good traffic

Live from the move from Tempe, Arizona to Columbus, Ohio: noting constant roadway maintenance, contextualizing intercity v. intracity transportation, and looking forward to getting out of this car. Also, just a tad bit of CNU Cincy FOMO.

Steve Nash — NBA hall-of-famer and founder of BLOCK training — is in good traffic to chat on the concept of healthspan, and how quality of life and neighborhood design interconnect. We talk baking mobility and movement into everyday life, training intentionally, and stacking habits in a scalable way. Steve shares the framework and ethos behind his current endeavors with BLOCK, and origins in mobility training during his playing days and childhood. Culdesac founder Ryan Johnson is also back on the show this week — he shares perspective on building walkable places in the U.S. that prioritize the health and habits that Steve champions. We discuss: 00:00 Steve Nash and Ryan Johnson are in good traffic. 00:58 Healthspan definitions and pillars. 03:18 Healthspan in daily life. 04:28 The role of walkable communities in enhancing healthspan. 05:04 Moving from hall-of-fame pro athlete to founder of BLOCK training. 07:11 On the daily eight’ health habit builder. 18:08 The community element of BLOCK training. 25:42 Reflections on movement, mental health, and longevity. 29:16 Stress and coping mechanisms in professional sports. 32:39 How Steve Nash led through physical touch in the NBA. 41:03 Political polarization and walkable neighborhoods in the U.S. 57:05 Reflecting on walkable commutes. Further context: BLOCK training, Steve’s current project. Healthspan, explained. Some Steve Nash highlights, for good measure. The study on Steve leading the NBA in physical touches with teammates. Connect with Steve: On Instagram. On LinkedIn. On Twitter. Connect with Ryan: On LinkedIn. On Twitter. Connecting with me, Brad: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠On Instagram.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠On TikTok⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠On LinkedIn⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Aly Marchant — my transit-taking girlfriend and a good traffic regular — is back for a walkthrough of being a women on public transportation. She shares recent challenges, protocols to help avoid and navigate uncomfortable situations, our collaboration towards mitigation as a couple, the role of young men, and optimism for female riders. For context: ⁠Gender distribution of public transit travelers in the United States (via Statista).⁠ Connecting with me, Brad: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠On Instagram.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠On TikTok⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠On LinkedIn⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Expanding highways and adding lanes doesn't solve traffic. If it did, the cities that have been doing so for decades would have fixed their traffic woes. But, they're worse than ever. Through the continuously misguided approach to transportation, we've learned a lot about the principle of induced demand, and Jevons paradox. In short, when we increase capacity in the name of efficiency, what we actually increase is demand and use. Thus, efficiency actually goes down. What if we were to induce the demand for other methods of transportation? With more and better bike infrastructure, would we not see a rise in those biking? Paris has done just this, and it is working. Biking has now passed driving in the city, as a means of transportation. Your move, *insert name of American city*. For context: A great walkthrough on why expanding highways doesn't solve traffic (via Business Insider). Increased roadway capacity induces additional vehicle miles traveled in the short-run, and even more in the long-run (via National Center for Sustainable Transportation). Shots of the Salt River Shore and Rio Salado Pathway in Phoenix, Arizona (via AllTrails). Connecting with me, Brad: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠On Instagram.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠On TikTok⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠On LinkedIn⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

