In the premier episode of NPR's special series, "U.S. Commutes: The Way We Get To Work", host David Greene explores the background of the D.C. suburb of Arlington, Va., and how a planning decision in the 1960s was crucial to its vibrancy today.
Arlington County was transformed from a sleepy, car-dependent suburb of the District of Columbia to a vibrant community because of a risky planning decision regarding placement of the Ballston, Washington Metro subway station made half a century ago. "Instead of having a line bypass these nearby Virginia suburbs aboveground, next to a highway, planners decided to run it underground and redevelop the neighborhoods above", writes NPR's Morning Programming Host/Correspondent David Greene. [Listen here].
"I think we were bold at the time, and it has paid off. I can't imagine what this area would be like without it," says Jay Ricks, a former board member in Arlington County.
Arlington is one of those few communities that has seen an increase in population and decrease in traffic, due not only to its relationship with the Metro, but the manner in which it has developed, receiving the 2002 Environmental Protection Agency smart growth award for it. Now it risks being a victim of its own success, according to Arlington resident and EPA employee Lynn Richards, who fears skyrocketing housing prices "could eventually undermine one of the main purposes there — to change a community without increasing traffic."
Robert Brosnan, the county planning chief, expresses pride in the accomplishments of the county, one that draws visitors from abroad (the tape features urban planners from China) to study. When asked by Greene what can be improved, he points to architecture.
"Look at this building. We were ecstatic about that at the time, but you look at it now, you say, 'Oh boy, this is a new city.' It's been developed over the past 35 years. So I think it's a matter of refinement and maturing."
One of the delightful parts of the broadcast is Greene accompanying Arlington resident Becca Bullard on her commute to downtown Washington that involves a smart phone (to check bus arrival time), and "cutting through the bushes" during the rush to a bus stop for her trip to the Metro.
Correspondent's note: According to Wikipedia, Arlington County, "(w)ith a land area of 26 square miles (67 km2), is the geographically smallest self-governing county in the United States, and due to state law regarding population density, has no other incorporated towns within its borders."
FULL STORY: How One D.C. Suburb Set A Gold Standard For Commuting
Depopulation Patterns Get Weird
A recent ranking of “declining” cities heavily features some of the most expensive cities in the country — including New York City and a half-dozen in the San Francisco Bay Area.
California Exodus: Population Drops Below 39 Million
Never mind the 40 million that demographers predicted the Golden State would reach by 2018. The state's population dipped below 39 million to 38.965 million last July, according to Census data released in March, the lowest since 2015.
Chicago to Turn High-Rise Offices into Housing
Four commercial buildings in the Chicago Loop have been approved for redevelopment into housing in a bid to revitalize the city’s downtown post-pandemic.
Google Maps Introduces New Transit, EV Features
It will now be easier to find electric car charging stations and transit options.
Ohio Lawmakers Propose Incentivizing Housing Production
A proposed bill would take a carrot approach to stimulating housing production through a grant program that would reward cities that implement pro-housing policies.
Chicago Awarded $2M Reconnecting Communities Grant
Community advocates say the city’s plan may not do enough to reverse the negative impacts of a major expressway.
City of Costa Mesa
Licking County
Barrett Planning Group LLC
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Mpact Transit + Community
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
City of Universal City TX
ULI Northwest Arkansas
Town of Zionsville
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.