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
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?
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
Rendering of mixed-use village in West Windsor. Via NJ.com (click to expand.)
Realtors suggest that walkable housing is in great demand. Transit experts recommend higher density development near transit to prevent further road congestion. And now West Windsor has stepped up by approving a mixed-use development across the road from Princeton Junction rail station. Continue reading
Princeton Palmer Square Hulfish parking lot, doing modest business on a Saturday on the lead-up to Christmas. (click to expand.)
Is it hard to get parked in Princeton? Not really. There are plenty of parking spaces in Princeton. So why does our downtown become blocked with drivers trying to find parking spaces? It’s because we make parking chaotic and unpredictable. Continue reading
Mall on Rt 27 near Princeton on Black Friday with loads of free parking spaces. (Click to expand.)
Cross posted at Strong Towns Network.
On Black Friday- traditionally a day marked by a surge of post-Thanksgiving shopping- our friends at www.strongtowns.org launched a nationwide appeal for members to send in photos of parking lots in their local areas. Photos flooded in, with a common theme- even on this busiest of shopping days, malls across the country had parking lots that were half-empty or worse. How can this be possible? And what does it mean? Walkable Princeton participated, focusing on malls along Route 27 north of Princeton. The results were amazing. Continue reading
This house at 135 Bayard Lane was renovated and rented as affordable housing by Princeton Community Housing in 2013. (click to expand.)
Princeton Community Housing is the largest organization providing affordable housing in Princeton. Their 2012 Annual Report, titled ‘Celebration and Opportunity’ offers an insight into the operations of the non-profit, including detailed breakdowns of their different communities, and resident profiles. We caught up with PCH executive director Edward Truscelli to find out more about what’s been going on.
The ‘B Home’ in situ at D&R Greenway Park in Princeton. (Click to expand.)
What is a house? In Princeton, it’s typically a one/two story structure with a sloping roof and some ornamental shutters that don’t actually close (see also ‘The Princeton‘ model from stack ’em housing constructor, Toll Brothers). However, occasionally, an innovator comes along and questions the entire idea of how we build homes…
Homes on Jefferson Road in Princeton. (click to expand.)
Princeton planning and zoning has had unintended exclusionary outcomes, making it hard for local middle-class workers to live in town, and incentivizing car-dependency and traffic. In this series, we explore options for adding more walkable housing in Princeton to enable diversity and inclusivity, while maintaining and enhancing Princeton’s historic charm. (See also Part 1 and Part 2.)
Take a look at the photo above. What do you see? Low-rise single-family homes, gardens and mature trees. A typical Princeton neighborhood scene. But this photo also shows the location of a recent doubling in housing density. How did this happen? Continue reading
Who needs a car to move a Christmas tree? (click to expand.)
Cross-posted at Strong Towns Network.
Compact, walkable development reduces municipal infrastructure costs, builds the tax base, and allows for efficient, green, car-free transportation. On the other hand, it has been argued that compact walkable housing does not reduce traffic, because people who live in such developments still drive cars all the time. Locally, this idea is completely contradicted by data on how people get to work, but there is still a persistent belief that cars are essential for the majority of journeys. How, for example, could you go to the supermarket without a car? Continue reading
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