AS DEMAND TO AGE IN PLACE SOARS, SENIOR CITIZENS ARE SEEKING MORE WALKABILITY AND DIVERSE HOUSING TYPES

A TREND THAT ALSO SERVES PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES OF ALL AGES

Gil Penalosa, founder and chair of the Toronto-based planning non-profit 8 80 Cities, said building a great network of wide, well-maintained sidewalks is one of the best things a mayor or city manager can do for a community’s sustainability.

“I have walked on streets where the sidewalk kept sloping for driveways and I thought `this is terrible for wheelchair users, this could cause a person to fall down and get injured.’

I told this to the city official, who said it meets the standards.

I said ‘maybe the standards are dumb.”

AS DEMAND TO AGE IN PLACE SOARS, SENIOR CITIZENS ARE SEEKING MORE WALKABILITY AND DIVERSE HOUSING TYPES

A TREND THAT ALSO SERVES PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES OF ALL AGES

Gil Penalosa, founder and chair of the Toronto-based planning non-profit 8 80 Cities, said senior citizens benefit from not being isolated, but the community benefits as well.

 

He pointed to the huge amount of retired doctors and nurses who responded by volunteering to help overtaxed hospital staff responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“There are studies that show that when (senior citizens) lose their driving privileges, it is as traumatic as a cancer diagnosis.

Because in so many cities, the car is the only way to be mobile and make a doctor’s appointment or grocery run,” he said.

“In walkable cities with transit, losing a car doesn’t mean losing your friends, your stores, your places you’ve gone all your life.”

 

 

AS DEMAND TO AGE IN PLACE SOARS, SENIOR CITIZENS ARE SEEKING MORE WALKABILITY AND DIVERSE HOUSING TYPES

A TREND THAT ALSO SERVES PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES OF ALL AGES

Gil Penalosa, founder and chair of the Toronto-based planning non-profit 8 80 Cities, believes cities will retrofit with infrastructure to support mobility by walking, biking and wheelchair despite the temporary need for isolation because of the Coronavirus pandemic.

“Everyone is looking for the magic pill to address obesity, diabetes, heart trouble and more. 

The answer is getting around by walking, crutches, wheelchair – I don’t care how you move, but you need to move about in ways other than using a car – it’s also very crucial to mental health,’’ he said.

 

“The only places where large amounts of people walk at least five days a week are those with the infrastructure to support walking, biking, transit and mobility for people with disabilities.”

 

 

 

 

AS DEMAND TO AGE IN PLACE SOARS, SENIOR CITIZENS ARE SEEKING MORE WALKABILITY AND DIVERSE HOUSING TYPES

A TREND THAT ALSO SERVES PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES OF ALL AGES

There is an ongoing trend in America of people moving from rural to urban areas.

 

The trend toward more livable cities with more amenities within walking distance is a huge improvement in quality of life for people with disabilities.

 

Premium public transit, wide sidewalks, safe crosswalks and the ability to meet all daily needs without requiring an $80,000 lift-equipped wheelchair van is a huge asset to people who use assistive mobility devices.

 

US census and respected data sources indicate between one in four or one in five Americans who will experience some level of disability that impacts their daily lives.

AS DEMAND TO AGE IN PLACE SOARS, SENIOR CITIZENS ARE SEEKING MORE WALKABILITY AND DIVERSE HOUSING TYPES

A TREND THAT ALSO SERVES PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES OF ALL AGES

While every aging senior does not want to live somewhere as intense as Manhattan, they do want to live where they can meet their daily needs without depending on an automobile.

 

Many are staying within their same city, but selling the big house (in a low density area that requires a car for everything) and moving to more compact, walkable neighborhoods with diverse dwellings.

AS DEMAND TO AGE IN PLACE SOARS, SENIOR CITIZENS ARE SEEKING MORE WALKABILITY AND DIVERSE HOUSING TYPES

A TREND THAT ALSO SERVES PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES OF ALL AGES

America is aging.

 

In 1950, fewer than 8 percent of Americans were age 65 and older.

 

By 2030, AARP data analysis predicts one in five Americans will be 65 or older.

