With the help of UrbanVelo I was introduced to the Streetsblog Network. The network is a gathering place for web surfers from around the country to discuss and share information about sustainable transportation, smart growth and livable streets. Think of it as one-stop shopping for transportation policy goodness.

The network is a daily news source, online community and political mobilizer for the Livable Streets movement. We are part of a growing coalition of individuals and organizations in cities around the world working to transform our cities by reducing dependence on private automobiles and improving conditions for cyclists, pedestrians and transit riders.

Streetsblog’s purpose is twofold: to create a place where people who blog on smart growth, livable streets and sustainable transportation issues can come together and learn from each other. And to provide a clearinghouse for information related to the transportation bill, or “TEA,” that directs the spending of hundreds of billions of federal dollars. The next such bill is set to come up for reauthorization in 2009.

According the the blog’s editor, “If there is going to be a grassroots movement for change in local and federal transportation policy, then our readers will be among the most active and knowledgeable participants in that movement.”

You’ve got to check it out. I’m amazed at the depth of information to be found. There are crazy links to every imaginable piece of relevant information. And there is a glossary of teams with comprehensive explanation and links to more.

On Saturday, Corey and I attended a meeting of the Omaha New Urbanism & Sustainable Development Meetup Group (website). The meeting brought together a diverse group of people whom all share a vision for vibrant and livable neighborhoods in Omaha.

The conversation was riveting, and those in attendance were up to their elbows in real-world experience. The members are clearly out in the community making change happen.

‘New urbanism is an American urban design movement that arose in the early 1980s. Its goal is to reform many aspects of real estate development and urban planning, from urban retrofits to suburban infill. New urbanist neighborhoods are designed to contain a diverse range of housing and jobs, and to be walkable.’

Those of you who read my posts regularly already know how I feel about sustainable development. And if you check out the links to the right of this you will find several interesting resources on sustainable communities and transportation.

There are a couple of new urbanist developments in the work in Omaha right now. Omaha By Design has a nice online feature where you can learn more about Midtown Crossing and Aksarben Village. It is great to see these pedestrian friendly neighborhoods being born. They promise to bring excitement and new personality to the heart of the city.

As a side note, during the meeting we talked a bit about the Place Game. This program is hosted by Omaha By Design (see above), and teaches us how to evaluate our neighborhoods.

The Place Game is based on the key factors that make a great public space. These factors were identified 30 years ago by William H. Whyte in his book, The Social Life of Small Urban Spaces.

Check out the Place Game to see examples and learn how to play. And stay tuned for more from the New Urbanism group. Their plans are coming together for a really cool hand-on workshop in October.