The Urban Phoenix Podcast

2020 was a devastating year for our cities. That doesn't mean we can't learn from the experience

Covid-19 has thrust our nation into a paralyzing reality... but the re-dedication of car space to people might be just the thing out cities need

Even if it's seldom used, bike infrastructure sends a clear message to everyone that two-wheeled transportation is welcome

For the most part, cyclists want the same thing... safer streets, better infrastructure, more advocacy. But within bike culture is a vast array of different reasons for riding on two wheels. The infighting between these groups is crippling the effort to improve cycling for everyone

The shared model has brought the E-Scooter into the light. Now it's time to legitimize them with ownership

Americans have become blind to the privilege of driving, so much so that driving is almost seen as an American right.

At some point... and maybe quite often... we have wished for a simpler time. We have wished for fewer distractions or more time with our families, or the ability to work from home. Now that many of us have these things, how much of this time will we take with us going forward!

A company that makes membrane switches, graphic overlays, and custom labels in Perry, New York is now making over 100,000 face shields per day to help front line workers combat Covid-19. Customer Service Manager Teagan White talks about the mission of JN White to help protect us in this time!

People are inherently drawn to attractive urban environments. It's our job as urbanists to inform them WHY these places make them feel good

We are at the point where the ability to automate anything from park maintenance to public transit is a reality. But will the lack of an authority figure welcome vandalism and illegal activity?

If there is a positive result of shutting down our economies, it's the short term environmental relief our planet is experiencing

Even after the Coronavirus pandemic is mitigated, remote work will continue to rise. Cities should be thinking about what that means now, rather than later.

I had lost 17 pounds, until the Coronavirus caused me to work from home. Now that I'm not biking to work every day, I've quickly gained 6 pounds back.

In 2018, the country's richest man donated 0.1% of his net worth. Now more than ever, we need our economic leaders to do just that... lead.

Yes, the Interstate Highway System destroyed regional transit, but it also spelled the end of local transit too... and our cities would never be the same

Zagster/Pace has pulled out of Rochester. Another company will take its place in the future. The important thing to remember is this is not our fault.

With far less traffic on the roads during this time of social distancing, now is our time to truly see what it's like to live walk and bike along a busy road and feel comfortable

We've seen the videos of entire communities singing from balconies in Spain and Italy while in quarantine. Why don't we see this in US cities?

Maria is the Executive Director of the Community Design Center of Rochester. We talk about quality urban design, public space, transit, balconies, and the future for our cities in the wake of the Coronavirus Pandemic

Public transit is taking it at the shins during this time of social distancing. And understandably so. How will these uncertain times change public transit forever?

Just weeks ago, our cities were trending back to walkable places with restaurants, bars and shops. Will that vision ever be a reality again?

Stephen and I talk about Utica, Urbanism, small city life, the importance of livability and Stephen's service in the National Guard... and more!

I'm 39 years old. This year, I taught myself how to skateboard. While learning requires an incredible amount of patience, I can now say that this is the best last mile transportation option ever created.

Rochester's Rachel Walsh is deeply rooted in the arts, crafting, music, theater and general creativity. Today, she's using her talents to make masks in an effort to mitigate these difficult times.

Tom talks about his journey to an Urbanist life in the small city of Sandusky

Jeremy Cooney was born in an Indian orphanage, and raised by a single mother in the City of Rochester. Today, he is a lawyer and the Democratic and Working Families Party candidate for the NYS Senate, District 56

Our lives are about to change dramatically. My hope is that it's only temporary. Here's another hope that I have...

A study shows us that the more expensive/newer the car, the more the driver is likely to drive through the intersection out of turn. It's a metaphor for wealth in our cities today

The Coronavirus is a serious health epidemic, and it's one we are taking very seriously as a society. But other solvable public health issues that kill tens of thousands of Americans go unaddressed

Rarely to we realize the health benefits of walking. The obesity epidemic in our country is, in part, due to the fact that our communities are rarely built for walking. Dense urban areas are the exception

Pedestrian malls sound awesome and they are, but historically they have not always performed well in the USA. Here are some thoughts on how to take a “middle ground” or incremental approach to this subject

A recent Grist.org article highlights how different cultural narratives of the same event in Detroit can have deeply “rooted” effects in how we see our cities today. You can find the article here https://buff.ly/2VJ7fRA

The popular electric skateboard company Boosted Boards abruptly went belly-up last week, raising fears that other similar companies may eventually follow suit. While venture capital companies have added flare to urban life, there are serious questions about the sustainability of this funding method

I spend 4 hours in Buffalo a few weeks ago... with nothing other than a skateboard.

Government policy and suburban subsidies ruined our cities' financial status... their only recourse was to function like corporations.

We love our local teams... but in most cases, we highly inflate the economic impact they have on local economies

While it's important to preserve the history of our landmarks and districts, we cannot preserve every building and every neighborhood. Doing so leads to higher living costs and exclusivity

Our country has been built around the car and the airplane, that fastest and most exclusive forms of mobility

A recent opinion piece by the Utica Observer Dispatch calls for more parking in order to create a more accessible downtown. But great cities aren't suburbs, and thus are not made better by more automobile access

Anyone who walks or bikes for transportation knows the feeling of anxiety when approaching those spaces that are designed for cars

There's a lot of money coming out of New York City. Our Upstate cities have the potential to tap into this tremendous exodus of wealth

Order sounds good in our cities, until we realize that order usually means stratification and strict prioritization that favors one population over another

I love group rides, recreational cyclists and any reason people get on two wheels. But building true legitimacy and infrastructure means talking about bike commuting first and foremost

Few things activate desolate urban landscapes like breweries. We need to start appreciating just how important they've been with regard to change in our cities

Recently I read a nice book titled “If Your Were Here You'd Be Home By Now” by Christopher Ingraham. While I enjoyed the read, there are some interesting things the author misses with regard to the breadth of urbanism and the conversations surrounding the urban/rural construct

Sometimes I interview urbanists. Sometimes I interview business owners. This interview? This is about a man who truly loves his city, and does everything he can to help others realize that love too.

Last week while biking with my coworker to work, a man tried to intimidate and drive into us with his car, completely unprovoked

CityLab and Streetsblog are amazing online publications that address Urbanist issues... but do they really address the issues of small-to-midsized metros?

Bikes have been associated with a liberal construct, when in fact they personify some of the most basic Republican ideals...

Fairport, New York is a small suburb of Rochester, my home city. There, a mix of suburban life and an amazingly walkable downtown has created a beautiful blend of small town with a hint of urbanity

A follow up to my latest blog piece, earbuds and smart phones are allowing people who might not otherwise be comfortable with city life a chance to adapt