Infrastructure
Ranking the Health and Fitness of Metro Areas (Infrastructure Matters)
Melanie Haiken shares insight into the findings of the American Fitness Index (AFI), which assesses the "Health and Community Fitness Status of the 50 Largest Metropolitan Areas."
'Rebuild by Design' Winners Announced for New York and New Jersey Resilience
HUD announced the winners of the Rebuild by Design competition yesterday, awarding $920 million to six projects in New York and New Jersey. $335 million will go toward the first phase of a 10-mile protective barrier for Manhattan.
Los Angeles Mayor Garcetti Picks the First 15 'Great Streets'
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti announced $800,000 in funding for 15 "Great Streets" to be located around the city.
Op-Ed: Time to End Reliance on Highway User Fees
It's time to fund federal transportation like most other nations do—rely less on highway user fees that dedicate funds to highways and transition to funding roads from the general fund, perhaps in the same amount that they contribute to GDP.
Homelessness as a Watershed Issue in San Jose
San Jose's attractive urban waterways, especially Coyote Creek, house over 1200 people living in about 66 illicit encampments, all without sanitation. It's clear that clean water and housing needs are connected. What that means is up for debate.
Buy a Stamp—Patch a Highway?
This could have been our Friday Funny—but it's for real. House Republicans have suggested that reforming the United States Postal Service, such as ending Saturday delivery and other cost cutting could be used to shore-up the Highway Trust Fund
Portland Considering 'Street Fee' for Residents and Businesses
The Portland City Council moved quickly in proposing and revising a "street fee" to finance repairs on the city's crumbling roads. Now a more realistic calendar seems to be in place for considering the fee on residents and businesses.
Having No Car, and Plenty of Cars
Bill Fulton writes about the conveniences of not having a car in San Diego—using the infrastructure of cars available to rent, with and without drivers.
Army Corps Recommends $1 Billion Overhaul of the Los Angeles River
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is slowly changing its approach to the Los Angeles River. The executive leadership of the Corps took a major step in a new direction yesterday, when it recommended a $1 billion plan to revitalize the river bed.
Offsetting: A Third Strategy to Fund Federal Transportation Spending
"What program would you cut to continue the same level of transportation spending without raising the gas tax, e.g. cancer treatment programs, Head Start?," asks Streetsblog USA's Tanya Snyder after reading Sen. Bob Corker's (R-Tenn.) recommendation.
How Bikes are Changing the Map of New York City
For New York City's bikers, new bicycle infrastructure has shortened distances between transit stops and raised the value of rentals in out of the way corners of the city.
New Research: Social Vulnerability Significantly Predicted Storm Damage from Hurricane Ike
Wesley E. Highfield, Walter Gillis Peacock, and Shannon Van Zandt from Texas A&M examine the damage after Hurricane Ike and its relationship to social vulnerability (Available via Open Access, http://goo.gl/K) in a new JPER article.
On the Legacy of the Great Society: the Washington, D.C. Metro
As part of an ongoing celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Great Society, the Washington Post examines the urban focus and mass transit benefits of President Lyndon B. Johnson's unprecedented programs.
Deep Flaws Found in California's Water Use Reporting
The special status of "senior rights holders" among California water interests is well documented. Not as well documented is the system which allows errors in water use reports to protect the interests of a fortunate few.
Report Details the Role of Infrastructure Jobs in the U.S. Economy
A new report from the Brookings Institute examines the details employment in infrastructure jobs in the United States—as well as making a case that infrastructure jobs can address ongoing concerns in the economy.
Public Space as Pedestrian Facility: Comparing New York City and Paris
Paris and New York City are two of the world's more successful pedestrian cities, with each boasting several kinds of data that show the predominance of alternative transportation. An article compares public space in each for lessons.
After Five-Year Wait, Keystone XL Builder Exploring Rail Options
Keystone XL pipeline builder TransCanada is in the business of transporting oil to its customers, preferably by pipelines, but it's CEO has stated for the first time it will turn to "more costly and and controversial rail" to fill the pipeline gap.
Critical Water Bill Passes Senate, Awaits President's Signature
After passing the House earlier on a 412-4 vote, the Senate voted 91-7 on May 22 to pass a $12.3 billion water infrastructure bill known as Water Resources Reform and Development Act. It had been seven years since the act was last reauthorized.
Continuing the Fire Safety vs. Urban Design Debate
A dense network of streets creates the conditions for faster response times. Better pedestrian and automobile safety and excellent response times is a win-win. So why are fire officials undermining this network with calls for wider streets?
How Value Capture Raised $2 Billion for Infrastructure in São Paulo
Leão Serva reports on the case of São Paulo, where a value capture funding mechanism has raised a huge amount of public revenue to pay for infrastructure projects and public housing.
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.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Ada County Highway District
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
