community is short-sighted. Keep reading…
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Why it’s so hard to build bus shelters in Virginia
Why Virginia bus stop improvements are locked in battles between individual jurisdictions and the Virginia Department of Transportation and other state agencies. Keep reading…
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Breakfast links: WMATA announces changes intended to reduce Metrobus delays
WMATA seeks to reduce Metrobus delays. Arlington has created new affordable housing, but residents cite major maintenance issues. 79 ANC commissioners ask Mayor Bowser to direct traffic camera revenue to road safety projects. Keep reading…
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Open Rock Creek Park to people. Close it to cars.
The case for closing more of Rock Creek Park to cars. Keep reading…