Infrastructure
Seattle Freeway Replacement Plans Whittled to Two Options
Planners and officials in Seattle have whittled down the list to just two ideas for replacing the city's damaged inner-city viaduct. Washington Governor Christine Gregoire reportedly wants a final decision by the end of the year.
Toronto Goes Back to the Tap
Toronto is now the biggest city in North America to ban the sale of bottled water on city premises, a victory which advocates hope will spur a reinvestment in public water facilities, including drinking fountains in new buildings.
'Ready' Road Projects Could Create 1.8 Million Jobs
More than 5,000 road and bridge projects are "ready to go". They still need funding, but could provide nearly 2 million jobs if Congress approves infrastructure spending.
Obama's Infrastructure Spending Could be a "Tragic Waste", Says Kunstler
James Kunstler believes that President-Elect Obama's bid to boost the economy through repairing infrastructure could be more usefully spent on rail and harbors.
Recycling Through Underground Tubes
London's Wembley City development is the proud owner of the first automated waste collection system in the U.K. Recycling or garbage are deposited in bins, then sucked underground, eliminating the need for trucks or garbage collectors.
Uncertain Times See Cities Planning for Peak Oil
With energy and the economy both causing headaches, 2008 has been a big year for local governments recognizing and planning for peak oil. Finding a way forward in a future of constrained energy will require much of planners.
$1/Gallon Gas Consumption Tax Proposal
In this Mercury News Op-Ed, San Jose State University Professor Larry Gerston proposes this bold tax for mass transit and alternative energy programs. It yields $175 billion annually and creates green jobs, enabling us to determine our destiny.
Obama's Stimulus Package Disappoints
Columnist David Brooks warns that the Obama stimulus package fails to build on the current social movement to enliven existing suburbs and instead appears to follow a traditional roads, bridges, and refurbishing existing infrastructure approach.
Obama Puts Focus on Public Works
President-elect Barack Obama has announced a promise to institute a broad-ranging package of building programs, from infrastructure to schools -- the nation's largest public works program since the post-war era.
Reconsidering Asphalt
Landscape architect Paula Meijerink is calling on designers to rethink asphalt, and she's taking her efforts to the streets.
'Window of Opportunity' for Infrastructure
Neal Peirce takes a hopeful look at President-elect Barack Obama's willingness to invest in infrastructure.
Teamsters And Enviros Unite
The Los Angeles and Long Beach Ports’ new Clean Trucks program is the object of a legal battle pitting Teamsters, environmental and public health groups, the NAACP, and community groups demanding clean air against trucking companies and shippers.
Recycling Market Bottoms Out
With the demand for consumer goods falling, the demand for recyclable materials to manufacture them is falling too. Trash is piling up across the country, and cities are canceling their recycling programs.
Building With Terrorism in Mind
Buildings and public spaces were the focus of recent terrorist attacks in Mumbai, India. This op-ed wonders how the building and design professions should respond.
Subway Approved for San Francisco
A proposal to run a light rail subway through central San Francisco passed environmental scrutiny at the federal level, green lighting the project to move forward. Now all the $1.3 billion project needs is some federal funding.
Feds To Allow Rail Between D.C. and Airport
Federal officials have reversed their earlier decision and are now pushing for the extension of Washington D.C.-area metro rail to Dulles International Airport -- a plan that's been in the works for nearly 40 years.
Obama Reaches Out to Governors for Infrastructure Funding Support
Presdient-elect Obama addressed the nation's governors at a meeting of the National Governors Association on Tuesday, building solidarity between officials at the state and federal levels for an infrastructure-based stimulus package.
Great Lakes Compact Comes Just in Time
Between the invasive species, questions of drinking water safety, and dipping water levels, the Great Lakes have been taking a beating lately.
Woes Awaiting New Transportation Secretary
Of primary importance will be dealing with the National Highway Trust Fund, long the source of federal transportation funding, but not having seen an increase in the gas tax for 15 years, it is essentially broke - spending more than it brings in.
Roads or Police?
A bi-partisan PA bill with considerable support seeks to redirect funds from the Motor License Fund, paid by motorists, that currently go to the State Police to roads. The police budget would have to compete with other needs from the general fund.
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.
Clanton & Associates, Inc.
Jessamine County Fiscal Court
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service
