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Study Evaluates Urban Sports Park Performance in Mianyang, China, for Active Health Promotion

Study Evaluates Urban Sports Park Performance in Mianyang, China, for Active Health Promotion

A study conducted in Mianyang, China, utilized a mixed-methods approach combining Post-Occupancy Evaluation (POE) with the Kano–IPA model to assess the spatial performance and health service functions of Sanjiang Sports Park. The research, based on 236 valid questionnaires, aimed to understand how urban sports parks contribute to residents' active health, aligning with China's 'Healthy China' initiative and urban renewal efforts. Key findings indicated that user-oriented facility planning, safety design, and age-inclusive configurations significantly boosted usage willingness and user satisfaction. However, the study also identified core shortcomings, including insufficient access convenience, a lack of adequate rest facilities, and a deficit in age-friendly amenities for the elderly and children.
Nashville TennesseanNashville Tennessean
Report identifies ways Nashville could strengthen data center regulations

Report identifies ways Nashville could strengthen data center regulations

Nashville departments have some suggestions to strengthen the city's data center regulations.
Wilmington Star-NewsWilmington Star-News
How the prolonged Cape Fear bridge replacement shapes life along the river

How the prolonged Cape Fear bridge replacement shapes life along the river

The potential cost of replacing the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge, in tolls and lost homes, has become a cause for concern across Wilmington.
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Honolulu City Council Cancels Chinatown Agency Relocation, Impacting Economic Development Hopes

Honolulu City Council Cancels Chinatown Agency Relocation, Impacting Economic Development Hopes

The Honolulu City Council has voted to cancel plans to relocate two city agencies to a building in the heart of Chinatown. This decision has set back hopes for new economic development in the area, according to architect Dean Sakamoto, who had been working on revitalization plans for over a decade. Sakamoto's firm and a nonprofit currently occupy the first floor of the King Liberty Center, where the city agencies were intended to lease three floors, bringing dozens of city workers to the district. The plan was to use the presence of these city workers as a catalyst for revitalization. However, the City Council's vote to axe the budget for the Office of Economic Revitalization effectively ended these plans. Mayor Rick Blangiardi, who had supported the relocation, expressed disappointment with the council's decision.
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Ypsilanti Township Residents Protest University of Michigan Data Center Project Over Transparency Concerns

Ypsilanti Township Residents Protest University of Michigan Data Center Project Over Transparency Concerns

Residents of Ypsilanti Township are voicing strong opposition to a proposed data center project, dubbed the 'Los Alamos' project, backed by the University of Michigan. The project aims to establish a computing center to support the university's researchers and students. However, residents have raised significant concerns regarding the planning process, alleging a lack of transparency and insufficient opportunities for community input. Many residents reported learning about the proposed data center through local news reports rather than direct communication from the university or local authorities. Ahead of a recent town hall meeting, protesters gathered to demand greater transparency and more robust community involvement in the project's development. The University of Michigan has stated its commitment to continue working with residents, local leaders, and independent experts as the plans for the data center progress.
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Montgomery County Installs New Pedestrian Signals Following Increase in Traffic Fatalities

Montgomery County Installs New Pedestrian Signals Following Increase in Traffic Fatalities

Montgomery County is implementing new pedestrian safety signals at various intersections in response to 38 pedestrian traffic fatalities this year. The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) has recently installed four traffic signals and two push-button signals at Old Georgetown Road at Cordell Avenue and Darnestown Road at Yearling Place, with plans for four additional push-button signals in the same vicinity. Traffic signals were also installed this summer near Rock Creek Forest Elementary in Chevy Chase and Wheaton Woods Elementary in Wheaton, as well as at the intersection of Bel Pre Road and Rippling Brook Drive in Aspen Hill, close to Argyle Middle School. MCDOT Director Chris Conklin stated that these installations address concerns from residents, including parents of elementary school students. County Executive Marc Elrich highlighted that over half of serious and fatal crashes in the county occur at or near intersections, emphasizing the effectiveness of protected crossings in red...
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Macon-Bibb Pedestrian Safety Review Board Hosts Summit to Enhance Roadway Safety

