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Latest Streetbeat covers the capstones for @nyu_journalism, permitting for both @VitalCityNYC and @CityLab, capital reform for @nycfuture, and lots more (incl. my cat). Enjoy!
John Surico
52.7K posts
John Surico
@JohnSurico
Cities + their discontents. Prof-alum @nyu_journalism. Climate guy @nycfuture. Columnist @VitalCityNYC. Writing a book w/@StreetPlans. Chair @31stAveOS. Allora!
- One crazy paradigm I think about a lot is the one where older people constantly talk about how they used to play in the street all the time, but then are unable to connect the dots as to why that's not a thing anymore.
- Replying to @JohnSuricoThis is particularly significant b/c that street play is inexplicably connected to generational nostalgia, and, ultimately, happiness. They're always positive memories, and not having them now is casted off as this modern error. Which it is—but not for the reasons they think.
- EVERY CONVERSATION ABOUT CONGESTION PRICING I'VE HAD ON LONG ISLAND: Person: Did you hear they're going to start charging people to enter Manhattan? Me: Yes, it's called congestion pricing. Person: That's unbelievable! Me: Do you drive into Manhattan? Person: Oh, never!
- In this last year, New York City has done 3 things that seemed impossible not too long ago: - Congestion pricing - Zoning reform - Start of trash containerization All with an indicted mayor and unpopular governor. This will be taught in public policy classes for years to come.
- Folks, Fifth Ave in Manhattan shut down to traffic for the holidays is *such* a sight.
00:00 - A very American phenomenon: restaurants that put up photos like this of pedestrianized streets in Europe, even though they’re fought tooth and nail when suggested here.
- I can't believe I'm saying this, but the most visible person standing up to Trump's policies in government right now is New York's governor, Kathy Hochul.
- This is the crux of why transportation conversations go so awry—people conflate cars and traffic with people, even though overwhelmingly car = 1 and traffic = pass-thru. More traffic doesn't equal more business; actually, it tends to flatten foot traffic and discourage people.American gives a New York City “Congestion Report” after Democrats started their new congestion pricing in Manhattan It’s now a literal ghost town….. This is going to DESTROY businesses and the people living there, just like residents said it would This is at 9:13am (WOW)
00:00 - So out of *everything* in NYC's budget, you had to cut the program that gives low-income New Yorkers the opportunity to ride public transit at half cost, in the middle of a severe recession? Really? There was nothing else? Honestly just curious.
- There’s this insane phenomenon happening on New York’s streets right now where loads and loads of more people are cycling and walking, but the cars are getting bigger and more reckless, and those two patterns are colliding in just jaw-dropping ways.
