Urban planning: The built environment

Seen this weekend in Vallecas, on the southern outskirts of Madrid.

Ok, so I’m excited about this 🎉

Accessible public transportation is legally required under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), but many systems still fall short. Issues such as broken ramps, inaccessible sidewalks, and poorly maintained infrastructure often prevent disabled riders from safely reaching or using public transit services. Jurisdictional divides between transit agencies and local governments further complicate efforts to maintain access.

Accessible public transportation is legally required under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), but many systems still fall short. Issues such as broken ramps, inaccessible sidewalks, and poorly maintained infrastructure often prevent disabled riders from safely reaching or using public transit services. Jurisdictional divides between transit agencies and local governments further complicate efforts to maintain access.

Interesting article about living in Tokyo. In particular it contains this banger of a passage:

An excerpt from the article:

The program would offer owners of commercial office buildings Downtown reduced property tax rates in return for immediately converting their buildings to residential uses. Based on studies prepared for the City as part of PLAN: Downtown, a rate reduction by up to 75% of the standard tax rate for residential for up to 29 years could provide a strong incentive to encourage conversion. This would be implemented through a public-private partnership that will enable the BPDA, the City, and the proponent to enter into a payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT) agreement.