Samuel
@safestreets4lfk.bsky.social
Organizing for safe streets in Lawrence, Kansas. He/him.
Related topics: parking reform, zoning reform
Related topics: parking reform, zoning reform
Reposted by Samuel
Zohran Mamdani’s mayoralty is the final nail in the coffin of left-NIMBYism.
progressive pro-housing politics is the future
progressive pro-housing politics is the future
You probably don't know what SEQRA is - but you should know that it's slowing down the housing that we need. Deputy Mayor Leila Bozorg is here to explain why reforming it is key to cutting red tape and building more housing.
January 15, 2026 at 12:11 AM
Zohran Mamdani’s mayoralty is the final nail in the coffin of left-NIMBYism.
progressive pro-housing politics is the future
progressive pro-housing politics is the future
Reposted by Samuel
I know people on Bsky know this but I hope it filters out: The feds are OCCUPYING the Twin Cities. This is a blockade, a siege. They are shutting down economic and civic activity. They are conducting "papers please" stops. They are criminalizing being a bystander/witness.
You could be next.
You could be next.
January 14, 2026 at 4:25 PM
I know people on Bsky know this but I hope it filters out: The feds are OCCUPYING the Twin Cities. This is a blockade, a siege. They are shutting down economic and civic activity. They are conducting "papers please" stops. They are criminalizing being a bystander/witness.
You could be next.
You could be next.
Reposted by Samuel
Join Say YES Shawnee and Lisa Larson-Bunnell for an informative overview of municipal government. Topics will include how city ordinances get passed, the purpose of policy statements, and a zoning primer. #ShawneeKS #KSgov #JoCoKS
Refreshments served at 6:30
Presentation begins at 7p
Refreshments served at 6:30
Presentation begins at 7p
January 12, 2026 at 7:03 PM
Join Say YES Shawnee and Lisa Larson-Bunnell for an informative overview of municipal government. Topics will include how city ordinances get passed, the purpose of policy statements, and a zoning primer. #ShawneeKS #KSgov #JoCoKS
Refreshments served at 6:30
Presentation begins at 7p
Refreshments served at 6:30
Presentation begins at 7p
Reposted by Samuel
He didn't shoot her in the head at point blank range because he felt like he was in danger. He shot her in the head at point blank range because he was furious that she wasn't afraid of him. He shot her in the head at point blank range because he felt emasculated.
January 9, 2026 at 11:25 PM
He didn't shoot her in the head at point blank range because he felt like he was in danger. He shot her in the head at point blank range because he was furious that she wasn't afraid of him. He shot her in the head at point blank range because he felt emasculated.
Reposted by Samuel
A heck of a chart: in every single one of the 10 major US cities that built the most housing between 2017 and 2023, rents for older, existing units fell—often by quite a bit.
January 6, 2026 at 5:18 PM
A heck of a chart: in every single one of the 10 major US cities that built the most housing between 2017 and 2023, rents for older, existing units fell—often by quite a bit.
Parking benefit districts are congestion pricing for small towns and cities.
Congestion pricing has improved commute times, bus speeds, noise levels, traffic safety, and businesses and restaurants have seen more profits. A runway success by any measure. And a model for other cities too. Gift 🎁 link: www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
Congestion pricing after one year: How life has changed. (Gift Article)
How life has changed in the New York area, according to data on traffic, transit and the responses of 600 readers.
www.nytimes.com
January 5, 2026 at 3:49 PM
Parking benefit districts are congestion pricing for small towns and cities.
Solid.
“…Wilson outlined an explicitly urbanist vision: a city that makes room for residents to have creative pursuits, to take family time, and to do volunteer work, all elements of city living that get squeezed by income inequality and housing unaffordability.”
“…Wilson outlined an explicitly urbanist vision: a city that makes room for residents to have creative pursuits, to take family time, and to do volunteer work, all elements of city living that get squeezed by income inequality and housing unaffordability.”
My writeup on yesterday: Katie Wilson Takes Office as Seattle’s Unabashed Urbanist Mayor
www.theurbanist.org/2026/01/03/k...
www.theurbanist.org/2026/01/03/k...
Katie Wilson Takes Office as Seattle’s Unabashed Urbanist Mayor » The Urbanist
# In remarks after being sworn in as Seattle's 58th mayor, Katie Wilson painted a vision of improving the daily lives of residents that was explicitly urbanist: focused around livability and ensuring ...
www.theurbanist.org
January 4, 2026 at 1:08 AM
Solid.
“…Wilson outlined an explicitly urbanist vision: a city that makes room for residents to have creative pursuits, to take family time, and to do volunteer work, all elements of city living that get squeezed by income inequality and housing unaffordability.”