 

For those older Americans, including throngs of Baby Boomers retiring each day, the golden years dream is no longer an isolated villa in a golf cart-using, age-restricted community.

 

More than three out of four people age 65 and older want to age in a community that is walkable, compact, diverse, well-served by transit and filled with a mix of uses including healthcare, shopping, parks, conveniences, libraries and education, job and volunteering opportunities.

MY ACCLAIMED STREET PHOTOGRAPHY WILL BE FEATURED IN A WILEY PRESS BOOK

THE ART OF THE NEW URBANISM VOLUME 2 (2010-2025)

I am honored to learn that my urban/architectural photography will be featured in The Art of the New Urbanism Volume 2 by Wiley Press.

The book is by James Dougherty, Charles C. Bohl & Victor Dover, with a forward by David Csont.

The lavish, full color coffee table book is the result of a collaboration between the University of Miami School of Architecture (UMSoA), the Congress for the New Urbanism (CNU) and Dover, Kohl & Partners Town Planning.

I created a Universal Design course at the UMSoA, have published with the CNU and have collaborated with DKP.

Publication in the Wiley book is gratifying, because an independent expert jury selected my photography from an extraordinary number of high-quality images.

This marks the 10th publication in the past 5 years that has featured my writing, photography or art.

COLOR BOTANICO PALERMO SOHO

PERFECT APARTHOTEL FOR A LONG STAY IN BA'S BEST NEIGHBORHOOD

Color Botanico is a 9.8 out of 10 -- one of my highest ever ratings.

I almost booked a similar sized apartment in MicroCentro.

While that area has a lot of famous spots and places the tourists go -- it is creepy after dark.

Palermo SOHO is vibrant 24-7.

A few blocks in either direction and it would have been noisy.

But this is a quiet, mostly residential street.

Lots of buses nearby as well, to make it easy to visit other parts of the city.

Two people could live in this unit for 2 weeks (4 with 2 bed configuration) and not feel crowded.

COLOR BOTANICO PALERMO SOHO

PERFECT APARTHOTEL FOR A LONG STAY IN BA'S BEST NEIGHBORHOOD

Color Botanico ApartHotel Palermo’s unit provides lots of space to stretch out in.

There are plenty of racks to dry clothes washed in the sink, to allow for light packing.

Check in is after 3, but my flight arrived at 4 a.m.

They got me in my room a little after 10 a.m., which was great.

It is an apartment hotel, meaning it does not have an onsite restaurant, large lobby or those kinds of offerings.

There always is one person at the front desk to troubleshoot if you have an issue.

It is very secure -- they give you a code to get into the lobby.

Great working elevator.

COLOR BOTANICO PALERMO SOHO

PERFECT APARTHOTEL FOR A LONG STAY IN BA'S BEST NEIGHBORHOOD

Color Botanico ApartHotel Palermo’s balcony was great for breakfast (a half dozen grocery stores are less than 10 minutes walk from unit.)

While not presenting a gorgeous view, the courtyard-facing balcony was a great spot for end of day gelato (huge freezer in unit kept it ready for consuming) or malbec (really good less than $10 USD bottles at shops nearby).

I slept was well as I've ever slept -- and I'm a light and fussy sleeper on the road.

 

COLOR BOTANICO PALERMO SOHO

PERFECT APARTHOTEL FOR A LONG STAY IN BA'S BEST NEIGHBORHOOD

Color Botanico ApartHotel Palermo SOHO has outstanding full apartment amenities.

Twice, I overindulged at nearby restaurants – so I brought home the leftovers and had a great meal and saved money.

You can't do that in a tiny hotel room.

COLOR BOTANICO PALERMO SOHO

PERFECT APARTHOTEL FOR A LONG STAY IN BA'S BEST NEIGHBORHOOD

Color Botanico ApartHotel Palermo SOHO is in a great location.

World class gelato, dining (casual and fine), shops, galleries, activities – are all minutes away by foot.

The unit is more than double the size of a standard hotel room – it features a full kitchen that's nicer than what I have in my house.

