Jonna McKone asks, "How can transportation and urban development—from housing to public spaces to landscaping—repair a blighted American city?"
McKone looks at the "slew of challenges" in the wake of Hurricane Katrina and the more recent Gulf of Mexico oil spill with a focus on public transportation. Citing a report from several local and state institutions, McKone point out that "[t]he city aims to 'provide safe, convenient non-motorized choices for the diverse New Orleans population' centered on an active transportation network."
McKone highlights the potential benefits of removing expressways that cut through the city, the success of the 12.6 miles of bike lanes running across the city, and the positive economic returns that could be realized by placing a light rail corridor to Baton Rouge.
"With each completed project, no matter how small, the city moves forward," McKone concludes.
Thanks to Garrett Bradford
FULL STORY: Cities in Flux: Rebuilding New Orleans With Better Transportation

Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage
Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”

Study: Maui’s Plan to Convert Vacation Rentals to Long-Term Housing Could Cause Nearly $1 Billion Economic Loss
The plan would reduce visitor accommodation by 25% resulting in 1,900 jobs lost.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Passengers Flock to Caltrain After Electrification
The new electric trains are running faster and more reliably, leading to strong ridership growth on the Bay Area rail system.

Texas Churches Rally Behind ‘Yes in God’s Back Yard’ Legislation
Religious leaders want the state to reduce zoning regulations to streamline leasing church-owned land to housing developers.

Grand Rapids Mayor Proposes Garage Conversion Plan
The mayor says allowing homeowners to convert garages to dwelling units could alleviate the city’s housing shortage.
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.
Caltrans
Smith Gee Studio
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