SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT SOLUTIONS

START WITH ASSESSING THE RISK TO YOUR OWN PROPERTY/COMMUNITY

NOAA's Adam Smith acknowledges that adaptation investments in the billions can be intimidating both for taxpayers and the elected/appointed officials who spend their revenue. 

But doing nothing comes at a much more staggering cost.

“Studying where to raise and harden coastal infrastructure is an investment that will likely pay future dividends to the communities who benefit from such investments,” he said.

“In addition to Miami’s efforts, other cities including New York and Boston are working to elevate and harden coastal infrastructure to storms and sea level rise.”

Smith said it’s plausible that climate change may affect growth patterns in areas that are repeatedly impacted by costly events such as flooding or wildfires.

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT SOLUTIONS

START WITH ASSESSING THE RISK TO YOUR OWN PROPERTY/COMMUNITY

Adam Smith, of NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information, spoke at the summit. He encouraged individual homebuyers, sellers, builders and community leaders to understand the risk to their individual properties and the communities they live in.

“To counter the growing risk of flooding there is a proliferation of public- and private-sector research tools that can help pinpoint current and projected future flood risk. 

These tools are also at increasingly finer scales and many are free to help inform decisions and investments moving forward,” he said.

“2021 was another year in a series of years where we had a high frequency, high cost, and large diversity of extreme events that affect people’s lives and livelihoods. 

It is concerning because it hints that the high activity of recent years is becoming the new normal. 

However, we can reduce our exposure and vulnerabilities to some aspects of these extreme events with forethought and planning,” Smith said.

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT SOLUTIONS

START WITH ASSESSING THE RISK TO YOUR OWN PROPERTY/COMMUNITY

Climate change is not limited to the coastal southeast, desert southwest or wildfire-prone west coast. 

Hurricanes landing farther north, snow bomb cyclones crushing the entire northeast, shoreline erosion and flooding along the Great Lakes, deadly power outages in Texas and other climate change-driven events make this a national problem.

Scientists, insurers, planners, economists, researchers, developers, think tanks, government agencies and professional associations — sometimes at odds over policy — are largely on the same page on climate change. 

The NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® shined a light on the impact on residential and commercial property during its Sustainability Summit in December 2021.

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT SOLUTIONS

START WITH ASSESSING THE RISK TO YOUR OWN PROPERTY/COMMUNITY

Climate impact spans far beyond coastal areas.

Sustainability, resiliency, climate change, sea level rise, adaptation, infrastructure, hardening the system, storm events, frequent flooding, global warming, heat islands, drought, wildfires: 21st century life can be overwhelming.

The alphabet soup of scientific phrases can be off-putting and the doom and disaster predictions can encourage one to put down the antennas and let someone else worry about the issues.

Unfortunately, the impact of climate change — whether measured by danger to humans or negative impact on the economy in the tens of billions — cannot be ignored.

OUTDOOR LIFTS NEVER WORK

THESE SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED IN THE FLORIDA –               

OR ANY OTHER STATE’S – BUILDING CODE

They require a key and it gets lost. 

They put people with disabilities at the mercy of a never answered call button. 

They create dependency and shame. 

This abomination is at a recently-opened luxury waterfront multifamily complex.

The location, close to transit, jobs and mixed-use, is ideal for people with disabilities.

But lazy architects, planners, building departments and more -- have made hundreds of units off limits to all people with disabilities.

Wheelchair users are fiercely independent—when they aren’t blocked by barriers.

A FILTHY, LOATHSOME POX ON AN OTHERWISE DIVERSE AND VIBRANT JACKSON HEIGHTS, QUEENS, NEW YORK

THE ELMHURST HOTEL HOSTS PROSTITUTION

AVOID IT LIKE THE PLAGUE

Access to a train into Manhattan and points I was working in throughout Queens was a major factor in enduring the trash at the no-tell motel

I worried the whole time during that last half day in the city – and was shocked that the bag was in the closet upon my return.

For dealing with noise at all hours, cigarette stench, most electrical outlets broken, unsecure bag storage, entering my room against my clear wishes and above all else – the fear for safety from the overt, vulgar and constant prostitution – 

I am owed 50% of what I paid as a refund.

