Light Rail

Big Transit Happenings Expected for the Sun Belt in 2016

A streak of landmark years for public transit in Sun Belt cities from the West Coast to the Florida Panhandle will continue in 2016.

December 27, 2015 - The Urban Edge

Civil Rights Activists Target Baltimore Red Line Cancellation

A complaint filed with the U.S. Department of Transportation alleges that Maryland Gov. Hogan's decision to cancel the long-planned Red Line rail project violates the Civil Rights Act.

December 26, 2015 - The Washington Post- Wonkblog

Can Jerusalem's Light Rail Pull the City’s Past Into the Future?

Since 2011, the controversial Jerusalem Light Rail system has been a driving force behind the renewal and reintegration of some areas of the old city. In addition, the Jerusalem Business District is being planned as the city's new economic hub.

December 5, 2015 - Cities of the Future

Staten Island Ferry "Spirit of America"

Study to Address Staten Island Transportation Deserts

Residents of Staten Island suffer from very long commutes, and many rely on cars. The New York City Council has proposed a study to determine how additional transit could be implemented in the borough.

December 5, 2015 - SI Live

Expo Line

L.A.'s Expo Line Hasn't Reduced Congestion—But it Has Done a Whole Lot More

A lot of promises get made in the hopes of building political support in transit options like light rail. Perhaps, however, officials in Los Angeles should stop promising that transit will alleviate congestion.

November 21, 2015 - Los Angeles Times

Northern Virginia Considering a New Light Rail or Bus Rapid Transit Line

One of the busiest corridors in Northern Virginia, both in traffic and development, is under consideration for a new transit line.

November 18, 2015 - WAMU

Urban Careers

Topics Planners Don't Often Think About, But Should

There are a number of areas of planning that offer planners a role, but are not necessarily at the front of our minds. At the Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning Conference, researchers shared results that can impact practice.

November 1, 2015 - Jennifer Evans-Cowley

A bus next to the re-located light rail station at Denver's Union Station

Questioning the Wisdom of Light Rail in the Sun Belt States

As Houston, Dallas and other sun belt cities build out their light-rail systems, some are asking if the investment is worth it.

October 20, 2015 - New Geography

Report Grades California's Rail Stations on Neighborhood Service

A report by Next 10 takes the form of a scorecard for six light and heavy rail networks. Rail that serves existing urbanized areas scored the highest.

October 7, 2015 - Los Angeles Times

Honolulu Rail Transit

Honolulu Rail Cost Overruns Now Exceed $1 Billion

Add another $200 million to the $910 million shortfall already facing Honolulu's rail project. The changing circumstances surrounding the project won't make it any easier to create a viable funding plan to make up the difference.

September 16, 2015 - Honolulu Star-Advertiser

Proposed Santa Ana Branch Light Rail Would Connect Downtown Los Angeles and Artesia

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) is exploring alignments for a new light rail line.

September 16, 2015 - Urbanize LA

Phoenix Light Rail

Light Rail Leading the Way in the Sun Belt

Cities traditionally thought of as car-centric are putting ambitious light rail plans at the center of ambitious plans for transit.

September 16, 2015 - Houston Chronicle

Dallas Puts New Downtown Light Rail Line on the Fast Track

The Dallas City Council has given preliminary approval to a proposed light rail line, currently called D2, which would add service capacity to the downtown core.

September 11, 2015 - The Dallas Morning News

Here Comes Portland's New Orange Line

TriMet will get a new addition to its rail system later this month, when it opens the new Orange Line.

September 4, 2015 - The Oregonian

Phoenix Transportation Sales Tax Measure Wins On Tuesday's Ballot

Phoenix voters, by 55 percent according to preliminary results, chose to increase their sales tax from .4 to .7 percent on Tuesday, continuing until 2051 to pay for $17 billion in transportation improvements.

August 27, 2015 - AZ Central

Light Rail Extension to South Sacramento County Opens Today

Observers are closely monitoring whether a hotly contested light rail extension into Elk Grove and South Sacramento County lives up to its promise.

August 24, 2015 - Sacramento Bee

Open 7 Months Ahead of Schedule: Mesa, Arizona's Light Rail Extension

The Valley Metro Rail system launched a new light rail extension over the weekend that connects the city of Mesa into Phoenix, Tempe and to the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.

August 24, 2015 - East Valley Tribune

Downtown Phoenix Skyline

Support for Rail Heats Up in Phoenix

A seven-year-old light rail line has beaten ridership projections and transformed neighborhoods in Phoenix. Now, one of the nation's most sprawling cities considers where to expand the system—and how to pay for it.

August 17, 2015 - Governing Magazine

Buffalo Considering Light Rail Expansion to the Suburbs

As the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority wraps up a study of expanding into suburban Amherst, support from the community "is stronger than it’s been in decades."

August 14, 2015 - Buffalo News

Durham's Transformation Built on Redevelopment Near Future Light Rail, Freeway

Two adjacent properties in downtown Durham totaling 18 acres were recently purchased by developers planning for intensive mixed use projects near the former tobacco warehouse district and future light rail station.

August 2, 2015 - The Raleigh News & 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.