“…Wilson outlined an explicitly urbanist vision: a city that makes room for residents to have creative pursuits, to take family time, and to do volunteer work, all elements of city living that get squeezed by income inequality and housing unaffordability.”
Reposted by Samuel
It's funny IMO that Berkeley, California was one of very first jurisdictions to ban straws/plastic bags -- you know, for the environment --
But soon as we learned the actual leading source of plastic pollution?
Crickets. Performative progressivism. www-pbs-org.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/www.pbs....
But soon as we learned the actual leading source of plastic pollution?
Crickets. Performative progressivism. www-pbs-org.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/www.pbs....
One of the biggest microplastic pollution sources isn’t straws or grocery bags – it’s your tires
Every few years, the tires on your car wear thin and need to be replaced. But where does that lost tire material go? The answer, unfortunately, is often waterways, where the tiny microplastic particle...
www-pbs-org.cdn.ampproject.org
December 24, 2025 at 5:33 PM
It's funny IMO that Berkeley, California was one of very first jurisdictions to ban straws/plastic bags -- you know, for the environment --
But soon as we learned the actual leading source of plastic pollution?
Crickets. Performative progressivism. www-pbs-org.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/www.pbs....
But soon as we learned the actual leading source of plastic pollution?
Crickets. Performative progressivism. www-pbs-org.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/www.pbs....
“When Wall Street catches a cold, Harlem gets pneumonia”
The unemployment rate for Black workers soared to 8.3% in November. That's more than double the rate for white workers.
December 20, 2025 at 10:30 PM
“When Wall Street catches a cold, Harlem gets pneumonia”
Reposted by Samuel
single stair stans salivate over significant safety study
A new bombshell modeling report by the State of Minnesota has found that small single-stair buildings with smoke-separated stairwells are likely to be SIGNIFICANTLY SAFER than typical double-loaded apartment buildings
December 18, 2025 at 12:34 AM
single stair stans salivate over significant safety study
Reposted by Samuel
A few thoughts on why the latent popularity of car-free living hasn’t translated to the funding changes necessary to make it possible:
The millions of people who would like to drive less aren’t organized, so elected officials rarely hear from them, allowing the car-dominated status quo to fester.
The millions of people who would like to drive less aren’t organized, so elected officials rarely hear from them, allowing the car-dominated status quo to fester.
An astonishing percentage of Americans are open to car-free living.
The problem isn't attitudes. The problem is the failure to invest in viable options.
humantransit.org/2025/12/many...
The problem isn't attitudes. The problem is the failure to invest in viable options.
humantransit.org/2025/12/many...
Many Americans Are Open to Car-Free Living — Human Transit
Is Americans a “car culture” or are they “car dependent”? Do they drive because they love driving, or are they in an unhealthy relationship with a substance it would be happy to do without? Obviousl...
humantransit.org
December 17, 2025 at 1:11 PM
A few thoughts on why the latent popularity of car-free living hasn’t translated to the funding changes necessary to make it possible:
The millions of people who would like to drive less aren’t organized, so elected officials rarely hear from them, allowing the car-dominated status quo to fester.
The millions of people who would like to drive less aren’t organized, so elected officials rarely hear from them, allowing the car-dominated status quo to fester.
Reposted by Samuel
Convenient low cost storage for private vehicles is a huge part of their competitive advantage as a mode of transportation.
No wonder people fight so hard to maintain it. Otherwise they may have to face the reality that cars don't work well in cities without a ton of public subsidy.
No wonder people fight so hard to maintain it. Otherwise they may have to face the reality that cars don't work well in cities without a ton of public subsidy.
December 5, 2025 at 12:48 PM
Convenient low cost storage for private vehicles is a huge part of their competitive advantage as a mode of transportation.
No wonder people fight so hard to maintain it. Otherwise they may have to face the reality that cars don't work well in cities without a ton of public subsidy.
No wonder people fight so hard to maintain it. Otherwise they may have to face the reality that cars don't work well in cities without a ton of public subsidy.
I’ve come to the same conclusion just by looking at the history of zoning in Lawrence—and how much that history is concealed in our own public histories.
The history of zoning in Lawrence is dreadful, disgusting stuff. It is a harmful legacy that really should be abolished.
The history of zoning in Lawrence is dreadful, disgusting stuff. It is a harmful legacy that really should be abolished.
See, here's the thing. I'm not against zoning because it's a constraint on building. I'm against zoning because it is an unmitigated evil and cannot be reformed. The idea of zoning itself is abhorrent to me.
