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What did I get right? What did I get wrong? What did I miss?
Threading through the 15 things... https://www.sightline.org/2020/04/07/fifteen-thoughts-on-the-coronavirus-and-cities/
Threading through the 15 things... https://www.sightline.org/2020/04/07/fifteen-thoughts-on-the-coronavirus-and-cities/
#1: Far less driving should lead to far less carnage. Will that change how we perceive safety?
~ 40k/yr dead hasn't fazed us for decades. Nor that car crashes are the #1 cause of death for children.
Maybe it starts seeing giant SUVs for what they are? https://www.seattlemet.com/news-and-city-life/2010/08/car-hater
~ 40k/yr dead hasn't fazed us for decades. Nor that car crashes are the #1 cause of death for children.
Maybe it starts seeing giant SUVs for what they are? https://www.seattlemet.com/news-and-city-life/2010/08/car-hater
#1-b: By a 2005 estimate, air pollution from road transpo kills 53,000 people per year in the US -- that's more than the deaths from crashes.
Also, low-income people tend to be more exposed to road pollution, and that exposure increases COVID-19 risk. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/07/climate/air-pollution-coronavirus-covid.html
Also, low-income people tend to be more exposed to road pollution, and that exposure increases COVID-19 risk. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/07/climate/air-pollution-coronavirus-covid.html
#2: Early data show 1/3 of US workers shifted to telecommuting. THAT'S HUGE! Small drops in car trips can bring big drops in congestion.
But won't new car trips fill the telecommute gap thru induced demand?
And won't trips saved by telecommutes come out of transit, not driving?
But won't new car trips fill the telecommute gap thru induced demand?
And won't trips saved by telecommutes come out of transit, not driving?
#2-b: The move toward telecommuting and online everything will boost the co's that build/sell that tech e.g. Amazon, Google, Microsoft. That means even more jobs coming to downtown Seattle, which could offset trips reduced by telecommutes. Also, ongoing high demand for housing.
#3: The collapse is crushing renters, revealing the housing insecurity they always have. A third of US tenants didn't pay April rent, and May will be worse!
We need to give renters cash now and we need to keep giving it to low-income people post-crisis. https://www.sightline.org/2020/03/27/cash-benefits-after-coronavirus/
We need to give renters cash now and we need to keep giving it to low-income people post-crisis. https://www.sightline.org/2020/03/27/cash-benefits-after-coronavirus/
#4: Tim Harris @RealChangeNews says the Seattle area is doing more for the homeless now than it has in the 4 years since electeds declared a homeless emergency.
The crisis shows that it's our will, not our capacity holding us back from helping people. https://www.realchangenews.org/2020/04/01/it-took-pandemic-create-emergency-response-we-ve-needed-all-along?fbclid=IwAR3TZCVzX-NXBrO6lvQC6FAEzJ54N6wVAf_Pz-d9T46QVE4kMQTvB9rKONo
The crisis shows that it's our will, not our capacity holding us back from helping people. https://www.realchangenews.org/2020/04/01/it-took-pandemic-create-emergency-response-we-ve-needed-all-along?fbclid=IwAR3TZCVzX-NXBrO6lvQC6FAEzJ54N6wVAf_Pz-d9T46QVE4kMQTvB9rKONo
#5: Post housing bubble for couple years the only cranes in the sky in Seattle were for affordable housing projects by non-profit developers.
If cities prepare, the slowdown of private building can open opportunities for affordable projects, and keep people employed too.
If cities prepare, the slowdown of private building can open opportunities for affordable projects, and keep people employed too.
#6: Housing abundance creates resilience in a crisis. We need flexible rules that give people options.
A doctor decided to quarantine herself from her family by living in an RV parked in their driveway, but that’s illegal essentially everywhere. https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2020/04/02/mo-doctor-buys-camper-live-protect-family-coronavirus/
A doctor decided to quarantine herself from her family by living in an RV parked in their driveway, but that’s illegal essentially everywhere. https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2020/04/02/mo-doctor-buys-camper-live-protect-family-coronavirus/
PS #3:
Housing is also healthcare.