Booking.com Please send a secret shopper to this property. 

When you see it is more brothel than hotel, you will hopefully stop doing business with it – so legitimate travelers, especially families with children, will NEVER be subjected to my experience.

When I escaped the hell hole that is the Elmhurst Hotel, I sent direct emails to: the Queens Borough President, New York City Councilmember for this district, two senior staff members of that councilmember and two senior police officers at the precinct in which the hotel is located.

My note was honest, earnest, brief and to the point.

To date, only the police precinct has pledged to look into my dire warning.

Disgracefully, none of the other leaders/professionals or their assistants have had the common courtesy to phone or email me to know they are lifting a finger to address this cesspool that will kill tourism and investment.

A FILTHY, LOATHSOME POX ON AN OTHERWISE DIVERSE AND VIBRANT JACKSON HEIGHTS, QUEENS, NEW YORK

THE ELMHURST HOTEL HOSTS PROSTITUTION

AVOID IT LIKE THE PLAGUE

Vacant restaurant next door to shameful Elmhurst Hotel

During booking and upon checkout, I explained that my flight was a half day past check out and that I would need safe storage of my small suitcase.

I was told this would be no problem.

On checkout, the front desk person rudely said they do no such thing.

 I asked if there was a locker storage place nearby.

The person just glared at me.

I showed my message – routed through Booking.com site – where a manager promised safe bag stowage.

The front desk person walked to a chemical-wreaking, janitor/maintenance closet without a lock on it and told me I was welcome to toss my bag in, but no promised it would be there.

I worried the whole time during that last half day in the city – and was shocked that the bag was in the closet upon my return.

A FILTHY, LOATHSOME POX ON AN OTHERWISE DIVERSE AND VIBRANT JACKSON HEIGHTS, QUEENS, NEW YORK

THE ELMHURST HOTEL HOSTS PROSTITUTION

AVOID IT LIKE THE PLAGUE

I do not how this hotel gets a better than 5 out of 10 star rating on Booking.com.  Booking.com is my bible for booking rooms all over the world.

Its contributors are much more spot-on than rival online booking sites.

I have to figure that either the Elmhurst management has recently shifted to being hooker hotel central, or the handful of non prostitute-john customers are immune to seeing this frightening and filthy activity.

I made it clear I did not want my room entered while I was there. I had a do not disturb sign on door and left notes each day with front desk.  

In middle of my stay, my bed was made and stuff changed around.  

I honestly wonder if they sort of sublet my room for a 2-hour tryst, gambling that I wouldn’t be back till night – giving them time to clean up a mess.

A FILTHY, LOATHSOME POX ON AN OTHERWISE DIVERSE AND VIBRANT JACKSON HEIGHTS, QUEENS, NEW YORK

THE ELMHURST HOTEL HOSTS PROSTITUTION

AVOID IT LIKE THE PLAGUE

On the third day, I was propositioned by a pair of scantily clad gals in the elevator who were clearly stealing the same NYC skyline cheap poster photo that was in my room.

On the fourth day, I left early Sunday morning to find provocatively dressed prostitutes on 8-inch platform shoes of every stripe – trans, female, male….

The fifth day, a shirtless, high/drunk pimp was screaming – both into his phone and at a cowering working gal – in the tiny dreary lobby. 

Guess this why the sullen front desk staff hides behind bullet proof glass – speaking through a tiny cut out and taking your credit card/ID through a tiny slot.

Why did I stay?  Very good question.

I had just gotten some very bad news the week leading up to my trip and I was in a funk and less aware of the world around me.

Plus, they charged the full amount of the stay the first night and I figured owners uncaring enough to run a house of prostitution would never in 10 million years refund my remaining nights stay if I checked switched hotels.

A FILTHY, LOATHSOME POX ON AN OTHERWISE DIVERSE AND VIBRANT JACKSON HEIGHTS, QUEENS, NEW YORK

THE ELMHURST HOTEL HOSTS PROSTITUTION

AVOID IT LIKE THE PLAGUE

I was tired when I arrived, so I didn’t think about the set up being a giveaway that this is a by the hour hotel.

As noted by many reviewers, only a fraction of the outlets work. 

