AND OFTEN CAN BE DONE AT A LOW COST
When I see a design that serves everyone with equity and inclusion.
Ableists (wrongly) see something that blows up traditional placemaking for a “special interest.”
Experts around the world have proven that one in four people will experience some kind of disability in their lifetime.
There are more than one
billion people on earth who have a disability that impacts their daily lives.
AND OFTEN CAN BE DONE AT A LOW COST
I have spent nearly four decades as a writer, planner, educator and advocate.
My specialty
is advocating for good urban design and town planning that not only encourages
walking, but also makes it easy, safe and comfortable.
I am one of
the few people in my field whose prime focus is design for people with
disabilities.
I’d be lying
if I didn’t share that I often get frustrated by urban designers and town
planners who push back on the notion of design (or retrofit) that serves all.
EXPERT ADVICE FROM FLORIDA-BASED
GLOBAL DISABILITY INCLUSION, LLC.
Proud to
share this from new client Meg O’Connell, CEO and Founder of Global Disability
Inclusion.
Her guest
column in Jacksonville.com / Florida Times-Union provided relevant commentary on
Disability Disclosures at the workplace.
It’s a
spot-on tie-in with , National Disability Employment Awareness Month, which is
observed each October.
Meg’s work
is making the world a better place.
I’m
gratified to collaborate with her on messaging.
Here's the full column:
POLVO COM
ARROZ NO FORNO -- O MELHOR DO MUNDO
The Ribeira in Porto – the historic district at the edge of the Rio Douro – is filled with architecture, charm and restaurants.
Many of the restaurants are fine, but they
aim low toward the tourist palette.
The Taberna
hosts visitors, but it has a small menu with a handful of entrees done
perfectly.
It is a
beacon of gastronomy.
I dined for
lunch twice during my 36-hour visit.
The far and
away winner is octopus with rice, cooked an oven.
A huge dish,
fit for two people, comes to you for the low price of 24 euros.
The wine
list is curated, and for a city famed for its fortified wine, has plenty of vintages
from France and points beyond Portugal.
Servers are
efficient and hardworking.
Desserts are
homemade and delicious.
Let’s keep
this our own little secret, for world class fin and shellfish and curated wine
list in a warm atmosphere.
LUXURY IN THE PERFECT LOCATION FOR A FAIR PRICE
My visit included shopping at the legendary Livraria Llelo bookstore and dining at the restaurant row on Flores Street.
Footsteps
from the Carris Hotel is the small, 5-star Taberna Dos Mercadores.
I lined up a
half hour before opening two days in a row to eat phenomenal seafood rice, then
seafood feijoada the next day.
Desserts and
wines are also amazing.
I will be
seeking out Carris branded properties for all my future travels.
LUXURY IN THE PERFECT LOCATION FOR A FAIR PRICE
The staff is super well trained.
I was
treated like someone booking a presidential suite for a month, when I was just
a one-night visitor rolling into town early one day and heading to Lisbon late
the next.
Porto is
such a fabulous city.
I should
have stayed 3 nights.
Everything
is within walking distance of the hotel.
I visited
nearly a dozen classic churches, photographed azulejo adorned building facades and
at pastel da nata.
LUXURY IN THE PERFECT LOCATION FOR A FAIR PRICE
The desk staff suggested a fabulous locals restaurant, so I could eat fresh seafood while avoiding the mediocre tourist spots that dominate the popular neighborhood.
There was a
gourmet grocery very close by, so I could have a bottle of port for the room
and eat pastries on my balcony.
The room was
worth three times what I paid -- at least.
LUXURY IN THE PERFECT LOCATION FOR A FAIR PRICE
The suite had a huge comfortable bed, lavish bath plus a separate sitting room.
I could enjoy city and water views from the
small balconies.
Thick glass
closed around them to make a double layer of soundproofing.
The hotel
itself is in a series of preserved historic buildings, adapted inside with a
super modern and comfortable lobby, bar, front desk staff.
My light
luggage was stored for late afternoon departure after noon check out.
LUXURY IN THE PERFECT LOCATION FOR A FAIR PRICE
I asked for an early check-in, quiet room and small upgrade if available.
In return
for barely more than 100 euros in high season, I was upgraded to a suite with 7
balconies.
