The IndyStar shines a light on the city of Indianapolis' neglect of its infrastructure.

A feature article by John Tuohy and Tony Cook documents the consequences of a decision to stop installing streetlights in Indianapolis, made by the city's leaders 35 years ago. The article starts with the tragic story of Amohd Welbon-Cook, when the driver of a blue Chevrolet Avalanche struck and killed him on an unlit stretch of stretch of Georgetown Road.
In other cities, the motorist might have noticed a pedestrian walking along a busy, high-speed street such as Georgetown Road because it likely would have been illuminated by the most basic of city services — a streetlight.
Compounding the public safety problems presented by the city's lack of streetlights, according to Tuohy and Cook, is the city's lack of sidewalks. In sum, Indianapolis is lacking the infrastructure to make for safe pedestrian mobility.
An IndyStar investigation found that 585 pedestrians have been killed in Marion County since the streetlight ban in 1980. Last year, 27 pedestrians were run down, more than in any year since the moratorium started.
According to the article, the lack of pedestrian infrastructure highlights a failure of priorities in the city. While pedestrian safety suffered for lack of decent infrastructure, "billions of dollars flowed to grand Downtown developments, generally celebrated by politicians, the business community and the media as improvements to the city’s quality of life."
The long-read, feature-length article provides more anecdotes and historic examples of the impact of the city's lack of infrastructure. The article also details the financial and political history behind the decision to stop installing streetlights.
For more reading on the subject, Planetizen noted back in June that the city began installing new streetlights for the first time in 35 years. Aaron Renn also offers his perspective on the city's lack of pedestrian infrastructure, describing the situation as a symptom of a much larger problem with streets and alleys around the city.
FULL STORY: Left in the dark: Indy's deadly streets

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.

Placekeeping: Setting a New Precedent for City Planners
How a preservation-based approach to redevelopment and urban design can prevent displacement and honor legacy communities.

North Texas Transit Leaders Tout Benefits of TOD for Growing Region
At a summit focused on transit-oriented development, policymakers discussed how North Texas’ expanded light rail system can serve as a tool for economic growth.

Washington State Plans Ambitious ‘Cycle Highway’ Network
The state is directing funding to close gaps in its existing bike network and make long-distance trips more accessible.

Homeowners Blame PG&E for Delays in ADU Permits
The utility says it has dramatically reduced its backlog, but applicants say they still face months-long delays for approvals for new electrical work.

Rethinking Wildfire Defense: How a Landscape Approach Can Protect Neighborhoods
Post-fire analysis of the Eaton Fire reveals that a landscape approach — including fire-resistant vegetation, home hardening, and strategic planning — can help reduce wildfire risk, challenging assumptions that trees and plants are primary fire hazards.
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.
Borough of Carlisle
Caltrans
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service
City of Cambridge, Maryland