Brent Toderian

If your city couldn’t avoid making a massive city-damaging mistake in the first place, do the next best thing — remove the mistake, and repair your city. Like #Utrecht, Netherlands did with its central area river, then freeway, then river again.

(Image via @BicycleDutch) #Dutch #Holland #Netherlands #freeways #cars #bikes #cities

Feb 22, 2023 at 7:44amWeb
Show threadJonathan WrightFeb 22, 2023

@BrentToderian

Such a vast improvement, not only to the area but to my #MentalHealth and #Wellbeing.

Show threadDavid GarciaFeb 22, 2023
@BrentToderian Very interesting but has there been controversy ? In the UK the so called "15 minute city" as the car is removed from city centers is the cause of multiple conspiracy theories and has become a cause celebre on the right.
Show threadChookMother 🇦🇺🦘Feb 22, 2023

@dgarcia @BrentToderian

All that means is that the lunatic right will seize on anything as a focus for their unhinged fantasies. It doesn't mean there's something wrong with the idea.

Show threadDavid GarciaFeb 22, 2023
@anne_twain Totally agree. I live in Cambridge UK and a similar plan is causing controversy. Not only from the lunatic right by the way but from the many drivers expected to change their behavior. How we engage with resistance not simply demonising them will determine the success or failure of the Green revolution.
Show threadConnor CrowleyFeb 22, 2023

@dgarcia @BrentToderian Utrecht built around 600 underground parking spots during the conversion, while the province and federal government expanded the A2 just to the west.

It genuinely looks like a Texas highway.

Show threadArneBabFeb 27, 2023
@dgarcia the right will use every useful measure as a cause for outrage. If you don’t do stuff for fear of them, they’ll celebrate it as success (and get more support that way, because people like those who look successful). @BrentToderian
Show threadSteveFeb 22, 2023
@BrentToderian I always love this video that shows before/after water restoration view https://youtu.be/jNvZNKW02K4
Catharijnesingel before and after, Utrecht, Netherlands

YouTube
Show threadMETRO MuttFeb 22, 2023
@BrentToderian "Dinkleberg!" -Minneapolis
Show threadJo EtzelFeb 22, 2023

@BrentToderian My current city of #StLouis (and so many others in the US) need to take this message to heart. Getting to #ForestPark without having to cross 64/40? Midtown and downtown without the double-decker highway? 🤯

#StLouisMO #StLouisCity

Show threadSebastian LammermannFeb 23, 2023
@BrentToderian Hach, der Geruch der Freiheit 1977!!
Show threadLife is TetrisFeb 24, 2023
@BrentToderian they had drained a river to put a road in its place? The hubris!
Show threadT. Austin BrownFeb 25, 2023
@BrentToderian wow! I’ve been there and I never would have guessed that was restored
Show threadSimon BrookeFeb 27, 2023
@BrentToderian Glasgow, please take note.
Show threadHannes HauswedellFeb 27, 2023
@BrentToderian
@rysiek Unfortunately, #Iceland is currently just in the beginning of the 70s...
Show threadHans-Christoph SteinerFeb 27, 2023
@BrentToderian great example! My city, #Vienna, seems dead set on continuing to destroy with road projects, but there is strong resistance. Another awesome example is #Portland's Waterfront Park https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2_yNrP0hCY
The Forgotten Story of Harbor Drive: Portland's Demolished Freeway

YouTube
Show threadEric LawtonFeb 27, 2023

@BrentToderian

Toronto is embarrassed.