I also got benefitted
from very early check in, for a very tranquil and quiet room (despite a prime location
with a fair amount of noise at street level)
The location
is perfect -- crawling distance of Porto's Rio Douro riverfront and in the
heart of the historic Ribeira district.
I HOPE I HAVE MADE THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE
The year ahead will be one of difficult and challenging transition.
Details about major changes will be
shared in early 2023.
I always try to write a blog post tied
to my birthday, something different than the other 364 posts of the year.
I have long contemplated writing my own
obituary.
I have pre-written obits of well-known
people when I was a journalist.
It’s common practice to have them at
the ready with a significant person is very old or ill.
But I keep thinking if I post it, maybe
someone will think I’ve expired, am about to or am in the mood to expedite the journey
to the other side.
Not the case on all counts.
So how to do a bit of an I love me
post without crafting my own obituary in paragraph structure.
Well, how about bullet points.
To date, 40 years living as an adult, I have:
1. Completed projects in some of the greatest cities
of the world
2. Traveled – solo and together – to even more of
the best cities on earth
3. Written a one-of-kind special section on one
of Columbus, Ohio’s poorest hardscrabble neighborhoods
4. Won major awards for my journalism
5. Been my editor’s nominee for the Pulitzer
Prize
6. Had my work published in more than 100
newspapers and magazines
7. Posted daily to a blog for nearly a decade
8. Produced cover stories on diversity, equity,
inclusion and accessibility
9. Produced center-spread major feature articles
on urban design, planning, architecture, engineering, mobility, sustainability,
housing and growth
10. Ghost written trade journal article and op-ed
pieces for clients
12. Given a key lecture in Paris at the
International Making Cities Livable global gathering
13. Spoken about Universal Design in planning at
the APA Florida statewide conference
14. Written a winning proposal for presentation
at the American Institute of Architects national conference
15. Written an award submission that won the APA’s
highest nationwide honor for a client
16. Been on planning teams recognized with APA
statewide and regional awards
17. Led the communications for an urban design
studio that more than doubled in size during my tenure
18. Led marketing for a globally honored international
architecture firm
19. Led business development for a legacy engineering
firm that expanded its walkability and multimodal practice
20. Served as the senior policy advisor to the
chair of the Miami City Commission – within three years of moving from Ohio
22. Contributed to a project that created a
pedestrian walkway connecting Miami’s greats historic main streets – Calle Ocho
and Coral Way
23. Served as point person for the elected
official who cast the deciding vote to adopt Miami 21, the first citywide
form-based code in America
24. Created a groundbreaking Universal Design
course for the undergraduate and graduate levels
25. Taught the revolutionary Universal Design
course at a top 10 school of architecture
26. Contributed writing and research to the largest
trade association in America for two decades
27. Contributed content to the nation’s largest
non-profit for people with spinal cord injuries for 20-plus years
28. Advised world leaders on how to improve
housing, transit, workplaces, parks, services and daily living for people with
disabilities
29. Advised corporations on diversity, equity and
inclusion – through the lens of disability advocacy
That’s 29, half of 58.
I’d like to
think there are 29 more great accomplishments, but there’s no need to keep
writing.
I thank
those who read this essay to completion.
THE PERFECT HOLIDAY APARTMENT IN THE PERFECT LOCATION
In the evenings, I hustled along after dinner to catch the last moments of the golden hour, to take sunset photos from Miradouro da Graca/Sophia de Mello Breyner Andresen -- enhanced by a public patio where snacks and drinks are served from a kiosk.
In the evening, my neighbor’s sweet cat would come by to be
petted and the neighborhood beagle would beg for snacks and affection.
And each night, I slept in a roughly 600 square foot space. A unit large enough to live in year-round.
https://www.booking.com/hotel/pt/serra-vidal-apartment.html?auth_success=1
THE PERFECT HOLIDAY APARTMENT IN THE PERFECT LOCATION
In the morning, sunshine
bathed the neighborhood and I rushed from Backyard Nest past the locals to take
photos of all of Lisbon stretched out below
https://www.booking.com/hotel/pt/serra-vidal-apartment.html?auth_success=1
THE PERFECT HOLIDAY APARTMENT IN THE PERFECT LOCATION
Graca has places to sit outside and have a drink – be it strong coffee or smooth wine.
