Public Safety
Unfortunate Lessons for City Planners From the Grenfell Tower Fire
The Grenfell Tower Fire in London took the lives of 71 people, and investigators are still searching for lessons from the tragedy. American planners shouldn't neglect these lessons, either.
Dallas Area Rapid Transit Commits to New Security Measures
The DART Board of Directors has ordered the expansion of police and security patrols at transit stations in Dallas, while also considering investments in new surveillance technology on light rail lines.
Could Autonomous Vehicles Save Lives in Disasters?
Autonomous vehicles could provide life-saving assistance in the event of a large-scale evacuation, if a shared fleet of autonomous vehicles is built with this purpose in mind.
San Francisco Has a New 'Vision Zero' Fire Truck
The size of fire trucks frustrates advocates on many sides of the public safety debate. The San Francisco Fire Department sought a solution.
Pedestrians and Cyclists: The New Norm For Terrorist Targets?
Eight people enjoying the Hudson River Greenway in lower Manhattan on Tuesday in the shadow of the World Trade Centered were intentionally mowed down and killed by a driver in a rented pickup truck, following an ISIS playbook that targets pedestrians
Spokane Voters to Decide Whether to Regulate Oil and Coal Trains
Proposition 2, the Safer Spokane Initiative, would require railroads to reduce health and safety risks posed by certain types of oil and coal trains traveling through specified parts of the city or risk being fined.
Ranking the Safest Cities in the World—Tokyo Leads the List
The Economist's Intelligence Unit has released its 2017 Safe Cities Index.
Study: 'Eyes on the Street' Have Real Value for Neighborhood Safety
The first study to make an attempt at quantifying the value of "eyes on street"—an idea most eloquently described by Jane Jacobs—offers reason to support a mix of uses, with businesses operating later in the evening.
Complete Streets Policies Still Seeking Equity
Though the quick expansion of complete streets policies is worth celebrating, minority and low-income communities are still being left behind, and killed at a disproportionate rate.
Skyways Inspire Debate About the Future of Downtown St. Paul
The debate over public safety in Downtown St. Paul is once again focused on the city's skyways. There, concerns about access challenge any possible solutions.
With Florida Sprawl Comes Infrastructure and Public Safety Concerns
Some local officials in unincorporated Hillsborough County, outside of Tampa, Florida, are trying to take local residents up to the consequences of unmitigated sprawl.
Using Big Data to Identify Problem Properties
In New York state, municipalities can apply to use a new tool that gathers property data and sifts for red flags. The intent is to identify potential blight before it sets in.
A Call for Anti-Drunk Walking and Biking Campaigns
Citing data that show a large share of people killed while walking or biking were drunk, some are calling for programs to educate the public of the danger of walking and biking while under the influence of alcohol.
Data Dispute Trump's Claims About Sanctuary Cities as Hotbeds of Crime
The "sanctuary cities" that President Trump has repeatedly characterized as incubators of crime are generally safer than other cities, according to a new analysis of FBI crime data.
Case Study of an Unsafe Street
Street Road, a thoroughfare cutting through the Philadelphia suburb of Bensalem, is a public safety disaster. PennDOT is investing in safety along the road, but locals say much more needs to be done.
Proposed Law Would Curb Late-Night Partying in New Orleans
A string of shootings on Bourbon Street in New Orleans have inspired the mayor to propose a package of new security measures. One of the proposals would cut back the city's all-night revelry.
Are Bikeshare Programs Successful?
Bikeshare programs were first introduced in the U.S. seven years ago. Outside Magazine investigates whether they "are actually benefiting cities and their residents."
San Jose Plots a Major Street Overhaul
Chynoweth Avenue in San Jose, California is notorious for speeding, illegal dumping, and prostitution. The city's remedy includes a fairly comprehensive reconfiguration of the street and its infrastructure.
Bay Area City Rejects Crude-by-Rail Terminal, Could Set Precedent
Crude-by-rail opponents are hoping that Benicia's rejection of a proposed rail terminal for a Valero refinery will set a precedent: it was enabled by a U.S. Surface Transportation Board decision allowing the city to have the final word.
Indianapolis: Where the Streets Have No Lights
The IndyStar shines a light on the city of Indianapolis' neglect of its infrastructure.
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
UCLA Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
City of Piedmont, CA
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