So you pick between a lamp and charging your smart phone, etc.

The dead bolt wouldn’t click, so I had to use the little rocker arm to hope to be extra protected when sleeping.

On the second day, I realized something was up, because housekeeping was cleaning rooms constantly. 

Like people were only in them for a couple hours.

A FILTHY, LOATHSOME POX ON AN OTHERWISE DIVERSE AND VIBRANT JACKSON HEIGHTS, QUEENS, NEW YORK

THE ELMHURST HOTEL HOSTS PROSTITUTION

AVOID IT LIKE THE PLAGUE

I thought I was getting a decent sized room at a decent price next to a prime subway station in the culturally-diverse and amazing heart of Jackson Heights.

What Booking.com steered me to (despite fairly high ratings, perhaps based on a lodging better run by previous owners/managers?) was the Elmhurst Hotel – a seedy site of rampant prostitution.

I could no more recommend it for families than I would recommend sleeping on the sidewalk.

On check in, you get a creepy vibe.

The lobby is tiny and the front desk is behind tall, bullet proof glass. 

The images on both Booking.com and the property’s site are false – they show a modest front desk open and not fearfully covered in bullet proof glass.

There are no plants, no photos – nothing but a hard bench, beverage vending machine and elevator.

UNIVERSAL DESIGN -- ACCESS FOR ALL

 SITE DESIGN MUST ELIMINATE ANY ABUSES 

THAT WILL BLOCK THE WHEELCHAIR-ACCESSIBLE PATHWAY

Planners, Urban Designers, Architects, Landscape Architects plus city Zoning and Building officials MUST be visionary when designing wheelchair/pedestrian access.

The sidewalk/only accessible way into this Miami luxury high rise has been blocked by valet parking.

This forces people with disabilities to use the driveway, where they can easily be run over by cars not expecting pedestrians in the roadway.

The site actually has accessible walkways on both sides of the drive. But both are blocked with dozens of valeted cars.

Planning has to consider that once the building is occupied, lazy and thoughtless valets will take up any paved space with the cars of VIPs.

Landscaping a few feet tall, or a decorative border wall between the walkway and driveway would prevent misuse of walkways as valet space.

Police will NEVER in 100 lifetimes go onto private property to ticket or tow to resolve an Americans with Disabilities Act violation.

Cities will not in one million lifetimes pull a certificate of occupancy or otherwise hold a development accountable for discriminating against the human rights of people with disabilities – violated by safe pedestrian pathway blockage.

So designers must anticipate these issues and design to prevent them from Day One.

WHY UNIVERSAL DESIGN IS CRITICAL

TOO MANY ARCHITECTS, PLANNERS, TRANSPORTATION ENGINEERS AND URBAN DESIGNERS REDUCE THE ADA TO SOME KIND OF ONEROUS HURDLE THAT MUST BE LEAPED

I believe Universal Design and equity/inclusion for people with disabilities works the same way. 

Ensure input from people with disabilities at workshops. 

Better still: educate, recruit, hire, retain and promote people with disabilities who create and regulate the built environment. 

Conscious efforts to boost the numbers of women and people of color in planning has reaped fabulous benefits. 

The time has come to do the same with people with disabilities.

WHY UNIVERSAL DESIGN IS CRITICAL

TOO MANY ARCHITECTS, PLANNERS, TRANSPORTATION ENGINEERS AND URBAN DESIGNERS REDUCE THE ADA TO SOME KIND OF ONEROUS HURDLE THAT MUST BE LEAPED

I look at design for dignity, design for all, design for people with disabilities—as a belief, a guidepost, a best practice—not so much a begrudging checklist.

It is like any other approach to diversity. 

You rely not simply on code alone to make your city welcoming to people of all races, genders, incomes. 

You listen to them and value their opinions and incorporate their diverse cultural and other needs to make a place where all can thrive.

WHY UNIVERSAL DESIGN IS CRITICAL

TOO MANY ARCHITECTS, PLANNERS, TRANSPORTATION ENGINEERS AND URBAN DESIGNERS REDUCE THE ADA TO SOME KIND OF ONEROUS HURDLE THAT MUST BE LEAPED

Housing types accessible to all enable aging in place much better than those built only for able-bodied people.

