An ambitious BRT plan for Chicago could be a great boon for inner-city folks greatly in need of better ways to get around, says Yonah Freemark.
Upon taking office, new Mayor Rahm Emmanuel announced that the BRT would be on his agenda. Yonah Freemark says that the MTA moved forward, but ended up with a watered-down plan that wouldn't have a substantial effect on the city. But...
"But a new proposal by the influential Chicago-area Metropolitan Planning Council (MPC), whose board is a collection of some of the city's top business leaders, goes a lot further, promoting a $1.23 billion project that would dramatically improve connections between the city's outlying neighborhoods and reinforce the core network of commuter rail and L lines. While Chicago, like all major cities, has a number of transportation priorities, an endorsement by Mr. Emanuel of this scheme as the city's long-term plan could go a long way towards making the city a place where it is easier than ever to get around without a private automobile."
FULL STORY: In Chicago, a Massive BRT Plan Could be the Best Bet for Inner City Mobility

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

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

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series
The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

Rebuilding Smarter: How LA County Is Guiding Fire-Ravaged Communities Toward Resilience
Los Angeles County is leading a coordinated effort to help fire-impacted communities rebuild with resilience by providing recovery resources, promoting fire-wise design, and aligning reconstruction with broader sustainability and climate goals.

When Borders Blur: Regional Collaboration in Action
As regional challenges outgrow city boundaries, “When Borders Blur” explores how cross-jurisdictional collaboration can drive smarter, more resilient urban planning, sharing real-world lessons from thriving partnerships across North America.

Philadelphia Is Expanding its Network of Roundabouts
Roundabouts are widely shown to decrease traffic speed, reduce congestion, and improve efficiency.
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