Fernando is the real deal. Some of you probably read that quote and thought, “left NIMBY” and tuned out. You’re the one who needs to read it most! It can be comforting to think some zoning tweaks are all we have to do and we’re good, no need for deeper, harder changes. But that’s a road to nowhere.
December 3, 2025 at 9:36 PM
I’ve come to the same conclusion just by looking at the history of zoning in Lawrence—and how much that history is concealed in our own public histories.
The history of zoning in Lawrence is dreadful, disgusting stuff. It is a harmful legacy that really should be abolished.
The history of zoning in Lawrence is dreadful, disgusting stuff. It is a harmful legacy that really should be abolished.
Reposted by Samuel
We’re thankful for this annual meme 😂
November 27, 2025 at 9:34 PM
We’re thankful for this annual meme 😂
Listening to How I Got Over by the Roots 💥💥💥
November 15, 2025 at 3:56 PM
Listening to How I Got Over by the Roots 💥💥💥
Reposted by Samuel
Looks like all the candidates endorsed by [email protected] are going to win handedly. Big boost for inclusive abundance in Johnson County.
November 5, 2025 at 2:42 AM
Looks like all the candidates endorsed by [email protected] are going to win handedly. Big boost for inclusive abundance in Johnson County.
Reposted by Samuel
Legalize it
October 29, 2025 at 12:52 AM
Legalize it
Legalize it! #lfk
single stair FTW
no parcel assembly
faster construction timelines
more diverse housing stock
de-risked development
www.sightline.org/2025/10/28/t...
no parcel assembly
faster construction timelines
more diverse housing stock
de-risked development
www.sightline.org/2025/10/28/t...
To Build Fast, Think Small | Sightline Institute
How re-legalizing small apartment buildings would spur the homes city dwellers need now.
www.sightline.org
October 28, 2025 at 4:39 PM
Legalize it! #lfk
Reposted by Samuel
You probably cannot afford a car, and you almost certainly can't afford not to have one. This is the definition of a policy failure.
AAA estimates the average cost of owning a car is $12,297 a year, and recommends drivers spend no more than 10 percent of their income on car costs. This means you should make 120K to afford the average cost. Median *household* income in the US is $77K. The math just doesn't work.
October 14, 2025 at 6:47 PM
You probably cannot afford a car, and you almost certainly can't afford not to have one. This is the definition of a policy failure.
Reposted by Samuel
Important article from Beck Johnson on Kansas City's fundamental economic quagmire: www.linkedin.com/pulse/kansas...
Kansas City Built a City We Can't Afford - And How We Might Fix It
For decades, The City of Kansas City, MO has been celebrated as one of America’s most affordable and livable cities. This has lead to a prosperous period with lots of positive momentum, but buried in ...
www.linkedin.com
October 14, 2025 at 3:40 PM
Important article from Beck Johnson on Kansas City's fundamental economic quagmire: www.linkedin.com/pulse/kansas...
Reposted by Samuel
"The single most important behaviour, design or regulation for creating streets conducive to walking and cycling, was physical separation between the modes"
We've got a new study out, learning from a broad mixture of street users, planners and designers
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
We've got a new study out, learning from a broad mixture of street users, planners and designers
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
October 7, 2025 at 7:18 AM
"The single most important behaviour, design or regulation for creating streets conducive to walking and cycling, was physical separation between the modes"
We've got a new study out, learning from a broad mixture of street users, planners and designers
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
We've got a new study out, learning from a broad mixture of street users, planners and designers
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Reposted by Samuel
"Over half of the e-cargo bike mileage ridden during trials substituted for car use."
doi.org/10.1016/j.jc...
doi.org/10.1016/j.jc...
October 4, 2025 at 3:33 PM
"Over half of the e-cargo bike mileage ridden during trials substituted for car use."
doi.org/10.1016/j.jc...
doi.org/10.1016/j.jc...
Reposted by Samuel
Good thread explaining the census data on housing vacancy.
Vacant units come up a lot in discussions around the housing crisis
This is a good opportunity to go over what the data actually shows 🧵
This is a good opportunity to go over what the data actually shows 🧵
Yeah, that’s what I thought. Keep your dishonest framing to yourself.
Klein’s housing policy fails to address the fundamental cause of this housing crisis.
In the US, there are currently 15mil vacant homes. There are ~650,000 homeless.
Klein’s housing policy fails to address the fundamental cause of this housing crisis.
In the US, there are currently 15mil vacant homes. There are ~650,000 homeless.
September 29, 2025 at 11:22 PM
Good thread explaining the census data on housing vacancy.