Land Use
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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Then and Now: Georgetown’s Jenkins Market
Residents on the 3000 block of Q Street, NW, have enjoyed a market in their community for over 90 years. Though the modern world tends to favor larger supermarkets, there are many neighborhood markets in Washington that indicate there is still a niche need they fulfill. The property at 3008 Q Street, NW, became a market on February 21, 1919 when the property’s real estate… Keep reading…
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My least favorite streets in DC, part 2
Yesterday, I listed ten of my least favorite streets in DC. Here are the ten that topped the list: 10) Michigan Avenue NW/NE Michigan Avenue is born on a high speed interchange that is an affront to the Park View neighborhood, imposing on its view of the McMillian Reservoir. From there, it separates a hospital center fit for Gaithersburg West from a prime tract of real estate… Keep reading…
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Breakfast links: Transformation
Bike on Penn now; “Glass half full” vs. “frowny inflection”; Tysons transformed! Well, eventually; More ethnic food carts, hooray; Tear down power lines, not flyers; Fenty late to Metro memorial; TOD without ped safety brings tragedy; The “compass crusader”. Keep reading…
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My least favorite streets in DC, part 1
For 30 years, I have been walking, driving, and riding the streets of the District of Columbia. For the most part, they are among the best in the country. But no city is perfect, and DC certainly is no exception. Here are 20 streets that I find to be dirty, ugly, unsafe, traffic-choked, under utilized, or just plain not doing what they are supposed to be doing. I chose to forgo the interstates,… Keep reading…
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Breakfast links: Development chugs along
Tysons advances to next stage; Choices for Marine barracks; Narrower storefronts good, “ironic” or “parody”?; Real-time London train locations; MoCo approves trail over opposition; Bike lane blockers of the day; Do millionaires move for taxes?. Keep reading…
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DDOT ponders four decisions for Klingle Valley trail
DDOT has released the Klingle Valley Trail Environmental Assessment to build a trail through Klingle Valley. For those not familiar with the area, Klingle Valley is the tributary of Rock Creek between Woodley and Cleveland Park, where a former road washed out in 1991 and kicked off a multi-decade debate about whether to build a new road or a trail that was resolved in favor of the… Keep reading…
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Metro stations could get DVD kiosks and trolley tour tickets
What kinds of businesses that don’t serve food would want to pay to open locations in Metro stations? That was the big question when the WMATA Board decided last year not to entertain any bids for food-related retail, even packaged food like frozen dinners that are not geared toward eating on the system. Keep reading…
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Breakfast links: Better or worse?
Flip it; Is Metro safer?; Tysons blown?; TOD or transit-occupying sprawl?; Rail to Richmond and Norfolk, almost; Crash tax?; We’re not a big city?; Petworth getting a market. Keep reading…
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Brunch links: Separated
More arguments on HOT lanes; Video for Vancouver lanes; Bush daughter’s bikes stolen; Ride the Army train; Remove the FDR? Maybe not so crazy?; And…; Recipe for 14th north of CH? A streetcar?. Keep reading…
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Brunch links: Western wires
Student plans Oakland streetcar; Hybrids or electric trolleybuses?; Boycott driving, drill for subways; Stop “careless driving” in New York; Bus driver hits rider; First class bus to NY; Md. agency moving to Metro station; Somewhat urbanism-related quote of the day. Keep reading…