Greetings from the SHUC President

By Mardi Isler, SHUC Board President

IT’S FASCINATING TO ME HOW MUCH TODAY’S CONVERSATIONS ABOUT Squirrel Hill’s future “wants” can be compared to what our community meetings voiced 15 years ago. The anecdotal answers haven’t changed very much. Residents want an attractive business corridor with shade trees, no graffiti, and clean, unbroken sidewalks with places to sit as they shop or wait for a bus along Murray and Forbes. Our neighbors want respite areas to relax with friends, have a coffee, or eat their lunch from nearby restaurants.

But 15 years ago, we weren’t talking about climate change. Even though the scientific consensus was that the planet was warming, many Americans remained skeptical that human activity contributed to the problem. Now, however, as we look ahead and begin planning for the next 15 years, we note a striking difference—there is general acceptance that our individual actions, like our vehicle emissions, are contributing to global warming and climate change. Younger generations are particularly engaged and concerned, as evidenced by their use of social media to gain and spread information about climate change.

In Pittsburgh, we actually have a Climate Action Plan that outlines strategies through which Pittsburgh can reduce greenhouse gas emissions within city limits and City operations. This translates into the prioritization of walking, biking, and other less polluting forms of transportation, with the city intentionally working to reduce the number of cars on our roads. How we get around our neighborhood and on what vehicle and in what environment is front and center in conversations in Squirrel Hill, too, whether talking to friends, family, or our elected officials.

Your Squirrel Hill Urban Coalition (SHUC) has worked to bring these “walkability” wishes to fruition, and in some places we have succeeded. There are new metal benches on Murray and Forbes, and neighbors can enjoy the redesigned O’Connor’s Corner and Post Office Parklet. The wonderful Beacon/Murray “Urban Forest” was an added bonus, identified as a need by SHUC and designed and constructed by Brandywine Communities.

All around us we see incremental steps to reduce the harmful effects of carbon emissions. There is already an increase in the number of environmentally friendly modes of transportation, mostly bikeshares, e-bikes, and scooters, and mopeds, e-skateboards, one-wheels, and segways to a lesser degree. Autonomous vehicles are on the horizon.

Experts predict a huge increase in urban bicycle use because e-bikes are less physically demanding and more comfortable to ride than traditional bikes. We are witnessing the city’s efforts to accommodate their growing popularity in its improvements to bike lane infrastructure. Pittsburgh has more than 60 miles of designated bike lanes, a number that is on the rise. The city wants to encourage people to find non-car ways to get where they need to go. While this is certainly a good goal, we hear frustration from motorists who don’t know what these street markings mean and wonder why bollards are popping up on our city streets. A widely published explanation and more public education from our city officials would help address this issue.

Scooters also are more prevalent these days and are certainly effective for short distances. They are also quiet and less costly to the environment. Parking is easy, but because riders don’t always park scooters in designated or proper locations, some in our neighborhood refer to scooters as “large litter”! Scooters parked on sidewalks are also hazards for pedestrians. More rider education and enforcement from the company is in order.

The cars we have are increasingly hybrid or electric, and more buses are electric, too. When the electricity comes from renewable sources, all-electric vehicles produce zero emissions when operating. Saving money is also encouraging us to shift our personal buying choices toward electric; a 2023 Electric Vehicle tax credit worth up to $7,500 is on the federal table. Some states are encouraging us to buy electric vehicles with rebates, but Pennsylvania’s efforts are more limited. The obvious question is, “why?”

Once autonomous vehicles are in use, their technology will provide a way for Pittsburgh to reduce parking spaces and traffic congestion, thereby reducing pollution. Some predict that walkability and livability will be enhanced, noise pollution will be reduced, and air quality will improve.

Advocating for change in the city can be daunting. But if we are to be part of the solution, we need to make sure that city planning and zoning are responsive. If the city wants to encourage walking, public right-of-way improvements are needed to provide adequate sidewalk space and aesthetics for pedestrian enjoyment, and pedestrian safety must be a priority. Street trees, street lighting, buildings set back from the street, landscaping, open space, plazas, pocket parks, and street furniture should all be part of the urban landscape. SHUC is open to hearing what residents want looking ahead to the next 15 years.

For the future, I am optimistic that our younger residents— and anyone willing to work alongside them—will be politically aware and give voice to positive actions that promote energy efficiency and reduce global warming to make the world a better place! As an old Apple commercial once expressed, “the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do.”