Street Smart in Hoboken

by: Rosi Efthim

Mon Dec 06, 2010 at 02:37:00 PM EST

Cars had their revenge on Appleyard, whose work impacted a generation of planners worldwide; he was run down by a speeding car in Athens and killed in 1982, at age 54. But his work reads like a recipe to restore serenity and build happiness among city dwellers.

Flash forward nearly 30 years. An entire culture of forward-thinking city planning is going on; the city-center equivalent to the suburban anti-sprawl movement. But it 'aint so easy to retrofit a northeastern urban setting, where people are just a river away from teeming NYC, where buildings and streets are already laid out, in the country where the car is still King.

But Hoboken's getting some attention for its initiatives to find ways people can get around to work, school and fun, and not depend on cars so much. We've written about some of it - their car-sharing Corner Car system and incentives to give up precious parking permits for public transportation or foot-power.

Now, Streetsblog.org, which arises out of Appleyard's initial vision, is recognizing Hoboken for an ambitious bike and pedestrian plan.

It's pretty cool, though a work in progress. Check it out. And hey, if you're in Hoboken look for Mayor Dawn Zimmer riding to work on her bicycle. What, you don't live near Hoboken? You can look for Dawn Zimmer on her bike on a cake on your teevee.