Sharing is Caring: Bike Edition

          Public transportation allows for quick and easy access to predetermined locations. Once you arrive at your stop, you generally have to take one step further to get to your final destination. This can be spent walking, or, in some cities, biking. For those who do not have a bike, but want to do some easy physical activity, a bike share is the best choice. With its relative ease, and affordability, it can become an afternoon adventure.
          Recently, when I was in Washington DC, I decided I wanted to explore my surrounding area. Rather than walk, which would have forced me to stay relatively close to my place of stay, I walked a block to a bike share stand. A collection of bikes awaited me, along with a map of the city marking where different stands were available. Within two minutes I was on the road. As I biked around the city I never went five minutes without seeing a stand where I could drop my bike off and be on my way. The people I saw taking advantage of this bike share system were not only tourists, but residents of the DC metro area, and friends out for a weekend adventure. The bike share program in DC made access to the city readily available.
          Similar Bike Share initiatives have sprouted up in Boston, New York, Denver, and Tampa. All of these bike share programs have faced their fair share of problems, whether it be technical, or monetary, but all have seen success. Providence, and the surrounding communities would be an ideal place to add to the list of cities with bike shares. Bike share stands could be downtown, college hill, the east side, Blackstone Boulevard, India Point park, Hope Street, Smith Hill, Federal Hill, and throughout the rest of Providence. A fixed destination point could draw new businesses to cater to those who take advantage of the system, invigorating the economy and small business growth.

          Starting a Bike Share program takes the public's support, months of preparation, and considerable sums of money. While the startup of such a program would be difficult, the possible benefits to come would support, and provide growth for surrounding communities. 

And The Roads Came Tumbling Down

Minneapolis Bridge Collapse, 2007

          The infrastructure in America has been steadily falling apart since its birth. The road, bridge, and train systems are the veins of America, where each destination is another heart. They lead the traveler to their point of arrival, hopefully with ease and speed. The quality of a country's infrastructure is a good indicator of its wealth, and economic health. Having money to spend on improvements of highways, and streets directly parallels the well-being of a country. It is no surprise then, our infrastructure is in need of repair, just like our economy.
          Following the War of 1812, Henry Clay introduced his economic plan, the "American System." The main principle behind this plan was it's call for expanding the country's road, and canal systems. At a time where Nationalism was high, the United States did not want to turn to Britain's laissez-faire economic policy, but instead provide subsidies for internal improvements which would cultivate agricultural advancements. Our country needs a new "American System."

The ASCE Report Card for Rhode Island

         On March 29th, 2013, President Obama discussed our country's need for infrastructure improvements. Across the nation, our roads and railways are lacking, but first lets look at the small scale, the smallest scale there is for a State, Rhode Island. According to the ASCE's (American Society of Civil Engineers) 2013 Infrastructure Report Card, 70% of roads are "poor or mediocre quality", this in turn takes $467 from the pocket of a Rhode Island driver. Let's turn the bridges of Rhode Island, 20.6% are "structurally deficient", and 33.7% are "functionally obsolete."The shape of Rhode Island's infrastructure also mirrors the fiscal standing of the state, meek. This year the US received an astounding D+ from the ASCE's Report Card, which is quite a step up from the 2009 ranking of a D. These grades are a clear indicator of the lack of initiative there has been to improve the infrastructure throughout America.
          Rebuilding our infrastructure would provide for thousands of jobs, jumpstarting our economy and improving our means of travel.

For more information on the infrastructure throughout the Country visit the following:
http://www.infrastructurereportcard.org/a/#p/home
http://www.infrastructurereportcard.org/
http://www.infrastructurereportcard.org/a/#p/state-facts/rhode-island 

Tactical Urbanism

     The thought that significant change takes time, piles of paperwork, and bureaucracy, is proved false in the practice of tactical urbanism. The premise being tactical urbanism is this, "Short-term Action, Long Term Change."The belief that public, temporary, and generally cheap urban activities and events can draw a large crowd that will improve urban life. The first step to urban amelioration is drawing a crowd, and this is exactly what tactical urbanism does, in a cheap and effective manner. Examples can be seen across the Country, ranging from signs displaying how to get to a landmark, and how long it will take by foot, to small parks placed in the middle of a roadway. Every instance of tactical urbanism hopes to have the same affect, to make people think, look at their surroundings, and explore what is right right in front of them.
     Tactical urbanism really is a genius and fascinating way to force pedestrians to look at the city around them critically, and with more awareness than previously held. While many instances of tactical urbanism have schedules, and have opening dates available to the public, they can also be spontaneous, giving an air of adventure to a dreary afternoon. Tactical urbanism can make people appreciate their city for what it is, an interesting place filled with innovation, and not simply a place to live and meet friends for coffee.

A small example of Tactical Urbanism

     The "Long Term Change" is also a key aspect of tactical urbanism. In the case of the man who posted signs pointing to local sites with travel times, the government officially picked up the idea because of the exceptional reaction from pedestrians. Another common use of tactical urbanism is closing off a street, making it walking-friendly, and packing the area with small food stands, temporary coffee shops, and small performances. This day-long experience can leave a lasting impact on the community, making it more desirable to potential business owners, leading to a long and prosperous future for the community.

     What can tactical urbanism do for Providence, though? It can change it. Downtown Providence is generally a walker-friendly environment, with large sidewalks and small streets. This is the perfect location for tactical urbanism. In the past there have been arts and culture events that have drawn large crowds, but all with a schedule. Spontaneity is an integral part of tactical urbanism, which drives a  prolonged interest, and a diverse crowd. With a carefully calculated attack on Downtown with tactical urbanism, there would be extreme benefits to the community, and the amount of activity Downtown has to offer. 

     The appeal to tactical urbanism is it's cheap, short, and spontaneous action, with serious long-term prosperity

Streetcars in the City

     In Providence, there is one public transportation option, the RIPTA buses (Rhode Island Public Transit Authority). With RIPTA I can't help but feel an air of uncertainty while waiting next to a pole with a small square on the top saying RIPTA. The schedule is confusing, and routes can change on a whim, leaving you standing with questions. RIPTA is quick, and easy (if you have experience with it) but with new users, it can seem confusing and overwhelming. In the past there have been major overhauls of RIPTA, with new schedules, new plans for Kennedy Plaza, and new routes.

     But, what if we went back to Providence's roots, and introduced a new public transportation system, streetcars. There has been some chatter about introducing streetcars into Providence, with routes bringing you to Thayer St. on the East Side, throughout Downtown, as well as Upper South Providence. With the presence of a track, the route cannot be changed, only the times, but without the risks involved with busses, times would change infrequently. Because of the small amount of stops, there would be a shelter for users of the system, making it more comfortable, and more expected to see a streetcar arriving in a short amount of time.

     Streetcars would also connect downtown in a way that hasn't been seen. With the fixed route, the storefronts directly around the route would see an influx of people. Examples of this working can be seen Portland, Oregon, with a 40% rise in density, and $3.5 billion in new development. The initiation of streetcars in Providence would immediately create many new jobs, and cause a surge in business in the downtown area, as well as anywhere the street cars go. With the revenue created through taxes, and the revitalization of businesses along the route Providence could have a chance at getting it's financial troubles under control.

With the ease an accessibility streetcars bring, it would be foolish to not pursue their presence throughout Providence and neighboring cities.