Infrastructure

Drought Policy and Flooding Streets in LA

While residents ration water for lawn-watering, Los Angeles has experienced double the breaks in water mains as in previous years. The breaks have destroyed streets and flooded businesses, leaving many looking for answers.

September 29, 2009 - The New York Times

Third-Grader Brings Bike Lane to Montana

A third-grader in Missoula, Montana has successfully rallied her city to build a new bike lane near her busy street.

September 29, 2009 - The Missoulian

How Cities Grow Like Brains

Interconnectedness is just as important to brains as it is to cities, according to researchers who've just released a study about the organizational similarities between cities and brains.

September 24, 2009 - Science Daily

Curb Ramps to Nowhere

A number of curb ramps in Jackson, Miss., are built to meet federal regulations but are completely unusable by wheelchairs. [VIDEO]

September 21, 2009 - WLBT-TV

Des Moines, Iowa Moves Forward with "Complete Streets" Policy

Despite opposition from businesses and neighborhood groups, the city of Des Moines, Iowa is intent on implementing a program to make local streets friendly to non-drivers.

September 21, 2009 - Des Moines Register

A Ride on Dubai's New Metro Rail System

The new Dubai Metro rail system recently began operations in the desert city. Christopher Corbett, an American planner who's been living and working in Dubai, takes us on a visual tour.

September 21, 2009 - Christopher Corbett

The Model Stormwater City

Portland is well-known for many things in the urban planning community. Now, it's being recognized as a leader in stormwater management.

September 20, 2009 - The Oregonian

Federal Mag-Lev Funding Reignites Debate in Las Vegas

Federal authorities recently announced $45 million in support of plans to construct a magnetic levitation train line between Las Vegas and Southern California, re-igniting a debate over two proposed rail connections.

September 18, 2009 - The Las Vegas Sun

Jeff Speck reviews the NY Street Design Manual

Suburban Nation co-author Jeff Speck cracks the new New York Street Design Manual and finds a lot of useful material and some that falls short.

September 16, 2009 - Design Observer

The Hawaiian Energy Islands

The islands of Hawaii are proving to be a laboratory for renewable energy projects, playing host to a variety of pilot projects that could end up paving the way for the rest of the country's transition to an energy menu with more renewable options.

September 16, 2009 - The New York Times

Town Seek to Share Services as Budgets Dwindle

As city and state budgets tighten, town in New Jersey are looking to join forces and share services.

September 16, 2009 - The Star-Ledger

Charlotte Light Rail May See Six Year Delay

In an effort to give themselves more time to pay for it, transit officials in Charlotte may delay an 11-mile light rail extension for six years.

September 16, 2009 - The Charlotte Observer

Watching Where the Water Goes

Monitoring how much water is diverted from rivers and pumped from wells is notoriously difficult. But now, researchers have developed a new way to track usage.

September 15, 2009 - The Washington Post

The World's 'First Smart Grid City'

Boulder, Colorado, has become the world's "first fully functioning smart grid enabled city".

September 14, 2009 - Earth and Industry

Texas Officials Call For End to Border Fence

Texas officials are calling on the federal government to ditch plans to build a pedestrian fence along the U.S.-Mexico border, arguing the fence will not stop illegal crossing.

September 14, 2009 - The Houston Chronicle

"Polluted and Dangerous" Abandoned Properties

Tufts urban planning professor Justin Hollander appeared on C-SPAN's Washington Journal to answer questions about his new book, Polluted & Dangerous: America's Worst Abandoned Properties and What Can Be Done About Them.

September 14, 2009 - Washington Journal

Proposed Port Threatens Flood-Prone Venice

Plans to construct a new cargo port near Venice has some conservationists up in arms. They say the plans would exacerbate rising water levels and further endanger the flood-prone ancient city.

September 13, 2009 - The Guardian

Remaking Market St.

San Francisco's Market St. is the main street in town, but has had mixed success as a public space and a history of accidents involving pedestrians and bikes. Mayor Newsom has announced a new effort to improve safety and the public realm.

September 13, 2009 - Streetsblog

Finding Efficiency At Home, In the Trash

Solar-powered trash compactors, while not cheap, pay for themselves relatively quickly. With state and city budgets more liquid thanks to stimulus money, municipalities are snapping them up.

September 11, 2009 - Slate.com

Dubai's New Metro Opens

A new rail system has opened in Dubai, becoming the world's longest fully automated, driverless metro system. But some wonder whether the system will see much use in the oil-rich Emirate.

September 11, 2009 - Der Spiegel

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.