Vision Zero Plan Aims to End Pedestrian Fatalities in the City

Vision Zero

While attending Columbia University, where he received a master of science in urban planning, Daniel Hewes worked during the summer of 2014 in the office of Senator Daniel Squadron as a community affairs fellow. In this position, Daniel Hewes assisted in the creation of a pedestrian and curb safety action plan in the lower part of the city.

Known as Vision Zero, the plan is designed to help eliminate pedestrian fatalities because of vehicle accidents. One study shows that 73 percent of fatalities in the city involve pedestrians, stating that pedestrian fatalities actually grew by two percent between 2005 and 2013. The study identifies priority areas, corridors, and intersections that have the highest fatality rates and suggests steps to be taken in order to make the curbs and sidewalks safer. Senator Squadron serves the 26th Senate District as a member of several committees, including the corporations, authorities, and commissions committees, along with the finance and transportation committees.

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Free City Planning Curriculum From the American Planning Association

American Planning Association
Image: planning.org

Urban planner Daniel Hewes recently attained his MS from Columbia University, where he focused on disaster planning in cities. Alongside his studies, Daniel Hewes joined and maintains a membership with the American Planning Association (APA).

The American Planning Association represents a network of 38,000 dedicated city planners, designers, and affiliated professionals. The organization works to improve American cities, using research and technology to make them safer, greener, and more livable.

The APA also provides a wealth of resources for teachers. It maintains a library of free curriculum in order to help educate the next generation of city planners and urban designers. One of these free resources is Metropolis, a multidisciplinary unit of study created by a third grade teacher. Metropolis teaches children about the fundamental parts of a city, and helps them understand how everything works together as a system. The curriculum includes relevant issues in health, art, and social sciences, allowing children to apply all of their learning to the study of communities.