Infrastructure

North Hills Raleigh

Southern Fried Urbanism

You do not hear much talk about meaningful urbanism in the Southeast U.S. Until political winds shift, don't expect that to change.

March 14, 2014 - Mark Hough

Aging Natural Gas Infrastructure Suspected in Deadly NYC Explosion

A repair crew was en route to investigate a complaint of gas odor when the two five-story, one-hundred-year-old buildings in East Harlem exploded, killing seven with eight still missing as of press time. Leaking cast iron pipelines may be to blame.

March 14, 2014 - WNYC

Bikeable Cities: Lessons from Pittsburgh

While many of the cities leading the resurgence in the popularity of biking are growing, Pittsburgh has found its own reasons for making the city a better place to bike.

March 13, 2014 - Streetsblog USA

The End of the $2.8 Billion Columbia River Crossing Project

The Oregon Legislature adjourned this week with no actions regarding the Columbia River Crossing—a controversial project with opponents on either side of the aisle.

March 13, 2014 - The Oregonian

A Call for Urban Infrastructure Investments

A recent article laments the missed opportunity of President Obama’s recent calls for increased spending on infrastructure: a lack of acknowledgement that cities are the best places to spend those dollars.

March 13, 2014 - Governing

Public Toilets Continue to Foil New York City’s Bureaucracy

In 2006, New York City signed contracts for private-public partnerships that would deliver a variety of street furniture throughout the city. To date, 3,355 bus shelters, 304 newsstands, and three (3) public toilets have been built.

March 13, 2014 - New York Times - City Room Blog

St. Louis at a Transit Crossroads

A recent article tackles the counter-intuitive state of transit investment in the St. Louis region: “While the abundance of transit possibilities create a veneer of progress, the region is quietly in a public transit state of crisis.”

March 12, 2014 - nextSTL.com

What Cars Took: Lives

“There’s an open secret in America: If you want to kill someone, do it with a car,” says a recent article titled “Murder Machines.”

March 12, 2014 - Collectors Weekly

What Cars Took: the Middle Class

Following on the recent, promising news of increased transit ridership around the country, one writer calls for an end to the institutional bias toward cars. The key point of the appeal: public transit infrastructure benefits the middle class.

March 12, 2014 - The Week

Can New Financing Mechanism Deliver Multi-Modal Safety in Low-Income Areas?

A new bill in Congress would create a new $11 million program amidst the $1 billion Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) loan program. But can it deliver more safety improvements to under-served populations?

March 12, 2014 - USA Today

Supreme Court Delivers Blow to Rails-to-Trails

The Supreme Court ruled in favor of a private land owner in Wyoming, who sued to reclaim land once granted to a railroad under an 1875 law. The ruling undermines the legality of the nation’s network of public trails built on former rail right-of-way.

March 11, 2014 - SCOTUS Blog

The 'Quietways' Bike Network Revolution

London has been preparing for years for a “quiet revolution” for its bike network: the "Quietways" of side streets and back roads. London is already building Quietways in anticipation of a September launch.

March 10, 2014 - The Atlantic Cities

Dallas Warming Up to Complete Streets

A new Complete Streets Design Manual is under consideration in Dallas City Hall, but according to a recent article explaining Dallas' move toward walkable neighborhoods, the city has some work to do before the idea fully takes hold.

March 10, 2014 - Dallas Morning News

Wisconsin Struggles with Interstate Tolling Option

State transportation leaders are scrambling to increase funding as MAP-21 draws to its expiration on Oct. 1. Interstate tolling is being eyed by more than a few. While the Wisconsin Assembly likes the idea, Gov. Scott Walker rejects it.

March 10, 2014 - Stateline

Road Diet

Removing a Vehicle Lane? It’s Not the End of the World

Most members of the public are still very skeptical that removing a vehicle lane won’t cause terrible congestion—especially on already busy streets. A recent articles details some of the counter arguments to those concerns.

March 9, 2014 - Calgary Herald

Elfreth's Alley

Historic Examples of 'Urbanism Without Government'

We’ve all heard the question “but who will build the roads?” put to libertarians. In a recent article, Emily Washington examines historic examples of urban settings that developed without the guidance of a government.

March 8, 2014 - Market Urbanism

How Can Los Angeles Fix its Broken Sidewalks? Shared Responsibility

City leaders have been in a struggle to come up with a viable solution to fix its buckling sidewalks for the past 50 years. Real estate developer Michael P. Russell takes a look at the work that needs to be done and outlines a plan for a fix.

March 8, 2014 - UrbDeZine

Bus Rapid Transit on Track in Albuquerque

Following three years of study, Albuquerque Mayor RJ Berry declared a “tipping point” in the city’s BRT plans. The city will require a federal matching grant to proceed.

March 7, 2014 - KRQE.com

Orange County Expanding its Recycled Wastewater Program

Southern California takes a lot of heat for sucking up the water from Northern California and the Colorado River, but the Orange County Water District, at least, is doing its part.

March 7, 2014 - KPCC

Mini Metro

Friday Fun: Build Your Own 'Mini Metro'

It's been available since September 2013, but news of the "Mini Metro' subway layout game recently hit the web. Finally, a test for all those armchair enthusiasts who think they can make the trains run on time.

March 7, 2014 - Dinosaur Polo Club

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.