Sarah Goodyear

Today on the Streetsblog Network, we're featuring an impressive example of community organizing from Charleston Moves, in South Carolina.

Reports of transit-related victories are coming from two cities with bloggers in the Streetsblog Network this morning.

Today on the Streetsblog Network, we hear about new plans for Bus Rapid Transit from the blog of the Metropolitan Planning Council (the MPC is "an independent, nonprofit, nonpartisan organization…[that] serves communities and residents by developing, promoting and implementing solutions for sound regional growth").

Today on the Streetsblog Network, we hear about new plans for Bus Rapid Transit from the blog of the Metropolitan Planning Council (the MPC is "an independent, nonprofit, nonpartisan organization…[that] serves communities and residents by developing, promoting and implementing solutions for sound regional growth").

One of our favorite blogs in the Streetsblog Network is Rustwire.com, a great source of news and opinion from the Rust Belt of the Midwest. Today they're featuring a guest editorial that asks some tough questions about smaller cities in the region that are struggling to retain young, ambitious citizens. Often, those youthful strivers want to go to where the perceived regional action is -- Chicago. Is this an inevitable shift? What do smaller cities have to offer? Can they or should they try harder to retain young professionals?

Earlier this week, David Brooks wrote a column in the New York Times about the real roots of personal happiness that got a lot of attention. Among other things, it contained the news flash that commuting makes us miserable.

For decades, the automobile has been the central organizing principle for planning in South Florida, a primacy that hasn't often been questioned. But there are signs that things are changing. 

Today on the Streetsblog Network, Jarrett Walker at Human Transit talks about how the push for better transit in Los Angeles provides an example for planners in other parts of the world, especially in newer cities that don't benefit from European-style density. Walker acknowledges that LA has a long, long way to go toward building a world-class transit system (read the post in full for all his caveats), but argues that the power of its image in popular culture gives it a unique influence as it moves forward:

We heard yesterday from Streetsblog Network member Kevin Buchanan of Fort Worthology about a threat to the planned streetcar project in Fort Worth, Texas. It seems like the City Council is dragging its feet in going forward with the design process, and might seek to redirect funds that have been allocated for a design study.

Statements made by U.S. DOT Secretary Ray LaHood in recent weeks -- including one regarding "the end of favoring motorized transportation at the expense of non-motorized" -- have gotten a lot of favorable coverage from members of the Streetsblog Network. But they've caused apparent consternation and anxiety in other quarters, including the trucking industry. You can find a variety of arguments on the new DOT position at the National Journal's Transportation Expert Blog.