Princeton Battlefield Development Shows The Cost Of Opposing In-Town Density

Posted on January 13, 2014 by walkableprinceton
Institute of Advanced Study housing off Springdale Road in Princeton. Eagle-eyed readers will spot the spire of Fuld Hall in the distance. (click to expand.)

Institute Of Advanced Study housing off Springdale Road in Princeton. Eagle-eyed readers will spot the spire of Fuld Hall in the distance. (click to expand.)

Since about 1980, planners have recognized that compact, walkable development is the best way to foster livable towns, reduce car use, and protect green spaces. This way of planning is a self-conscious return to the layout of traditional towns- where stores, homes and workplaces are placed close together to minimize travel time between them. But this consensus has still not filtered through to the level of the Princeton Masterplan, and Continue reading →

Posted in Density, Princeton, Smart Growth, Sustainability, Traffic, Transit, Zoning | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Has Christie Undermined Princeton Transportation Planning?

Posted on January 10, 2014 by walkableprinceton
In an early contender for "Worst-Photoshop-Job-2014", the 'Trentonian' mocked Governor Christie over BridgeGate by putting a picture of him on their front page with a traffic cone on his head. (click to expand.)

The ‘Trentonian’ mocked Governor Christie over ‘Bridge-Gate’ by putting a very badly Photoshopped picture of him with a traffic cone on his head on their front page. As seen in Princeton, January 9, 2014. (click to expand.)

Governor Christie finally found some enthusiasm for transit issues this week as he threw two of his highest-ranking aides ‘under the bus’. It was front page news as Jerseyans reacted with bemusement to Christie’s press conference in which he claimed he didn’t know that his officials conspired to inflict traffic chaos on the town of Fort Lee in retribution for the Mayor’s refusal to support Christie’s reelection bid in last year’s Gubernatorial vote.  Under the pretense of conducting a ‘traffic study’, top Christie honchos closed several lanes of the George Washington Bridge, leading to 4-hour commutes, delayed emergency responses and children trapped in school buses for hours on end in nearby Fort Lee. The story raises a couple of important questions….

Continue reading →

Posted in Alternative Transportation, People, Princeton, Transit | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

How One Normal Family Gets By Without A Car And Saves Money

Posted on January 9, 2014 by walkableprinceton
This family from Buffalo, NY lives car-free year-round. (Click to expand.)

This family from Buffalo, NY lives car-free year-round. (Click to expand.) Image credit: Mark Mulville, Buffalo News.

Need some inspiration to hop on two wheels? How about this amazing family from Buffalo, NY, who have lived without a car despite snow and a hectic schedule involving multiple kids? Continue reading →

Posted in Alternative Transportation, Biking, People, Transit | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Is That A Good Deal? “Walk/Bike To Town”

Posted on January 8, 2014 by walkableprinceton
house

House at 28 Mason Drive, Princeton, offered at $3,300 / month. (Click to expand.)

As part of an occasional series where we cast an eye over walkable rentals and real estate in Princeton, we invite you to comment on a current, local listing. You can find previous entries here and here.

A 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom house is listed for rent at 28 Mason Drive Princeton.  Continue reading →

Posted in Good Deal? | Tagged | 1 Comment

What Would Bus Rapid Transit Look Like?

Posted on January 7, 2014 by walkableprinceton
The 'Rapid' in 'Bus Rapid Transit' is dedicated lanes so that the bus can by-pass traffic. (click to expand.)

The ‘Rapid’ in ‘Bus Rapid Transit’ is dedicated lanes so that the bus can by-pass traffic. (click to expand.) Image credit: Communities For Transit

Bus Rapid Transit has been a hot topic of conversation in the Princeton area for several years. But what would it actually look like? Continue reading →

Posted in Alternative Transportation, Transit | Tagged , , , , | 6 Comments

New Brunswick, NJ Is America’s “5th-Most Exciting Small City’. Why?

Posted on January 6, 2014 by walkableprinceton
New Brunswick skyline with rail station in foreground. (Click to expand.)

New Brunswick skyline with rail station in foreground. (Click to expand.)

New Jersey is too often the target of sneers, but a recent survey of “America’s Most Exciting Small Cities’ showed two Garden State towns in the Top 5. In fact, Hoboken topped the whole list! Meanwhile at #5…New Brunswick. Seriously? Continue reading →

Posted in Affordability, Density, Local, Real estate, Smart Growth | 5 Comments

Time To Go Shovel The Sidewalk, Princeton!

Posted on January 3, 2014 by walkableprinceton
Un-shoveled sidewalks make for a treacherous surface for walkers. (Click to expand.)

Un-shoveled sidewalks make for a treacherous surface for walkers. (Click to expand.)

It has stopped snowing! Time to go clear that sidewalk! Do you know how quickly you are supposed to clear your sidewalk according to municipal code? Interestingly, it depends on whether you live in the former Borough of Princeton or the old Township.  Continue reading →

Posted in Princeton, Walking | 2 Comments

Ten Things To Look For In Princeton In 2014

Posted on January 2, 2014 by walkableprinceton
A sea of bicycles outside Princeton University's Forbes College. Princeton cyclists may benefit from more organized municipal policy in 2014. (click to expand.)

A sea of bicycles outside Princeton University’s Forbes College. Princeton cyclists may benefit from more organized municipal policy in 2014. (click to expand.)

Happy New Year! And what does the new year hold?? Will this be the year when affordability, environmentally- and fiscally-sustainable compact development, and alternative transportation get prioritized in Princeton?  Here are ten things that we think are likely to shake up the Princeton walkability scene in 2014: Continue reading →

Posted in Affordability, Alternative Transportation, Biking, Community, Complete Streets, Density, Downtown Vibrancy, Local, People, Placemaking, Princeton, Smart Growth, Sustainability, Traffic, Transit, Zoning | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Princeton’s Three Consolidations Leave Unfinished Business For 2014

Posted on December 31, 2013 by walkableprinceton
Princeton marks the holiday season, December 2013. (Click to expand.)

Princeton marks the holiday season, December 2013. (Click to expand.)

As Princeton looks to a New Year, it also marks a landmark: one year as a consolidated municipality. New Jersey’s absurd number of self-governing municipalities (565 at the last count) reduced by one on Jan 1, 2013 when Princeton Borough and Princeton Township united to form ‘Princeton’. But this isn’t the first time Princeton has seen a consolidation. Can you name the other two consolidations that have taken place in recent decades? What are their successes, what is the unfinished business, and how does it impact walkability?

Continue reading →

Posted in Density, Princeton, Smart Growth, Zoning | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

New Year’s Resolution: Stop For Princeton School Crossing Guards

Posted on December 30, 2013 by walkableprinceton
A crossing guard in the line of duty at Mount Lucas and Valley Road in Princeton. (click to expand.)

A crossing guard in the line of duty at Mount Lucas and Valley Road in Princeton, Fall 2013. (click to expand.)

What is the most dangerous job in the Princeton area? Cop? Firefighter? More likely the title belongs to the humble school crossing guard. Every morning, these people step quite literally in harm’s way in an attempt to enforce safe routes to school for local kids. But make no mistake, this is a dangerous job. Continue reading →

Posted in Complete Streets, Local, Princeton, Traffic, Walking | Tagged , | Leave a comment