Comments for CUNY Institute for Sustainable Cities Blog http://blog.cunysustainablecities.org Weblog for the CUNY Institute for Sustainable Cities: urban sustainability, history, planning and innovation Mon, 20 Dec 2010 16:55:38 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 Comment on Bike Lanes Not All Sunshine and Lollipops by Will Sherman http://blog.cunysustainablecities.org/2010/12/bike-lanes-not-all-sunshine-and-lollipops/comment-page-1/#comment-4105 Will Sherman Mon, 20 Dec 2010 16:55:38 +0000 http://blog.cunysustainablecities.org/?p=2314#comment-4105 I don't think your characterization of the city's bike lane policy ("another top-down order with no broad scale citizen support" or else a "necessary evil") is fair or reflective of reality. It's the same dichotomy that the NY Times article is pushing and it ignores all the people who support the pedestrian and bicyclist improvements on their streets. Ben Fried of <a href="http://www.streetsblog.org/2010/11/22/bike-lane-cranks-get-star-turn-in-times-bicycling-feature/" rel="nofollow">Streetsblog</a> succinctly raised this point back in November: "Since the Times piece is mainly about support versus opposition, I found it curious that there was no mention of the only public votes on record regarding bike lanes. Readers won’t come away any wiser about the community board votes in favor of the <a href="http://www.streetsblog.org/2010/05/13/cb-6-votes-conditionally-for-east-side-sbs-endorses-better-bike-lanes/" rel="nofollow">First and Second Avenue lanes</a>, the <a href="http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/12/04/cb4-backs-eighth-avenue-cycle-track/" rel="nofollow">Eighth Avenue lane</a>, the <a href="http://www.streetsblog.org/2009/09/18/bill-thompson-ill-rip-out-bike-lanes-and-review-safer-streets/" rel="nofollow">Grand Street lane</a>, the <a href="http://www.streetsblog.org/2010/06/02/in-close-vote-cb-7-supports-safe-cycling-for-upper-west-side/" rel="nofollow">Columbus Avenue lane</a>, or the <a href="http://www.brooklynpaper.com/stories/32/20/32_20_bm_ps_bike_lane.html" rel="nofollow">Prospect Park West lane</a>." I think it's important to think critically about the social process, equity and impact of planning. But more important is finding ways to contribute positively to this broader discussion. In my experience, divisive stories don't really do that. I don’t think your characterization of the city’s bike lane policy (“another top-down order with no broad scale citizen support” or else a “necessary evil”) is fair or reflective of reality. It’s the same dichotomy that the NY Times article is pushing and it ignores all the people who support the pedestrian and bicyclist improvements on their streets. Ben Fried of Streetsblog succinctly raised this point back in November:

“Since the Times piece is mainly about support versus opposition, I found it curious that there was no mention of the only public votes on record regarding bike lanes. Readers won’t come away any wiser about the community board votes in favor of the First and Second Avenue lanes, the Eighth Avenue lane, the Grand Street lane, the Columbus Avenue lane, or the Prospect Park West lane.”

I think it’s important to think critically about the social process, equity and impact of planning. But more important is finding ways to contribute positively to this broader discussion. In my experience, divisive stories don’t really do that.

]]> Comment on PlaNYC 2.0 is seeking your input by CUNY Institute for Sustainable Cities Blog » Climate Change News Roundup http://blog.cunysustainablecities.org/2010/10/planyc-2-0-is-seeking-your-input/comment-page-1/#comment-3076 CUNY Institute for Sustainable Cities Blog » Climate Change News Roundup Fri, 03 Dec 2010 20:25:42 +0000 http://blog.cunysustainablecities.org/?p=1891#comment-3076 [...] community conversations for the update of PlaNYC was announced. For more on the update process see my post on PlaNYC 2.0. The schedule for upcoming meetings [...] [...] community conversations for the update of PlaNYC was announced. For more on the update process see my post on PlaNYC 2.0. The schedule for upcoming meetings [...]

]]> Comment on PlaNYC 2.0 is seeking your input by CUNY Institute for Sustainable Cities Blog » Planning the Menu for NYC’s Food Future http://blog.cunysustainablecities.org/2010/10/planyc-2-0-is-seeking-your-input/comment-page-1/#comment-3047 CUNY Institute for Sustainable Cities Blog » Planning the Menu for NYC’s Food Future Thu, 02 Dec 2010 18:28:13 +0000 http://blog.cunysustainablecities.org/?p=1891#comment-3047 [...] few weeks ago, Nathan posted an entry about the update to PlaNYC2030, New York City’s long term sustainability plan. Every four [...] [...] few weeks ago, Nathan posted an entry about the update to PlaNYC2030, New York City’s long term sustainability plan. Every four [...]

]]> Comment on Authors by Urban Agriculture Skillshare « DoTank:Brooklyn http://blog.cunysustainablecities.org/authors/comment-page-1/#comment-2641 Urban Agriculture Skillshare « DoTank:Brooklyn Mon, 22 Nov 2010 17:55:59 +0000 http://blog.cunysustainablecities.org/#comment-2641 [...] farming) and Seedbombing (guerilla beautification of abandoned lots). Carina Molnar from CUNY Institute for Sustainable Cities partnered with DoTank:Brooklyn to make the event a [...] [...] farming) and Seedbombing (guerilla beautification of abandoned lots). Carina Molnar from CUNY Institute for Sustainable Cities partnered with DoTank:Brooklyn to make the event a [...]