I had some of the best seafood, at a great price, in all my travels – at places a quarter mile walk from my holiday apartment.
There are clothing shops – used and new – convenience stores, quirky stores – virtually all mom and pop.
It soothes the soul to patronize authentic shops.
https://www.booking.com/hotel/pt/serra-vidal-apartment.html?auth_success=1
THE PERFECT HOLIDAY APARTMENT IN THE PERFECT LOCATION
Footsteps from the Backyard Nest, there were nearly a half dozen family-owned bakeries – with sweet and savory items.
There were small, quirky grocery stores and fruit stands, as well as a Pingo Doce – the major supermarket – behind the façade of a beautiful old movie theater and stocked with every item you could ever want.
https://www.booking.com/hotel/pt/serra-vidal-apartment.html?auth_success=1
THE PERFECT HOLIDAY APARTMENT IN THE PERFECT LOCATION
I spent far more time in Graca than I would have thought before arriving.
It really only has a few true tourist attractions – a pair of unmatched lookout points – a couple historic churches and by extension (though shared with Alfama) the famed Mercado de Santa Clara flea market and the national pantheon.
But Graca kept calling my name.
https://www.booking.com/hotel/pt/serra-vidal-apartment.html?auth_success=1
THE PERFECT HOLIDAY APARTMENT IN THE PERFECT LOCATION
The Backyard Nest is footsteps from the famed 28 historic tram – which links you to all the museums and historic places in the city.
There’s also a small bus that covers the same route.
When tourists clog the tram and there’s a wait, it’s a good backup plan to use the mini bus.
https://www.booking.com/hotel/pt/serra-vidal-apartment.html?auth_success=1
ACCESS FOR ALL GUIDE TO LISBON
Steep
topography, narrow winding alleys, centuries old buildings, historic trams --
the very things that make Lisbon so charming -- create difficulty for those who
use wheelchairs for mobility.
That why we're
so impressed with Lisbon’s guide to wheelchair access.
First off,
we appreciate that the introduction, written by the then deputy mayor for social
rights, acknowledges that the city has a long way to go to provide the kind of
inclusion that people with disabilities deserve.
The second thing we like is the specific details.
Many times, a route to an attraction is
mapped – with routes that are independent and route that don’t have steps, but
may have cobblestones so bumpy that a wheelchair may requires a companion to
help navigate.
The
attractions themselves have vivid details. So you know if one floor of a museum
is barrier-free, but other parts are not.
Elevators, accessible restrooms, direct links to the attractions and other fine details make the guide an excellent English-language wheelchair access guide to access to sunny Lisboa.
file:///C:/Users/User/Downloads/lisbon-accessible-tourism-cml.pdf
THE PERFECT HOLIDAY APARTMENT IN THE PERFECT LOCATION
.jpeg)
The Backyard Nest is one story, so no footsteps sound from above.
It has just one common wall, so again, nice and quiet.
There's a nice outdoor area behind a gate.
I found it fabulous for drinking local, very inexpensive wine on at the clean and lovely table.
https://www.booking.com/hotel/pt/serra-vidal-apartment.html?auth_success=1
THE PERFECT HOLIDAY APARTMENT IN THE PERFECT LOCATION
The Backyard Nest is one of a half dozen or so in a row of old and quaint buildings.
The other neighbors seem to be year-round owners.
They are friendly (though my Portuguese is horrible) and quiet at night.
You also will be visited by a sweetheart friendly beagle.
https://www.booking.com/hotel/pt/serra-vidal-apartment.html?auth_success=1
THE PERFECT HOLIDAY APARTMENT IN THE PERFECT LOCATION
.jpeg)
The private street is gated.
The gate was never locked, but it gave an added sense of privacy and security.
Although Graca and the specific area the Nest is located felt so safe that I probably could have left the door unlocked.
https://www.booking.com/hotel/pt/serra-vidal-apartment.html?auth_success=1
THE PERFECT HOLIDAY APARTMENT IN THE PERFECT LOCATION
.jpeg)
The bathroom is compact, but the shower tube doesn't leak at all and the warm water is fast to arrive and runs endlessly.
