Infrastructure

The Benevolent Robert Moses of New York's Streets

As New York City prepares to pedestrianize Times Square, New York Magazine profiles Transportation Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan, who they call "equal parts Jane Jacobs and Robert Moses."

May 22, 2009 - New York Magazine

Fixing Potholes with a Flick of a Joystick

A newly-designed truck known as the "Pothole Killer" can fix a pothole with the flick of a wrist (VIDEO).

May 21, 2009 - The Infrastructurist

Light Rail Extension in L.A. Moves Ahead, But Controversy Remains

Expansion of Los Angeles' light rail system is moving ahead, as a new leg heads west. Though funding is secure, controversy still surrounds the route and its design.

May 21, 2009 - The Architect's Newspaper

Honolulu Light Rail Plans 'Raising' Concerns

Concerns over views and infrastructure blight have some in Honolulu opposing the city's plans to build its planned light rail with portions of elevated track.

May 21, 2009 - Honolulu Star-Bulletin

Vertical Farming Innovator Discusses the Future of Food

Miller-McCune talks with vertical farming innovator Dickson Despommier about why his idea is the future of food for cities and how it can go from blueprint to reality.

May 21, 2009 - Miller-McCune

Combining Infrastructures

A team of French designers are the winners of Metropolis’s 2009 Next Generation competition with their design for a combined electrical-transmission tower and landfill.

May 20, 2009 - Metropolis Magazine

Peak Water: Tapping Out the Ogallala Aquifer

This piece from Scientific American looks at the jurisdictional challenge of conserving water in the cross-state Ogallala Aquifer, one of the world's largest sources of freshwater and the backbone of the nation's farm economy.

May 20, 2009 - Scientific American

Finding the Hidden Logic of a Place

Metropolis Magazine interviews David Gibson about his new book, The Way­finding Handbook: Information Design for Public Places.

May 19, 2009 - Metropolis Magazine

Disaster Risk Tied to Urban Growth

Two reports have linked patterns of urban development to disaster risk. As urban populations grow, these studies suggest developing countries will become even more vulnerable.

May 19, 2009 - The New York Times

Slow Progress on Russian Olympics Site

Sochi, Russia, is set to host the 2014 Winter Olympics. But work on the site has hardly begun, according to this report from The Moscow Times.

May 19, 2009 - The Moscow Times

Pumping California Dry

Water shortages and environmentally-based restrictions are leaving Central California's agricultural lands dry. As a result, farmers are increasingly tapping into groundwater sources. Many are calling on the state to monitor the use of its aquifers.

May 16, 2009 - The New York Times

Retrofitting for Regional Government

Anthony Flint says that we have a lot of work ahead of us to retrofit America for the next century, from replacing water heaters to replacing old government structures with new, more regional ones.

May 15, 2009 - Citiwire.net

Miami's New I-95 Express Lanes Enable Regional Bus Service

Regional bus service will commence for the first time between Miami and Broward County with the completion of the I-95 Express (HOT) Lanes. Recovery Act funds provided for new diesel-hybrid and articulated buses, GPS and shelters.

May 14, 2009 - Miami Herald

Making the Case for HOT Lanes

In this column, CA Lt. Gov. John Garamendi supports a regional plan to create a HOT lane network in the Bay Area, permitting single occupant vehicles to buy into the fast lanes, creating a new source of regional revenue to fund express bus service.

May 12, 2009 - The California Majority Report

1/3rd of U.S. Freeways in 'Poor or Mediocre' Condition

A report released today by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) details the deteriorating state of American interstates and highways, and how much it's costing us.

May 9, 2009 - Detroit Free Press

Bay Area HOT Lanes: Will They Work?

An 800-mile HOT lane 'network' proposed for the Bay Area is now a bill in the state legislature. The MPO estimates it will reduce congestion and emissions while raising funds for transit. U.C. Berkeley's Pravin Varaiya insists it will lose money.

May 7, 2009 - East Bay Express

London Mayor Calls for 'Living Bridge'

London Mayor Boris Johnson has revived old plans to build a new bridge across the Thames River, complete with habitable structures and shops.

May 6, 2009 - Evening Standard

Rethinking Infrastructure

The Urban Land Institute's recent report on infrastructure finds fault with the government's lack of planning and vision in regards to infrastructure. 'It's a stupid way to run a country,' says ULI V.P. Maureen MacAvey.

May 5, 2009 - Architect Magazine

The Smart Grid and the Stimulus Package

The stimulus package is jump-starting smart grid projects, says Jay Birnbaum, Senior Vice President of CURRENT Group.

May 5, 2009 - Focus Washington

The Future of National Surface Transportation Policy

That was the title the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science & Transportation chose for a hearing on April 28. Panelists: Ray LaHood, DOT Secretary; Steve Heminger, MTC; Jame Corless, T4America; Ann Canby, STPP, and Ned Holmes, TX Transp. Comm.

May 4, 2009 - 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.