Intense traffic, gridlock on I-95 and delays from construction projects were ruining our beautiful town, but along came Brightline and now, everything is changing. The first privately owned, operated and maintained intercity passenger train, the Brightline, soon to become, Virgin (thank you Richard Branson), not only provides a much needed transit choice for Miami commuters, it's introduced beauty in transit design. Look out Europe (see my blog on Bordeaux's light rail). Mia

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

Before Santa comes his little elves descend upon Miami and take over our town for the biggest, baddest art fair in all of the land. They erect little art villages all along the beach and the bay for more than 13 official art fairs and the original fair at the Miami Beach Convention Center. And they make our city look incredible. It's not just the influx of art minded people or the sheer number of artworks shipped to Miami from, well, everywhere, it's the thoughtful and preci

Miami is a special place for me. It’s where I became an adult and it’s where I witnessed Miami’s evolution from being a brash and flashy youth to a cultured and refined grown-up. We now have a sophisticated art and theatre scene, restaurants that would stand up to any foodie, thriving legitimate businesses and the fastest growing rate of new entrepreneurship and start-up activity in the country for 2017. By most measurements, we are on a straight trajectory to becoming a supe

Miami Beach You know those cities whose cool factor just eludes you? The ultra hip downtown with its farm fresh markets, organic raw vegan restaurants and stores with such original and kitsch trinkets you just can't get enough of? Ever scratch your head and wonder why these places are some damn cute? This, my friends, is what planners strive for. We call it placemaking. How to create that special ambiance that keeps 'em coming back for more? Here are some examples. Maybe you'

As the epicenter of all things chic, I couldn't have been more thrilled to return to Paris last summer. Like Bordeaux, Paris has masterfully retrofit its streets and roadways to accommodate bicycles and buses without disrupting the city's beauty and charm. Listen up Miami. If Paris can retrofit their streets for bikes and buses, so can we! Here's how. Bikeshare, Parisian Style Paris takes bikeshare to a whole new level. The bicycles are not a commercial advertisement for the

Growing up in the suburbs, parks didn't play such a vital role in my childhood life. Most of our outdoor play happened around our home or on our street. But free range kids able to play unsupervised outside and with abandon, are a diminishing part of American culture. In fact, many children, saddled with homework and access to myriad tablet apps and games, seldom make it outside for play. Hence, the proliferation of parks with alluring and engaging design like this one I stu

For the past year, my team and I have been diligently working to plan and create the Baywalk pop-up--a temporary public art installation on downtown Miami's waterfront. Why-- because Miami deserves a stellar waterfront walkway. Over time I've recruited an internationally acclaimed architecture firm and collected an assortment of public endorsements, funding and finally a true partnership with the City. Here's how we did it and how you can do it in your City. (Note all imagery