- This was the story: On a rainy night, Matt Tomasulo and friends installed 27 way-finding signs on three intersections across Raleigh, North Carolina. They were an instant success, but also unsanctioned and against city code.
- We went to Raleigh to interview Matt and to see what it takes for a city to get its citizens to walk more. The story was the most watched video on the BBC News website in the US:
How to get America to walkCities like Raleigh, North Carolina, have long tried to get their citizens to get out of their cars and to walk more. Now an unsanctioned...- This was the local follow up to our story:
WalkRaleigh Guerilla Signage Goes Global, Hits BBC’s Altered StatesIn the middle of January, as I was walking down Hillsborough Street, I noticed what looked like some well-designed (what I thought were s...
Raleigh man's mission: Get more people to walk downtown :: WRAL ...19 hours ago ... Tomasulo's project is getting international attention. He says BBC News is coming to Raleigh Tuesday to shoot a st...
Raleigh initiative makes BBC NewsBut Silver went one step further. Late Wednesday, he tweeted "BBC notices WalkRaleigh. So, er, where's WalkCharlotte?" For ...- Initially, people noted the city's stance on the legality of the signs:
- But the signs have since come down:
Raleigh likes walking idea, not the signsRobert Willett - [email protected] BY CHELSEA KELLNER AND BRUCE SICELOFF - [email protected], [email protected] ...
The Walk Raleigh campaign made it all the way to the BBC! except they've started taking the signs down :( bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-…
Boo. WalkRaleigh and @cityfabric signs taken down, says @mitchell_silver. Update here: bit.ly/wAzBA0 #walkability #urbanism
hey @mitchell_silver the @RaleighGov inspections department removes signage that violate the sign ordinance | ow.ly/9fj2R- And Chief City Planner Mitchell Silver, interviewed in our story, responded:
@RaleighDLA. I like the idea and signs. Meeting with Matt to figure out how to make it a pilot or permanent. Then to Council.- @NewRaleigh. I'm mtg w/Matt on Sat. I plan to bring this before the Council at the next mtg. I hope signs can be back up in a month or less.
- Some already have clever alternatives:
What if the WalkRaleigh signs were put in windows of private property buildings? Like show flyers? Businesses would love them @CityFabric- Yes. That idea is an option. MT @NewRaleigh: What if the WalkRaleigh signs were put in windows of private buildings? @CityFabric
- At least Matt got his signs back - and had some optimistic news to spread:
- @walkraleigh signs Back in my hands, good news and updates coming soon! #raleigh instagr.am/p/HcIgYLjbVs/
Guerilla projects are intended to stir up conversations, @WalkRaleigh definitely did. Nothing about this is negative, it's only beginning...UPDATE MARCH 2:
franzstrasser
Franz Strasser
Reporter/VJ for BBC News in Washington. Proud @columbiajourn alum, traveller, sportsfan, German. Views expressed are personal, not those of the BBC.
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