Infrastructure

Scotland to Build Floating Wind Farm Offshore

Officials in Scotland have announced plans to build a farm of floating wind turbines offshore.

August 18, 2010 - The Guardian

Spain the Model Train Citizen

As the U.S. eases itself into a national system of high speed trains, other nations seem to be decades ahead, especially Spain.

August 17, 2010 - Miller-McCune

Questions and Concerns About China's Mega-Dam

China's mega-dam, the Three Gorges, is facing some growing pains as recent storms have put the structure to the test.

August 17, 2010 - Los Angeles Times

The Congestion of Good Intentions in L.A.

The addition of a 10-mile carpool lane to one of Los Angeles' busiest freeways is creating a huge stress on the region's transportation system.

August 17, 2010 - The New York Times

Slow Pace for Infrastructure Stimulus Funds

The White House has distributed less than a third of the nearly $230 billion set aside for big infrastructure projects, prompting criticism from Republicans.

August 16, 2010 - The Wall Street Journal

The Top 20 Urban Planning Successes of All Time

An interesting post appeared on the Public Servant Blog a few days ago. The list includes Amsterdam, Eugene, Oregon; Ponce Center City, Puerto Rico; and the city of Philadelphia among others.

August 16, 2010 - Public Servant Blog

Hydroelectric Dam Energizes and Displaces in Amazon

Plans to construct an $11 billion hydroelectric dam in the Amazon rainforest of Brazil has officials excited about the new energy it will create, and some locals preparing to relocate.

August 16, 2010 - The New York Times

What Cities Can Do to Encourage Electric Cars

Maury Blackman of Accela writes that local governments will have a significant effect on whether electric cars take off or not, because they will be approving and building the necessary infrastructure.

August 14, 2010 - Accela Corporate blog

After Years of Delays, San Francisco's Bike Plan Hits the Street

Delayed from implementation for four years, San Francisco's bicycle plan has been legally ruled into action. The first lanes are being painted.

August 12, 2010 - San Francisco Chronicle

Clock Running Out on Canadian Stimulus Spending

With some construction projects behind schedule, municipal governments are asking the Harper government to extend their "spend-it-or-lose-it" deadline of March 31 2011.

August 10, 2010 - Winnipeg Free Press

Cycling in Toronto Leaves Much to Be Desired

Toronto Star architecture critic Christopher Hume blasts the city's lackluster bicycle planning efforts, calling them disjointed.

August 10, 2010 - The Toronto Star

Infrastructure Investment Stimulating Job Creation in Southern California

Major hubs of transportation and logistics are planning major capital investments in Southern California over the next several years.

August 9, 2010 - The Planning Report

Is There Enough Room For Everyone On America's Roads?

Tom Madigan asks: "is it still possible to promote new bicycling and walking options in harmony with vehicular traffic? Or as city space gets more limited, will planners have to take sides?"

August 8, 2010 - National Journal Transportation

The "Instant Cities" of Industrial China

This year China will add 17 million people to its urban population. To house them, places like Guangzhou and Shanghai are constructing 'instant cities.' Christoph Gielen traveled through these developments, documenting the expansion.

August 8, 2010 - New York Times

Could Meetings on The Subway Become As Common As Graffiti?

The current norm of commuting, which happens all at once and too often by car, is placing too much stress on our infrastructure, our resources and even our emotional health. Melissa Lafsky reports how the structure of our workdays could be changed.

August 7, 2010 - Infrastructurist

Gas Tax for Highways Only?

The gas tax is being spread too thin on a broad range of transportation projects, according to the Reason Foundation. They say the gas-tax should be directed towards its original recipient: highways.

August 6, 2010 - Reason

Preserving Business During Construction Clutter

New transit facilities attract lots of foot traffic, but while the facility is being built the construction clutter drives potential customers away. A new program in Minneapolis attempts to preserve local businesses through the debris.

August 5, 2010 - Next American City

Dam Raises Questions About Habitat Restoration and Destruction

This feature from Miller-McCune looks at the debate over a dam near Stanford University, and whether it should be removed to restore the ecosystem the area once housed, or maintained to protect the ecosystem that it spawned.

August 5, 2010 - Miller-McCune

Rethinking New Orleans' Levees

Three design firms offer new ideas for redesigning New Orleans' levees.

August 5, 2010 - Good

LaHood Repeats Vow: No New Fuel Taxes & No VMT Fee

While acknowledging that the 18.4 cent gas tax is insufficient to meet today's and tomorrow's transportation needs, LaHood said that increasing fuel taxes now would jeopardize the economic recovery.

August 3, 2010 - The Journal of Commerce

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.