Otis White

I write about cities and neighborhoods and civic leadership at otiswhite.com.

Website: http://otiswhite.com

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Last Notes

2026-09-28 12:21:57 GMT

“Like I’m breaking the rules or something. Like I’m almost a car”: What can make pedestrians feel empowered? Something called “the scramble.” It’s a busy intersection that stops cars in all directions … and lets pedestrians cross any way they want, including diagonally. https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/pedestrian-scramble-street-san-francisco-22426082.php #walkable

2026-09-02 12:09:42 GMT

“For every mile they transport a person, they are also driving around empty”: Here’s a puzzle. S.F. is one of our most walkable and transit-friendly cities … and yet auto congestion there is worsening. Why? Some point to ride-sharing services and, now, Waymo. Is it time for an urban congestion fee? https://www.sfchronicle.com/sf/article/traffic-congestion-walkable-22403512.php

2026-08-27 13:29:50 GMT

The “Grand Plan”: Atlanta is crisscrossed by freight train lines. But what if the state gov’t helped railroad companies bypass the city entirely? The state’s price for helping the railroads could be control of the urban lines that are no longer needed. And what could this mean? A vast expansion of rail #transit. https://saportareport.com/vision-to-dramatically-increase-passenger-rail-in-metro-atlanta/columnists/mariasmetro/maria_saporta/

2026-08-26 13:06:08 GMT

E-bikes are how we will change mobility in cities by getting people on two wheels who wouldn’t ordinarily try #cycling. But we must regulate e-bikes because hospital ERs are filling up with children with traumatic brain injuries. Ask the doctors: This is not a problem among adult riders … it’s teens. https://www.wbur.org/news/2026/08/19/bikes-injuries-deaths-scooters-massachusetts-pedestrians #publicsafety

2026-08-21 12:45:28 GMT

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Atlanta's Beltline trail is so crowded that some are calling for separating pedestrian paths from cycling paths. THIS is a great problem to have.

2026-08-20 13:39:40 GMT

“GET OUT OF THE WAY!” There are problems that cities should aspire to. Here’s one: Your bike trails are so crowded that the behavior of a few becomes a problem for the rest. This is a reason we have local gov’ts. They can set rules for people to enjoy places … while not thinking they own them. https://www.phillymag.com/news/2026/08/13/aggressive-cyclists-philadelphia/ #cycling

2026-08-20 13:39:04 GMT

“Using the earth like a battery”: The innovations ahead for #energy production are many … and almost mind-blowing. Example: Could we store the summer heat generated in NYC subway stations and use it six months later to warm buildings at minimal cost? Experts say … why, yes, we could. https://www.governing.com/transportation/new-york-wants-to-make-use-of-its-oppressive-subway-heat

2026-08-05 12:42:33 GMT

Will Zohran Mamdani be a successful mayor of NYC? Well, tough job and some of his promises were unrealistic, so it’s too early to say. Still, he should get universal acclaim for appointing Janette Sadik-Khan to NYC’s #transit board. Who is she? She’s the one who began a transformation of NYC’s streets 20 years ago … and wrote a book about it. https://nyc.streetsblog.org/2026/07/30/q-and-a-new-mta-board-member-janette-sadik-khan-yaps-with-streetsblog

2026-08-04 13:15:15 GMT

“Twenty is plenty”: E-bikes could be a game changer for urban #mobility, cause millions who drive to try #cycling for short trips … including the elderly and those with physical impairments. But for this, we must make e-bikes safe. Cycling advocates should be part of drafting these regulation, as we see in NYC. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/08/04/nyregion/ebike-electric-scooter-regulations-nyc.html

2026-07-31 13:12:47 GMT

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Dunno. There are ways of measuring congestion (NYC has transponders on taxis so it can see how long trips take.) Others use cellphone data. So it's knowable, but I don't think the impact on congestion by Waymos is yet known.

2026-07-31 12:22:41 GMT

Waymos are coming to Denver, and people there have three questions: 1. Are they safe? 2. Are they cheaper than a human car-share? 3. Will they hurt the local tax industry? 1. Mostly. 2. No. 3. Oh, heck yeah. https://denverite.com/2026/07/28/what-to-expect-denver-waymo-launch/

2026-07-29 13:02:19 GMT

“The coordinated swarm”: The secret to civic progress is to attack big problems from many directions. http://otiswhite.com/the-coordinated-swarm/ #civiclead #greatprojects

2026-07-29 12:59:53 GMT

Politics fails when we talk past one another rather than to one another. #Cycling advocates: Here’s a better way to build support. Show residents and business owners how bike lanes will make THEIR lives better, even if they never get on a bike. https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/berkeley-bike-lane-hopkins-street-parking-22352869.php #advocacy

2026-07-24 13:17:00 GMT

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Agreed.