Eleanor Smith, who attended a few CNU national gatherings, created the concept of visitability.

It’s simple.

One level entrance, wide doorways, one bathroom on the ground floor and enough space to get around in the kitchen and bath. 

Most of these features are 100 percent desirable for all people—especially more than one bath and a roomier kitchen.

WHY UNIVERSAL DESIGN IS CRITICAL

TOO MANY ARCHITECTS, PLANNERS, TRANSPORTATION ENGINEERS AND URBAN DESIGNERS REDUCE THE ADA TO SOME KIND OF ONEROUS HURDLE THAT MUST BE LEAPED

Expense is often cited as a reason to shun Universal Design.

This is odd.

The up-front cost of building LEED sustainable is more than conventional/wasteful building—but the value, both in operations and when large institutional investors buy huge office or apartment buildings, is recouped and then some.

I would argue that Universal Design is the most efficient, durable, sustainable and flexible approach to town design.

Aging in place is one of the biggest topics today, as America not only is aging but also has tens of millions of well-heeled, newly-retired Baby Boomers trying to figure out whether to age in place, downsize, or move to a senior community.

WHY UNIVERSAL DESIGN IS CRITICAL

TOO MANY ARCHITECTS, PLANNERS, TRANSPORTATION ENGINEERS AND URBAN DESIGNERS REDUCE THE ADA TO SOME KIND OF ONEROUS HURDLE THAT MUST BE LEAPED

It amazes me when I visit a new urbanist beach town and find, almost always, a long ramp over protected nature and dunes—that ends in stairs down to the beach.

The ramp is already there.

No one is freaked out by it.

No waterfront experiences are ruined.

So why not ramp the beach part of the walkway?

I could fill a room with people who have limited mobility but swim, surf, sun and otherwise use the beach.

WHY UNIVERSAL DESIGN IS CRITICAL

TOO MANY ARCHITECTS, PLANNERS, TRANSPORTATION ENGINEERS AND URBAN DESIGNERS REDUCE THE ADA TO SOME KIND OF ONEROUS HURDLE THAT MUST BE LEAPED

A classic example of a failure occurred because the designer obsessed on the pure numbers of complying with the ADA versus creating Universal Design.

A festival marketplace style mall in Miami underwent a total renovation to reposition for current restaurant-retail trends.

The main open-air space is up a few steps from the sidewalk—perhaps for sea level rise reasons.

The plaza has plenty of space to use topography to make a gentle grade.

Sure enough, there is ramp that makes the space compliant.

But half of the frontage has a few small steps.

People trip over the steps and crowd the ramp. There is no reason why the entire approach could not have been gently sloped.

SIDEWALKS DONE RIGHT

A CLEAR PATH OF TRAVEL FOR ALL IS ESSENTIAL

The city of Miami Beach got it right when designing along this sidewalk next to Flamingo Park.

Note the trash can is mounted on the ground, not on the concrete. 

This maintains a clear smooth path for wheelchair users and all pedestrians. 

It enhances mobility while reducing car dependency in the dense, human-scaled corridor along Meridian Avenue.

Too many times, street furniture pinches sidewalk mobility. 

Inclusive design serves all.

WHY UNIVERSAL DESIGN IS CRITICAL

TOO MANY ARCHITECTS, PLANNERS, TRANSPORTATION ENGINEERS AND URBAN DESIGNERS REDUCE THE ADA TO SOME KIND OF ONEROUS HURDLE THAT MUST BE LEAPED

Ron Mace named his creation Universal Design because he knew that good design was useful and beautiful—for all. 

Take a curb ramp or a well-protected crosswalk.

Yes, it makes mobility possible for my wife.

But it's also great for infants in strollers, kids on bikes, elders using walkers/crutches—not to mention Miami gals that love high heels to thousands of delivery people rolling millions of goods that keep our economy functioning.

WHY UNIVERSAL DESIGN IS CRITICAL

TOO MANY ARCHITECTS, PLANNERS, TRANSPORTATION ENGINEERS AND URBAN DESIGNERS REDUCE THE ADA TO SOME KIND OF ONEROUS HURDLE THAT MUST BE LEAPED

I believe far too many architects, planners, transportation engineers and urban designers reduce the ADA to some kind of onerous hurdle that must be leaped—lest the attorneys get involved.