Macon-Bibb Pedestrian Safety Review Board Hosts Summit to Enhance Roadway Safety

The Macon-Bibb Pedestrian Safety Review Board recently convened a safety summit at the Bibb County Professional Learning Center to inaugurate National Pedestrian Safety Month. This event brought together community leaders and residents to discuss and implement strategies aimed at improving the safety of local streets for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers. Attendees were informed about ongoing local roadway safety initiatives and contributed their own ideas for enhancements. A key component of the summit included the distribution of flashing armbands and safety shirts, intended to increase the visibility of individuals using the roads. The gathering also served as a moment to honor Louis Michael Ryan, a former board member who passed away while cycling, an activity he passionately advocated for. Additionally, the principal of Burdell-Hunt Elementary School highlighted the tragic death of 9-year-old Ta’meyah Williams in a pedestrian crash last month, underscoring the urgent need for greater awareness and sa...
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City of San Antonio Seeks Planning Administrator for Urban Development

City of San Antonio Seeks Planning Administrator for Urban Development

The City of San Antonio is actively seeking a Planning Administrator to oversee its urban planning initiatives. This role involves administrative and supervisory responsibilities, requiring extensive knowledge in urban planning. The administrator will be tasked with managing existing programs and developing new, innovative planning programs to support the city's general plan for comprehensive development. Key areas of focus include comprehensive planning, accessibility planning, transportation, land use, zoning, neighborhood and urban design, current planning, and data management. The position requires a Bachelor’s Degree and five years of increasingly responsible urban planning experience, including two years in a supervisory or management capacity. The work environment is primarily office-based at City Tower, with potential for remote work depending on project needs, and may include evening and weekend hours for community meetings and public hearings. The administrator will also be responsible for budget...
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City of Fairburn Receives Grant for Livable Centers Initiative Study

City of Fairburn Receives Grant for Livable Centers Initiative Study

The City of Fairburn, Georgia, has received a $200,000 grant from the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) Livable Centers Initiative (LCI). This funding will support the Fairburn Connectivity and Gateway LCI Study, an effort aimed at enhancing transportation infrastructure, creating pedestrian-friendly environments, and integrating smart technology within the city. The study's primary focus is Fairburn's Education Campus, which hosts Georgia Military College and Brenau University, and serves as a gateway to the city's revitalized downtown area. The LCI program, funded annually by the ARC, seeks to foster vibrant, connected, and sustainable communities across the Atlanta metropolitan area by integrating transportation planning with land-use development.
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Birmingham Joins 'Love Your Block' Initiative with $70,000 Grant to Boost Neighborhood Improvement

Birmingham Joins 'Love Your Block' Initiative with $70,000 Grant to Boost Neighborhood Improvement

The City of Birmingham has been selected to participate in the 'Love Your Block' initiative, a program spearheaded by the Bloomberg Center for Public Innovation at Johns Hopkins University. As one of 25 new local governments from 20 U.S. states to join, Birmingham will receive a $70,000 grant. This funding is designated to engage residents in projects aimed at improving their communities, including clearing vacant lots and reclaiming public spaces. In addition to financial support, the city will benefit from expert guidance from the Bloomberg Center and a dedicated Love Your Block Fellow to assist with the implementation of these initiatives. Mayor Randall Woodfin announced the city's selection, emphasizing the program's goal of empowering residents to shape the future of their neighborhoods and foster trust in local government. The initiative seeks to transform underused spaces into community assets.
The Knoxville News-SentinelThe Knoxville News-Sentinel
Why did the 'Fellini Kroger' bus stop get removed, and what’s next?

Why did the 'Fellini Kroger' bus stop get removed, and what’s next?

The Knoxville Area Transit bus stop ceased being used Oct. 1. It previously was in the Kroger parking lot right in front of the building.
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Community Transit Celebrates 50th Anniversary, Congresswoman DelBene Highlights Growth and Future Plans

Community Transit Celebrates 50th Anniversary, Congresswoman DelBene Highlights Growth and Future Plans

Community Transit, serving Snohomish County, celebrated its 50th anniversary with a reception for elected leaders, transit partners, and former employees. U.S. Rep. Suzan DelBene (D-WA01) attended the event, emphasizing the agency's growth within her 1st Congressional District, which now extends from UW Bothell to the Smokey Point Transit Center. DelBene highlighted her role in securing $2 million for the Swift Green Line extension, serving UW Bothell and Cascadia College. The celebration also marked the start of a fare-free week, echoing the agency's initial days of service. Additionally, a proposed interlocal agreement was released, aiming to integrate Everett Transit into Community Transit by April 1, 2027, to streamline services and prepare for Sound Transit's Link light rail expansion.