http://www.washingtonpost.com)
Hello Everyone:
I hope you all had a chances to read and consider yesterday's post on urban planning and rape prevention. I just want to mention one more thing on the subject, safer streets is one element of reducing sexual violence. Strongly enforced laws aimed at prosecuting those commit sexually based crimes and changes in cultural attitudes towards women is also part of the equation. Of the two, changing long engrained attitudes towards women is the most difficult but if we-meaning humanity-show that we will not tolerate sexually based crimes and are willing to back it up with criminal prosecution, it might just make the difference. Alright, switching to a more pleasant topic, Today I would like to spend some time talking about transit-oriented development (TOD).
Arlington, Virginia nragent.com |
A May 16, 2014 op-ed piece in the Washington Post by David Alpert made a strong case for why Arlington needs to stay on its present course regarding transit development. In the
Columbia Pike Streetcar columbia-pike.org |
Washington D.C. metro train en.wikipedia.org |
Residential property in Tysons Corner, Virginia novaproperties4sale.com |
Rather than use transit as end in itself, it is being recognized as a unique opportunity for revitalizing blighted or car-centric, transforming them into more mixed-use, walkable, well-connected, denser, and livable communities. This could be one way to combat New Delhi's ongoing epidemic of sexually based crimes. The four latest Silver Line stations in the regional Metrorail system have become Tysons' motivation for reinvention from a sterling example of congestion and sprawl into a well-laid out, mixed-use. pedestrian oriented group of villages similar to Arlington. This isn't mere coincidence, Katy Gorman, a spokesperson for the Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project told Mobility Lab, "Tysons', TOD redevelopment is an attempt to 'mimic Arlington.'" Tysons isn't the only city in the D.C. metro area encroaching on Arlington's turf. Arlington County Commuter Service Bureau chief Chris Hamilton outlined the city's competition: Bethesda, Silver Spring, White Flint, NOMA (North of Massachusetts Street), Ballpark District, and Tysons.
Downtown Arlington, Virginia streetsblog.net |
With regards to growing consumers' need for urban developments with good transportation, the rise of the Millennial generation will only accelerate this demand. This generation has a well known preference for transit and pedestrian oriented urban places. Given this, Arlington is the epicenter for this trend thanks to its transportation options, urban lifestyles, connectedness. Real estate developers also are eyeing this county like hungry cats. According to Chris Ballard, principle of McWilliams Ballard recently praised the city's strengths at an Urban Land Institute seminar, "The Changing Condo Market in Washington D.C." in context to the county's unmet demand for high-density residential needs. Mr. Ballard said "We could do Arlington all the time." Mobility Lab Director Tom Fairchild agrees with this statement, adding, "Arlington's experience with transportation is that options are important. Transportation options have reaped an economic bounty for Arlington and provided better access for all residents. The individuals rushing to build and live in Arlington is further proof that the this model works. Yet transit-oriented development is, in a sense, under attack from within. This internal debate is coming at a time when Tysons is nipping at Arlington's heels in the same way that Samsung is becoming more competitive with Apple. This may sound like a good thing but innovation and forward movement are far more important.
Dovetailing a little on yesterday's post on urban planning and sexually based crime reduction, if we've learned anything from the Arlington model it's that wise and strategic moves to increase transportation options which help create urban villages lead to more walkable and livable cities. The implications for New Delhi mean that women, girls, and by extension, everyone will be able to travel throughout the city with less fear of being assaulted. Further, it will increase access to social, cultural, educational, and economic opportunities for everyone. Perhaps, urban planners and designers the world over can look at the Arlington model and adapt it for their own purposes.
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