This week, we briefly touch base on three prevailing sentiments, from recent comment sections: There is a massive difference between a personal lifestyle choice, and a scalable development pattern. Folks seem to think the only kind of real estate or housing that one can buy is a detached, single-family home on a large lot. Of course, this is not true. "Not everyone wants to live in a city!" Yes, correct. Just as not everyone wants to live in any specific place. Yet, more people live in cities than anywhere else (>80% of the U.S. population (via Census.gov, UMich)). We need to plan, design, and build accordingly. We also reflect on a weekend trip spent walking Salt Lake City neighborhoods, and observing positive infrastructure improvements amidst a sprawling metro. One note: in this episode, we referenced episode 29, in conjunction with recent comment sections. We meant episode 28. Catch up on that audio here. For context: On Salt Lake City bike infrastructure improvements (via The Salt Lake Tribune). A new SLC bus stop + buffered bike lane, approaching an intersection. A protected intersection, in downtown Salt Lake City. A UTA train pic (underrated, and greatly enjoyed). Connecting with me, Brad: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠On Instagram.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠On TikTok⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠On LinkedIn⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Dan Burden — America’s most legendary walkability and bikeability expert, and director of innovation at Blue Zones — is in good traffic to share a lifetime’s worth of work on making cities and streets more livable. He’s played a role in walkable design projects in thousands of communities, in all 50 states. Dan is also the mastermind behind the 4,300 mile long TransAmerica bike route, and leader of the famous bike journey from Alaska to Argentina. We discuss: 00:00 Dan Burden is in good traffic. 00:45 Dan’s first autonomous vehicle (Waymo) ride. 04:06 Biking into a career in urban planning and design. 13:35 Getting tapped to be the nation’s first bike and pedestrian coordinator… in Florida. 18:50 Walkability gaining momentum in American cities. 36:33 The three stages of cultural bike adoption. 37:38 Maintaining optimism throughout a long career in city planning. 43:37 Planning for the future of urban transportation. 52:35 Navigating political and social landscapes in city building. 01:00:37 Urban planners are storytellers. 01:12:22 Reflecting on a 50+ year career. For content: Biking across the U.S., thanks to Dan. Dan’s work archive. Blue Zones. Connecting with Dan: On LinkedIn. Connecting with me, Brad: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠On Instagram.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠On TikTok⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠On LinkedIn⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Megan Kimble — Journalist and author of new book City Limits: infrastructure, inequality, and the future of American highways — is in good traffic to discuss the most infamous part of our cities. Megan contextualizes the current fight over the widening of I-35 through downtown Austin, navigating a freeway-crazed Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), and extensive research into the relationships between American cities and their highways. We talk the history, present struggles, and future ramifications of investing in auto-centric infrastructure. Megan’s new book is out today, April 2nd, wherever you buy your books. We discuss: 00:00 Megan Kimble is in good traffic. 01:34 Urbanist origin story: Tucson to Austin. 03:24 Texas' current highway expansion fights (in Austin, Dallas, and Houston). 05:08 I-35 expansion in Austin. 08:33 Funding transit vs. highways in Texas. 11:31 Grassroots movements and state decisions. 17:56 The case for removing urban highways. 19:41 Model highway removal projects in Rochester, New York. 27:09 More on Tucson urbanism. 29:55 The racial context of American highways. 35:49 A walkable collegiate commute in Tucson. 37:34 Where to find Megan’s new book. For context: Megan’s book — City Limits: infrastructure, inequality, and the future of American highways — out now. On Austin’s current I-35 challenge. Connect with Megan: On Twitter. On Instagram. Connecting with me, Brad: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠On Instagram.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠On TikTok⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠On LinkedIn⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Using the word suburb to describe both small towns and endless sprawl seems like a mistake. Small towns — even when on the periphery of a larger city — sometimes do gentle density even better than cities do. Sprawl is the beast that we are up against. We also touch on the misconception that cities and growth are bad for the environment, and why the rural v. urban debate is a false polarization. A common enemy is involved. We round out this week’s good traffic by listening to republican governor of North Dakota (recently flirted with as a potential Trump VP pick) Doug Burgum’s recent comments on zoning and walkability at the National Governors Association winter meetings. Many other (perhaps unsuspecting) political figures have shared similar sentiments, as of late. The short of it: republicans and conservatives have plenty of reasons to support walkability and urbanism, too. 00:00 The subcategories of suburbs: small towns and sprawl. 09:30 The false tension between rural and city, and why we may be on the same page. 15:28 Walkability is bipartisan; republican leaders are in favor. For context: Doug Burgum on walkability (via National Governers Association). How much does a mile of road cost? (via Strong Towns). The cost of sprawl in U.S., summarized (via California YIMBY). Kansas City’s outsized land area growth, as compared to population growth, in the mid-1900s (via Strong Towns).

