Last Updated on November 7, 2025 by Rod Washington

Celebrating World Urbanism Day

On November 8th, we commemorate World Urbanism Day, a moment to acknowledge and advocate for the significance of urban planning in shaping livable communities. Also known as World Town Planning Day, this occasion highlights the interaction between inhabitants and their built environments in urban areas.

Urban planning focuses on creating healthy and vibrant communities that offer a high quality of life. By ensuring orderly development and preserving the economy and environment, planners strive to enhance the well-being of residents. The key elements of a livable city include plentiful opportunities for a high quality of life, diverse housing options, accessible public transportation, ample green spaces, and essential amenities like schools, grocery stores, and recreational facilities.

Cities such as Osaka, Tokyo, and Zurich exemplify healthy and livable communities, while Tripoli, Algiers, and Lagos face challenges in this regard. It is essential for us to engage in urban planning discussions, attend local council meetings, and explore ways to improve our communities. Let’s celebrate World Urbanism Day by spreading awareness, connecting with public health networks, and championing the creation of livable cities through #WorldUrbanismDay.

Check out our articles about urbanism: https://stmdailynews.com/category/the-bridge/urbanism/

Last Updated on October 24, 2025 by Daily News Staff

PHOENIX, AZ — After years of planning and construction, Arizona is nearing completion of one of its most ambitious highway improvements to date: the addition of flex lanes along Interstate 17 between Black Canyon City and Sunset Point. The project, led by the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT), introduces the state’s first-ever reversible lanes—an innovative traffic solution designed to ease congestion on one of Arizona’s busiest travel corridors.

What Are Flex Lanes?

Flex lanes, also known as reversible lanes, are two dedicated lanes built alongside the existing southbound I-17 lanes. These lanes can change direction depending on traffic flow, allowing more capacity where and when it’s needed most.

For example, during heavy northbound travel—typically on Saturdays and holidays when Valley residents head north to Prescott, Sedona, or Flagstaff—the flex lanes will carry northbound traffic. On Sundays or during peak return periods, the lanes will reverse to serve southbound drivers heading back to Phoenix.

According to ADOT, the reversible design allows the state to expand capacity without blasting through mountain terrain or widening the highway in areas with steep geography—reducing both cost and environmental impact.

How the System Will Work

The flex lanes stretch approximately eight miles between Black Canyon City and Sunset Point and feature:

• Automated swing gates and barriers to control direction and access
• Dynamic digital signs showing which direction is open
• Concrete and net barriers to prevent wrong-way entry
• Cameras and sensors monitored by ADOT’s traffic operations center
• Crossover lanes at each end for safe entry and exit

Drivers will simply follow signage to access the flex lanes, and once direction is established, it will be clearly indicated with overhead markers.

Timeline and Opening

The I-17 Improvement Project began in 2022 and includes both the flex lanes and a third general-purpose lane in each direction between Anthem Way and Black Canyon City—a 15-mile stretch that opened earlier in 2025.

Currently, the flex lanes are being used in a limited capacity as part of a temporary northbound detour during ongoing work. ADOT expects full reversible operation to begin by the end of 2025, once all safety and control systems are fully operational.

Benefits of the Flex Lanes

• Reduced Congestion: Reversible lanes give ADOT the ability to respond to real-time traffic needs, particularly on weekends and holidays.
• Shorter Commutes: More efficient traffic flow means less time sitting in mountain backups.
• Safety Improvements: Modern monitoring systems and barriers help reduce the risk of accidents in high-traffic areas.
• Cost Efficiency: The design avoids costly and environmentally challenging mountain expansions.
• Economic Boost: Easier travel may encourage tourism and smoother freight movement along the northern corridor.

Potential Drawbacks

• Learning Curve for Drivers: It may take time for regular travelers to adjust to the new system and signage.
• Maintenance and Operation Costs: Monitoring and maintaining automated barriers and systems adds long-term operational expenses.
• Incident Management: In the event of a crash or stalled vehicle within the flex lanes, emergency response can be more complex due to the limited access points.
• Schedule Adjustments: The direction of the flex lanes will generally follow weekend travel patterns, but unexpected traffic surges may require manual schedule changes.

Why It Matters

The I-17 flex lanes represent a modern, adaptive approach to traffic management—one that reflects Arizona’s growth and the need for smarter infrastructure. For the millions of residents and tourists who travel between Phoenix and the high country, the project promises to transform one of the state’s most congested routes into a more efficient, flexible, and safer highway experience.

