Breakfast links: Building communities

Neighborhoods reflect disparities

As the US has become more stratified, so have its neighborhoods. Poor, economically segregated neighborhoods disadvantage their residents, overwhelmingly African-American, depriving them of resources and opportunity. Can new policies turn the tide? (NYT)

DC’s first mixed-income redevelopment

20 years after a public housing project in Capitol Hill was torn down, residents and activists reflect on what made its replacement a success. The mixed-income project reconnected streets and blended in, but did not replace all the low-income units. (Post)

Placemaking builds community

Recent research reveals that temporary events such as Park(ing) Day have impacts that outlast the event itself, as they help build relationships between organizers and empower the local community. (Streetsblog)

Trolley Trail connected

New construction will fill gaps in the Rhode Island Avenue Trolley Trail, connecting Hyattsville, Riverdale Park, and College Park. The completed trail will provide a safer alternative to Route 1. (Gazette)

Public-private partnerships hit roadblocks

Throughout DC, a group led by Ralph Nader has been delaying public-private partnerships, calling them giveaways to developers. Meanwhile, a Purple Line PPP could save taxpayers 20%. (Post, WBJ)

A glow-in-the-dark bike path

A UK company has developed a phosphorescent bike path treatment that captures sunlight and re-radiates it at night, reducing the need for external lighting.  (Atlantic Cities, Rob O.)  (Tip: Rob O.)

Demand, meet supply

Slowing population growth following the boom in apartment construction is expected to lead to decreasing rents over the next two years. (Post)

And…

Another person was beaten by a mob along the Metropolitan Branch Trail. (Post) … Denver tech companies claim protected bike lanes are crucial to attracting workers. (Streetsblog) …  DC’s ShotStopper gunshot detection and localization system has registered 39,000 shots since its installation in 2005. (Post)