Maddy Novich — @cargobikemomma on Instagram — is in good traffic this week to talk raising and transporting a family by bike. Maddy moves throughout New York City daily via one of her many cargo bikes. We discuss the relationship between parenting and car-reliance in the U.S., and how parents can begin replacing car trips with bike trips sooner than they might think. In the episode, you might just find your next minivan. Hint: it's not a Honda Oddessey. We discuss: 00:00 Meeting Maddy, @cargobikemomma. 02:01 How and why Maddy's family started biking everywhere. 06:03 How to gain confidence on a cargo bike or e-bike. 11:21 Cargo biking in different American cities. 14:54 The deeply-rooted relationship between parenting and cars. 27:25 Biking inspires independence, autonomy, and self-sufficiency in children. 29:22 Biking with kids in New York City. 33:08 How parents benefit from their kids biking. 34:46 Preventing e-bike theft using routine activity theory. 43:09 Bike and cargo bike recommendations. 48:58 Wrapping up. For context: On routine activity theory (via Simply Psychology). Different styles of cargo bikes (via Momentum Mag). Connecting with Maddy: On Instagram, @cargobikemomma. Maddy's newsletter. Connecting with me, Brad: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠On Instagram.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠On TikTok⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠On LinkedIn⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Corey Woods — Mayor of Tempe, Arizona — is in good traffic while leading a walkable, healthy, and multi-generational college town, suburb, and rapidly-growing city, all at the same time. We converse on the beauties and challenges of density, tourism, and different forms of transportation in one of the United States’ most underrated cities. Notably, we touch on Prop 478, which is on the table (in March 2024) to positively amend the Tempe General Plan 2050 to empower needed real estate development and more multimodal transportation (bikes, light rail, streetcar, etc.). We discuss: 00:00 How one becomes a mayor. 04:25 Why Tempe, Arizona? 07:42 Working alongside a university and college campus to plan a walkable city or town. 09:24 Growth and longevity of a city, and understanding differing viewpoints on change. 12:36 On Prop 478 and the Tempe General Plan 2050. 21:47 Urbanism and walkability in Tempe. 27:11 Planning for the seasonality of a college town. 30:48 Regional collaboration for transportation and development in Phoenix. 33:57 Balancing tourism and resident needs. 36:00 Mayor Woods loves kombucha. 36:43 Tourism’s role in economic development. 40:13 A mayor's day-to-day. 45:30 Widening the urban planning and urban design community. 53:49 Wrapping up. For context: On Prop 478, and the Tempe General Plan 2050. Mayor Woods’ re-election campaign. Connecting with Mayor Corey Woods: On Instagram. On X. Connecting with me, Brad: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠On Instagram.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠On TikTok⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠On LinkedIn⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠

Interest in cults is extremely high, at the moment; Americans' Netflix and podcast queues suggest as much. Why are these notorious communities always so walkable and human-centered in their designs? Can we create community-oriented places without another, separate shared purpose? Aly Marchant - actor, teacher, and my thought-provoking girlfriend - is back in good traffic for a conversation on the cultural zeitgeist. Even Oppenheimer gets a mention on this urban design show.

Mallory Baches — President of the Congress for the New Urbanism (or, CNU), and urban designer — is in good traffic to hash out the details of the New Urbanism movement, and the overall progression of urban design, urban planning, and urban development in the U.S. We discuss: 00:00 On Mallory, and the Congress for the New Urbanism (CNU). 04:10 How have urbanism and urban development evolved in the U.S.? 04:43 What is a “congress” for urbanism? 06:06 A background on new urbanism. 08:36 The history and criticism of the New Urbanist movement, and of urban planning movements as a whole. 15:53 On transit-oriented development, and density, in the U.S. 21:06 Southern urbanism: walkable cities in the Sun Belt and American south. 29:12 Selecting cities for an urban planning and design conference. 34:15 A commute into Chicago. A couple of quotes: “Sprawl is continuing. And so 30 years later, [CNU’s] mission to reverse that trend is still as important as ever.” “We call ourselves a Congress and we talk about intentionally being based on the idea of debate, exploration, and critique where necessary. That sort of approach to understanding cities is fundamentally evolutionary in nature. “The idea of connecting transit with new development — transit-oriented development, transit-accessible development — there are a lot of acronyms, a lot of ways to describe the idea of designing your mass transportation systems and your higher intensity development to happen in conjunction with each other.” For context: On New Urbanism. On CNU (the organization). On CNU 32 in Cincinnati, Ohio (the annual conference). Connecting with Mallory: On LinkedIn. On Twitter. Connecting with me, Brad: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠On Instagram.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠On TikTok⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠On LinkedIn⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠

A Columbus Dispatch article recently came out discussing why suburbanites aren't visiting the mixed-use Short North neighborhood as often. It prompts the question: should we be depending on suburban residents for the success of our city neighborhoods (especially when they have to drive there)? Or, should we be recalibrating the conversation around density and increased residency in/around these neighborhoods? In this vein, we touch on Minneapolis' recent progress (via Pew) in deploying the urbanism playbook. A hint: they're doing a great job. Connecting with me, Brad: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠On Instagram.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠On TikTok⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠On LinkedIn⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠

Mr. Money Mustache — a leading voice on financial freedom, prolific writer, and conscious craftsman — is in good traffic to survey the impractical costs of cars, ways to cut down on unnecessary expenses, and how to create more environmentally friendly, livable urban spaces. MMM actionably advocates for forging a lifestyle that centers essentials, better transportation options like biking and walking, and conscious choices toward lowering waste. We discuss: 00:00 At the intersection of personal finance and urban design. 05:45 The personal finance of our transportation choices. 11:17 Frugality in today's economic climate. 14:48 The role of government in urban planning. 20:56 Individual and community financial responsibility. 27:02 Passive housing and sustainable building. 33:47 Incentivizing transportation choices. 35:39 The cost of car dependency and the freedom of bikes. 45:33 Embracing localized living. 48:55 Walking commutes and the luxury of time. Connecting with MMM: The blog. On Instagram. On Twitter. Connecting with me, Brad: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠On Instagram.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠On TikTok⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠On LinkedIn⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠

Dr. Tayana Panova — a psychologist focused on the long-tailed effects of American suburbs and sprawl — is in good traffic to talk the X of urbanism (or lack thereof) and psychology. Dr. Panova summarizes how American urban and suburban design over the last century has had profound effects on our mental, social, and physical wellbeing. She centers the need to reshape people in our urban environments; making them more walkable and conducive to human connections. Tayana also previews her upcoming book, which further studies these points. We discuss: 00:00 Dr. Tayana Panova is in good traffic. 00:44 The intersection of psychology and urbanism. 01:59 The state of youth psychology in a suburbanized nation. 02:27 Perceptions of the suburbs. 06:35 Technology molds psychology… especially cars. 10:00 The impact of car dependence on our minds. 12:35 The concept of control in urban planning. 15:38 The freedom paradox. 20:32 Shaping POV, via travel. 28:24 A pure joy found in walkable spaces. 29:47 The relationship between urban design on mental health. 35:36 A suburban dilemma. 42:44 Room for improvements. 49:15 The joy of commuting in well-designed cities. Further context: ⁠⁠Writings, at the Social Life Project.⁠⁠ Connect with Dr. Panova: ⁠On TikTok.⁠ ⁠On Twitter.⁠ Connecting with me, Brad: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠On Instagram.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠On TikTok⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠On LinkedIn⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠

Ryan Johnson — CEO and founder of Culdesac — is in good traffic, amidst building the first car-free neighborhood in the United States, in Tempe, Arizona. We talk the evolution of American neighborhoods, working with cities instead of against them, and the future of mobility beyond private car ownership. Ryan also speaks on the potential pathways to living car-free, as well as the math, places, and ebikes that enchant those paths. Appropriately, we’re live from the new good traffic studio at Culdesac Tempe, in Tempe, Arizona. We'll be live from the site all Spring. We discuss: 01:40 What it’s like to actually live in the first car-free neighborhood in the States. 02:49 The widely supported importance of walkable neighborhoods. 03:40 The unique physical fabric of Culdesac. 04:07 The evolution of housing in the U.S., and the need for betterment. 05:47 The decision to build in Tempe, Arizona as a proving ground. 08:28 The role of cities (like Tempe) in supporting housing. 10:44 The value of usable space in urban design. 12:45 More on car-free living. 17:25 Routing the trajectory of American urbanism. 20:12 Ryan’s journey to living car-free in multiple cities and countries. 21:57 Taking a Lyft from Phoenix to Sedona, and the perception of rideshare as a formidable and affordable transportation option. 23:49 The cultural adoption of autonomous vehicles and rideshare as norms. 29:44 Ryan’s ebike collection, and inviting new folks on rides. 32:28 A memorable commute in Rio de Janeiro. Further context: Views from the growing neighborhood. Culdesac.com, for more. Connecting with Ryan: ⁠⁠⁠On LinkedIn. On Twitter. Connecting with me, Brad: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠On Instagram.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠On TikTok⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠On LinkedIn⁠⁠.⁠

There's been a mixed and varying reaction to scooters in our cities (even amongst urbanists). With Bird's recent bankruptcy — following a whirlwind few years — it's an interesting time to take stock of our cultural opinion of micromobility as a whole. Did the unregulated, wild-west-esque attempt at democratizing micromobility actually set us back in gaining public support for new ways of moving around the American downtown? A side note: we just moved — we're now live from Culdesac Tempe. Connecting with me, Brad: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠On Instagram.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠On TikTok⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠On LinkedIn⁠⁠.⁠

