National links: Pandemic population decline in center cities reversing

US urban area pandemic population declines reversing. Black and Latino pedestrians and cyclists are more likely to be killed by drivers. Why don’t US developers build larger apartments? The end of the park and ride era in the US.

US urban area pandemic population declines reversing: During the pandemic, population growth declined from reduced immigration and natural turnover. But large cities also saw big population outflows as fear of COVID-19 and proximity grew. New census data analyzed by demographer William Frey, however, suggests that the population declines in cities may have been more of a temporary blip, as many places that lost population are now seeing a reversal to growth. (William Frey | Brookings)

Black and Latino pedestrians and cyclists are more likely to be killed by drivers: A number of studies demonstrate that a dramatic racial disparity exists when it comes to pedestrian safety. Much of this disparity exists because the US has systemically underinvested in safe streets infrastructure in communities of color and invested instead in dangerous roadways. (Adam Paul Susaneck | New York Times)

Why don’t American developers build larger apartments?: Millennials make up more than half the population increase in central city neighborhoods since 2010 but as they grow older and want more space, three-bedroom or larger units are harder to find. The housing shortage has highlighted the lack of affordable housing options in central cities, but recently the discussion has also included why there aren’t enough units larger than two bedrooms. The answer is many regulatory barriers and high land costs. (Rachel M. Cohen | Vox)

The end of the park-and-ride era in America: After World War II, transit agencies trying to find ways to keep office workers riding transit to dense urban centers invented the park-and-ride. Many major transit expansions have included garages in order to entice riders. In the Seattle area, since the pandemic, commuter routes have not recovered their ridership numbers compared to transit routes in the urban core, leaving suburban stations with a glut of parking. If the shift in working from home continues, transit agencies should focus on better service and less on park-and-ride. (Sherwin Lee | Seattle Transit Blog)

Reimagining alleys for drought, floods: Sunland, a neighborhood in Los Angeles, would repeatedly flood after rain storms, clogging streets with debris and keeping people from getting to work and school. But a 2013 neighborhood retrofit that included a new green walkway, bioswales, and permeable pavement has reduced flooding, even during this winter’s massive storms. The project and others like it show how alleys and streets can be used to create a neighborhood benefit and reduce impacts from storms. (Erin Stone | LAist)

Importing small trucks from Japan: Japanese mini-trucks are being imported into the US by farmers and people in rural areas who don’t want to pay $80K for a truck that wouldn’t fit into a barn. Japan taxes vehicles by size and engine displacement annually which has led to a lot of these smaller work trucks and vans. They are still subject to the 25-year import rules but have become a niche solution to an American problem of growing vehicle sizes. (Daniel Knowles | The Economist)

Quote of the Week

“This was FDA’s effort to suggest that there’s not a concern about overall food sanitation and safety if you have a pet dog in an outdoor area. This isn’t FDA saying that restaurants ‘must’ do something or that they ‘cannot’ do something, because it still is the restaurant’s decision.”

Food and beverage lawyer Whitt Steineker in Axios on the FDA’s announcement that it’s ok to have pups dine with you outdoors at restaurants.

This week on the podcast, we’re joined by Andrew Jones, program director for the Uptown and Downtown Oakland Community Benefits District. We chat about urban place management, how urban spaces are taken care of, and what it takes to keep them vibrant and engaging.