Issue #60 / October 2011
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In this issue
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LivableStreets Networking Night co-sponsored by local planning, public health, social change, and transportation groups
Wednesday, November 9, 5:30-7:30 pm @ Lir Irish Pub & Restaurant, 903 Boylston St, Boston
Free and open to the public.
Interested in Boston's urban planning and design scene? Want to get involved with advocacy, government, engineering or consulting firms? Learn about what is happening here in Boston and how to get involved.
A unique networking opportunity to expand your social and professional network. Schmooze with people and become part of a growing community making the Boston region a better place to live, work and play.
Convened by LivableStreets Alliance with Young Professionals in Transportation (YPT), Planners Network Boston (PN), the Interdisciplinary Consortium on Urban Planning and Public Health (ICUPPH), and New England Institute of Transportation Engineers (NEITE).
> Invite friends on Facebook here >>>
> For more information, visit www.LivableStreets.info, email kara@livablestreets.info > Print out and hang up event flyers at your office/school. Flyer available here >>> |
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Why?
Part 5, on why LivableStreets is working to create safe streets for all, and a world-class transportation system for you.
Why do we advocate? Last month, LivableStreets sponsored an inspirational event with NYC Transportation Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan, a transportation rock star, who talked about the ways the city is transforming public spaces and transportation.
"A lot of the reason that we have come as far as we have is due to the hard work of a lot of advocates over the past 10 to 15 years who have really laid a strong foundation for the initiatives that we're implementing. Encouraging everyone to speak up for what they want to see on their streets continues to be a really important part of moving a sustainable transportation agenda forward."
LivableStreets is laying a foundation here in the Boston region, and our members are people like you who care about the future of our communities. We inspire a vision by sharing innovative transportation ideas and solutions from around the world and encouraging governments, communities, and the public to think about the crucial role that transportation plays in urban life. By speaking up publicly for what you believe in and by giving your support, together, we will achieve our vision. Join LivableStreets now to be part of making the Boston region a better place to live, work, and play. |
In an interview with the Boston Globe, Sadik-Khan said, |
Attend and speak up at Charles River Basin connectivity meetings, starting tonight
by MA Dept of Transportation (MassDOT)
Tonight, Oct 11, 6:30-8:00 PM @ Shriners, 51 Blossom Street, Boston
What's happening? MassDOT has conducted a connectivity study of the Charles River Basin pathways in Watertown, Newton, Cambridge, and Boston. This study identifies gaps that preclude connections across the ten Charles River Basin Bridges, their adjacent intersections, and the pathway system.
Why attend one of the meetings? The findings of the study will be presented and your input will make a difference in future plans. If you use the Charles River pathways for transportation or recreation, please attend. Explain how specific missing connections or inadequate facilities affect your life.
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What's up with the Casey Overpass? Get involved.
What's happening now? It is now set to be replaced with either a new overpass or an at-grade street network. For the past eight months, LivableStreets has participated in a working advisory group to advise the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) and their team of consultants on design alternatives.
Why is it important? This project is an enormous opportunity to reconnect four of the most beautiful parks in Boston, and the neighborhoods that surround them. It is an opportunity to set an example for sustainable infrastructure. And perhaps most importantly, it is an opportunity to enhance Forest Hills as a vibrant neighborhood of its own.
What can you do? Now is the time to reach out to the local elected officials and Mass DOT. Express your support for the at-grade option by sending a quick e-mail to the project managers and your state representatives at: Steve.McLaughlin@dot.state.ma.us, Paul.C.King@state.ma.us, Russell.Holmes@mahouse.gov, Liz.Malia@mahouse.gov,
Sonia.Chang-Diaz@masenate.gov, Jeffrey.sanchez@mahouse.gov
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Where is the Casey Overpass and why does it exist? 