Jonathon Stalls — A walking artist, and leader of Pedestrian Dignity and Intrinsic Paths — is in good traffic (by way of Denver, CO) to talk the power of human mobility and transportation’s most foundational form: walking. Jonathon adds a poetic and expressive element to the inanimate and harsh likes of pavement, engineering, and cities at large. His storytelling is unrivaled in its ability to convey the realness and rawness of human movement in our American cities, outside of the automobile. We discuss: 00:44 The walking artist. 07:33 The Pedestrian Dignity project. 09:20 The impact of urban planning on the accessibility of places. 17:46 The contentious relationship between cars and accessibility. 23:54 Group walks with the Denver DOT, city leaders and engineers, and dosing actionable empathy. 32:34 The bus experience. 33:17 Perception problem with buses in the U.S. 34:31 The weight of dignity in transportation. 34:48 The built environment is often so rough and rigid. 35:46 The sensorial perspective in urban planning. 41:02 Walking and movement, with neuroscientific supports. 44:15 Walking across the U.S., and other long-distance walking experiences. 46:19 Walking as a creative and healing practice. 54:04 Urbanism in Denver, Colorado. 01:03:17 Engaging with Pedestrian Dignity. Further context: Jonathon's book: WALK - Slow Down, Wake Up & Connect at 1-3 Miles Per Hour. Small-town walkability precedent: Long Beach, Washington. America Walks. Connecting with Jonathon: ⁠⁠On TikTok.⁠⁠⁠ On Instagram.⁠⁠ Intrinsic Paths. Jonathon's Patreon. Connecting with me, Brad: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠On Instagram.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠On TikTok⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠On LinkedIn⁠⁠.

Jon Jon Wesolowski — The Happy Urbanist, content creator, and Chattanooga community leader — is in good traffic for a conversation about the conversation itself. Jon Jon is the most effective creator of entry-level, accessible urbanism content. He's bringing in new ears and minds at a rapid rate, and the collective is better because of it. We also talk the upward trajectory in Chattanooga, as well as recent worldwide travels. We discuss: 04:32 Urbanism in media. 08:13 Experiencing urban infrastructure firsthand, as a classroom. 09:09 Things cars broke. 13:26 Recent European family travels, car math, and derived insights for Tennessee. 17:20 The Happy Urbanist: Jon Jon’s bet on optimism. 18:07 Creating engaging urban planning content. 19:10 A video about guardrails, and other accessible entry points into the conversation. 28:39 The charm of Chattanooga, Tennessee: a burgeoning walkable city. 29:11 The potential of a city like Chattanooga. 32:22 Economic versus environmental benefits of urbanism. 37:54 The anarchist story of Athens, Greece. 48:00 Historical urban narratives: Athens and Ljubljana. 49:02 A commute in Athens. Further context: On guardrails. Things cars broke (on Instagram). The Chattanooga Urbanist Society. When anarchy intersects with urbanism, in Athens, Greece.⁠ Connecting with Jon Jon: ⁠On TikTok. ⁠On Instagram.⁠ Connecting with me, Brad: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠On Instagram.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠On TikTok⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠On LinkedIn⁠⁠.

Coby Lefkowitz — developer, writer, urbanist, and tweeter — is in good traffic to discuss the longstanding distrust of the big, bad developer in the urbanism conversation, and how partnership (versus vilification) is the pathway to building better places. Coby is the Founder of Backyard — a development group focused on gentle density in great American cities. We discuss: 01:43 Getting into urban development as a twenty-something. 06:57 Contextualizing the role of developers in urban planning. 16:45 What is ‘gentle density?’ 17:03 Coby’s blossoming operation: Backyard. 21:41 The importance of simple beauty in the built environment. 25:23 Successful examples of gentle density and missing middle housing development across the U.S. 30:56 The art of creating simple beauty in urban planning and real estate development. 36:27 The challenge of housing affordability. 41:31 On upzoning. Further context: Backyard (Coby's operation). Gentle density and optimism in Charleston, SC. Connecting with Coby: On Twitter. Coby's homepage. Connecting with me, Brad: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠On Instagram.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠On TikTok⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠On LinkedIn⁠⁠.