That is why I tell my clients and students to comply with the ADA, but think in term of Universal Design. 

The term was coined by the late Ron Mace, a fellow of the American Institute of Architects, educator and planner. 

He used a wheelchair for mobility but was very deliberate in not naming his creation "disability” or “wheelchair" design. 

Mace did so because he knew that good design was useful and beautiful—for all. 

Take a curb ramp or a well-protected crosswalk. 

Yes, it makes mobility possible for my wife. 

But it's also great for infants in strollers, kids on bikes, elders using walkers/crutches—not to mention Miami gals that love high heels to thousands of delivery people rolling millions of goods that keep our economy functioning.

ONE IN FOUR PEOPLE LIVE WITH A DISABILITY

WE’LL SETTLE FOR 10 PERCENT OF A NEW DEVELOPMENT’S PROCEEDS BEING EARKARED FOR HOUSING AND SERVCIES FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

Tens of thousands of people with disabilities in Miami-Dade County lack accessible housing and services.

10% of this $10 Billion project MUST support people with disabilities.

Please, Mayor Daniella Levine Cava and Commissioner Eileen Higgins, be innovative:

New plan for downtown. County reveals $10 billion redevelopment:

https://www.miamiherald.com/real-estate/article264376431.html

WHY UNIVERSAL DESIGN IS CRITICAL

TOO MANY ARCHITECTS, PLANNERS, TRANSPORTATION ENGINEERS AND URBAN DESIGNERS REDUCE THE ADA TO SOME KIND OF ONEROUS HURDLE THAT MUST BE LEAPED

More than one CNU leader has asked me how a person could go about getting an ADA variance—in the context of both building and town design.

I’ve explained what my brilliant wife (Heidi Johnson-Wright, a lifelong public servant in her third decade as an ADA coordinator) does: 

While it impacts the built environment, the ADA is not a building or zoning code.

It is federal civil rights legislation

As such, it can no more be waived than a firm could ask for a variance to discriminate in hiring practices based on race, gender, etc.

WHY UNIVERSAL DESIGN IS CRITICAL

TOO MANY ARCHITECTS, PLANNERS, TRANSPORTATION ENGINEERS AND URBAN DESIGNERS REDUCE THE ADA TO SOME KIND OF ONEROUS HURDLE THAT MUST BE LEAPED

While speaking at the International Making Cities Livable Conference in Paris, I thought about the CNU and my desire that it do more for people with disabilities.

I thought about the frequent pushback from CNU members who have said the ADA is the enemy of historic preservation, urban housing types, organic placemaking, and aesthetic design.

I’m baffled why the ADA’s design standards are an unmovable roadblock to so many CNU-affiliated practitioners.

Is their creativity crushed by flood plain, fire safety, windstorm, setback, height limit, and myriad other building/zoning code requirements?

WHY UNIVERSAL DESIGN IS CRITICAL

TOO MANY ARCHITECTS, PLANNERS, TRANSPORTATION ENGINEERS AND URBAN DESIGNERS REDUCE THE ADA TO SOME KIND OF ONEROUS HURDLE THAT MUST BE LEAPED

The merger of what I work on and who I love should be perfect.

The CNU advocates for so many things that make life better for people with disabilities.

Transit, walkability (same as rollability for the most part), mixed-use, connectivity, a range of housing types are but a few of the core values of the CNU that create compact, easily traversable urban centers.

WHY UNIVERSAL DESIGN IS CRITICAL

TOO MANY ARCHITECTS, PLANNERS, TRANSPORTATION ENGINEERS AND URBAN DESIGNERS REDUCE THE ADA TO SOME KIND OF ONEROUS HURDLE THAT MUST BE LEAPED

As a reporter, marketer, and planner, I have been involved with the Congress for New Urbanism since its founding.

I started writing about urban design, growth, development and how cities work and fail in 1988.

That is the same year I married a brilliant attorney and writer who has used a wheelchair for mobility since she started college in the early 1980s. 

