Infrastructure
Recognizing Lively Urban Spaces as the Heart of Resilient Communities
Based on lessons from recent disasters in Chicago and New York, where lively urban spaces helped communities to survive and recover, Michael Kimmelman suggests that neighborhood libraries could be designed with such a purpose in mind.
Support for CA High-Speed Rail Drops, But Desire for Benefits Remains Strong
As cost estimates for California's high-speed rail system have risen, public support for the project has dropped. But desire for the project's predicted benefits remains strong.
These Cartoons About Car Culture Are No Joke
Andy Singer is an alternative transportation advocate that uses cartoons, rather than written diatribes or combative slideshows, to argue against America's auto-oriented environments and policies.
The UK’s Most Infamous ‘New Town’ Pioneers a Food System Revolution
Urban agriculture is a promising solution to a variety of ills afflicting our increasingly urbanizing planet. Milton Keynes, Britain's largest New Town of the 20th Century, is forging a path towards food sovereignty by growing its urban farms.
The United (Watershed) States of America
What if the great adventurer and geographer John Wesley Powell had his way: That as the western states were brought into the union their shape would be dictated by watershed rather than political boundary? This blog - and map - depict this scenario.
Modular Street Squares Turn NYC's "Leftover" Spaces into Public Amenities
New York City's 5.3 million square feet of “leftover” street space provides a prime opportunity to create public amenities and a more resilient city. Eric Tan and his colleagues at Gensler have created modular "Street Squares" to fill the void.
Congratulations L.A., You Have the Worst Roads in the U.S.
A new study by TRIP, the Washington, D.C.-based transportation nonprofit, has concluded that drivers in the Los Angeles region ply the most deteriorated roads in the country, based on 2011 data from the Federal Highway Administration.
Four Simple Ways to Make Penn Station Better Now
Over the past two decades, grand schemes have advanced and receded for replacing New York's dreadful Penn Station. Robert W. Previdi offers four simpler, and achievable, solutions for improving the station's operations for its 440,000 daily users.
Will Obamacare Have an Impact on Urban Spaces?
Now that the dozens of repeal votes, budget battles, and court cases have failed to prevent the launch of the Affordable Care Act, we can turn our attention to its potential impacts. For cities and urban space, the Act's effects could be significant.
Science Takes a Back Seat to Canada's "Resource Rush"
In an editorial for The New York Times, Verlyn Klinkenborg bemoans the Harper administration's silencing of scientists in favor of political ideology, resource extraction, and public ignorance.
Top 10 Civic-Minded Companies
A ranking of the 10 most civic-minded companies holds some surprises -- mainly that the list is dominated by financial services firms.
Rebuilding of Roads and Bridges are Key to Colorado Flood Recovery
This month's deluge resulted in damage or total destruction of "an estimated 200 miles of state highways and 50 bridges" in over 12 counties, estimated to cost $475 million. Contracts have been awarded for "initial work to be completed by Dec. 1".
Updates Seek to Strengthen California's Water Plan and Build Consensus
Jeff Kightlinger, General Manager of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, discusses Governor Brown's Bay Delta Conservation Plan and the risks natural disasters and climate change pose to California's water infrastructure.
How Do You Grow One of the World's Densest Cities Without New Land?
Singapore has built skywards and taken back land from the sea to accommodate its booming population. But as the city-state runs out of options for future growth, it's looking underground to build infrastructure, offices, and even public spaces.
In Five Short Years, High-Speed Rail Revolutionizes Chinese Transport
Five years after it opened, it looks like China's bet on high-speed rail is paying off. The system has increased mobility and worker productivity and stimulated development in areas near stations. The country will continue to expand the system.
10 Cities Most at Risk From Natural Disasters
Natural disasters affect millions of people each year, and cost between $60 billion and $100 billion worldwide. Here are the 10 global cities most at risk.
Along New York's Waterfront, An Opportunity Without Peer
New York's lengthy waterfront was once dotted with an extensive array of piers, reaching like tentacles from the city's shores into the surrounding harbor and rivers. As the city again embraces its waterfront, those that remain are getting new life.
Small Cities Show Bike Share Isn't Just for the Big Boys
While the successes, and travails, of bike share systems in cities like New York, Washington D.C., and Chicago get most of the attention, several smaller cities across the U.S. have managed to establish such systems without much fanfare.
Skagit "Miracle" Bridge Opens on I-5 in Washington
In this editorial, The News Tribune takes aim at the WA State Department of Transportation - in a complimentary way - at the speed and efficiency in which it handled the collapse of the Skagit River Bridge on May 23. The replacement opened Sept. 15.
Can Urban Forests Save the Planet?
Urban forests may possess the power to battle climate change. We just have to figure out what is more important: quantity or quality?
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.
Ada County Highway District
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
