Infrastructure

L.A. Has More Bike and Ped Share Than Portland

Ryan Bradley takes a walk across Los Angeles to reflect on the city's transportation history.

May 18, 2010 - GOOD Magazine

Working From Home: An Urban Planning Revolution

A piece in The Atlantic argues that telecommuting trends could have significant impacts on the built environment.

May 17, 2010 - The Atlantic

Turning Downtown into Suburbia – The Case of Hartford, Connecticut

When we think of sprawl, we usually picture suburban life. But inner cities also took on the character of sprawl when freeways came in and were buildings torn down, say Christopher T. McCahill and Norman Garrick.

May 17, 2010 - Norman Garrick

Bridge Construction Shutters Famous Skate Area

Bridge construction in New York City threatens to shut down an infamous and informal skatepark.

May 16, 2010 - The New York Times

Streets Improved, And Now the Bill

A variety of road and streetscape improvement projects in San Francisco are reviving the city's streets. But now, the city has to ask itself whether it wants to keep paying for these improvements.

May 16, 2010 - San Francisco Bay Guardian

Pencil Pushers the Culprit in New York Fires

A new nonfiction book called "The Fires" reveals how The RAND Corporation suggested money-saving cuts for New York City that resulted in a season of deadly fires in the city's poorest neighborhoods.

May 15, 2010 - BLDBLOG

Complete Streets Bill Heats Up

In Albany, NY, a "complete streets" bill that would dictate that all new roads follow guidelines for bike and ped accessibility is gaining ground as it passes through the state Congress.

May 13, 2010 - Streetsblog

The Infrastructural Benefit of South Africa's World Cup

Next month's World Cup in South Africa will bring a lot of attention to the country, and a lot of opportunity. Though many hope the country will see an economic benefit, the biggest impact is likely to be the creation of urban infrastructure.

May 10, 2010 - Nate Berg

Sidewalk Busted? Fix it Yourself

The city of Los Angeles is considering a plan to stop paying for repairs to broken sidewalks and driveways, shifting the economic burden to property owners.

May 9, 2010 - Los Angeles Times

The Curse of the Cul de Sac

A new study found that residents in areas with interconnected streets travel 26% fewer miles by automobile than those in areas with lots of cul-de-sacs.

May 9, 2010 - The Infrastructurist

How to Fix the Highway System

Two major reports released in the last couple of weeks detail very different approaches to fixing the highway system in the U.S. At the National Journal, experts weigh in on who has the right approach.

May 8, 2010 - National Journal Online

Turning Freeways Into Parkways

Across the country, grey-to-green transformations are in the works, capping freeways to reconnect neighborhoods with urban parks.

May 7, 2010 - USA Today

Saving Sidewalks With Root Barriers

Everyone wants street trees, but roots can tear up sidewalks and cause pedestrians to trip. John Olson has the infrastructure solution.

May 6, 2010 - EV Studio

Security Cameras to Invade Manhattan

In the wake of an attempted car bombing in New York City's Times Square, officials are calling for the expanded use of security cameras throughout Manhattan.

May 6, 2010 - Agence France Presse

South Africa's Crumbling Urban Rail Network

More than a third of the rolling stock in South Africa's urban rail network will go out of service within the next three years, creating a looming rail catastrophe across the country.

May 4, 2010 - Daily News

Billions in Transportation Funding Needed in PA, Says Panel

Pennsylvania's Transportation Advisory Committee says the state desperately needs to boost its budget for transit, roads and especially bridges by $3 billion.

May 4, 2010 - The Philadelphia Inquirer

Canada Loans Michigan $550m For Bridge

With no US government or private funding available, the Canadian government has announced it will pony up the remaining funds for a new toll bridge connecting their country with Detroit, which they see as a jobs creator.

May 3, 2010 - TOLLROADSnews

Why Burnham's Big Plan Worked

Aaron M. Renn reflects on the success of Daniel Burnham's plan of Chicago, and why. Perhaps it was the lack of government involvement in the planning process?

May 3, 2010 - The Urbanophile

Coastal Cities and Climate Change

Anthony Flint looks at how cities around the world are preparing for the predicted rise in sea level due to global warming, and how the Dutch experience with building dikes could be essential.

May 1, 2010 - Citiwire.net

Tech-Focused Planning for the Future of Cities

Broad thinking about the future may mean focusing on smaller, technology-based planning solutions, according to this essay from Regional Plan Association Executive Director Thomas K. Wright.

April 30, 2010 - Regional Plan Association

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.