Visit https://www.improvingi17.com/flex-lanes/ for more details on the project

Related Links

• Arizona Department of Transportation – I-17 Improvement Project
• ADOT Blog: Arizona’s First Flex Lanes Are Coming
• Improving I-17 Project Information Page
• ABC15 News: I-17 Opens Third Lane Ahead of Memorial Day Weekend
• ADOT Press Release: Temporary Northbound Traffic Shift Ahead for I-17 Improvement Project

https://stmdailynews.com/sinking-cities-why-parts-of-phoenix-and-much-of-urban-america-are-slowly-dropping/

Last Updated on October 16, 2025 by Daily News Staff

News You Can Use This Moment! | STM Daily News

The 2025 Arizona Ultimate Women’s Expo lit up downtown Phoenix last month with an empowering mix of celebrity inspiration, local entrepreneurship, and creative energy. Held September 28–29 at the Phoenix Convention Center, this year’s expo drew thousands of women from across the Southwest to explore, connect, and celebrate.

Among the weekend’s standout moments was the appearance of pop icon Debbie Gibson, whose presence on the main stage brought both nostalgia and inspiration. The singer-songwriter, who rose to fame in the late 1980s with hits like “Only in My Dreams” and “Lost in Your Eyes,” shared her personal journey through the music industry, resilience, and rediscovering purpose. Attendees were treated to an intimate and uplifting conversation, followed by meet-and-greet sessions and photo opportunities — including one lucky attendee who met Gibson personally and captured the moment with several photos.

A Weekend of Empowerment and Discovery

The Arizona Ultimate Women’s Expo, part of a national event series produced by the Ultimate Events Group, featured more than 400 exhibitor booths and dozens of workshops across health, finance, fashion, and wellness. Visitors explored everything from skincare innovations and artisan goods to self-development seminars and business networking lounges.

Sponsors and partners have historically included Chevrolet, Humana, Mary Kay, Massage Envy, and the Arizona Republic, reflecting a diverse mix of corporate and local support. The 2025 edition once again sold out exhibitor space, signaling renewed enthusiasm among small businesses and women-led ventures in Arizona.

Record Attendance and Growing Momentum

While official numbers haven’t been released, estimates place attendance at over 20,000 visitors — a notable increase from roughly 17,000 in 2024. Organizers cited record booth sales and packed speaker sessions as evidence of the event’s continued post-pandemic growth.

Phoenix’s event mirrors a broader trend of rising participation in women-centered expos nationwide, as more entrepreneurs and creators seek in-person opportunities to share ideas, products, and inspiration.

Why It Matters

The Women’s Expo is more than just a shopping or networking event — it’s a platform for women to connect, elevate one another, and rediscover their voices in business and life. Whether through a celebrity keynote, a local business success story, or a spontaneous encounter on the expo floor, attendees leave with a sense of empowerment that lasts long after the weekend wraps up.

As Debbie Gibson reminded the crowd:

“Reinvention isn’t about starting over — it’s about owning every version of yourself.”

🖼️ Photo Gallery: Moments from the 2025 Arizona Ultimate Women’s Expo

(Captured by Rebecca Jo Washington, a contributors to STM Daily News)

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(Editor’s note: Photos courtesy of STM Daily News contributor Rebecca Jo Bigham. If you attended this year’s expo and would like to share your images, please email them to editor@stmdailynews.com for feature consideration.)

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Related Links

Explore more stories from STM Daily News and around the web:

• Arizona Ultimate Women’s Expo – Official Site
• Phoenix Convention Center Events Calendar
• Debbie Gibson Official Website
• Women’s Business Success Stories – STM Daily News
• Empowerment Events & Lifestyle Features – STM Daily News

The Bridge is a section of the STM Daily News Blog meant for diversity, offering real news stories about bona fide community efforts to perpetuate a greater good. The purpose of The Bridge is to connect the divides that separate us, fostering understanding and empathy among different groups. By highlighting positive initiatives and inspirational actions, The Bridge aims to create a sense of unity and shared purpose. This section brings to light stories of individuals and organizations working tirelessly to promote inclusivity, equality, and mutual respect. Through these narratives, readers are encouraged to appreciate the richness of diverse perspectives and to participate actively in building stronger, more cohesive communities.

https://stmdailynews.com/the-bridge