EP 231 TODD LITMAN: How to create a paradise out of our own communities worthy of being cherished

[@Acj106]

Another great show

[@ActiveTowns]

Thanks so much for tuning in. Cheers! John

[@DougGrinbergs]

The High Cost of Free Parking (Updated Edition) By Donald Shoup

[@ActiveTowns]

Yep. That reminds me I need to have the Shoup-Dawg back on the Pod

[@David-TX59]

What is really stupid is how often I see apartment's next to a shopping area, but because of a fence or wall the residents still can't easily walk there.

[@JustClaude13]

It's a little appalling when a resident 30 yards from a store has to drive two or three miles to reach it.

[@Shauna-d8r]

This is all too common and very annoying. Most shopping centers are surrounded by walls and fences that make them accessable only from their parking lots.

[@ActiveTowns]

Yep, permeability for people walking and biking is key. I say the same thing about cul-de-sacs, they are wonderful in decreasing motor vehicle volumes for those residents living on that street, but multi-use path permeability opens up a whole new world of active mobility connectivity that can and does prevent car trips. I have lived in and documented several such communities. Thanks so much for watching! Cheers! John

[@sanderdeboer6034]

I have worked in several buildings designed by Alberts en Van Huut who have made the stairs a very attractive way to get from one floor to the next. With build in water features in the railing, nice planting and rock work. The castle in Amsterdam Zuidoost or ‘het kasteel’ is one prime example, that used to be an ING office. I worked there for ING Direct, and they are now turned into apartments, a school and community spaces. I also worked in the old KPMG building in Amstelveen, which has a similar style of architecture. Highly recommend looking up there buildings for inspiration.

[@ActiveTowns]

Cool! Thanks so much for the tips.😀

[@sanderdeboer6034]

I personally always take the stairs if possible, and even had initiated a scheme were colleagues start the day walking to the 9th floor were we worked to get enough exercise. And do the same during lunch break. Here in the Netherlands many people actively choose stairs over escalators all the time. Just visit many train stations to see it happening.

[@ActiveTowns]

Yeah, I do like that about The Netherlands and I have noticed that.

[@vincewhite5087]

Same issues as Trades too. Un paid quotes, fighting to get paid.

[@ActiveTowns]

Yeah, that has to be so frustrating. Not cool at all. Thanks for watching!

[@pavld335]

I always felt bad for my mum who moved from the UK to the US. In the UK she could just walk to the shops, and if she need to go into the centre, she could take a bus or train. When she moved to the states, she had to drive a car and she hated.

[@ActiveTowns]

Yeah, it is especially tough for those who experienced walkability before and then lose it. For those who have never had walking, biking, and taking transit as a legitimate option it can be hard to fathom that such a world exists. Thanks so much for watching and sharing this reflection. Cheers! John

[@JustClaude13]

When I retire I don't plan to age in place. I'm leaving the liberal paradise of California for a grim conservative area. When they decide to build bike lanes they go all in. In Xenia, Ohio you can catch a trail that takes you from Cincinnati almost to Columbus. I've never heard of anything to match that in California.

[@ActiveTowns]

Hehe 🤣 Oh wow! I'll be in Cincinnati in May, I'll have to check out this trail.

[@mplsFietser]

Come to Minneapolis! We have an amazing trail network and a rapidly improving protected bike lane network.

[@mplsFietser]

Plus check out our state and regional trail network.