Transform Your City With Tactical Urbanism
Everyday citizens are practicing DIY traffic-calming to make streets safer for walking and biking. Some cities are making these improvements permanent, while others are encouraging the movement by sanctioning, and even sponsoring, tactical urbanism projects.
12:40 PM EDT on July 26, 2017
Tired of waiting for local governments to fix dangerous conditions, in many cities everyday citizens are practicing DIY traffic-calming to make streets safer for walking and biking. Some are forming “Departments of Transformation” to show others how to implement low-cost interventions, like traffic cones, to slow drivers down.
Often these installations are quickly removed by local DOTs, but in other cases, cities are embracing what’s come to be known as “tactical urbanism.” Some cities are making citizen-generated improvements permanent, while others are encouraging the movement by sanctioning, and even sponsoring, tactical urbanism projects.
Watch as we check in with people who are making this happen around the world!
Clarence Eckerson Jr. is the Director of Video Production for NYCSR's StreetFilms and producer of bikeTV. He loves the color purple, chocolate chip cookies, and enjoys walking, biking, and taking transit. He has never owned a driver's license.
Read More:
More from Streetsblog New York City
EXCLUSIVE: Mamdani Creates ‘Curb Management’ Office at DOT, Seeking Order From Chaos
Better management of this vital public space is needed for broader public uses such as safe deliveries, outdoor dining and containerized garbage pick-up.
April 7, 2026
Cycle of Rage: Wrong-Way Driver Reveals Wrong-Way Approach To Street Safety
Another day, another driver with a long record of recklessness nearly killing a man yet not suffering any punishment at all.
April 7, 2026
Report: Safety Protections Have Not Kept Up With E-Commerce Boom, And Last Mile Is Making It Worse
A new report from the Teamsters concludes that the city has not kept up with the "last-mile delivery" boom from companies like Amazon.
April 7, 2026
Tuesday’s Headlines: Mamdani On Notice Edition
It's hard for a mayor to know about every single recklessly driving cop who threatens all the residents within driving distance of his precinct house. Plus other news.
April 7, 2026
March (Parking) Madness Finals: Who Will Roll The Rock?
Which Staten Island precinct has the worst parking? Find out in this year's March (Parking) Madness final.
April 6, 2026
Comments Are Temporarily Disabled
Streetsblog is in the process of migrating our commenting system. During this transition, commenting is temporarily unavailable.
Once the migration is complete, you will be able to log back in and will have full access to your comment history. We appreciate your patience and look forward to having you back in the conversation soon.