Huge bed with comfy mattress, normal size pillows, great AC and extra sheets upon request.

 

COLOR BOTANICO PALERMO SOHO

PERFECT APARTHOTEL FOR A LONG STAY IN BA'S BEST NEIGHBORHOOD

Color Botanico is in an absolutely perfect location in Palermo SOHO.

It is located within crawling distance to all the fun, but quiet at night (I did request a room not facing the street, so that helped).

One of world's best restaurants is two doors down.

Huge parks are 15-20 minute walk north.

The subway is 10-12 minute walk north.

 

THE UNDERLINE MIAMI IS INCLUSIVE FOR ALL AGES AND ABILITIES

AVANT GARDE DESIGN FOR DISABILITY ABOUNDS

The Underline Miami uses Universal Design throughout its multiple mile linear park.

Near Brickell Metrorail Station, a subtle ramp provides stage access for wheelchair users/people with disabilities.

Friend, colleague, activist and influencer Paula Carozzo took the stage last month for a panel discussion and work out events during a Women’s Wellness Market.

She created the “fitness, beauty, and local brands in a high-energy open-air event with live classes & community" at the Underline space Inter Stage.

It is designed for events, concerts, community programs people-watching. 

It’s part of the Promenade’s social “rooms,” complementing nearby game and dining areas.

Additional features include a digital community screen, and a cantilevered canopy.

ROYAL BARRACKS GUEST HOUSE NEW ORLEANS

HISTORIC COTTAGE WITH RARE TRANQUILITY IN FRENCH QUARTER

Royal Barracks Guest House New Orleans has zero on site staff, but the operators are quick to answer emails.

An extra blanket and sheet were quickly dropped off.

I had an issue with mold in the wall AC/heat unit.

I did not notice till I caught a respiratory issue on my final day.

Royal Barracks Guest House New Orleans.the issue (and I hope -- cleaned the wall unit before the next guest used my room.

Overall, a very cost effective way to immerse in New Orleans history.

ROYAL BARRACKS GUEST HOUSE NEW ORLEANS

HISTORIC COTTAGE WITH RARE TRANQUILITY IN FRENCH QUARTER

The room I rented at Royal Barracks Guest House New Orleans is small but efficient.

Comfy bed, full bath, mini fridge, coffee maker and just enough room to store your stuff.

I could hear other guests at the inn -- through the old walls -- but they got quiet by 11 p.m. at the latest.

The shared patio was great for sitting at while it was warm out.

Other guests were great about observing quiet hours.

ROYAL BARRACKS GUEST HOUSE NEW ORLEANS

HISTORIC COTTAGE WITH RARE TRANQUILITY IN FRENCH QUARTER

Royal Barracks Guest House New Orleans is less than a half hour's walk to Canal Street and the CBD.

I booked a trolley-bus weeklong transit pass on my phone for $15.

I used it to save a $40 taxi ride to get from the airport to near Canal Street, then took a leisurely walk through the French Quarter to reach Royal Barracks Guest House New Orleans.

ROYAL BARRACKS GUEST HOUSE NEW ORLEANS 

HISTORIC COTTAGE WITH RARE TRANQUILITY IN FRENCH QUARTER

Royal Barracks Guest House New Orleans’ AC worked well and so did the heater (temps went from near 80 to below 40 during the Christmas week.)

French Quarter architecture, history, museums, vibe, characters, dining and much more are all within walking distance.

I walked to see great musicians such as: Shawan Rice, Kermit Ruffins, Chris Christie, George Brown and others.

 

 

 

ROYAL BARRACKS GUEST HOUSE NEW ORLEANS 

HISTORIC COTTAGE WITH RARE TRANQUILITY IN FRENCH QUARTER

Royal Barracks Guest House New Orleans is in the heart of the action.

It's great to stay in an historic property so close to all the action but far enough away to sleep well.

Frenchman Street and all of its live music is a 10 minute walk away.

Favorite locals food joints Coop's Place, Clover Grill and Verti Marte are also no more than a 15 minute walk from the property.

