Infrastructure

Close-up of line of cars at electric vehicle charging station

Chicago Readies Region for EV Charging

Chicago-area municipalities can take advantage of a new grant program to prepare their infrastructure for electric vehicles.

February 14, 2024 - Energy News Network

Close-up of bright green algae bloom on water surface with persons hand reaching in to take a sample in a clear plastic water bottle.

Cape Cod Water Quality Threatened by Septic Runoff

Pollutants from local septic tanks are creating problematic algae blooms in local waters. Cleaning it all up could cost billions.

February 14, 2024 - WBUR

Red painted bike lane next to floating bus stop and green double-decker bus in the UK.

Opinion: ‘Floating’ Bus Stops Endanger Blind Pedestrians

A design that places bike lanes between bus stops and sidewalks complicates mobility for pedestrians, especially people with vision impairments.

February 13, 2024 - The Times Colonist

People riding bikes on a paved bike trail.

Promoting Cycling as Public Health Measure

An argument for better bike infrastructure from a healthcare perspective.

February 9, 2024 - Healthy Debate

Freeway in New York State with signs for New York City and Scranton.

Proposed New York Bill Would Align Transportation Projects With Driving Reduction Goals

If passed, the law would require all highway projects to show how they would reduce VMT or mitigate their impact.

February 9, 2024 - StreetsBlog NYC

View from under tall Los Angeles freeway overpass.

California Officials Propose Changes to Freeway ‘Airspace’ Storage Program

Since a November fire in Los Angeles, city officials have found more than three-quarters of leased freeway-adjacent properties visited so far fail their inspection.

February 8, 2024 - ABC7

Crosswalk in San Jose, California.

California Daylighting Law Bans Parking Near Crosswalks

Limiting parking within 20 feet of intersections improves visibility and reduces collisions with pedestrians.

February 8, 2024 - Mercury News

Close-up of subway station elevator sign.

How Cities Still Fail People With Disabilities

Even when accessibility is taken into account, transit stations and pedestrian infrastructure often still fail to make appropriate accommodations.

February 8, 2024 - The Conversation

Aerial view of highways and downtown Albany skyline.

New York State DOT Invests Heavily in Highways Over Transit

So far, the department has allocated 90 percent of its federal transportation funding to road projects and less than 1 percent to transit.

February 8, 2024 - New York Focus

Close-up of Bike Lane Closed sign on street in downtown Los Angeles with orange traffic cones blocking lane in background.

LA’s Mobility Plan Implementation Up to Voters

A measure on the local ballot in March could force the city to implement its own mobility plan, which city officials call “a guide, not a mandate.”

February 7, 2024 - Los Angeles Times

Freeway on-ramp sign for Interstate 15 in California.

California Commission Approves Freeway Expansion

The state Transportation Commission ultimately voted to move a controversial Inland Empire interstate project forward.

February 6, 2024 - Streetsblog California

Silver and blue train passing by on track at the edge of Pacific Ocean in San Clemente, California.

Storms Sever California Rail Line—Again

The coast-hugging rail corridor linking Los Angeles and San Diego faces an uncertain future as mudslides once again force part of the line to close.

February 6, 2024 - Smart Cities Dive

Cyclists in bike lane with red streetcar in background on urban street.

Study: Bike Infrastructure Makes Roads Safer for All

Higher cycling rates are associated with significantly lower traffic deaths.

February 6, 2024 - Momentum Magazine

View of river and commercial buildings in downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Milwaukee Plans Dozens of Traffic Calming, Bike Projects

The city will install new bike lanes and additional traffic calming measures throughout 2024.

February 5, 2024 - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Low close-up of salt sprinkled on asphalt road in winter with person walking and car in background.

Minnesota Advocates Propose Tools to Limit Road Salt Use

Winter-oriented road design can limit the amount of polluting chloride used on the state’s roads to mitigate winter conditions.

February 5, 2024 - MPR News

Bus Stop and Bike Lane

Free ‘Bootcamps’ Help Small Cities Secure Federal Grants for Infrastructure

Participants in the Local Infrastructure Hub bootcamps have a 40 percent success rate on federal grant applications for transportation, climate, food mitigation, rail, and broadband projects.

February 4, 2024 - Route Fifty

White bus pulling up to sidewalk bus station in Berkeley, California.

Berkeley Bus Bench Activists Shame City Into Action

Two residents are building and placing wooden benches at bus stops that lack seating. The city has replaced at least one with a permanent bench.

February 1, 2024 - Next City

View of traffic on Interstate 35 in Austin, Texas.

Austin Freeway Expansion Fight Continues

Opponents of the project have filed another lawsuit in hopes of halting the widening of Interstate 35.

February 1, 2024 - KUT

People on bike share bikes on bridge with Minneapolis, Minnesota skyline in background

Minnesota Awards Active Transportation Grants

The grants are aimed at helping cities create action plans for improving their bike and pedestrian networks.

January 31, 2024 - KEYC News Now

Aerial view of coastal Oregon town.

NOAA Releases High-Resolution Coastal Data

The new data can help communities identify risks and assess potential land use impacts in coastal areas.

January 29, 2024 - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

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.