Government / Politics
Road Design Still Privileges Cars
Author Jeff Speck discusses the progress made since he first wrote Walkable City–and how far we still have to go to build streets that are safe for all.
Study: Recreational Trails Program Underfunded by Over $200 Million
FHA research shows that multi-use trail users contribute three times as much in gas taxes as the program to build and maintain them receives.
Over 80 Million People Live in Flood Zones
New research shows a 24% increase in people living in flood-prone areas since 2000, prompting calls for increased adaptation measures.
Changes for Amtrak in the New Infrastructure Bill
While the agency is receiving less funding than advocates say is needed, it will also have a new mandate that prioritizes public service over profitability.
Norfolk's 'Missing Middle Pattern Book' Aims to Streamline Permitting for Multi-Family Housing
Acknowledging the region's dire need for more diverse housing stock, city leaders hope the pre-approved designs, along with necessary zoning reforms, will encourage more construction of 'missing middle housing.'
Houston's Pedestrian Death Problem, Explained
The city's roadways were built to prioritize fast-moving traffic, not safety. With a new Vision Zero plan, that could change.
Lake Powell's Houseboat Launches Running Dry
Record low water levels are sinking Lake Powell's houseboat industry as climate change threatens water supplies in the West.
What California Would Lose if the Infrastructure Plan Fails
The state is poised to gain nearly $1 billion from the federal plan for projects ranging from electric vehicle charging stations to bike lanes and zero-emission bus fleets.
This Washington City Quietly Eliminated Single-Family Zoning
Walla Walla's 2018 zoning reforms included adaptive reuse, reduced parking requirements, and more relaxed rules for accessory dwelling units.
Houston Plans New Downtown Bus-Only Lanes
The lull in commuter traffic during the pandemic gave Houston's transit agencies time to implement new projects and redesign downtown roads to better accommodate transit users.
Cincinnati Tenants Can Still Access Rental Assistance Funds
Organizations in the city are working to distribute remaining rental assistance to tenants and landlords.
Guaranteed Transit Funding Lacking in New Infrastructure Bill
Lauded by the administration as a historic amount, the transit funding promised in the revised bill lags far behind projected needs.
Congress Shortchanges School Bus Electrification in Infrastructure Bill
Greening school buses, which represent the bulk of America's mass transit, would reduce children's exposure to harmful diesel emissions and remove millions of tons of greenhouse gas emissions from our roads.
Opinion: Keep Public Toilets at L.A. Homeless Encampments
The city is planning to remove the hundreds of public toilets and hand-washing stations installed during the pandemic. But the need for them isn't going away.
California Lawmakers Debate Killing High Speed Rail Funding
The cost increases and delays on the Central Valley project have some state lawmakers wondering whether funds should go toward local transit systems instead.
How 'Bicycle Friendly' is Gainesville?
Despite a recent designation from the League of American Bicyclists, one writer argues that the city's infrastructure is failing to protect pedestrians and cyclists from dangerous car traffic.
The Climate One-Two Punch
Like a boxer, cities are wielding their one-two punch in the fight against climate change. One punch aims to protect people from the oppressive heat, while the second punch strikes at the source of global warming by reducing overall GHG emissions.
Delta Variant's High Transmissibility Prompts CDC to Issue Masking Correction
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, acting on new data that it had yet to publish, changed its masking guidance on July 27 to reflect the prevalence of the virus in specific counties rather than basing it on a person's vaccination status.
Fighting Climate Change Requires Serious Transportation Reform
The federal government can encourage public transit use and electrification through reforms in transportation systems and land use policies.
Subways Are Becoming Flood Zones
While cities race to protect their subway infrastructure from more intense flooding, some experts argue that more investment is needed in more resilient street-level infrastructure.
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.
Clanton & Associates, Inc.
Jessamine County Fiscal Court
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service