ROYAL BARRACKS GUEST HOUSE NEW ORLEANS

HISTORIC COTTAGE WITH RARE TRANQUILITY IN FRENCH QUARTER

I did not think it was possible to find a quiet place in the French Quarter till I stayed at Royal Barracks Guest House New Orleans.

Even on New Year's Eve, there was minimal noise.

The reviews cite the tranquility.

When you read the house rules, the proprietor emphasizes quiet hours and being respectful of other guests (there are at least 4 units within the historic single story building.

CHAMPIONING DISABILITY RIGHTS

WITH A WORLD LEADER ON HUMAN RIGHTS

Rabbi Marvin Hier founded the Simon Wiesenthal Center, the Museum of Tolerance + Moriah Films. 

I was gratified to talk to him this week about increasing disability awareness at the Museum of Tolerance.

We met after the World Premiere of The Hollywood Rabbi.

The Hollywood Rabbi, "the story of Marvin Hier who won 2 Academy Awards, worked with 8 Presidents + a Who's Who of Hollywood royalty while dedicating his life to healing the world through tolerance."

I was happy to attend World Premiere, at the Miami Film Festival, on 4-14-26.

I am well aware that Rabbi Marvin Hier is controversial.

He gave an invocation at 2017 inauguration of Donald Trump, despite #47 spouting intolerance.

The greater good was the opportunity to preach my gospel of disability inclusion.

HELPING WITH SMART GROWTH AND FINANCIAL STRATEGIES

REALTORS® TAKE ACTION

To create a curriculum, East Tennessee REALTORS^® (ETNR) is using some of its $7,500 NAR grant to hire local land-use lawyers and a planning consultant.

They want to ensure that it complies with continuing education standards, so REALTORS^® can benefit from the course.

As she builds a course for a growing region, Maria McHale, governmental affairs and policy director for ETNR, emphasizes that the key is offering technical assistance.

She advises other REALTOR^® boards and associations to take a non-intrusive approach to informing elected and appointed officials on best practices.

The goal is to finalize ETNR's course this fall and roll it out in early 2026.

HELPING WITH SMART GROWTH AND FINANCIAL STRATEGIES

REALTORS® TAKE ACTION

"Local governments have an incredible amount of flexibility in how they can support infrastructure, said Maria McHale, governmental affairs and policy director for East Tennessee REALTORS^®

We are sampling defining those paths," she said.

"We are saying that if you do it right, if you put together the right [deals], growth can pay for itself."

HELPING WITH SMART GROWTH AND FINANCIAL STRATEGIES

REALTORS® TAKE ACTION

Maria McHale, governmental affairs and policy director for East Tennessee REALTORS^®, said ETNR aims to explain policy best practices to local governments.

 "We can help them explore payment in lieu of taxes.

If a developer needs a stoplight for the development, the developer can fund that up front in a payment in lieu of taxes agreement.

Our legal and land-use experts can provide assistance in creating the proper framework."

HELPING WITH SMART GROWTH AND FINANCIAL STRATEGIES

REALTORS® TAKE ACTION

The East Tennessee REALTORS^®, proactive toolkit will include advice for smaller municipalities.

ETNR governmental affairs and policy director McHale is quick to point out that some small jurisdictions are not populated enough to have large planning and economic development staffs.

This program could be as simple as presenting ideas to a city planner, mayor or commission member.

HELPING WITH SMART GROWTH AND FINANCIAL STRATEGIES

REALTORS® TAKE ACTION

Maria McHale, governmental affairs and policy director for East Tennessee REALTORS^® (ETNR), said housing is no longer solely a private-market issue.

"Making sure housing is accessible is a shared opportunity between local government, economic development and planning agencies, and industry groups — everyone should care about housing and do everything we can to support it from a policy standpoint.

Housing affects jobs, the workforce and the shared economic health and success of the entire region."

HELPING WITH SMART GROWTH AND FINANCIAL STRATEGIES

REALTORS® TAKE ACTION

Maria McHale, governmental affairs and policy director for East Tennessee REALTORS^® (ETNR), said like many regions in the United States, the East Tennessee area was not building enough homes for years.

Then the post-pandemic boom created more stresses.

