#downtowns — Public Fediverse posts

People who care about cities have a villain: work from home, which has reduced transit use and emptied #downtowns. But what if #WFH were seen as a gift, a way of turning residential-only #neighborhoods into mixed-use places? It might cause us to be especially enthusiastic about home-based businesses and ask … what can we do to encourage them? https://www.governing.com/policy/why-do-we-make-it-so-hard-for-home-based-businesses

Let’s walk to the game! Atlanta is very good at building huge single-use places like its airport and sprawling residential suburbs. Or its giant downtown convention district that also hosts basketball and football #stadiums. Except there, it may soon try its hand at mixing in new uses, with housing and retail at the edge of its #NFL stadium. https://www.ajc.com/business/2026/01/new-housing-and-retail-could-rise-next-to-mercedes-benz-stadium/ #downtowns #CRE

There are many things your city council could work on that would make your city better for citizens and visitors. But as politicians go about creating big things, don’t let them overlook smaller amenities … like public restrooms. Want to challenge them? Point out that the NYC Council recently passed a “bathroom bill.” Why not your council? https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/10/nyregion/nyc-bill-public-bathrooms.html #downtowns #QOL

A great piece by Richard Florida regarding urban US #downtowns losing their lustre. Not because they are hollowing out due to people working from home, but because of the deterioration of public spaces & services. It is unique because of the lack of a social safety net and their fascination with guns. Cdn downtowns are not far off especially when it comes to our public spaces & support services.

#cities #urbanplanning #urbanresilience #equity #urbanhealth #publichealth

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/30/opinion/covid-pandemic-cities-future.html