Aaron Donovan
Before he began blogging about land use and transportation, Aaron Donovan wrote The New York Times Neediest Cases Fund's annual fundraising appeal for three years and earned a master's degree in urban planning from Columbia. Since then, he has worked for nonprofit organizations devoted to New York City economic development. He lives and works in the Financial District, and sees New York's pre-automobile built form as an asset that makes New York unique in the United States, and as a strategic advantage that should be capitalized upon.
Recent Posts
Book Talk: Noxious New York
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Julie Sze will talk about her new book, Noxious New York. It touches on how racial minorities and low-income communities often suffer disproportionate effects of urban environmental problems. Co-presented by Transportation Alternatives and UPROSE.
Discussion of Climate Change: Sir Nicholas Stern
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Sir Nicholas Stern, former Chief Economist and Senior Vice-President of the World Bank, issued his 700-page report for the British government in October of 2006. The widely-discussed report outlines the effects of climate change on the world economy, in addition to recommending early action and suggesting guidelines for global policy.
Transportation Alternatives Spring Party: Kick Off the Spring Cycling / Walking / Skating Season
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It’s time for Transportation Alternatives’ spring party! $4 draft beers for everyone who brings a helmet Check out the launch of T.A.’s new poster series: Icons of a Living City Plus! Members and active T.A. volunteers enjoy a drink on the house! Learn about all the great events (and volunteer opportunities) coming up during May […]
City Council Hearing on Pedestrian Safety
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In response to Transportation Alternatives’ powerful rally for pedestrian safety last month, Council Member and Chair of the Transportation Committee John Liu has called for a hearing on this important issue. The hearing could be a great opportunity to influence the incoming Commissioner of Transportation, who starts work just three days after this hearing. Transportation […]
Brooklyn Community Board 6 Meeting on 9th Street Ped Safety and Bike Lanes, Park Slope One-Ways, Grand Army Plaza and Red Hook Bike Lanes
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Last Thursday, Community Board 6’s transportation committee voted to approve bike lanes, traffic-calming and pedestrian safety plans for 9th Street in Park Slope, Brooklyn. A vocal contingent from 9th Street, some of whom are members of the Community Board, are trying to kill the plan. Come out to show your support for a bike lane […]
Manhattan Community Board 2 Transportation Committee Meeting on Village Bike Lanes
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From Ian Dutton of Manhattan Community Board 2: Those of you who have been following the saga know that last year, Manhattan’s CB2 and neighborhood residents called for DOT to implement safe space for bicyclists into the reconstruction project for W. Houston St. At last month’s CB2 Traffic & Transportation Committee meeting, Ryan Russo and […]
The Weekly Carnage
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Fatal Crashes (6 Killed This Week; 176 Killed This Year) Brooklyn: Wife Killed, Husband Critical in Hit-and-Run (Daily News) Related: Police Look to Rear-View Mirror as Clue (NY Post) Brooklyn: 1 Dead as Car and Motorcycle Collide (Daily News) Plainview, L.I.: Pedestrian, 77, Dead in Hit-and-Run (Newsday) Related: Driver Arrested; Had History of Convictions (Newsday) Cranford, N.J.: […]
Gathering in Memory of Jane Jacobs
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Shin-pei Tsay and Lisa Chamberlain have organized a gathering in memory of Jane Jacobs on the anniversary of her death, April 25: Come raise a glass in honor of Jane Jacobs— a community activist who knew when to don the white gloves, when to get arrested, and when to unwind at the local pub. Speakers: Darren Walker, Vice […]
Rally Against Demolition for Enormous ‘Temporary’ Parking Lots
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Forest City Ratner plans to demolish two entire city blocks – including historic buildings that should be reused like the Ward Bakery – to create enormous “temporary†surface parking lots for over 1400 cars that would blight Brooklyn for decades. These parking lots will also encourage more people to drive, leading to worse traffic, worse […]
The Weekly Carnage
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Fatal Crashes (8 Killed This Week; 170 Killed This Year) Fort Lee, N.J.: Mascot Portrayer Critically Injured by SUV (Charlotte Observer) Related: Jason Ray Dies of His Injuries (Herald-Sun) Related: Funeral Saturday in Concord, N.C. (AP/Greensboro News-Record) Greenwich, N.J.: Driver Killed Crashing Into Salon, Igniting Building (Star-Ledger) Kings Park, L.I.: Beloved Coach, 72, Dies in Collision With Pole (Daily News) Bay […]
Brooklyn Community Board 6 Transportation Committee Meeting on Grand Army Plaza Redesign & Bike Lanes
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Brooklyn Community Board 6’s transportation committee will hear presentations and community input on the following items: Presentation and discussion of a proposal by the Department of Transportation for improvements designed to enhance pedestrian mobility, access and comfort at the Grand Army Plaza. Presentation by the Department of Transportation of a plan to install two-way Class […]
Tour: New York’s Public Transportation
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The physical City of New York is the product of numerous planners, developers, and municipal officials as well as private citizens. This tour explores how the city was planned and grew, and is served by the infrastructure that we use every day. Explore the alternative forms of public transportation that are available in the region. This tour […]