STANDING ON THE SHOULDERS OF GIANTS

CHRISTINA RODRIGUEZ OF UM-NSU UCARD

ON NEURODIVERSITY FOR UMSOA STUDENTS 

We teach Universal Design to graduate and upper level undergraduate students at the University of Miami School of Architecture – a top 50 program out of more than 500 schools of architecture. 

While much of the focus is on designing for people with mobility impairments -- we also spend a great deal of time educating future architects about design that improves lives for people with visual impairments, hearing impairments and those in the neurodiversity community.

Christina Rodriguez is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst & case manager in Applied Research & Behavioral Training division at the University of Miami-Nova Southeastern University Center for Autism and Related Disabilities.

Prior to working at CARD, Christina was a special education teacher for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders in a self-contained classroom setting for over nine years.

She has a master’s in Special Education with a specialization in Autism Spectrum Disorders & a masters in psychology with a concentration on Applied Behavior Analysis.

IN OBSERVANCE OF THE 32ND ANNIVERSARY OF THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT

  WE PRESENT: FIVE EPIC ACCESSIBILITY FAILS IN MIAMI

When the city allows total blockage of sidewalks for years on end, a person using a wheelchair might have to cross three lanes of traffic to arrive at the store on the same side of the street. 

How do we solve these problems? 

By educating designers and bringing people with disabilities to the table. 

Why not require that every city hearing and advisory board have a person with a disability on it? 

Deliverables spelled out in government contracts must include techniques for getting the disability voice into master plans.

IN OBSERVANCE OF THE 32ND ANNIVERSARY OF THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT

  WE PRESENT: FIVE EPIC ACCESSIBILITY FAILS IN MIAMI

Greater Miami has hundreds of major development sites.

Virtually all of them fence off and block the sidewalk during the two to three years of construction. 

Developers rake in billions while pedestrians, wheelchair users, the elderly, and young children are exposed to Miami's reckless drivers.

There is no excuse for this. Visit New York, Boston, and Philadelphia, and you'll find scaffolding in place to maintain safe pedestrian passages. 

This is not a new thing. 

There are photos in the 1900s of scaffolding maintaining the sidewalk

IN OBSERVANCE OF THE 32ND ANNIVERSARY OF THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT

  WE PRESENT: FIVE EPIC ACCESSIBILITY FAILS IN MIAMI

The Rathskeller on campus has a large and lovely patio for outdoor dining overlooking Lake Osceola and the fine, leafy campus. 

Until recently, all outdoor dining was facilitated with the inaccessible, four-seat gliders. 

The image below shows the single, roll-up, wheelchair-accessible table. It would be nice to see more than one -- but we praise the management there for meeting with disabled students and making an effort. 

So far, the Rathskeller seems to be the only spot working toward inclusion.

We have counted several hundred of these gliders on every corner of campus that humiliate and isolate people with disabilities. 

IN OBSERVANCE OF THE 32ND ANNIVERSARY OF THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT

  WE PRESENT: FIVE EPIC ACCESSIBILITY FAILS IN MIAMI

I am proud to be half of the team that created and teaches universal design to graduate and undergraduate students at the University of Miami. 

I was equally proud that a mandatory new-employee video emphasizes diversity and inclusion for all. 

However, I am deeply saddened that virtually every corner of the Coral Gables main campus has shaded seating in the form of gliders, seating that is 100 percent impossible for a wheelchair user to get into or roll up to even on the outside edge.

IN OBSERVANCE OF THE 32ND ANNIVERSARY OF THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT

  WE PRESENT: FIVE EPIC ACCESSIBILITY FAILS IN MIAMI

Engineers almost never consider — even in Miami, where flooding and sea-level rise are a growing problem — that just a few inches of water pooled in a curb ramp can kill the battery and mechanicals on a wheelchair that costs $25,000 or more.

Dockless scooters are another hazard to people with disabilities. 

Miami has a Wild West attitude that results in scooters frequently blocking wheelchair access on sidewalks, crosswalks, curb ramps, and transit stops.

Dozens of other cities regulate micromobility and force companies to corral rental bikes and scooters where they do not obstruct mobility.