]]> Comment on NJ Governor Kills Commuter Rail Tunnel to NY by After Effects of ARC Tunnel Cancellation — Cityphile http://blog.cunysustainablecities.org/2010/11/nj-governor-kills-commuter-rail-tunnel-to-ny/comment-page-1/#comment-2513 After Effects of ARC Tunnel Cancellation — Cityphile Wed, 17 Nov 2010 17:45:58 +0000 http://blog.cunysustainablecities.org/?p=2038#comment-2513 [...] Sacco on losing tax revenue when a McDonald’s was torn out to make room for the ARC tunnel, which isn’t happening. November 17th, 2010 Tagged:ARC Tunnel, New Jersey, North Bergen Share: tweetmeme_style = [...] [...] Sacco on losing tax revenue when a McDonald’s was torn out to make room for the ARC tunnel, which isn’t happening. November 17th, 2010 Tagged:ARC Tunnel, New Jersey, North Bergen Share: tweetmeme_style = [...]

]]> Comment on Kayaking New York’s Newest Superfund Site by Kayaking in Newtown Creek — Cityphile http://blog.cunysustainablecities.org/2010/11/kayaking-new-york-citys-newest-superfund-site/comment-page-1/#comment-2493 Kayaking in Newtown Creek — Cityphile Tue, 16 Nov 2010 18:53:40 +0000 http://blog.cunysustainablecities.org/?p=2114#comment-2493 [...] City waterway, but not my first Superfund site, just the most visibly vile and I loved it. I took some photos and wrote a bit about the experience over at the CUNY Institute for Sustainable Cities blog, where I’m [...] [...] City waterway, but not my first Superfund site, just the most visibly vile and I loved it. I took some photos and wrote a bit about the experience over at the CUNY Institute for Sustainable Cities blog, where I’m [...]

]]> Comment on Taxi Sharing Begins in NYC by Taxis: The New Frontier of Sustainable Transportation | TheCityFix.com http://blog.cunysustainablecities.org/2010/02/taxi-sharing-begins-in-nyc/comment-page-1/#comment-2460 Taxis: The New Frontier of Sustainable Transportation | TheCityFix.com Mon, 15 Nov 2010 20:27:23 +0000 http://blog.cunysustainablecities.org/?p=1270#comment-2460 [...] more fuel- and space-efficient, and wheelchair accessible. The city has also been pushing for taxi sharing, an initiative where a cab drives two or three riders for a set fare of a few dollars between [...] [...] more fuel- and space-efficient, and wheelchair accessible. The city has also been pushing for taxi sharing, an initiative where a cab drives two or three riders for a set fare of a few dollars between [...]

]]> Comment on Superfund, Super-Fun by CUNY Institute for Sustainable Cities Blog » Kayaking New York’s Newest Superfund Site http://blog.cunysustainablecities.org/2010/09/superfund-super-fun/comment-page-1/#comment-2306 CUNY Institute for Sustainable Cities Blog » Kayaking New York’s Newest Superfund Site Wed, 10 Nov 2010 05:38:18 +0000 http://blog.cunysustainablecities.org/?p=1805#comment-2306 [...] an interesting time in the life of Newtown Creek. Earlier this fall, it was officially designated a Superfund site to remediate a history of pollutants, including an oil spill three times bigger [...] [...] an interesting time in the life of Newtown Creek. Earlier this fall, it was officially designated a Superfund site to remediate a history of pollutants, including an oil spill three times bigger [...]

]]> Comment on The Food Revolution 2.0 by Alex Hanson http://blog.cunysustainablecities.org/2010/07/the-food-revolution-2-0/comment-page-1/#comment-1902 Alex Hanson Fri, 22 Oct 2010 18:07:39 +0000 http://blog.cunysustainablecities.org/?p=1587#comment-1902 Thanks Haven. It looks like you are on the right track with your website. There are a whole bunch of resources out there that look specifically at technology and social change. I just wrote a piece on Rachel Botsman who coauthored a book called <a href="http://collaborativeconsumption.com/" rel="nofollow">What's Mine is Yours: The Rise of Collaborative Consumption</a>. You might start there. Just doing a search on "technology and social change" will yield tons of results. While I'm no expert in the subject, I fully believe that the potential for technology to form real, lasting social connections is being realized as we speak. It is great to see that organizations such as yours are participating in this movement. Thanks Haven. It looks like you are on the right track with your website. There are a whole bunch of resources out there that look specifically at technology and social change. I just wrote a piece on Rachel Botsman who coauthored a book called What’s Mine is Yours: The Rise of Collaborative Consumption. You might start there. Just doing a search on “technology and social change” will yield tons of results.

While I’m no expert in the subject, I fully believe that the potential for technology to form real, lasting social connections is being realized as we speak. It is great to see that organizations such as yours are participating in this movement.

]]> Comment on Green Infrastructure in the City by CUNY Institute for Sustainable Cities Blog » CISC in the News http://blog.cunysustainablecities.org/2010/10/green-infrastructure-in-the-city/comment-page-1/#comment-1671 CUNY Institute for Sustainable Cities Blog » CISC in the News Tue, 05 Oct 2010 14:33:07 +0000 http://blog.cunysustainablecities.org/?p=1816#comment-1671 [...] gross). There is of course more to it than this, but that is the basic idea. On a related note, see yesterday’s post about green infrastructure and the Newtown Creek Water Treatment facility–all of this is [...] [...] gross). There is of course more to it than this, but that is the basic idea. On a related note, see yesterday’s post about green infrastructure and the Newtown Creek Water Treatment facility–all of this is [...]

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