Infrastructure

Designing Walkable Urban Thoroughfares

That's the title of a new report from CNU and the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) that attempts to right the wrongs of the car-centric street design of the past 75 years.

April 9, 2010 - Streetsblog

DOT Rethinks Selection Process for Funding

When Charlotte's new light rail line opened, it vastly exceeded anticipated ridership figures. As the city plans an extension of the system, the federal government is revising how it distributes funding to avoid making the same mistake again.

April 8, 2010 - The New York Times

Portland Demoted to America's Second Most Bike-Friendly City

The city of Portland is in a state of shock after being de-throned as America's most bike-friendly city.

April 8, 2010 - The Oregonian

Climate Measure Would Raise Gas Tax But Not Fund Transportation

A new senate climate measure is proposing to raise the gas tax, a move many in the transportation field have been suggesting for years. But the measure is meeting criticism for not directing the increased revenue towards transportation projects.

April 8, 2010 - Streetsblog Capitol Hill

Interstate Toll Denial Underscores Systemic Problems

The federal government recently rejected a proposal by the state of Pennsylvania to toll Interstate 80. Robert Puentes argues that the decision is exactly what's holding metropolitan areas back from solving their transportation problems.

April 8, 2010 - The New Republic

Should Amtrak Get its Hands on High Speed Rail?

The Infrastructurist's Melissa Lafsky is a guest on Fox Business News to discuss what role, if any, Amtrak will play in the U/S/ high speed rail network.

April 7, 2010 - The Infrastructurist

Student Planners Remake Toronto

Toronto's former chief planner Paul Bedford asked his students at Ryerson University to present 100-year plans to re-imagine Toronto.

April 6, 2010 - The Toronto Star

CNN: The New Urban Century

CNN turns its eye to the world of urban and transportation planning, highlighting five cities that are moving towards a more sustainable, urban-centric lifestyle.

April 3, 2010 - CNN

Renovating Chicago's Union Station

Chicago's Union Station is announcing a potential upgrade in order to prepare for future high speed rail construction, says The Christian Science Monitor.

April 2, 2010 - The Christian Science Monitor

Land Use, Transportation and the World Cup in South Africa

Nate Berg reports on the effects of the upcoming World Cup in South Africa. Will the stadia be built on time? And what will be the impact on after they're built?

April 2, 2010 - Next American City

Chicago's $1.3 Million Experiment in Democracy

In a Chicago Tribune op-ed, Alderman Joe Moore explains why he is letting residents decide how to spend his $1.3m ward budget, through the first Participatory Budgeting process in the US.

April 1, 2010 - Chicago Tribune

Here Comes the Sun...and it's Not Alright

A recent report from NASA outlined the threat solar storms pose to Earth-based electrical and communications systems, and warned that the social and economic disruptions could be catastrophic.

April 1, 2010 - Big Think

Fort Worth Streetcar Project In Jeopardy

In this editorial, blogger Kevin Buchanan argues that a Fort Worth streetcar is being delayed by political forces and should move forward for the benefit of the community.

April 1, 2010 - Fortworthology

Chicago's $1.3 Million Experiment in Democracy

In a Chicago Tribune op-ed, Alderman Joe Moore explains why he is letting residents decide how to spend his $1.3 ward budget, through the first Participatory Budgeting process in the US.

March 31, 2010 - Chicago Tribune

Interference with Delta Geography Enabled Katrina's Devastation

The environmental and infrastructural conditions that brought about the flooding of New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina in 2005 remain today, and have the potential to cause similar devastation, according to this piece.

March 31, 2010 - Places

Infrastructure the Limiting Factor for Local Food Movement

The local food movement is growing in popularity, but a lack of related agricultural and processing infrastructure is holding back its spread.

March 31, 2010 - The New York Times

Gaps in Video Security in New York Subway System

Recent attacks in the Moscow subway system highlight concerns in New York City, where a closed circuit security camera system still has many gaps.

March 31, 2010 - The New York Times

Portland A Hotspot for 'Stormwater Tourism'

Portland's "Green Streets" program is becoming a new tourist attraction in the city, which officials from other cities are visiting to learn from the Pacific Northwest's model water treatment infrastructure.

March 30, 2010 - USA Today

Fast Lanes for Pedestrians?

The sidewalks of Portland are so busy that the city is developing plans to create 6'-8' Pedestrian Zones—basically, fast lanes for moving pedestrians separate from other street activities.

March 27, 2010 - Vimeo

Hosting Olympics, But At What Cost?

The Olympics can be a huge boon for cities -- in terms of international attention, physical legacies and infrastructural development. But they can also be a huge risk. This piece from Finance and Development looks at the pros and cons.

March 24, 2010 - Finance and Development

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.