What does LivableStreets think? |
StreetLife not enough? Follow us and Like us
Is hearing from us once a month just not enough? Be the first to hear about the next exciting event, action alert, and what's happening in your neighborhood by liking us on Facebook and following us on Twitter. |
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Urbanized film screening and discussion with director Co-sponsored by LivableStreets Alliance
Friday, November 4, 9:30-11:30 pm (social hour 7-9 PM before, location TBD) @ Museum of Fine Arts, Remis Auditorium, 465 Huntington Ave, Boston
But while some cities are experiencing explosive growth, others are shrinking. The challenges of balancing housing, mobility, public space, civic engagement, economic development, and environmental policy are fast becoming universal concerns.
Who shapes our cities, and how do they do it? Unlike many other fields of design, cities aren't created by any one specialist or expert. There are many contributors to urban change, including ordinary citizens who can have a great impact improving the cities in which they live. By exploring a diverse range of urban design projects around the world, Urbanized frames a global discussion on the future of cities.
> For more information and to purchase tickets, click here >>> |
Film director, Gary Hustwit, will be at the MFA to premiere and discuss his third piece of a design film trilogy. Urbanized looks at the issues and strategies behind urban design and features some of the world's foremost architects, planners, policymakers, builders, and thinkers. Over half the world's population now lives in urban areas; 75 percent will call a city home by 2050.|
Vision, influence and inspiration: Chee Pearlman lecture
Wednesday, October 19, 6:00-8:00 pm @ 290 Congress Street, Boston, Multimedia Room Free and open to the public The Curry Stone Design Prize awards $100,000 each year to design innovators who address critical issues involving clean air, food and water, shelter, healthcare, energy, education, social justice or peace. Chee Pearlman, prize curator and principal of Chee Company, talks about the program's goals and why they matter. Joining Chee will be Anna Heringer, architect and 2009 winner of the Curry Stone Design Prize. Introduction by Jackie Douglas, LivableStreets Director.
Co-sponsored by LivableStreets Alliance, Harvard Graduate School of Design, and the Loeb Fellowship Program at Harvard.
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Thank you riders, supporters, and Zeeb family
Thank you to everyone who came out to ride and made a donation, and special thanks to the Zeeb family for organizing the beautiful ride and BBQ.
> If you were not able to attend or ride, but still wish to make a donation in memory of Bob Zeeb, you can online at www.ride4bobzeeb.org or send a check with 'Ride4BobZeeb' in the memo directly to LivableStreets, 70 Pacific Street, Cambridge MA 02139. Thanks in advance.
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On Saturday, September 24, dozens of people came out to ride in the second annual Ride 4 Bob Zeeb that celebrates the life of Bob Zeeb and benefits LivableStreets.|
Learn about Massachusetts Transportation
Moving Together Conference hosted by Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT)
Wednesday, October 12, 8:30 am - 4:00 pm @ Boston Sheraton Hotel, 39 Dalton Street, Boston
 Moving Together is the Commonwealth's annual statewide walking and bicycling conference, which will focus on the State's core emphasis on healthy transportation. Richard Davey, Massachusetts Secretary of Transportation, will deliver the conference keynote.
Jackie Douglas, LivableStreets Alliance Director will be speaking on a panel at 2:45 pm about innovations in transportation. Panel description: Make sure you are current on some of the innovations in research, policy and implementation to advance healthy transportation in the Commonwealth. Best practices from project-specific activities, such a bridge design and construction, to "big picture" national findings, will spark this session.
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Attend a Winning Campaigns Training
Led by the National Alliance for Biking & Walking, and hosted by LivableStreets
The Alliance's Winning Campaigns Training is a three-day boot camp for transportation advocacy organizations. This action-oriented workshop gives novice and veteran advocates the tools to create and manage powerful campaigns to increase biking and walking in their communities. The training is led by longtime advocates and national experts with firsthand experience conducting - and winning - campaigns. More than just a class, the training is a fun, interactive experience that fosters collaboration among advocates. You'll leave with specific next steps and strategies for your next Winning Campaign.
LivableStreets' Director and President attended the training last year in Vermont, and thought it was such a great resource that we have decided to host one in Boston to make it available to you.
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