North America
Five Days after DOT Releases Crude-by-Rail Rule, Another Oil Train Explodes
Critics warned that a Department of Transportation rule allowing up to 10 years to phase out existing oil tank cars would result in more explosions. The rule was issued on May 1; an explosion occurred May 6.
Highlights from CNU 23 Dallas
Having just wrapped up a great CNU in Dallas, April 29 through May 2, a collection of urbanists share some of the ideas that resonated the most.
New Report Finds Drivers Pay Less Than Half the Cost of Roads
The new report, "Who Pays for Roads? How the 'Users Pays' Myth Gets in the Way of Solutions to America’s Transportation Problems" exposes the widening gap between how Americans think we pay for roadways—through user fees—and how we actually do.
Older Oil Tank Rail Cars Face Three-Year Deadline to be Replaced
Following up on last month's emergency rule addressing trains speeds, the Transportation Department issued new rules addressing tanker car standards, long thought to be one of the most important factors contributing to fiery oil tank car explosions.
Is the Road Usage Charge the Future of Road Funding?
"The road usage charge is the logical evolution in the way we fund surface transportation," stated Patrick Jones, Executive Director of the International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association at their annual transportation conference in Portland.
I Million Trek Bikes Recalled in U.S., Canada
Many Trek bikes produced in the past 15 years could be subject to a recall, after three crashes resulted from an open quick release mechanism on the front wheel coming into contact with the disc brake.
Ontario to Join Quebec in Cap-and-Trade Program
Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne made a strong case for taking decisive climate change action when she signed an historic agreement to join the Quebec program that trades carbon with California.
Preservation and Revitalization in Latin America
Urban city centers have been decaying for years in Latin America, however, with renewed interest by Latin American governments, these city cores are once again being revitalized. Arup Connect spoke with urban design leader Pablo Lazo to learn how.
More Evidence of Smart Growth Savings
Analysis of incremental tax revenues and public service costs of various development patterns in Madison, Wisconsin indicates significant economic savings from more compact land use. Modest increases in density can provide large fiscal benefits.
Urbanism: Nothing to Fear
Scott Bernstein, president of the Center for Neighborhood Technology, talks planes, trains, and automobiles, in an urban industrial context.
What Will it Take to Make People More Comfortable With Biking?
A new national survey gathers evidence about what it would take to convert larger numbers of people to the bike lifestyle.
Crude-by-Rail's New Workhorse No Better than the Old Workhorse
The new oil tank cars were supposed to be key to preventing the fiery explosions associated with oil-train derailments. However, four recent explosions since Feb. 14, with two occurring last Thursday and Saturday, all involved the new tankers.
A Deep Dive into Suburban Retrofits
An interview with Ellen Dunham-Jones, co-author of "Retrofitting Suburbia," and Hazel Borys.
We're All Complicit in Change—Now What?
Be a citizen, not just a consumer.
The End of the Keystone XL Pipeline Saga?
Within hours of receiving the bipartisan bill on Tuesday to authorize the Keystone XL pipeline, President Obama made good on his promise to veto it. The legislation would have short-circuited the approval process, which upset the president.
San Francisco Treat: Condo Listing Offers Unlimited Uber, Not Parking
City residents don't need a car if they have good travel options. One condominium offers buyers one year of unlimited Uber rides instead of a parking space.
Here's to the Winners of the Seaside Prize and to 'Attainable Housing'
Housing supply is offering up something that looks very different than what today's households want to buy.
Report Finds Surging City Center Job Growth
For half a century, suburbs surpassed city centers in population and job growth. These economic and demographic trends appear to be reversing. America's cities have grown faster than outlying areas and new research that jobs are coming with them.
A Proposal for a New Set of Bike Rules
Most states classify bicycles as "vehicles", and therefore bicyclists as "drivers" of vehicles. Practically what this means is: car rules are bike rules.
Friday Funny: Cities Want to Be Cozy
Cities vie for all sorts of distinctions: greenest; friendliest; wealthiest; most innovative. Portland, Maine, is just tickled to bits about topping the "Top-10 Coziest Cities in America." Added bonus: it beat out its regional arch-rival Boston.
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 Albany
Harvard GSD Executive Education
UCLA Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
City of Piedmont, CA
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
