On September 30th, the volunteer-based, tactical urban design group BetterBlockKC transformed a parking lane into what we’re calling a “Mobility Lane”. This mobility lane is a parking and cinder block protected two-way cycle track constructed for bicyclists, scooters, skateboards, and other forms of micro mobility transportation. BetterBlockKC did this by moving the existing parking lane…
Readers: The following post is written by a new guest contributor who asked to remain anonymous. If you are interested in reading more about this subject, or more from this author, please let us know! The undeniable connection between transportation mobility (or lack thereof) and poverty has been studied and confirmed over and over. From…
Anyone interested in the future of cities is paying close attention to the rapid development and proliferation of autonomous vehicle technology. Autonomous vehicles are poised to radically alter how people move around, redefining the entire concept of personal mobility, and even transforming the form and function of our cities. The most immediate and dramatic impacts…
Penn Valley Park is not achieving its full potential today, but several specific improvements can enhance its use and better connect its neighbors. The following proposals represent a collaborative effort by designers/Downtown residents Arpit Balhara, Jihee Chung, Alyssa Parsons, and Thomas Morefield. Just a mile from the heart of Kansas City’s central business district, Penn…
A few days ago a curious curvy concrete curb appeared at the northwest corner of 13th and Baltimore. This particular concrete curb is curious for a few reasons. First, it is curious that the curb appeared in the first place. This recently rebuilt corner was new and functional and generally getting along as a normal…
This week something unusual happened in Columbus Park. For the first time in a very, very long time, the City paid attention to a sorry, empty, overgrown, four block chunk of the neighborhood that lies between 3rd and 5th Streets, and between Campbell and Gillis. This attention came in the form of a declaration from…
Over the past few years, a combination of infrastructure investments, new development, and entrepreneurial energy is revitalizing Rosedale and contributing to Kansas City’s urban renaissance. Since moving to the Rosedale over two years ago, I’ve witnessed a transformation that is quickly accelerating. This is the first post of a series highlighting the improvements as well as some…
Urban Angle’s Cheers and Jeers is an ongoing look at the best and worst of our urban environment, celebrating those who are making a difference, large or small, and kindly encouraging those who should do better. Do you have an amazing or terrible or amazingly terrible place to share? Let us know in the comments,…
Study after study and case after case have shown walkable communities improve the health of not only their people but also their environment. They also create a heightened sense of community, decrease crime, and encourage economic development. Despite this awareness, Kansas City is still failing to recognize the importance of walkability. It is true that…
Urban Angle’s Cheers and Jeers is an ongoing look at the best and worst of our urban environment, celebrating those who are making a difference, large or small, and kindly encouraging those who should do better. Do you have an amazing or terrible or amazingly terrible place to share? Let us know in the comments,…