Beset by chronic safety problems and rising fares, Metro is looking beyond its immediate concerns by focusing on the future, and asking its customers to help it plan for how the system should grow over the next 30 years.
With a 30% increase in population, and 40% increase in jobs, projected for the Washington D.C. area over the next three decades, and new heads of Planning and Real Estate in place, Metro is looking to chart a course for its future growth.
"While we are rebuilding the system, we need to address crowded buses,
trains and stations and develop plans to grow the system to meet
ridership demand," Catherine M. Hudgins, chairman of the Metro board,
said in a statement. "The quality of life for our residents and our
regional economic well-being depend on a robust Metro system."
In support of that strategic planning effort, this past week Metro launched a public campaign dubbed "Momentum: The Next Generation of Metro," which, as Jonathan O'Connell notes, is "aimed at eliciting answers to
some big questions: How should the agency increase capacity to reduce
crowding? Which additional types of transit are needed? What is the best
way to ensure the agency's fiscal stability?"
FULL STORY: Metro looks to riders for suggestions about the future
Houston Adding New Bus Shelters
Metro plans to add 2,000 new shelters at bus stations in the next five years.
MBTA Announces Improved Bus Frequencies, Redesigned Route Map in Boston
A large system redesign is nearing implementation in and around Boston, but the new system map will require more drivers than the MBTA currently employs.
Boosters Bring Normalcy Back to Tel Aviv
Life in Tel Aviv is bustling again since COVID-19 vaccine boosters became accessible to anyone over 12 years of age. Traffic is now more of a concern than COVID, Mayor Ron Huldai told Bloomberg CityLab during a visit to 'quiet' Manhattan.
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.
Waymo Gets Permission to Map SF’s Market Street
If allowed to operate on the traffic-restricted street, Waymo’s autonomous taxis would have a leg up over ride-hailing competitors — and counter the city’s efforts to grow bike and pedestrian on the thoroughfare.
Parklet Symposium Highlights the Success of Shared Spaces
Parklets got a boost during the Covid-19 pandemic, when the concept was translated to outdoor dining programs that offered restaurants a lifeline during the shutdown.
Federal Homelessness Agency Places Entire Staff on Leave
The U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness is the only federal agency dedicated to preventing and ending homelessness.
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