Photo by West Baltimore Squares on Flickr.

Charm City is walkable, too

A Baltimorean reflects on his past year without a car. He lost weight, saved thousands of dollars, and discovered new parks. (via Streetsblog)  

Walking on the dock of the bay

San Francisco approved development plans to turn Parkmerced and Treasure Island into compact, walkable neighborhoods. The projects will add 13,000 housing units to SF. (Arch. Newspaper)  

Jan Gehl explains walkable cities

Design features can make walking more enjoyable. Small store fronts, path twists, and stair landings all reduce the perception of distance. (Streetsblog)  

So. Maryland gets smart about growth

Maryland is seeking comment on its plans for growth and conservation in southern Maryland.  The state sets “priority funding areas” so as not to leave the taxpayer on the hook for sprawl. (Gazette)  

Klein dreams big for Chicago

In an interview, Gabe Klein laid out his plans for Chicago.  Many of the non-automobile improvements, he notes, are relatively cheap to implement. (Chicago Tribune)  

Senate skeptical of ethanol subsidies

The Senate voted symbolically to end ethanol import tariffs and $6 billion in annual corn ethanol subsidies. The fuel, which takes a tremendous amount of energy to produce, also raises food prices. Despite this, the subsidy remains politically popular. (Reuters, CBO, Seattle Times)  

Can cars be “green”?

Despite Sweden’s massive push for “green” cars, the country’s transportation sector has increased its CO2 emissions. (Common Dreams)  

Atlantans warming to rail

A survey commissioned by suburban Cobb County, Georgia, found that residents prefer improved rail connections to Atlanta over highway building. (Atlanta Business Chron.)