2026-07-24 13:13:15 GMT

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The Atlanta Urbanist Book Group will discuss “Key to the City" in two weeks. https://www.atlantaurbanist.com/book/key-to-the-city/ And it will discuss “Fixer-Upper" in October. https://www.atlantaurbanist.com/book/fixer-upper/ Both are important books, but “Key to the City" was surprising as well as important.

2026-07-24 12:35:20 GMT

#Solar power flips the business model of utility companies on its head. Fossil fuels are expensive to extract and transport but the power they generate travels over long-amortized infrastructure. So, fixed costs small, variable costs high. Solar has big upfront costs for homeowners, but from that point on, energy is essentially free. This terrifies #utilities. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/21/upshot/solar-panels-prices-batteries.html

2026-07-24 12:34:31 GMT

“Fixer-Upper,” a book about America’s dysfunctional #housing market, urges state legislatures to rewrite the rules of zoning so we can build more housing. Reason: Local gov’ts are the problem, the author says. PA’s legislature seems ready to allow ADUs everywhere. Sure enough, local gov’ts stand in the way. https://whyy.org/articles/pennsylvania-accessory-dwelling-units-legislation/

2026-07-07 14:58:35 GMT

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The undamming project I’m most familiar with is the one in Columbus GA ... a years-long project that resulted in the longest urban whitewater park in the U.S. ... and a major recreational and tourist asset to a reviving downtown. It was such an extraordinary project that a documentary was made about it. It's on YouTube at https://youtu.be/rHpSuRpsg4k?si=85TxkccCQUdkdipR.

2026-07-07 13:06:05 GMT

Most cities are located on rivers, and if they are inland cities, those rivers probably have dams. They were built to power mills in the days before electricity. Bottom line: They aren’t needed today. Now cities like Mpls are considering … should we remove these dams and restore the river to its natural flow? https://www.mprnews.org/story/2026/07/02/what-would-removing-twin-cities-locks-and-dams-mean-for-the-mississippi-river

2026-07-06 12:27:45 GMT

A decade ago, a British think tank produced a study of how people meet and do enjoyable things together … like play bingo or join amateur rugby clubs. (It was titled “Clubbing Together.”) Why should we care about such things? Because urbanism is about connecting people. And casual connections can lead to civic involvement. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/29/nyregion/nyc-lonely-making-friends.html

2026-07-02 12:37:00 GMT

Cars cause many problems in cities, one of which is their voracious appetite for #parking, which raises costs for all. But here’s something you haven’t considered: Vehicles are getting so big that they almost cannot fit into conventional parking spaces. Typical space: 18 ft deep, 7.5 to 9 ft wide. Ford F-150: 19 ft long, 8 ft wide. https://www.ajc.com/news/2026/06/are-cars-getting-too-big-for-atlantas-parking-lots/

2026-06-29 12:59:20 GMT

“Like eight Super Bowls”: Why do cities need #transit? Because they can’t have #density … which builds connections and lively places … without it. They also can’t have huge events like the World Cup and all the watch parties that accompanied it if everyone has to drive. In Atlanta, MARTA made the World Cup possible. https://www.ajc.com/news/2026/06/like-eight-super-bowls-world-cup-events-have-doubled-marta-ridership/ #mobility

2026-06-23 12:35:39 GMT

S.F.’s #transit systems saw a huge exodus of riders during Covid. Just as officials despaired this was permanent, something odd happened: Riders are returning. Why? Two theories: It’s regular commuters trying to beat the price of gas OR it’s the #WFH folks, sick of being lonely and eager to rejoin the crowd. https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/bart-station-muni-caltrain-transit-22310378.php

2026-06-22 12:14:17 GMT

“Aquatic Beltline”: 20 years ago, Atlanta began what would become a transformative project … turning 22 miles of abandoned rail lines into a circle of trails that pedestrians and cyclists have embraced. So, what’s next? A writer suggests it might be the city’s river, on which you can canoe rather than bike through the city. https://www.atlantamagazine.com/news-culture-articles/for-decades-the-chattahoochee-river-was-too-filthy-for-recreation-now-things-have-changed/

2026-06-18 14:00:23 GMT

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If we depended on the 21st century equivalent of ticker tapes, they'd throw smartphones out of tall buildings. Ouch. So it's confetti now.

