Category: Transportation
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Governance
Our region’s political infrastructure stifles growth and prosperity, and keeps our 21st century economy from reaching its full potential. As a public authority, the MTA is a quasi-private corporation, with boards of directors appointed by elected officials, and it is exempt from many state and local regulations. The MTA is allowed to issue more debt…
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Speed
Our commutes need to be sped up to improve our quality of life and public health. Not only would it allow us to be more efficient, and allow our cities to be more sustainable, but it could even help increase social capital, giving us more time for family, friends, and neighbors. NYC has the highest…
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Incentives
For New York City to plan for the 21st century, it should embrace its 19th and early 20th century history. During this time, the city grew rapidly; in the 1930s, the city had almost 7 million people – an increase of almost 6 million people from the 1850s. And we could accommodate all this growth…
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Filling the Void
From the Independent Subway to the Freedom Tower, Americans rightly love their independence and freedom. But our affinity for liberty can be bad for urban planning, because it can hinder collaboration, coordination, and compromise. State’s rights and municipal police powers combine to make regional planning particular difficult in the United States. In the New York region, three states (governed…
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Keep New York On Track, Off the Tracks
New York City’s subway network was designed for speed. It was purposefully built near the surface, along major transportation corridors, not only in order to lower costs, but in order to ease congestion on the street, and allow for quick access to stations. Unlike newer sections of the subway, dug deep underground in order to…
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RegioNYC
How do New Yorkers stay grounded? Perhaps through strolling in a park or exercising in a gym, or grabbing some sun at Coney Island. But the city itself is literally (under)grounded by public transportation. And we need to keep New York on track — also literally — in order for it to continue to prosper. Most…