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.
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iPhone App Review: Find A Metro DC
Between maps, trip planning, bus and train predictions, and more, it takes a number of apps to bring the full range of transit information to an iPhone user’s fingertips. Find A Metro DC aims to correct this by bringing everything together in one place. I currently use DC Metro for the system map and next train info, HopStop for trip planning, NextBus mobile site for MetroBus… Keep reading…
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The only thing we have to fear is a summit at the Convention Center
On Monday, April 12 and Tuesday April 13, fifty heads of state will convene at the Convention Center for the Nuclear Security Summit hosted by the State Department. The Secret Service will cordon off numerous streets around the Convention Center, creating significant traffic jams, forcing the rerouting of numerous bus lines and subjecting residents of the adjacent… Keep reading…
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New technologies provide alternatives to overhead wires
Opponents of overhead wires have been frequently referring to new technologies that provide alternatives to wires. I invited Monte Edwards to elaborate on the state of streetcar technology so that we can better understand and evaluate these possibilities. – David Construction is underway in DC for a 37-mile streetcar system. While fundamental planning and routing… Keep reading…
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Breakfast links: Future of the suburbs is transit
Suburban walkable places the future?; Pound foolish; Transit “poison pill” still not dead; Washington Circle of Death; Small steps for safety; Leaning house of Shaw; Nextboooooos?. Keep reading…
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What’s green and fun in the spring? A Greenbelt bike tour, a Dupont green festival, and bike fundraisers
Greater Greater Washington is organizing a bike tour of Greenbelt on Sunday, April 18. We’ll be starting at 1:30, and the tour should run about 3 hours or so. Keep reading…
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Breakfast links: Making the connection
Anti pantograph?; More traction for Fair Share; Stay away from the Convention Center; Hans and the Gaithersbungle; Posting stats boosts safe driving; Tour buses and annoyances are back; And…. Keep reading…
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“Clybourne Park” raises gentrification’s tough questions
If you enjoy Greater Greater Washington, you should go see Clybourne Park, if for no other reason than it might be your only chance for a long time to see a play whose second act starts with a debate over the zoning definition of “frontage.” Fifty years separate the two acts of Clybourne Park, playing at the Woolly Mammoth Theatre until April 17th. The first, in 1959,… Keep reading…
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Montgomery, Prince George’s officials endorse Fair Share
County Councilmembers and state delegates from Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties sent letters to Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley asking him to allocate funding for Metro sufficient to stop service cuts, as FairShareForMetro.com has been urging. The Prince George’s County Council and state legislative delegation both sent letters from their… Keep reading…
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Poll finds residents want more transit, like Metro
A new Washington Post poll shows large majorities of residents favor transit expansion and are generally pleased with the quality of Metro. 62% of respondents said the region should focus its resources on “providing more public transportation options, such as trains or buses,” while 30% favored “expanding and building roads” (question 16). Residents… Keep reading…
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Breakfast links: We like Mike
Too many Michael Browns; 2 bus drivers arrested; Mt. P library patrons not going quietly; Water taxis?; Silly merchants; Sillier merchants; Our brains make no sense. Keep reading…