Demolished Bluemeyer public housing project in St. Louis. by Paul Sableman licensed under Creative Commons.

The problem with demolition. Pedestrians step up to fight climate change and traffic violence. A potential environmental disaster.

Something other than demolition: For half a century, cities like St. Louis felt that demolition was the best way to solve urban ills. But according to writer Tony Nipert, this can result in another type of displacement through neglect. And solutions that include rehabilitation could result in later demolition if actions aren’t taken to get people into those homes. (Tony Nipert | NextStL)

Pedestrians take action: Responding to the climate crisis and increases in traffic violence, two shadowy groups have emerged in England and Los Angeles to take matters into their own hands. In Los Angeles, a group has created crosswalks and safety fixes without permission. In England, activists have targeted SUVs by deflating tires with dried lentils in 13 cities. (Dan Kois | Slate)

Utah’s potential environmental disaster: Because of farming and residential watering, not enough water flows to the Great Salt Lake so the salinity moves higher, killing off the ecosystem that includes brine shrimp. And when the lake dries out, the heavy metals at the bottom will be blown up into the air and into the cities of the Wasatch Front creating a public health catastrophe. (Christopher Flavelle | New York Times)

Let’s end traffic stops with speed limiters: In July, the European Union will require that all new vehicles have GPS-based limiters that follow local speed guidelines. Writer Angie Schmitt wonders if that future is possible in the United States, whose population might be culturally opposed to such an intervention, even if it means saving lives. (Angie Schmitt | Planetizen)

Repurposing a plaza: Using risk terrain modeling in Dallas, the Child Poverty Action Lab and Better Block set up a plaza in a location that has a high risk for gun violence. The plaza will now host basketball tournaments, be a place where neighborhood kids can come for summer camp activities, and host a back-to-school festival at the end of summer. (Matt Goodman | D Magazine)

Quote of the Week

“Portland residents own the city’s right of way and are entitled to compensation from businesses that use the right of way to generate profits. If the city allows anyone to use the right of way without compensation, Portland residents would effectively subsidize profits made by companies.”

Jillian Schoene, who oversees the Portland Office for Community Technology in Willamette Week discusses how the city wants to change utility fees for use of the public right of way.

This week on the podcast, St. Paul developer Johnny Opara, of JO Companies, and Lea Hargett, principal of Jog Associates, talk about programs that support developers of color, why Opara got into development, and the barriers people of color face in the market.