China

Empty Carpool Lane

Climate Challenge: Not Enough EVs or Too Many SUVs?

Both are problems, but globally, sports utility vehicles sales are proliferating far faster than cars, be they electric or petrol-powered, posing a major challenge for governments committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

March 5, 2018 - The New York Times - Climate

Two New High-Speed Rail Lines Open in China

It was a big day for high-speed rail…in China.

December 29, 2017 - Xinhua

Power Plants

China's Climate Change Paradox

President Xi Jinping wants China to replace the U.S. as the world's leader in fighting climate change, yet emissions from China are projected to increase at a higher rate than any other major emitter, according to the Global Carbon Project.

November 16, 2017 - The New York Times.

Alstom Train

Breaking: Mega-Companies Expected to Merge to Stay Competitive in the Rail Industry

Alstom and Siemens are close to a merger in a move calculated to help the companies compete against the Chinese state-backed company CRRC.

September 26, 2017 - Reuters via CNBC

Maglev

Maglev: Now Arriving in Beijing

Maglev trains are often touted for their performance in difficult conditions and their use of electric power.

September 24, 2017 - En.People.Cn

Hong Kong Taxis

China to Ban Gas and Diesel Car Sales to Spur EVs

Electric vehicles (EVs) have a bright future in the world's most populous nation and largest auto market, unlike those powered by oil. That was a ministry chief's message at an auto forum on Saturday.

September 13, 2017 - Bloomberg News

Hong Kong Towers

The Pros and Cons of Concrete

A versatile building material with a long pedigree, concrete also has associations with ugliness and totalitarianism. Its reinforced variety, widely used today, can conceal a costly flaw.

September 9, 2017 - CityLab

Empty Parking Lot

AVs and Real Estate - A Guide to Potential Impacts

AVs are more than a transportation issue and will have significant impacts on real estate. Expect AVs to affect parking, sprawl, housing prices, and transit.

August 24, 2017 - Urbanism Next Blog - Sustainable Cities Initiative

Beijing's First Public-Private Partnership for Transit

A streetcar project connecting Beijing with the suburb of Shunyi is newsworthy from several angles.

August 6, 2017 - The Beijinger

City Hall

Impacts of AVs and E-Commerce on Municipal Budgets

A new report from Urbanism Next/SCI takes you through a city’s budget—both revenues and expenditures—and describes the areas that will be affected as AVs become commonplace and e-commerce takes on an even larger role in retail

August 4, 2017 - Urbanism Next

A Subway Station in the Middle of Nowhere

Chongqing train station has become famous in China for its extremely isolated location, but its construction illustrates the ambition of the country’s building spree.

August 1, 2017 - CNN

Autonomous Vehicles and Streets: A Guide to Potential Impacts

As the arrival of autonomous vehicles (AVs) becomes more of a reality, cities need to start considering how this new technology will affect streets and street networks. This brief guide provides an overview and resources on this topic.

July 29, 2017 - Urbanism Next Blog - Sustainable Cities Initiative

Grid Bike Share

Next From China: Bikeshare Without the Station

Led by the companies Mobike and Ofo, so-called "dockless" bike sharing is all the rage in Chinese cities. Unlocked by app, the bikes can be left anywhere for the next user to pick up. There have been some hiccups.

July 28, 2017 - CNN Tech

Tesla

The Era of the Electric Vehicle is Approaching

A new report from Bloomberg New Energy Finance predicts that due to a plunge in battery prices and improvement in battery technology, electric vehicles will be cost-competitive with gasoline vehicles in eight years. By 2040, they will outsell them.

July 17, 2017 - Bloomberg BusinessWeek

Zoo

Friday Eye Candy: A Solar Farm Shaped Like a Panda

A solar farm shaped like a panda recently began pumping electricity to the grid in Shanxi province, China.

July 7, 2017 - Inhabitat

Volvo Makes History in Embrace of Electric Vehicle Technology

In a major announcement that could shake-up the auto industry, Volvo Cars declared it will initiate a gradual divorce from autos solely powered by internal combustion in two years. The Chinese-owned company wants to reduce its environmental impact.

July 6, 2017 - The New York Times

Beijing, China

A New Government Planned Mega-City Shapes Up Next to Beijing

Planners for the Xiong’an New Area hope to cure the ills of "megacity disease"

June 10, 2017 - Foreign Policy

China's New Train Doesn't Need Rails, Isn't a Bus

Chinese railcar-maker CRRC allowed the public a glimpse at its new "Autonomous Rail Transit" last week. The ART is more than just a bus.

June 6, 2017 - People's Daily Online

China Bridge

China Exporting its Infrastructure Expertise

China is building roads, tunnels, planning trains and power plants outside its borders to bolster its influence.

May 17, 2017 - New York Times

Driving School

Driving School Operating on the Roof of an Unfinished Factory

A driving school in China was shut down after photos of student drivers cruising around its location (a factory roof) raised concerns online.

May 10, 2017 - Shanghaiist

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

100 Most Influential Urbanists

The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.