Charlotte

Charlotte Bets On Federal Funding for Streetcar

The Charlotte City Council approved $12 million in engineering work for a proposed 2.5-mile streetcar extension. The city hopes the investment will help it win federal funds for the $126 million project.

January 30, 2014 - Charlotte Observer

March Construction Targeted for Charlotte Blue Line Extension

Preparations for the $1.6 billion Blue Line extension project in Charlotte, North Carolina, are nearing completion. Officials have penciled in March to begin construction on the 9.3-mile light rail line.

January 15, 2014 - Charlotte Observer

Mill Makeover a Model for Discarded Manufacturing Relics

C.J. Hughes looks at the $40 million conversion of the historic Loray Mill in Gastonia, North Carolina into a mixed-use retail and residential complex. Federal and state tax credits are providing the incentives for investors to back the project.

May 9, 2013 - The New York Times

Anthony Foxx Announcement

Predicting U.S. Transportation Policy Under Future Secretary Foxx

Following Monday's announcement by President Obama of his surprise selection to be the next transportation secretary, observers dig deeper into what the American people can expect from federal transportation policy under Anthony Foxx.

April 30, 2013 - Governing

Obama to Nominate Charlotte Mayor as Transportation Secretary

News broke Sunday that Charlotte Mayor Anthony Foxx will be President Obama's choice to succeed Ray LaHood as transportation secretary. Although he does not have a transportation background, Foxx has been an advocate for mass transit and TOD.

April 29, 2013 - The Charlotte Observer

Charlotte Airport Turning Trash into Treasure

Air travel is a notoriously wasteful mode. But one airport is taking huge leaps towards sustainability. Julie Rose reports on Charlotte Douglas International's comprehensive recycling and composting program.

December 20, 2012 - NPR

Building a 'Slow' Streetcar to 'Speed' Development

A common criticism of streetcars are their relative slow speed combined with high capital and operating costs. Still, streetcars are being constructed in both large in small cities to help incentivize development.

July 6, 2012 - The Naked City

A Business-Friendly Approach to Urban Sustainability

Moira Quinn takes a look at Charlotte, North Carolina, where businesses and local government have teamed up to keep office buildings green as the central business district grows.

April 20, 2012 - Urban Land

New Census Numbers Detail Surprising Facts About Urban Density

John King considers a new report released by the Census Bureau on Monday, which finds that of the ten most densely populated urbanized areas in the United States, nine are in the West.

March 27, 2012 - San Francisco Chronicle

It Exists: A Conservative Who Supports Transit

Seemingly as hard to find as the mythic Sasquatch or a Unicorn, we've searched high and low for a conservative who supports transit (or at least who will say so in public) and have found one, in the region around Charlotte, North Carolina.

February 17, 2012 - The Herald Weekly

Charlotte's Big Unemployment Problem

Joblessness in the Charlotte region is high, and has been for a while. This review of unemployment figures shows a long-term problem.

August 4, 2011 - UNC Charlotte Urban Institute

Tom Low's Vision for De-Sprawling Charlotte

With foreclosure rates high and car-dependent development spreading, Charlotte might want to start listening to new urbanist Tom Low, according to this article.

July 27, 2011 - Charlotte Magazine

Keeping Rail On Track

Rail projects throughout the U.S. are hard hit by the downturn in the economy. The agencies behind them are trying to find ways to keep the projects from falling apart.

July 12, 2011 - Architect Magazine

Light Rail Among Cuts in Proposed North Carolina Budget

A new budget proposal in North Carolina could pull all funding for a long-planned extension of Charlotte's light rail system.

May 26, 2011 - The Charlotte Observer

Re-Zoning for a Future Population Averse to Single-Family Homes

As demographics shift and housing preferences of younger buyers lean away from single-family housing, much of the single-family-home-zoned areas in Charlotte will need to be rethought, according to this editorial.

February 10, 2011 - The Charlotte Observer

North Carolina Hopes to Lure Extra Rail Money

As states return money aimed at high speed rail projects, officials from North Carolina are hoping to scramble up some of this newly available funding to augment existing projects.

January 19, 2011 - News and Observer

Transit Plans in Charlotte Face Budget Troubles

Expansion of transit has helped fuel a boost in ridership over the last decade in Charlotte. But with falling tax revenues, the city looks unlikely to be able to continue its planned transit growth.

November 21, 2010 - the transport politic

After Urban Renewal, Learning From New York City

Mary Newsom reviews a new book on New York City by Roberta Brandez Gratz, and finds lessons that cross borders even into her very different city of Charlotte.

September 20, 2010 - The Charlotte Observer

Why Streetcar Spending Is Good For Charlotte

Charlotte just won $25 million in grants from the federal government to combine with $12 million of local funds to build a streetcar system. Some say it's a waste of money. This editorial from The Charlotte Observer argues its case.

July 19, 2010 - The Charlotte Observer

Charlotte Bags Federal Streetcar Funds

Charlotte recently won a $25 million federal grant to begin construction on a streetcar system. The Charlotte Observer goes over some of the system's basics.

July 15, 2010 - The Charlotte Observer

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.

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

100 Most Influential Urbanists

The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.