Public Policy
The many local governments in the Washington region take actions every day that affect our downtowns and neighborhoods and the quality of life in our cities and counties. Greater Greater Washington writes about the public policies that influence our region and how they promote (or prevent) a growing, inclusive region with walkable urban neighborhoods.
Many different types of public policy influence where and how people live, work, and play. Education, which is one of the biggest reasons people choose a place,can help ensure the success of the next generation. And the environment is vital to preserving a livable region for our descendants.
Public safety and social justice issues affect how people of different backgrounds interact in our public places and whether people feel welcome. Health, food, and jobs are all vital parts of making our region thrive. And our governments make many budgetary and fiscal decisions that shape all of this.
-
Lunch links: Events and freeways
Mr. Metro Map; Soccer will be in the circle; Freeway pushers pressuring Arlington; Costs, questions for Beltway HOT lanes; Americans support restrictions for safer driving; Freeway danger I; Freeway danger II; Route 1’s bike lake. Keep reading…
-
What should DC do with Walter Reed?
The District government has received many proposals from government agencies and non-profits for redeveloping 62.5 acres of the 113-acre Walter Reed campus in northern DC. In 2005, the Pentagon decided to relocate the Walter Reed Army Medical Center to the campus of the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda. Last year, the State Department selected 18 acres on the west… Keep reading…
-
Breakfast links: Thumbs up
Bike bits; Metro morsels; More pipes breaking in the future?; Gated alleys?; SeePostFix; And…; Thanks, Mike!; Bike and charge. Keep reading…
-
Live chat with Christopher Leinberger
Welcome to our live chat with Christopher Leinberger, “Metropolitan Land Strategist,” developer and author. Keep reading…
-
The cul-de-sac’s one redeeming quality: Spaces for children
My wife and I both grew up on cul-de-sacs.* These popular elements of 20th-century housing subdivisions have come under considerable criticism. However, there’s a lot we can learn from their biggest success: providing safe and visible spaces for children to play largely unsupervised. We’ve discussed the flaws of the cul-de-sac before. By limiting street connections… Keep reading…
-
Share the road, because the sign is blocking the path
Besides closing park bike paths at dark for the safety of cyclists, the Montgomery County Park Police have taken another interesting approach to promoting cyclist and pedestrian safety. Keep reading…
-
Breakfast links: George and his town
Will it be George?; Georgetown endorses streetcars, mostly; “Complete Streets, incomplete BRAC”; Gray better with Twitter, except on policy; On the rails; Federally; Narrow streets yourself. Keep reading…
-
On the calendar: WMATA capital budget, Christopher Leinberger, outdoor play, Met Branch Trail, Daniel Burnham
There are a lot of big events coming up in the next few days. In brief: There’s a WMATA hearing on the capital budget tonight. Tomorrow we’re hosting a live chat with Christopher Leinberger, and in the evening, there’s Montgomery County panel on building urban spaces that allow children to play. Saturday is a party for the Met Branch Trail. And next Wednesday,… Keep reading…
-
Owner of H Street tunnel not so eager for streetcars
In April, DDOT presented an exciting plan to run the planned H Street streetcar through an existing tunnel under the H Street “Hopscotch” bridge. However, one obstacle still stands in the way of that vision: the current owner of the tunnel, Potomac Development Corporation. The current tunnel runs under the H Street bridge and the Amtrak tracks, and is about the width… Keep reading…
-
Breakfast links: Site debate
Strategic areas for tall buildings?; Gas station worse next to community pool or Metro?; Fix it; More Council votes; Youth driving less because…; No grocery store since…; DIY subway; And…. Keep reading…