Mobility

On the Surprising Efficiency of Big City Commutes
Logically we might assume that as cities grow larger, commutes get harder. It can certainly feel that way. But research points to structural factors that actually make commuting in big cities more efficient.
A Transportation Network Company's Surprising Early Adopters: Seniors
There's more than one way to meet demand for transportation options.
Cities Are Putting Off Plans for Self-Driving Cars
A recent report casts light on a lack of preparation by cities for the future of transportation.

Congestion Pricing as the Missing Piece of Urban Mobility
A new report argues for congestion pricing projects to be implemented in major Canadian cities.

Sidewalk Cafes—Silver Bullets of Walkable Places
No single tool builds "walk appeal" as powerfully as sidewalk cafes, which are both a cause and an effect of places we love to walk.
How Growth and Neighborhood Protection Coexist in Pasadena
Pasadena recently elected its first new mayor in 16 years, and the city is completing a 20-year General Plan Update that aims to continue animating downtown Pasadena by addressing growth and mobility simultaneously.

Next Steps for the City of Freeways
It is difficult to imagine a time when Los Angeles' freeways symbolized access, efficiency, and modernity. Now that the city's love affair with freeways is nearly spent, what future do we envision for them?

How Politics Poisoned U.S. Public Transportation
Vox brings out the subtleties in explaining the underperformance of the U.S. public transportation system.

25 Years of the Americans With Disabilities Act
Twenty-five years have passed since the United States approved a civil rights law with broad and positive affect on the build environment as we've come to know it.

Bold Plans Unveiled for Converting Durham's Historic Downtown Loop
The city of Durham hosted a public workshop this week to discuss urban design plans for converting a circuitous couplet to a two-way street grid.
Durham, NC Moving ahead with High-Profile Projects
Durham City Council members may be ready to take on new debt to fund a list of big-ticket parks and transportation projects which would help keep pace with growth and enhance the community.
How the Twin Cities Transports its Aging Population
Dave Beal provides thorough coverage of the demographic and geographic challenges facing transportation for the aging in the Twin Cities region, where the need for such services is increasing as the population ages.
Explaining the Connections between Physical Mobility and Economic Mobility
A new post by Danielle Kurtzleben explains the complicated mix of infrastructure considerations that must be in place for transportation to benefit economic mobility.

Let's Make Sticky Streets for People!
As cities work hard to evolve their perspective on the role of streets as public places in smarter city-making, remember this: Good cities know that streets move people, not just cars. Great cities know that streets are places to linger and enjoy.

Are Millennials Hiding in their Parents' Basements?
Recent studies have found that trends born of the Great Recession have left Millennials stuck in place. A recent article places the current milieu in context by comparing historic rates of mobility.

Mobility in Cities is About Space - Proven Powerfully in Pictures!
The biggest mobility challenge in cities isn't about what comes out of a car's tailpipe - it's about the massive amount of space that cars demand. Space to drive in, and space to park in. When explaining this, these pictures are worth 1000 words.

3 Reasons We Should Pay Attention to Medellín
Medellín has been called the most innovative city in the world, and recently hosted the World Urban Forum WUF7 to huge acclaim. It has taken back the city's public realm, found simple solutions to complex problems, and emphasized a "City for Life."
Urban Planning Fundamental: Facilitate a Strong Labor Market
Wendell Cox reviews a new working paper by Alain Bertaud called “Cities as Labor Markets.” Cox calls the lesson contained therein “Urban Planning 101” and a “much needed midcourse correction to urban planning around the world.”
Plan for Nation's Largest BRT Network Approved for Suburban D.C.
This week, the Montgomery County Council approved an ambitious, but controversial, plan to create a 10-route, 81-mile Bus Rapid Transit network in D.C.'s northern suburbs to meet the area's mobility needs and support its sustainable growth.

Why Aren't Americans Moving?
Four years after the Great Recession technically ended, the rate at which Americans are choosing to relocate continues to decline and is now at historic lows. What is causing this long-term trend?
Pagination
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.
Clanton & Associates, Inc.
Jessamine County Fiscal Court
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service