Infrastructure
California Water Diversion Debate Continues
The debate over how to divert water around Central California's San Joaquin Valley for delivery to Southern California has been rekindled. A task force is meeting to find a way to address this and many of the state's other long-standing water issues.
How To Quench Atlanta's Growing Thirst
A severe water shortage is threatening Atlanta, and critics blame the region's unchecked growth as a primary cause for the its current predicament.
World's Largest 'Toilet To Tap' Plant Debuts In Southern California
With the opening of the new facility, water officials in Orange County, California are launching a large scale program to recycle sewage for use as drinking water for millions. Other water scarce areas are watching closely.
California's Infrastructure May Go Private
Public-private partnerships are the most viable option for building and maintaining California's infrastructure according to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, who recently announced a plan to explore possible partnerships with private firms.
Sidewalk Funding Riles Neighbors In Seattle
Funding for sidewalks has been approved in Seattle, where some neighborhoods have rallied for years to have them built. But now some homeowners are opposed to the plans, as the new sidewalk will cut into their front yards, parking spaces and patios.
Tunnel System Sparks Interest, Rumors
The re-discovery of tunnels beneath Fresno, California's Chinatown have sparked interest -- and elaborate rumors -- amongst historic preservationists and residents alike. But some say the rumors exaggerate the real purpose of the tunnels.
Chicago Takes Sustainability To The Back Alley
The city of Chicago has announced plans to green its 2,000 miles of alleyways by installing permeable ground coverings that will allow rainwater to seep back into the ground and replenish groundwater supplies.
Blind Activists Fight For Sidewalks
Two blind Missouri women seek to compel their city, state and federal governments to act on the lack of sidewalks.
Mexico City Seeks Water Self-Sufficiency
Mexico City and its 20 million people get water from many sources, some nearly 100 miles away. The city has announced plans to achieve water self-sufficiency by 2020, a task sure to be a challenge.
Canada's Municipal Infrastructure 'Near Collapse'
A new report warns that Canada's municipal infrastructure, much of it many decades old, is in urgent need of investment and upgrading.
Boston's Newest U-Turn Confounds Users
Despite predictions of heavy use, a mere 200 vehicles a day are using a high-capacity expressway U-turn intended to ease traffic on the city's surface streets.
The World Beneath Paris
An extensive tunnel system exists beneath the city of Paris, playing a major infrastructural role, but also serving as an interesting tourist attraction and look at the underbelly of the historic city.
Congress Members May Oppose Funding For California High Speed Rail
A dispute over two possible routes for California's high-speed rail line has elevated to members of Congress formally opposing federal funding for a route that does not include their districts.
Rail To D.C. Airport Plan Has Broad Support
Residents are overwhelmingly in favor of extending a rail link that would connect the Washington D.C. region directly to Dulles International Airport, according to a recent survey.
Florida Ditches Three-State Water Deal
The state of Florida has backed out of a water agreement with Georgia and Alabama that would have cut the state's water supply in an effort to aid drought-stricken Georgia.
Infrastructure Versus Taliban
Construction of a road through a dangerous part of Afghanistan is the U.S. Military's attempt to stabilize the Taliban-controlled area.
'Cargo Oriented Development' Brings Life To Industrial Areas
This piece from Smart Growth Online looks at transit oriented development near transit and freight facilities -- dubbed "cargo oriented development" -- as discusses how it can create value in neglected industrial areas.
Is Desalination The Solution To Water Shortages?
Advances in reverse osmosis membrane technology are convincing more and more cities to invest in cleaning their own used water instead of piping it in from far-off reservoirs.
Making A Better Parking Lot
The city of Toronto has approved design guidelines for future development of parking lots within the city. The guidelines call for more trees and better drainage, but as of now are not included in any mandatory city policies.
'Sand Taxes' Divide Beachfront Communities
As federal and state funds dry up, beachfront communities seek their own solutions to protect against coastal erosion and storms.
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.
City of Santa Clarita
Ascent Environmental
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