2026-06-18 12:48:41 GMT

Why nobody liked Lindsay: NYC salutes its most cherished heroes with parades along Broadway. There will be a first-ever parade today for the NBA champions, the Knicks. But wait. The Knicks won in 1970 and 1973. Why weren’t there parades then? For some reason, then-Mayor Lindsay didn’t like them. He held … receptions. https://www.thecityreporter.nyc/2026/06/14/first-ticker-tape-parade-knicks-john-lindsay-mamdani/

2026-05-18 11:34:11 GMT

“Oh yeah. We won”: Here’s a measure of progress for urbanists. All of the major Democratic candidates for governor of CA support efforts to encourage or demand that localities allow more #housing. The YIMBY movement is less than 20 years old. It’s a sign of how, with the right ideas and methods, you CAN change minds. https://calmatters.org/politics/2026/05/california-governor-housing-2026-yimby/

2026-05-14 12:38:29 GMT

Why should we encourage community #gardens? There’s the food, which helps with #affordability. There are the mental health benefits of #gardening and the community connections. But greenery also helps by cooling cities and managing stormwater runoff. Oh, and did we mention that gardens are pretty? https://www.publicsource.org/how-to-start-gardening-in-pittsburgh/

2026-04-13 12:49:26 GMT

For many Americans, an introduction to #walkable cities comes with a trip to Europe. But there are cities in the U.S. where walking and transit are all you need. NYC, of course. Also S.F. and Boston. But where else? An article lists some smaller walkable cities: Portland MA, Key West FL and Savannah GA. https://www.washingtonpost.com/travel/2026/04/08/best-walkable-american-cities/

2026-02-03 14:39:43 GMT

Urbanists should take a deep breath when states regulate e-bikes by setting speed limits and age restrictions. It isn’t always an attempt to rein in alternatives to driving. It could be a sign that new forms of #mobility need thoughtful regulation. The tests: Is this truly about safety? And will it lead to more #cycling and more pedestrians? https://www.wbez.org/transportation/2026/01/29/e-bike-safety-education-law

2026-01-15 13:13:51 GMT

If you grew up after World War II, there's a good chance you never knew anyone who had the childhood diseases that so haunted earlier generations, from measles and polio to whooping cough. Why? Because public health and school vaccination requirements pretty much wiped out these diseases. Until now. http://www.fromthegovt.com/public-health-and-disease-control/

2025-12-15 14:07:26 GMT

How do iconic buildings come about? If you think it’s with unlimited budgets, you might be surprised. Sometimes efforts to hold down costs … and yet be distinctive … yield breakthrough ideas. Like creating the “tents” that give Denver’s airport its unique look. Here’s how the tents came to DIA. https://denverite.com/2025/12/08/denver-airport-roof/ #airports #architecture

2025-12-08 14:22:44 GMT

WHY do we want #transit systems to reduce farebeating? 1. This is money systems need ($1 billion a year in NYC). 2. Giving thieves free rides makes transit less safe. 3. It’s not fair to the honest riders who paid for their rides. But HOW can farebeating be reduced? By design. NYC shows the ways. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/03/nyregion/nyc-subway-fare-evasion-mta.html

2025-08-15 13:15:41 GMT

If you were in charge of your city’s #parking policies, what should be your goal? Would it be 1. taking care of neighborhood residents (through parking permits) or 2. efficiency (charging for street parking based on demand)? There’s always a cheering squad for option 1. Only a few economists and urbanists advocate for option 2. https://www.sfchronicle.com/opinion/emilyhoeven/article/parking-excelsior-san-francisco-20791982.php

2025-08-14 12:44:43 GMT

The old saying about local gov’t is that it is land rich and cash poor. How do gov’ts end up with so much land? Much is public right of way (streets and roads). Then there are parks, school buildings, gov’t facilities … and tax-foreclosed land. So? At a time when we’re trying to build #affordablehousing and middle-income housing, city-owned land could be a key. https://www.sfchronicle.com/realestate/article/marin-housing-larkspur-20809101.php

2025-07-31 12:08:18 GMT

It costs $11 million or more to build a single mile of a six-lane highway in the most urban areas, not including land costs. Mpls has nearly 100 miles of bike lanes along its streets plus an equal amount in off-street trails. In the past decade, the city spent $26 million building this #cycling infrastructure. 200 miles of bike lanes vs. a little more than two miles of highway. This is a bargain. https://www.minnpost.com/fact-briefs/2025/07/has-minneapolis-spent-billions-of-dollars-on-bike-lanes/