PS #5:
“At some point Congress will turn to a stimulus package. There will be a need to stimulate the economy, and constructing affordable housing is a great way to do that.” https://www.fastcompany.com/90487625/the-coronavirus-is-exposing-how-vital-stable-housing-is-to-health-care
Housing is also healthcare.
PS #5:
“At some point Congress will turn to a stimulus package. There will be a need to stimulate the economy, and constructing affordable housing is a great way to do that.” https://www.fastcompany.com/90487625/the-coronavirus-is-exposing-how-vital-stable-housing-is-to-health-care
#7: One big reason for the housing shortage is the cost of building new homes has risen faster than incomes. The current decimation of income makes it all the more urgent to cut development costs.
Modular is promising, plus it's flexible in a crisis: https://blokable.com/news/quarantineunit/
Modular is promising, plus it's flexible in a crisis: https://blokable.com/news/quarantineunit/
#7-b: Local gov'ts can help by cutting fees and approval delay for homebuilding.
Seattle may be inadvertently helping: its design review public process uselessly adds time and cost, but the shutdown has forced it to revert to internal review by staff. https://www.theurbanist.org/2020/04/03/digital-design-review-aims-to-keep-housing-pipeline-flowing-during-covid-crisis/
Seattle may be inadvertently helping: its design review public process uselessly adds time and cost, but the shutdown has forced it to revert to internal review by staff. https://www.theurbanist.org/2020/04/03/digital-design-review-aims-to-keep-housing-pipeline-flowing-during-covid-crisis/
PS #6: @nytimes' new manifesto for building a better America post-crisis:
"Zoning laws that limit residential development in the very areas where good jobs are most abundant are one of the most important structural obstacles to a more integrated nation." https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/09/opinion/coronavirus-inequality-america.html
"Zoning laws that limit residential development in the very areas where good jobs are most abundant are one of the most important structural obstacles to a more integrated nation." https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/09/opinion/coronavirus-inequality-america.html
For those just tuning in, the numbers in this ongoing thread are riffing off my 15 observations about how the coronavirus may shape the future of cities, spelled out in this here ditty: https://www.sightline.org/2020/04/07/fifteen-thoughts-on-the-coronavirus-and-cities/
#10: Oakland just "banished" cars from 74 miles of streets, far more than any other US city.
Meanwhile, AFAIK Seattle hasn't taken a single action to make more room for people to walk while social distancing, and just closed major parks for the weekend. https://www.mercurynews.com/2020/04/10/coronavirus-oakland-banishes-cars-from-74-miles-of-city-streets/
Meanwhile, AFAIK Seattle hasn't taken a single action to make more room for people to walk while social distancing, and just closed major parks for the weekend. https://www.mercurynews.com/2020/04/10/coronavirus-oakland-banishes-cars-from-74-miles-of-city-streets/
#10-b: Seattle just announced it will change traffic signal timing to reduce ped and cyclist wait times.
Short crossing wait times are an often overlooked but key ingredient of walkability. Hopefully Seattle will "forget" to ever switch things back. https://twitter.com/seattledot/status/1248762875025465346
Short crossing wait times are an often overlooked but key ingredient of walkability. Hopefully Seattle will "forget" to ever switch things back. https://twitter.com/seattledot/status/1248762875025465346
PS #1: "On Monday, Los Angeles had the cleanest air of any major city in the world."
PS #10: "There’s also a move to deactivate beg buttons."
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/08/opinion/coronavirus-tips-new-york-san-francisco.html
PS #10: "There’s also a move to deactivate beg buttons."
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/08/opinion/coronavirus-tips-new-york-san-francisco.html
#11: Has anyone seen data on how more walking people are doing these days? No doubt Google and Apple could extract that from all their cell data.
Fun fact about walking:
"Time spent walking, then, is utterly free. It’s time you would have spent dead." https://www.sightline.org/2006/04/19/dead-man-walking/
Fun fact about walking:
"Time spent walking, then, is utterly free. It’s time you would have spent dead." https://www.sightline.org/2006/04/19/dead-man-walking/
#14: Another big factor in whether the crisis spurs climate action is lack of unity caused by tribalism, and, surprise, surprise:
"One of the strongest predictors of social distancing behavior is attitudes toward climate change." https://www.vox.com/2020/4/10/21216216/coronavirus-social-distancing-texas-unacast-climate-change
"One of the strongest predictors of social distancing behavior is attitudes toward climate change." https://www.vox.com/2020/4/10/21216216/coronavirus-social-distancing-texas-unacast-climate-change
#10: Good update on the many cities around the world that are turning their streets over to walkers and bikers.
