Infrastructure

Buffalo Poised for Success, Says Planner

Buffalo, NY urban planner Chris Hawley is excited about the possibilities for his city, explaining that the Rust Belt infrastructure already in place gives Buffalo a leg up over cities built later in history.

November 9, 2011 - Next American City

Dubai's Dirty Problem

In Dubai, the Burj Khalifa is the tallest building in the world. But it shares one problem will all skyscrapers in Dubai - there is no central sewage infrastructure to accommodate the waste they produce.

November 8, 2011 - Boing Boing

As Cities Grow, Their Definitions Get Murky

As the world continues to urbanize and megacities continue to grow, cities are increasingly "unrecognizable," no longer necessarily, say, places of political power. David Pillings repots on this and other issues challenging the traditional city.

November 6, 2011 - Financial Times

Apartments to be Razed for Athletic Complex

As part of a larger parks plan, one Atlanta suburb wants to use its bonds to build a sports complex where housing already exists. Adding to the controversy, the idea doesn't seem to have gone through a proper public review. Melissa Weinman reports.

November 5, 2011 - Reporter Newspapers

Colorado Voters to Determine the Fate of $50 Million Smart Grid Project

Mark Chediak of Bloomberg writes about a referendum being held in Boulder, Colorado that will decide whether or not to publicly take over the Smart Grid project implemented by Xcel Energy.

November 4, 2011 - Bloomberg

Colorado Voters to Determine the Fate of $50 Million Smart Grid Project

Mark Chediak of Bloomberg writes about a referendum being held in Boulder, Colorado that will decide whether or not to publicly take over the Smart Grid project implemented by Xcel Energy.

November 4, 2011 - Bloomberg

The Irrationality Of Federal Infrastructure Spending

Charles Marohn believes that the way the US manages its infrastructure spending is problematic He finds that the lack of federal support for maintenance leads states to irrationally prioritize new projects over repairing old.

November 3, 2011 - Strong Towns Blog

Increasing The Gas Tax - Impossible?

Former OH Sen. George Voinovich and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce are spearheading the push, but they are by no means alone. The groups came together in 2009 - another one may be in the works with the current transportation extension ending March 31.

November 3, 2011 - Politico

Seattle May Revise Bike Plan, Already

Mike Linbom cites the popularity of greenways for why the city is considering spending $100,000 more than the original plan's cost to update it, after just four years.

November 3, 2011 - The Seattle Times

How Energy Efficient are the World's Tallest Buildings?

The Burj Khalifa in Dubai has one of the world's largest condensate recovery systems that diverts and reuses water from air conditioning. One World Trade Center in New York will use 30% less water and 20% less energy.

November 2, 2011 - The Infrastructurist

Less Crime Through Urban Design

Environmental criminology may not be the most well-known field, but in this profile of Nikki Filipuzzi and her work throughout Calgary, Tamara Gignac shows how even the right amounts of shrubbery and light can make the city safer.

November 2, 2011 - The Vancouver Sun

California HSR Figures Released, Leaving Project's Fate Shaky

On Tuesday, the California High-Speed Rail Authority announced that the cost of the project has tripled to nearly $99 billion, and federal funds for it don't exist yet--prompting some legislators' support to fizzle.

November 2, 2011 - San Jose Mercury News

"Urbanized" Seeks To Chart The Future Of Planning

A.O. Scott reviews the final installment of Gary Hustwit's design trilogy, "Urbanized," and concludes that even those with a deep knowledge of urban planning are likely to learn something from the carefully selected images and interviews.

October 31, 2011 - The New York Times

Transportation Enhancements Battle Brewing in D.C.

In fact, that's putting it positively, as the battle may already have been lost according to House Transportation Chair John Mica. Enhancements, most of which fund pedestrian and bicyle projects, may become voluntary rather than a requirement.

October 28, 2011 - The Washington Post

The New Trend in Highways: Capping Them

Blair Kamin uses Columbus, Ohio's retail development on the Cap at Union Station as a success story. What can Chicago learn from this design strategy that at once addresses economic development and the enrichment of the cityscape?

October 28, 2011 - Chicago Tribune

Industrializing India

The government plans to build 24 industrial cities that stretch from New Delhi to Mumbai for a corridor bigger in land size than Japan, write Matthias Williams and Lyndee Prickitt for Reuters.

October 26, 2011 - Reuters

For Biking to Flourish, Empower the Community Boards

Tom Angotti believes that community participation and neighborhood-level planning are key to a wider network of bike infrastructure in New York City.

October 26, 2011 - Gotham Gazette

DC Planning Office Seeks To Restrict Georgetown Enrollment

Washington DC's office of planning will begin restricting Georgetown's enrollment if the university does not manage to provide housing for 100% of its undergraduates by 2016.

October 25, 2011 - The Washington Post

Executives Told To "Pack Suitcases" For Libyan Infrastructure Boom

Tripoli Airport and Misrata hospital are the first specific projects to be named, as western governments begin to release frozen assets to the National Transition Government (NTI) and international corporations spot an opportunity.

October 25, 2011 - Building Design

The Mysterious Disappearing Transit

After nine years of public outreach and study, transit was abruptly and secretively dropped from plans for the new Tappan Zee Bridge. Now, neither New York Governor Andrew Cuomo nor the US Department of Transportation will say why.

October 25, 2011 - Streetsblog

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.