"It is not my job to help a county set its budget," she said. "It is my job to help REALTORS® be more proactive in creating housing and infrastructure to support it."

MITCHELL KAPLAN: FOUNDER OF BOOKS & BOOKS + MIAMI BOOK FAIR

NOW CHAMPION OF UNIVERSAL DESIGN, INCLUSION FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES AND AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT 

Gratified to report that the brilliant and caring Mitchell Kaplan responded in less than an hour to my email underscoring a major wheelchair access issue at his flagship Coral Gables Books & Books store and café.

He was two hours from needing to attend to a very major issue – but he made time to commit to fixing the barrier that I underscored in my passionate letter.

KUDOS to a giant of literature, creativity and inclusion/equity for all.

I wrote “Dear Mitchell Kaplan:”

You are a Miami literature giant. 

You have my highest gratitude for Miami Book Fair, etc.

You speak of inclusion.

So please stop blocking wheelchair access to the men's room ⁦at Books and Books Coral Gables.

The foyer to the restrooms NEVER is storage space. 

You would never guess this wheelchair blocking mess is the pathway to the toilets.

I am in that store easily every 10 days.

It always is like this.

People who use wheelchair deserve independence.

They should never have to go ask someone to stack the chairs higher, to move a hand cart out of the way.

Can you imagine having a bathroom emergency and having an accident, waiting 5 minutes to find someone, 5 minutes for a response plus 10 to fix the issue?

Even if the cart is pushed away, the stacks create maneuvering issues.

Saying things will be cleared upon request would NOT be a good answer to me.

People with disabilities are a minority group.

 

A beloved store that is a community cornerstone would NEVER say people who are Jewish or Black or LBGTQ must make prior arrangements, or make a humiliating special request -- simply to wash up and use the toilets, while enjoying the courtyard cafe, back room indoor cafe, browsing for books in Spanish or English, attending one of hundreds of readings, visiting the children's section, enjoying the hallway rotating art displays, etc.

That is the end of my sermon.

I very much want to hear back from you or your proper manager.

I live in an historic house in Shenandoah, just east, so it is easy to drop by to review things.

I am not an ADA architect or attorney, but my partner of 33 years used a wheelchair for mobility.

I know what I speak of.

Because you are a beacon of inclusion, arts and creativity in this community -- since long before I arrived in 2000 -- I have every confidence that this problem will be addressed soon and permanently.

HELPING WITH SMART GROWTH AND FINANCIAL STRATEGIES

REALTORS® TAKE ACTION

"There are some really fantastic [approaches] that help pay for things," said Maria McHale, governmental affairs and policy director for East Tennessee REALTORS^® (ETNR).

Focusing on solutions that do not artificially raise home prices, hurting potential homebuyers, the way impact fees do.

"Rather than focusing on one policy that we are trying to propose or defeat, we are looking at this holistically."

HELPING WITH SMART GROWTH AND FINANCIAL STRATEGIES

REALTORS® TAKE ACTION

Maria McHale, governmental affairs and policy director for East Tennessee REALTORS^® (ETNR), said the goal is also to create a proactive toolkit to help municipalities solve immediate financial and land-use decisions, while also helping them grow in a way that is sustainable.

The course she is developing is aimed at best practices.

"There are tools such as a development agreement. A developer might be willing to pay for infrastructure immediately, in exchange for some benefits.

There are special assessment districts — they are called different things in different areas.

But the basic idea is when new taxes collected within a development area go toward funding [infrastructure] improvements, that benefits homes and facilities there," McHale said.

HELPING WITH SMART GROWTH AND FINANCIAL STRATEGIES

REALTORS® TAKE ACTION

"They might enact a policy that seems like a short-term solution like impact fees.

That is a long-term solution.

It is regressive, because it impacts homebuyers, especially those who can least afford to pay for that passed on cost," said Maria McHale, governmental affairs and policy director for East Tennessee REALTORS^® (ETNR)

noting that virtually every governmental body in the country is trying to create housing that people can afford, so it is counter to that effort to add high-impact fees to the cost of producing dwelling units.