Everything You Wanted to Know About Safe Streets, but Were Afraid to Ask On Monday morning, I was greeted by a group of friendly transportation activists and a caped zebra crossing guard while crossing Biscayne Boulevard to Miami's Safe Summit. This week transit and planning geeks convened for the 6th year in a row to learn why so many people are being struck by cars and how to fix the problem. The zebra and activists are Transit Alliance's latest project to convince leadersh

Ponte Vedra, FL The last leg of our summer road trip was a sleepy beach town with an unbelievable wow factor. It had the trifecta for city planner types like me: water, luscious landscaping and the most adorable 2-lane street perfect for walking, biking and cruising in your car. Folks I found what we planners call a complete street in a beach haven. Let's start with a little bit of history. Ponte Vedra is a small beach town community on the coast of Jacksonville developed in

We can't import Europe's historical character and public spaces to Miami, but we can learn from their examples to make our fair city even better. Here's a compilation of what I've learned in my year long endeavor to curate the best parts of my travel for geeky urban enthusiasts like me! PUBLIC SPACES: Places de la Vosges, Paris, Le Marais District. Here lies the most spectacular public square. I start with this image because it is quintessential Paris, but so simple, that an

Last May, on a trip to LA, I snapped a bunch of pics of my favorite neighborhoods including Beverly Hills. But it wasn't until I returned to Miami and drove through the Design District that I considered the possible connection between these two coastal shopping meccas. Could it be that the Design District was modeled after the famed Rodeo Drive? I believe the Design District is an even better version of the old school Beverly Hills. Here's why. Let's start with branding. Beve

During my summer of travel, we spent two weeks in the Berkshires--a picturesque region of western Massachusetts straight out of a Norman Rockwell painting. No really, this is where Norman Rockwell painted! And amid the backdrop of New England churches, glorious mountains and traditional main streets that would make any town planner jealous there's this...real and effective roadway designs for people on bicycles and on foot. Here in Great Barrington, Massachusetts, big and bol

Back in July, my hubby and I booked a last minute trip to France in anticipation of our new baby and the imminent halt on our wanderlust. Kudos to my girlfriend who suggested the trip- a wine tour in the hills of Bordeaux! She booked a lovely B&B on the outskirts of the city, and we rendezvoused at Bordeaux's newest gem--the Cite du Vin--a museum dedicated to wine. Here's a town that bustles with activity. This museum is a result of the current mayor's flurry of public improv

This month the Zika virus in Miami sent me packing to North Carolina. This expectant mama wanted to take no chances at the height of mosquito breeding season and so, with my abrupt relocation, I found inspiration in a town called Asheville. Asheville was settled on a plateau within the Great Smoky Mountains, the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Appalachian Mountains in 1797. Just ask my kids who barely survived the car drive on the windy mountain roads through Hickory Nut Gap acr

Last month I was lucky enough to hop on a plane to LA thanks to my mom for watching the kiddies and my husband for letting me tag along on his work trip. And what a treat. In terms of planning and urban design, here's a part of the country that really gets it right. South Florida, pay attention. One Uber ride to Santa Monica from West Hollywood and I was greeted by this! A multi-tasking street with a mesmerizing pedestrian promenade, exclusive bike lanes, creative seating and