Federal Funding

Seattle Streetcar

Seattle Streetcar Project Facing Major Challenges

The city council approved funding for a new streetcar line, but cost increases mean the project is behind schedule and federal funds could be in jeopardy.

September 3, 2019 - The Seattle Times

TriMet Portland

New Questions Around Portland-Area Light Rail Project

A proposed rail line would run from downtown Portland, Oregon, to the suburbs. The budget has increased significantly, and many funding and project scope questions remain.

August 26, 2019 - Oregon Live

Seawall Crescent City California

As Sea Levels Rise, Some Cities Will Be Saved While Others Will Be Left Behind

U.S. coastal cities need to prepare for the effects of climate change, but the pot of funding is limited. There’s no way around the fact that there will be winners and there will be losers.

June 22, 2019 - The New York Times

New York New Jersey Transit

Gateway Program Encounters Barrier in Trump

President Trump has not been a friend to the $30 billion Gateway Program, a transportation project meant to replace aging rail infrastructure connecting New York and New Jersey.

April 15, 2019 - Yahoo Finance

I-94

Wisconsin Law Could Delay Major Highway Projects

A plan to save money on highway megaprojects is likely to backfire, experts warn.

January 5, 2019 - Urban Milwaukee

Lake Calhoun Park, Minneapoli

Cities Need Funding for Urban Parks; Federal Program Essential

A federal funding program for city parks means green space for communities but also brings many social and economic benefits.

October 16, 2018 - Governing

Electric Bus

Federal Transit Administration Awards $84.5 Million for Electric Buses

The Low- or No-Emission (Low-No) Grant program has awarded funding to encourage the "deployment of transit buses and infrastructure that use advanced propulsion technologies."

September 1, 2018 - Smart Cities Dive

Senate Bans Procurements of Chinese Transit Vehicles

The temporary ban applies to bus and rail projects seeking funding from a number of FTA programs.

August 14, 2018 - Eno Transportation Weekly

Image of transit oriented development around Union Station in Denver.

Feds to Award $25.8 Million in Grants for Transit Oriented Development

Applications for the Pilot Program for TOD Planning are due July 23, 2018.

May 29, 2018 - Eno Transportation Weekly

Capitol

Omnibus Spending Bill Expands Low Income Housing Tax Credit

Missed among the coverage of the federal Omnibus Bill on Friday of last week: a long-awaited expansion of the Low Income Tax Credit.

March 27, 2018 - Globe St.

MARTA Bus

Georgia' First Bus Rapid Transit Route Wins Federal Funding

The Summerhill Bus Rapid Transit Project—on track to become the first bus rapid transit line in the state of Georgia—received a critical bath of funding from the federal government this week in the form of a $12.6 million TIGER grant.

March 9, 2018 - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao

Corrected: The Bell Tolls for the TIGER Grant Program

The Trump Administration signaled a desire to scrap a funding program that helped fund transit, pedestrian, and bike infrastructure. A new program likely focused on rural and toll roads could take its place.

March 7, 2018 - Streetsblog USA

Capitol Hill

How the Federal Government Wants to Use 'Social Impact Partnerships'

Taking cues from the Trump Administration's recently-released infrastructure plan, the government intends to use a public-private partnership model to take on social challenges.

March 1, 2018 - CityLab

Port Authority of Allegheny County

Downtown Pittsburgh to Oakland BRT Moving Forward, With or Without Federal Money

Expect more cities and transit agencies around the country to wrestle with funding quandaries if the Trump Administration gets its way with existing capital investment grants.

February 16, 2018 - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Dallas Transit

Transit Funding in the Trump Era Still an Unsolved Mystery

2018 could finally reveal how the federal government will approach transit funding in the Trump era. Or the status quo could continue.

January 12, 2018 - theTransportPolitic

Redevelopment

Authorization of Federal Bronwnfields Program Moves Forward in Congress

The U.S. House of Representatives approved H.R. 3017 last week, which would extend the U.S. EPA brownfields through 2022.

December 4, 2017 - Smart Growth America

Stormwater

One Way Washington Could Move Forward on Infrastructure

The WIFIA federal loans program provides start-up capital to local water infrastructure projects. The program is designed to encourage experimentation and cost-effective construction strategies.

August 17, 2017 - Brookings

Can Insurance Markets Jump-Start Resilience?

Risk-management experts are seeking creative ways to finance resilience investments that prevent damage from natural disasters. Insurance markets, with their direct stake in protecting homes and businesses, can be key partners in this effort.

March 24, 2017 - Doggerel

HUD

HUD: The Basics on an Embattled Agency

HUD has a complicated and controversial history, and it's all coming into play as the Trump Administration proposes funding cuts and installs problematic leadership.

March 20, 2017 - Curbed

Train Tracks Los Angeles

U.S. Cities Brace to Lose Infrastructure Funding Over Immigration Policies

Politico explores some of the projects that could be scrapped as a result of being located in sanctuary cities.

March 2, 2017 - Politico

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.