http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Topic: Next time someone says George Street is 'arterial' en Fri, 22 May 2026 04:32:23 +0000 http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15075#post-192528 Sat, 04 Jul 2015 19:20:13 +0000 chdot 192528@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"I'd guess that American mayors are more powerful and better funded than our councils"</p> <p>Local Gov is done differently (other countries too). Money and power help, but greater autonomy helps a lot. </p> <p>"</p> <p>The city operates with a commission-based government guided by a mayor and four commissioners as well as Metro – the only directly elected metropolitan planning organization in the United States.[11] The city government is notable for its land-use planning and investment in public transportation.[12] Portland is frequently recognized as one of the most environmentally conscious or "green" cities in the world because of its high walkability, large community of bicyclists, expansive network of public transportation options and 10,000+ acres of public parks.[13]</p> <p>"</p> <p><a href="https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portland,_Oregon" rel="nofollow">https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portland,_Oregon</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15075#post-192524 Sat, 04 Jul 2015 19:00:13 +0000 Rosie 192524@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Janette Sadik-Khan now goes about giving talks about urban transformation. There has been quite a bit of movement in the USA, partly through her influence. I'd guess that American mayors are more powerful and better funded than our councils. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15075#post-192521 Sat, 04 Jul 2015 18:55:06 +0000 chdot 192521@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"A bit of ruthless political will"</p> <p>Indeed!</p> <p>See related thread -</p> <p><a href="http://www.citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15083" rel="nofollow">http://www.citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15083</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15075#post-192515 Sat, 04 Jul 2015 18:48:15 +0000 Rosie 192515@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>For anyone who wants to find out more about the transformation of Times Square the traffic commissioner's Janette Sadik-Khan TED talk is a good place to start. A bit of ruthless political will. </p> <p><a href="http://hurryupharry.org/2014/01/08/re-imagining-the-streets/" rel="nofollow">http://hurryupharry.org/2014/01/08/re-imagining-the-streets/</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15075#post-192395 Fri, 03 Jul 2015 09:02:16 +0000 neddie 192395@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>That's totally awesome. Didn't know they had done that. If only they could do the same at Leith St as well. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15075#post-192390 Thu, 02 Jul 2015 23:17:04 +0000 Wilmington's Cow 192390@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Ask them what they think about the transformation of freakin' Times Square.</p> <p>Yes THAT Times Square...</p> <p>(spotted on Twitter)<br /> <a href="https://flic.kr/p/vvth9K"><img src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/459/19367847011_1be089846b.jpg"></a><a href="https://flic.kr/p/vvth9K">Recently Added-87</a> by <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/blackpuddinonnabike/">Anthony Robson</a>, on Flickr</p> <p>Article in the <a href="http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/fb74f4a0-2cde-11e3-a0ac-00144feab7de.html#axzz3em6LoEFv">FT from 2013</a> about it.</p> <p>Selected quotes:</p> <p>"Wouldn’t banning cars mean the end of the frenetic energy that gave Manhattan its edge?"</p> <p>"The changes have been hailed a success by business owners, residents and tourists. “You can actually look up at the lights of the city without being hit by a car now,” said one visitor"</p> <p>“None of this would be happening if it was bad for business. The point is that if cities are nicer places to be then more people want to be there – the value of real estate goes up, employment rises and so does investment.”</p> <p>They can do it in TIMES SQUARE in the middle of blinkin' NEW YORK, and yet one street in the centre of Edinburgh that is not, in any way, a proper thoroughfare can't manage it. </p>