Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In
Streetsblog

Q&A With Jason Roberts, the Brains Behind “Better Blocks”

The Better Block project, founded less than 10 years ago in Dallas, Texas, is not only changing streets for the better -- in many ways, it's changing the urban planning process.

false

Better Block brings "pop-up," temporary businesses into abandoned buildings, creates temporary bike lanes with chalk and cones, turns underused parking spaces into outdoor cafés, and generally celebrates the awesome potential of ordinary urban places. The strategy of using temporary installations -- a prime example of "tactical urbanism" -- allows people to reimagine their neighborhoods while circumventing time-consuming and potentially hostile regulatory and political processes.

At the CNU 21 conference in Salt Lake City, I had the chance to sit down with Better Block's visionary founder, Jason Roberts. Here's his inspiring call to action:

Angie Schmitt: What is the history of the Better Block project?

Jason Roberts: The Better Block project started in April 2010, in Dallas, Texas. I had a series of blighted buildings in my neighborhood and a street that was really wide. I started trying to figure out why they were boarded up.

I found out it was zoned for light industrial, it wasn’t zoned for retail. The original reason these buildings exist was no longer allowed.

We looked at the streets and said, "Why can’t we get bike infrastructure in the area?" At some point I said, "Couldn’t we make this into our dream block, the blocks that I love in European cities or other places I’ve seen that are filled with flower shops and bakeries and cafes and bike infrastructure and landscaping and people sitting outside and eating and drinking?" I got together with some friends and we decided to do a guerrilla installation.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

Death of a Legend: Donald Shoup, Parking Reformer

The OG of understanding how "free parking" isn't free has died.

February 8, 2025

Report: Efforts to Speed Up Bus Speeds Have Stalled … Like Bus Speeds

City buses move slower than ever after Mayor Adams reneged on his commitment to build more bus lanes, according to a new analysis.

February 7, 2025

Paradigm Shift: MTA Boss Says State Should Pony Up More For Capital Plans

"Every time the MTA capital program comes up, we treat it like, 'Oh my god, they need a bailout,'" the MTA CEO said, pointing out the absurdity.

February 7, 2025

Who is Trump’s FTA Pick Marc Molinaro — And Will He Kill Congestion Pricing?

If confirmed, Trump FTA pick Marc Molinaro can do a lot to gum up funding for mass transit across the country. Here's a look at his record.

February 7, 2025
See all posts