Watch the full episode. See more Need To Know.

In recent years a little noticed shift has been transforming suburbia: the home of the middle class has become the home of the working poor. As a result, roadways that were built for the car are now used by a growing population that can’t afford to drive. The consequences can be deadly.

Blueprint America on Need to Know from suburban Atlanta where getting to the other side of the road is nothing to take for granted.

PBS: Blueprint America

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London recently launched a series of what they are calling, Cycle Superhighways along roads in the city. Below are some videos of the superhighways in user by gaz545 from YouTube:

Barclays Cycle Superhighway Route 7 – Colliers Wood to The City

Barclays Cycle Superhighway Route 3 – Barking to Tower Gateway

Cycle Super Highway Route 7

Via GOOD

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→ Efficient Public Transit Key Part of Healthy Environment [ecoRI]

→ No More Pavement! The Problem of Impervious Surfaces [The Earth Institute at Columbia University]

→ Work on new Sakonnet River Bridge a month ahead of schedule [ProJo]

→ New Haven, Stamford Enter Streetcar Wars with Proposed Station-to-Downtown Links [The TransportPolitic]

→ Architecture’s Modern Marvels [Vanity Fair]

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In this GC: Photos post I’m sharing my photos, because I’m a little megalomaniacal, don’t you know?

By the next GC: Photos update I will be over my megalomaniacalness and be ready to post some reader submissions. If you’d like your photos featured here, join our Flickr Group and submit them.

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→ Preserving modernism in Boston: making the case [Boston.com]

→ Andrew Knee: Milwaukee – A Walker’s Paradise [UrbanOut]
“And the latest venture is a broad swath of land called the Park East, where a freeway was recently torn down and the street-grid was reassembled.”

→ Sound wall made of vegetation to be studied by ODOT as alternative to concrete wall [Cleveland.com]
I’m thinking of Route 195 in the Gano Street area.

→ London Opens Bike “Superhighways” [GOOD]

→ Worst. Intersection. Ever. [Car-Free in PVD]

→ Sen. Kerry docks yacht in R.I., saves on taxes [MSNBC]
Yes, the story has gone national. The Senator’s people claim the boat is in Newport for “for long-term maintenance, upkeep and charter purposes.” Whatever, I just like the headline telling rich people to come to Rhode Island for our low taxes. Bring your yachts and spend some money while your here.

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Reader submitted photo

Yesterday we were getting reader reports that mature trees where being torn down at Riverview Plaza on Pitman Street (where Eastside Marketplace is located). After a bit of confusion and reports from people in the area, we received photographs from a reader showing that the trees in question were removed from the driveway nearest the Boston Sports Club building in the complex.

Screen capture from Google StreetView showing the trees before they were removed.

The trees removed were six ornamental pears, approximately 15 years old. The trees were removed by Riverview’s propery manager, KGI Properties.

According to our reader report, a spokesperson for KGI stated the trees were removed for “obstructing traffic.” I’m looking at the StreetView image and I’m just not seeing an obstruction, anyone see it? The spokesperson also stated, “the trees were interfering with lighting” and “the trees were too large.”

Seth, Amy…

Too large? Really?

Meanwhile, the contractors on scene removing the actual trees said that one of the tenants complained that their sign could not be seen from Pitman Street and that was why the trees were being removed.

Reader submitted photos

Update:
Comment from the Planning Department on this issue:

The preservation of the trees was part of the approved landscaping plan for the BSC project. Their removal is contrary to the approval and would have required an amendment to the plan by the City Plan Commission, which did not happen. Depending on what their canopy coverage figure is for the site, it might have required a zoning variance as well. These are not street trees, so the city tree ordinance does not apply regarding tree caliper replacement. However, it’s clear that they’ve violated at least the commission’s regulations, and perhaps the zoning ordinance. Some mitigation is going to be required. I expect that we’ll be seeking replacement of the tree canopy lost, with a factor that considers the maturity of the trees. I have traded phone messages with Karen Bodell, and will speak with her on Monday about how to proceed. I’m personally disappointed that these mature trees were taken down, and will do my best to ensure that this condition is corrected.

Update:
Tweet from the Planning Department:

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Picture from 2009's Regatta, despite the rain. This year: SUN!

It’s been 3 years since the CBC saw a sunny forecast for the annual Renaissance Regatta, but today looks like a lucky day.

Every year, the CBC tries to raise money to pay for its youth outreach and program initiatives by holding a regatta event. Companies, organizations, and individuals are invited to sponsor a team of sailors to compete in a series of sailing races during the day. Additionally, items are donated to CBC for a silent auction, and the public is invited to come cheer on the racers, participate in the auction, and go for a sailboat ride.

The event is TODAY and open to all. Tickets will be available at the door (discount for CBC members). Check out the CBC website or facebook page for more information.

See you there!

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Shepard Fairey’s mural is underway on the Pell Chafee Theatre on Aborn Street.

Fairey is of course most famous for his Obey stickers which can be found around the city and around the world. As well as the Obama poster controversy from the 2008 elections.

From what I understand, this will be Fairey’s largest mural to date.

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→ Investment in Transportation Changes is Tough Hill to Climb [Coalition for Transportation Choices]

→ Charlotte does light rail right [Grist]

→ Can infrastructure-led growth save the economy? [Salon]

→ Mixed-Use Downtown Development Puts Standard Malls’ Tax Yield to Shame [Citiwire]

→ A Fast-Paced City Tries to Be a Gentler Place to Grow Old [New York Times]

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Photo © e_pics

This guerilla bus stop sits outside the Map Center on North Main. The Map Center blogged about it back in April. No one seems to know where it came from and no one seems to be in any hurry to remove it.

Photo (cc) provbenson2009

Photo (cc) provbenson2009

Photo © SecondEmpire

If you’d like your photos featured here, join our Flickr Group and submit them.

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