Still nothing yet from Seattle. @seattledot? https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/apr/11/world-cities-turn-their-streets-over-to-walkers-and-cyclists
Still nothing yet from Seattle. @seattledot? https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/apr/11/world-cities-turn-their-streets-over-to-walkers-and-cyclists
#9: Online everything aka the "digital transformation" means more cloud. Tech hubs like Seattle can expect even more tech hiring and an ongoing housing squeeze. https://www.cio.com/article/3533993/doubling-down-on-digital-transformation-during-the-coronavirus-pandemic.html
#13: @emilymbadger on the devastation of transit wrought by the coronavirus that will play out for years:
"And so what is likely to happen to transit will be a long second blow to the people currently bearing the brunt of the coronavirus crisis."
"And so what is likely to happen to transit will be a long second blow to the people currently bearing the brunt of the coronavirus crisis."
#13-b: "Scooter sharing companies like Lime and Bird, which were booming, have suffered potentially fatal blows."
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/04/11/business/economy/coronavirus-us-economy-spending.html
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/04/11/business/economy/coronavirus-us-economy-spending.html
#3: "Pope Francis, noting that the widespread suffering caused by the global coronavirus pandemic does not fall evenly, suggested that the crisis warranted the establishment of a universal basic income." https://www.americamagazine.org/faith/2020/04/12/easter-message-pope-francis-proposes-universal-basic-income
#9: What happens in Vegas... ain't gonna happen online.
Not that gambling casinos need anyone's sympathy, but it's just one example of how humans like to be around lots of other humans and share experiences in realspace. https://www.wsj.com/articles/in-las-vegas-coronavirus-job-losses-could-double-those-of-2007-09-recession-11586433601
Not that gambling casinos need anyone's sympathy, but it's just one example of how humans like to be around lots of other humans and share experiences in realspace. https://www.wsj.com/articles/in-las-vegas-coronavirus-job-losses-could-double-those-of-2007-09-recession-11586433601
#9: The spinach is working:
Amazon has "added 100,000 jobs and are adding 75,000 more, to help meet customer demand and assist existing employees fulfilling orders for essential products." https://blog.aboutamazon.com/company-news/amazons-actions-to-help-employees-communities-and-customers-affected-by-covid-19?linkId=86409329
Amazon has "added 100,000 jobs and are adding 75,000 more, to help meet customer demand and assist existing employees fulfilling orders for essential products." https://blog.aboutamazon.com/company-news/amazons-actions-to-help-employees-communities-and-customers-affected-by-covid-19?linkId=86409329
#1 and #6: Air pollution exposure increases risk of COVID-19. Low-income people are more likely to live near the main pollution source: highways. Part of that is environmental racism, but part is zoning that bans apartments everywhere but on busy roads. https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/491508-coronavirus-patients-in-areas-with-high-air-pollution-more-likely
#3: Seattle and King County teamed with the United Way to offer cash assistance to renters who've lost income in the crisis and earn <50% of area median. There's $5 million for ~2,000 renters, which is $2,500 each, one time.
This, but much much more. https://southseattleemerald.com/2020/04/10/united-way-of-king-county-unveils-rental-assistance-program-for-those-impacted-by-covid-19/
This, but much much more. https://southseattleemerald.com/2020/04/10/united-way-of-king-county-unveils-rental-assistance-program-for-those-impacted-by-covid-19/
#13: Good stuff by @humantransit:
"The goal of transit, right now, is neither competing for riders nor providing a social service for those in need. It is helping prevent the collapse of civilization. What’s more, transit has always been doing that." https://www.citylab.com/perspective/2020/04/coronavirus-public-transit-subway-bus-ridership-revenue/609556/
"The goal of transit, right now, is neither competing for riders nor providing a social service for those in need. It is helping prevent the collapse of civilization. What’s more, transit has always been doing that." https://www.citylab.com/perspective/2020/04/coronavirus-public-transit-subway-bus-ridership-revenue/609556/