2025-06-16 13:05:41 GMT

An alliance of rivals: If you change the rules of a game, it’s no surprise that strategies for winning also change. NYC has ranked-choice voting for mayor. What’s a strategy for winning that kind of election? The “cross-endorsement.” Question: One of RCV’s selling points was that it would bring greater civility to campaigns. Is this an example? https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/13/nyregion/mamdani-lander-endorsement-nyc-mayor.html

2025-05-16 12:55:10 GMT

The new mayor of Portland OR gave a speech recently with a startling line: “Leave the cars at home,” he urged citizens, “take the income and invest it in our communities.” Actually, Portland is ahead of most places in building a car-light city (thereby saving its residents a lot of money). But even there, the pro-car forces are strong … and relentless. https://cityobservatory.org/leave-the-car-at-home-take-the-income/

2025-05-13 12:32:51 GMT

In 2009, NYC closed Broadway through Times Sq to traffic and it set off … a furor. Until people saw the results: Many more people in the street and no gridlock. Seattle’s Pike Place Market has talked about something similar for years, closing streets to increase pedestrian access and safety. Finally, with the city’s blessing, it has done so. https://www.cascadepbs.org/politics/2025/05/vastly-more-walkable-seattles-pike-place-market-tests-car-ban #walkable

2025-04-15 12:35:56 GMT

Reporters at nonpartisan news organizations are taught not to leap to conclusions. Find something suspicious? That’s when you start asking questions. What you may find is very different from how things appeared at first … and may even be a better story. Citizens, too, could benefit from asking questions before reaching conclusions. So could Elon Musk. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/12/upshot/musk-doge-fraud-claims.html

2025-04-15 12:35:00 GMT

In competing with long-haul trucks, railroad companies have touted time and price as advantages. Now one rail company has added a third advantage … sustainability. Shipping by rail, it says, reduces carbon emissions by 70% to 90%. Some companies, it seems, do care about such things. Shouldn’t urban commuters? Transit systems, let’s talk up carbon savings for trains and buses over cars. https://www.ajc.com/news/business/norfolk-southern-launches-first-freight-rail-carbon-insetting-service/ZDTUNMCQ5ZACJBQTWJ6PPP6UTU/

2025-03-10 12:03:36 GMT

Denver Mayor Johnston says he is committed to reducing the impact of cars on his city and increasing the share of trips made on foot, by bike and on #transit. So, why does it feel to some like the city is backsliding? Maybe because they depend too much on gov’t for leadership. Shouldn’t there be a role here for BIDs and neighborhood groups to advocate for #walkable streets and organize car-free events? https://denverite.com/2025/03/04/denver-transit-bikes-pedestrians-vision-zero-amy-ford-2025/

2025-02-20 13:03:42 GMT

Remembering the economist who taught urban planning at UCLA and discovered something important about how cities turned out. Donald Shoup studied the impact of cars and their hunger for parking. His book, “The High Cost of Free Parking,” changed city planning. And he became a rock star among urbanists, who affectionately called him Shoup Dogg. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/19/books/donald-shoup-dead.html

2024-12-02 13:21:42 GMT

We know about #affordablehousing problems. If you spend more than 30% of your family’s income on housing, it’s not affordable. But here’s another big expense most families face: #transportation. If you spend more than 15% on #mobility, it’s not affordable either. The answer to both issues may be the same: live in dense, #walkable #neighborhoods that are served by #transit. https://www.vtpi.org/affordability.pdf

2024-12-02 13:20:05 GMT

If you want to make big changes in cities, start with big assets. And what is a city’s biggest asset? Its streets and roads, which take up a quarter or more of cities. In most places, we give this huge asset over to a single use: motor vehicles. What else could streets be used for? Let’s start a conversation on this, a radio host in S.F. writes. https://www.sfchronicle.com/opinion/openforum/article/sfstreets-economy-culture-19936717.php #mobility

2024-11-27 14:10:35 GMT

What does success look like? It looks like a large and famous city park that’s so filled with people on foot, jogging, cycling, in pedicabs … but not in cars … that it needs some traffic engineering to keep everyone safe. That’s NYC’s Central Park today, where officials say new ways are needed to keep cyclists and pedestrians happy, moving … and apart. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/19/nyregion/central-park-drives-redesign.html

2024-10-15 12:56:59 GMT

You can dislike parts of the interstate highway system (especially in cities) but admire it as an engineering and public works triumph: 48,000 miles of divided highway, 56,000 bridges, 14,750 interchanges. How was this great project built? And how was its predecessor, the transcontinental railroad, built? In both cases, with gov't in the driver's seat. http://www.fromthegovt.com/interstate-transportation/