The bed is firm and comfortable.
https://www.booking.com/hotel/pt/serra-vidal-apartment.html?auth_success=1
THE PERFECT HOLIDAY APARTMENT IN THE PERFECT LOCATION
Graca has great
restaurants, bakeries, plazas and best of all -- the two best overlooks in a
city filled with views down its steep hills onto the river and landscape.
I have stayed at hundreds of hotels, motels, B&Bs, inns, apartments and quirky lodging.
Backyard Nest ranks atop
any I have visited -- via Booking.com or any other service.
You truly have everything you would ever need.
https://www.booking.com/hotel/pt/serra-vidal-apartment.html?auth_success=1
THE PERFECT HOLIDAY APARTMENT IN THE PERFECT LOCATION
.jpeg)
The Backyard Nest looked perfect online, but being my first visit to Lisbon, I was a little hesitant -- simply because the main tourist attractions are not in Graca and it is not among the top 6 or so neighborhoods outlined in the guidebooks.
After visiting, I not only urge people to stay in Graca -- but I'm also seriously thinking of buying a place in the livable, down to earth and historic neighborhood.
I spent way more time than I expected in Graca.
https://www.booking.com/hotel/pt/serra-vidal-apartment.html?auth_success=1
FOR PEDESTRIAN SPACE
Pedestrian
Space is a media and advocacy project established to document & explore
walkability as a central aspect of sustainable urbanism.
My world and
national travels have kept me busy, but I will soon be contributing blog posts,
photo essays and other insights to the Pedestrian Space team.
My bio
states:
Steve Wright
has four decades of experience in urban design, planning, architecture,
mobility, sustainability and universal design.
He
co-created a groundbreaking universal design course at the University of Miami
School of Architecture.
His
award-winning reporting frequently appears in Planning magazine and he has
presented nationally and internationally.
This link leads to the Pedestrian Space correspondents list.
As it is alphabetical, I'm at the bottom.
Check out the rest of the site, it's got great advocacy storytelling -- in an easy to read, not overly technical form:
https://pedestrianspace.org/global-walkability-correspondents/
START WITH ASSESSING THE RISK TO YOUR OWN PROPERTY/COMMUNITY
 |
| The image is from the New York panorama created for the Word's Fair 1964 and last updated in 1992. The Queens Museum has left the World Trade Center twin towers in place despite the tragedy of 9/11/2001 |
Rutgers University-Newark Professor Jason Barr said deadly flooding will happen more often and working-class people will be cut off from jobs if dramatic action isn’t taken.
He understands the cynicism toward his project, but said the time
for design for action is now.
“Doing nothing is much more expensive than doing a big project,” he said.
“In all
climate change adaptation, we are going to be weighing the cost of inaction
versus the cost of action,” Barr said.
START WITH ASSESSING THE RISK TO YOUR OWN PROPERTY/COMMUNITY
 |
| The image is from the New York panorama created for the Word's Fair 1964 and last updated in 1992. The Queens Museum has left the World Trade Center twin towers in place despite the tragedy of 9/11/2001 |
“Of course, I want some buildings for billionaires — that would raise the money to help subsidize the affordable housing,” said Rutgers University-Newark Professor Jason Barr.
“But an authority would own the land and have full control of
the long-term leases. That would allow large tracks devoted to middle- or
low-income housing.”
When
the remnants of Ida dumped heavy rain on greater New York, dozens of people
lost their lives and subway lines — the lifeblood of commerce in the city —
were heavily damaged by flooding.
START WITH ASSESSING THE RISK TO YOUR OWN PROPERTY/COMMUNITY
 |
| The image is from the New York panorama created for the Word's Fair 1964 and last updated in 1992. The Queens Museum has left the World Trade Center twin towers in place despite the tragedy of 9/11/2001 |
New York city has started a major climate resiliency project along Manhattan to help reduce future flood risk.
“If we’re going to spend billions of dollars on
this, why not create more of the most valuable real estate in the world?” Rutgers
University-Newark Professor Jason Barr asked.
Barr said the value of the new land could leverage a new subway line, parks, infrastructure and most important of all — mixed-use housing with a strong percentage of it affordable.
Barr has heard much “it can’t be done” skepticism
and incorrect claims that the vision would end up as a giveaway to
billionaires.